I can think of no politician for whom I had greater hope, or expectations, than RT Rybak. He cared, he listened, he told us he would remain one of us. I can think of no politician who offered more promise.
Sharon on the other hand, in our minds, had forgotten her "Promise" and had forgotten the people from whom she had come. � Sharon had a staff that made her very hard to reach. Sharon was the first Mayor who you could not reach for two or three weeks at a time. � Sharon was a national leader in affordable housing, Yet was more interested in large non-profit developers than the people who needed housing. More interested in bringing the middle-class into the city than making some of our poor into middle-class. � Sharon gave lip service to the "Crime" issue while "Dis'ing" the cops until a welcome sign was nationally posted that Minneapolis was the place to come and make quick drug dollars without much fear of the police and courts. Remember "Murderapolis", where drug dealers and blight were so common it caused a Minneapolis neighborhood to request "National Disaster Status" from FEMA. Remember when the Bogus Boys, the Detroit Boys, the Disciples , Vice Lords , and other gangs did business on Local Street corners like they owned them. � Remember when Sharon wanted to have NRP dollars controlled by "Downtown" rather than by the "Neighborhoods", because "Downtown" would have a comprehensive housing and development strategy. Remember the clear resounding rebuff Sharon received from the neighborhood activist for forgetting who had made NRP work (Neighborhoods), and who was chiefly responsible for failing at oversight when it did not work, (Downtown). This all sounds remarkably fresh after reading the newspaper, the McKinsey report, and the MPLS Issues the last few weeks. I still believe in Camelot and the promises of RT on the "Neighborhood Control of NRP". I still believe RT will not allow "staff" to seize control of this program to do "Comprehensive Development". (Now a buzzword for Downtown Control and the quasi graft that may go on with large developers). Before RT's election a local businessman turned to me and asked, "What kind of Mayor do you think RT will be?" I answered that RT would be just as good a Mayor as we MADE him be. Well RT, I expect you to be a great Mayor, and part of being a great Mayor is remembering promises. I expect any plan that comes out of your "Staff" to give greater control of NRP Funds to Neighborhoods, (as promised), not less. A couple of "Neighborhood Representatives" on a board or commission IS NOT greater Neighborhood Control. Such a plan is nothing more than the proposal that got Sharon thrown out. RT, the people of Minneapolis did not elect you because you are cuter and more photogenic than Sharon. They elected you because they believed in the promises you made and because they believed in "Promise" of you. The people of Minneapolis had faith in you. We hope you will "keep the faith". Jim Graham, Ventura Village ----- Original Message ----- From: Jeffrey Strand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 6:34 AM Subject: [Mpls] NRP Policy Board Letter to Mayor/City Council (McKinsey Report) > NRP Policy Board Letter Sent to Mayor/City Council (McKinsey Report) > > I refer readers to the letter now posted to the Minneapolis NRP web site as > had been requested. I want to thank Director Bob Miller and Communications > Specialist Brett Feldman for their responsiveness. > > http://www.nrp.org/R2/News/NewsArch/2002/20020801.html > > Jeffrey L. Strand, NRP Policy Board Member > (Shingle Creek/4th Ward) > > > _______________________________________ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
