On Tuesday morning, along with a few of my neighbors, I attended the PAC meeting for the I-35W Access project. The PAC has consistently made decisions which harm the viability of historic resources adjacent to the project area, with a seeming complete disregard for the negative effects of their project on historic resources. I know that several PAC members actually are more sensitive and sensible than that, so I'll attribute their actions to lack of complete information; i.e. they are being played big time!
Anyway, the meeting went on and on and on and on, and my neighbors had to leave - is anyone suprised that a Tuesday morning meeting that lasts over three hours isn't exactly conducive to public input? I was left alone to speak for the neighbors, which meant I'd be vulnerable to the marginalization that Tom Johnson so often engages in (only one person doesn't like the plan, etc). Well, knowing that most people couldn't make an all morning meeting on a workday, we drew up a lengthy petition that stated many issues and areas where positions need attention. Yes, PAC and Tom Johnson now officially have received the message loud and clear from all the folks that live along the freeway north of 32nd St to the 2900 block that their plan is not acceptable. Just because residents don't have endless hours and vacation time to devote to a four year process does not imply acceptance or satisfaction. In fact, one project organizer has been leading the PAC to believe that Clarissa Walker is OK with the project, when that is not her position. Clarissa has resigned herself to the inevitability of certain aspects of the project, but that resignation is not to be interpreted as support. None of the information is new to the PAC, as it was stated in several meetings with project organizers over the last four years, and consistently swept under the rug. Why do the project organizers feel they can ignore us? In one presentation regarding disproportionate impacts on poor and minority folks, a consultant used the words "those people" a lot, maybe that's a clue to the attitude. The plan as it exists today is unacceptable. Rework it with residents in mind, or trash it; it's not even worth a fraction of the $150 million price tag. David Piehl Central __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com _______________________________________ 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
