Judy Borger has an interesting story on the Jordan
neighborhood in today's Pi-Press. Here's the link:
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/4185177.htm
She made some excellent points about how this neighborhood is
in political limbo. Current council member is Joe Biernat, still
seeming pretty much AWOL while he hashes out his legal status. And
because of re-districting, the neighborhood is about to move over to
Natalie Johnson-Lee's 5th ward, but it's not there yet.
But what caught my eye was $25,000 from the county going to
Spike Moss and his organization, The City, Inc. to pick up trash.
Which apparently resulted in "90 to 100" bags of trash being
collected. The Jordan neighbors interviewed weren't too pleased about
all this---wanted to know who really got this $25,000 and what they
would get for it. There were the usual mixed comments about The City,
Inc and Spike.
I quote from the story:
"Spike Moss, a City Inc. activist who oversaw the project,
said a crew of 50
young men between 15 and 25 years old worked after school and all day
on a Saturday to clean up. The $25,000 had all been spent by last
week, with $15 an hour going to supervisors and $7.50 an hour to
workers."We were working all over the community," said Moss, who
declined to be more
specific.
"County planning manager John McLaughlin, who administers the
grant to The
City Inc., confirmed that the county hauled away 90 to 100 bags of
trash from the parking lot of The City Inc., which is several blocks
from the Jordan neighborhood. "I can confirm that we hauled the trash
away. I can't verify where it came from," said McLaughlin, who added,
"$25,000 is not a big thing."
Lynnell again: I don't know much about Spike Moss or The
City and I don't have a dog in that fight. But IF the $25,000 was
for a one-time trash sweep that resulted in 100 bags----that's $250
per bag. And if this is true, all I can say is, let me collect trash
at that rate!!!! I'll be over there in a nano-second. So would a lot
of other people I know.
Also, how could 50 young men work all day and collect only
two bags of trash each?
Great story, as usual, by Pi-Press Judy Borger, who along
with Steve Brandt from the Strib and a few others, is one of my
favorite intrepid city reporters. (I mean, holy cow, she actually
gets out of the office and talks to people in the neighborhoods,
imagine that!!!! )
The people of Jordan, once again, have my condolences and
empathy. Talk about a group of people getting kicked around while
they're already down. It ain't fair.
Lynnell Mickelsen
Ward 13
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