[Mpls] The Mayor breaks his promise to do filmed interveiw re: homelessness

[m1r3201]

Several weeks ago Mayor Rybak agreed to do a filmed interview I requested regarding the fact that people are being forced into the streets due to shelters being overcrowded and the Catch-22 that, if forced to the streets, they are breaking city ordinances that prohibit sleeping, camping in public spaces or sleeping in their car.  
 
    Mayor Rybak e-mailed me : "I have your request and appreciate it.� I think this filming is a good idea and have told me scheduler to get it on the schedule"

       I made it clear to the mayor he would be asked to support the campout that is taking place to demand repeal of those laws and also to ask if he would advocate to the city council for repeal of those laws as they unfairly target people who are homeless.
   After a couple weeks of the schedulers telling me they would get back to me about a time, I was told today by his aide today that "The Mayor is too busy to do the interview with you."
    When I told this aide that the Mayor had agreed in writing to the interview (see above) she said "He makes commitments without being aware of his schedule much of the time."
    With every effort to be accommodating, I told her that all she had to do was name a day and time and I would make it work. She said that "He is just too busy."
     This is pretty much the way the issue of poverty and homelessness has been dealt with over the years... so I wish I could say I am surprised.
      At the forum where homeless people spoke out Friday a week ago, even before they started speaking, Gail Dorfman told them that the Mayor and other officials may have to leave early.... again I guess they are just too busy. The Mayor stayed ,I would guess ,about 20 minutes for that two hour forum.
                                               Margaret Hastings-Mpls., Kingfield