Tim Erickson posted: In 1950, Minneapolis had 521,718 citizens represented by 13 Aldermen. Each ward had about 40,132 citizens. In 2000, Minneapolis had 382,618 citizens represented by 13 councilmembers. Each ward has about 29,432 citizens.
Brandt here: Unfortunately, Tim's premise is faulty. The trusty librarians at the downtown Minneapolis interim library confirmed my hunch that in 1950 Minneapolis still had 26 council members (two for each ward). The charter amendment that changed this to one per ward wasn't passed until June 11, 1951. I don't know when it took effect, but it may not have been until the end of the term of council members elected that year. So in 1950, a council member represented an average of 20,066 constituents, compared to the current 29,432. And a demographer will tell you that the census undercounts recent immigrants, although the degree is a matter of debate. The official numbers from the last census showed 33,667 in the Sixth Ward, and the real number is likely higher. Steve Brandt Kingfield TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
