I like the idea of shrinking the city council. It is not one bit clear to me that 13 members provide us with better government. I wouldn't go as far as Vicky because her city council represents a TINY fraction of the Minneapolis population. But what worked in 1950 should work even better now. But, then again, maybe each precinct should have a corresponding council member. If the captain of the precinct can manage that size area, maybe the council member can, too. And it would give us a council that could achieve majority votes on ordinances. Not a huge solution to budget matters, but I'm sure the savings on salary could support some vital city services.
Or here's an alternative thought. Make the council job part-time and let the members run a small business that suffers along with other small businesses. Any support for THAT idea out there? (wink, wink) Jan del Calzo:"I am really tired about the "got to have that many to provide constituent service." That part of the job grew because the Council Members wanted it to grow". Yeh, in fact, that probably is why our city has become more like Eastern cities where corruption is rife. I've lived in my present home for nearly ten years and got NO constituent service. Doesnt mean I haven't CALLED. But I got a rude brushoff every time and stopped trying. Since Gary Schiff took over, I haven't made an attempt, so I can't tell if the changing of the guard is really a change. But the "constituent service" rap is one more argument that is a glittering generality. NO info whatever to back it up. But I'll tell you one thing: The "constituent service" that matters most to me is fire and police. If the council keeps all its members but the MFD and MPD lose theirs, then I'm losing the service I DO want just to keep the one I DON'T want. Gary Schiff knows that. I'm way less concerned about his job than those of my neighborhood cops and firemen. Switching to another topic. There are participants here who must remain namely because every time anyone gets CLOSE to naming them, David B fires off a private email saying it is "personal". Well, these participants seem to love EVERY multimillion-dollar project in existence just because they've been in the planning stages for some years. And I ask my fellow taxpayers, as we face the very unpalateable choice of losing fire and police protection or seeing big tax increases, shouldt we ALL start being VERY critical of these huge money-wasting practices? Tim said "Don't build new buildings when there are empty buildings cryhing out for a use". I say, as a 40 year Minneapolis taxpayer that THAT is the thinking we need, not these cries that "Lake Street will die" or "Pelli will sue". I know most of this is the fault of the economy that collapsed in 2001, and I also feel certain the economy will struggle back to health in months or (at worst) years. In the MEANTIME, lets act ! like our parents did in the Depression. Lets tighten our belts and pay the NECESSARY bills. That DOESNT include flyover ramps to Wells Fargo or glass palaces downtown or, God help us, custom-built sports arenas anywhere. Necessary bills are fixing the streets, policing the streets, and putting our fires. Speech is free, so you can't tell anyone to pipe down. But you sure can find the difference between relevant proposals and that faction of people who find denial a way to deal with economic distress. -------------- Jim Mork--Cooper "Only a LUNATIC would cut schools in order to pay for more bombs." "Depart from me, you cursed of my Father. Inasmuch as you have not done it to the least of these my brethren, you have not done it unto me." Get your free Web-based E-mail at http://www.startribune.com/stribmail 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
