Actually David, I was not only referring to the Bouza quote that was published. I was referring to an earlier meeting that Tony Scallon and Brian Coil had with neighbors Mosin Agamirzai, Brian Daniels, Myself and other from PV Neighborhood Action Group which Tony Bouza came into the middle of. We were lambasting them with the gang problem and the "new" (at that time) drug epidemic that was coming. That was before the Guardian Angels and all the other mid 80's tomfoolery that went on. Brian laughed at the idea of crime being a problem and our neighborhood not getting adequate policing. Three months later when the problem hit around his house over in Whittier, Brian said it was the most important issue facing Minneapolis. Drug dealing and prostitution on your corner does have that affect on some of us. Brian said he even had a problem waiting for the bus by his house
David, I believe the quote you are referring to came when the Guardian Angels brought their "Carney" to town in order to "help" us with our gang problem. Goes to show how long the problem and the denial has been around. We did not spend the pennies then and it cost bushels of dollars afterwards. The Council and Mayor seem to be in the same denial now. Mark Snyder is correct about the amount of the budget that goes for police, fire, and public works. That is as it should be. Remember those things in that order, (Police first), are the only true functions of the City. Everything else is just gravy. Read the Minneapolis Charter. If it has not been changed, the only thing mandated by law is the enforcement of State and Federal law. The law does not require parks, library, or staff for City functions; it only requires public safety. After that then the City can do whatever programs it feels necessary. Public Safety is not a privilege enjoyed only by the "Good" neighborhoods, and Council people and Mayors who live in "Good" neighborhoods. It is a RIGHT enjoyed by every resident and neighborhood of Minneapolis. Does the City engage in a pattern of violating that RIGHT in poor and minority neighborhoods? Absolutely! That is why the "Impacted Neighborhoods" need to have Federal Authorities do Mediation between the Impacted Neighborhoods and the City Of Minneapolis. The City is violating our Constitutionally guaranteed RIGHT to Equal Protection Under The Law. The Constitution does not guarantee "Equal Policing"; it guarantees "Equal Protection". Quite a different thing! If necessary it is time the "Impacted Neighborhoods" started thinking of legal action to protect those rights. Mediation should always be explored before Legal "action" is tested. The Mothers, children and elderly in our neighborhoods deserve the same protection as that enjoyed by the "Good" Council Members, the Mayor, and their children. Do we need to go back to a time when "OUR" children are being terrified and objectified by crime as well as commonly shot on our streets to get the politician's attention? Remember people; the Council and Mayor do not give us anything. It is our money and it is our RIGHT. Call your Council Member and tell them so. Get mad as hell and don't take it anymore! Jim Graham, Ventura Village >"To stumble twice against the same stone is a proverbial disgrace. - Cicero > "We can only be what we give ourselves the power to be" - A Cherokee Feast of Days 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
