Russell writes, of our Lake Street cover story in the current Southwest
Journal: 

> One should consider that the "random" people and business owners
interviewed
> in the SWJ article to which Scott Persons refers are from  between Lyndale
> and 35W. And. . .from the article itself. . . .
> "The conversations were generally brief. Many had not heard about the Lake
> Street reconstruction project; a few more were aware of the freeway ramp
> debate. Questions did not probe opinions on turn lanes or streetscape,
> simply people's impressions.
> 
> "Some people were too busy to talk. Some did not speak English. Some
didn't
> want their names used. For several people, the important issues were
pretty
> basic - pick up the trash, fix the potholes, get rid of the graffiti."
> 
> Hmmmm. . . .

I agree wholeheartedly with Russell's caveat. The story did not set out to
prove any point. As the person who edited it, I don't think it did (other
than a smattering of people who confounded the ideological stereotypes on
either side). It was not a scientific sample and is not statistically
significant as survey.

Scott and I both strove to acknowledge the limitations in the quotes Russ
provides. 

For us, it was a chance to talk to real people who live, work and use the
street - to back away from the pitched battle over the street's future and
hear what non-combatants have to say.

There are many opinions in the piece; you can see what you want there
(Rashomon effect). That's one reason I liked it.

David Brauer
King Field
Editor, Southwest Journal

TEMPORARY REMINDER:
1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject 
(Mpls-specific, of course.)

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