This was posted by Ken Avidor on a discussion list, and I'm posting it here with his permission. There are some very good points to ponder....
****** From: ken avidor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: What is SMART STRIDE is grassroots, SMART is astroturf. You can explore the differences at http://www.stride-mn.org The letter below appears in the current issue of the SWJ in a bowdlerized form. Original Version: Letter to the Editor of SWJ I find it very ironic that Paula Gilbertson, the manager of the Linden Hills Co-op and appointed chair of the Lake Street Public Advisory Committee that you profiled in the June 12-25th issue is a supporter of the 35W Access Project and the widening of Lake Street. The Co-op movement seeks a more healthy, more environmental and socially responsible approach to the production and distribution of food. The 35W Access Project seeks to induce automobile traffic in our area, increasing air pollutants that cause lung disease and cancer. The Access Project will encourage automobile use and discourage walking, biking and transit use leading to greater obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other "lifestyle" illnesses. The autocentric 35W Access Project will increase our region's dependence on foreign oil. The 35W Access Project will bulldoze and pave over homes, businesses and a tot lot for low-income children. It is an even greater irony that Paula Gilbertson can't see that the success of the businesses like the co-op in Linden Hills where she works has nothing to do with freeway access for cars. Pedestrian, bike and transit friendly Linden Hills is an example we should use for determining the future of Lake Street. Linden Hills had the good sense to turn a gas station into a restaurant. Linden Hills has the further distinction of being the only place in Minneapolis with a trolley, something we should seriously consider for Lake Street. At the Lake Street "Visioning" Session June 9th, Hennepin Commissioner Gail Dorfman encouraged the Lake Street PAC members to "take ownership" of the project. It seems more to me that the Lake Street PAC is a rubber stamp for a Smith Parker-brokered deal that includes all the Access Project plans for Lake Street. If Hennepin County truly wished the PAC to "own" the project, they would allow the PAC to increase its level of democracy and citizen participation. The current chairperson seems more concerned with guiding the process swiftly toward predetermined goals. A truly democratic and fair citizen participation organization should have an elected chairperson that allows enough time for all options to be explored and encourages the free expression of opinions. A more specific URL concerning SMART http://www.stride-mn.org/about-smithparker/smart-flier.htm Ken Avidor 10th Ward Lake Street PAC member *** Re-Posted by David Piehl Central __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com 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.) ________________________________ 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
