Then the Republicans stole the presidency and took revenge on our core cities. They also managed through their incompetence to trash the economy and put millions out of work. Northside kids could hardy find jobs this summer, but the gangs were actively recruiting. This and last summer we have been under siege by drug dealing gangs. Simple home maintainence chores have been impossible at times.
Now one would think the city would get creative and find a way out of this crisis. Dream on... Our city laid off police and firefighters while wasting millions on new radios. Our city is spending millions to prop up a failed attempt by a big corporation to replace public housing they tore down, largely with "market rate" housing we can't afford. Meanwhile but a couple blocks away homeless folks are forced to camp outside on a traffic island in the middle of the street.
That's just the beginning. With 3 houses on my block sitting unsold all year the city has gone on a "zero tolerance" housing code enforcement campaign. Meanwhile, the previously dedicated funds for NRP deferred loans have disappeared, with no further funds allocated. The city shamelessly promises yearly property tax increases while our police force is a hundred officers understaffed.
Friday night the drug house up the block did a steady business until dawn. Saturday my friend from Starbuck called, a mutual friend of ours was stranded with a dead car in Washington state and needed bus fare home. She wanted to loan the bus fare but was broke, and I quickly deduced that if I gave her $250 for a months rent on Strarbuck digs she could do the deal.
The empty crack baggies I found on my lawn this morning told me I made the right choice. So I now have a second home in greater Minnesota. For $250 a month I get a room with cable TV, DSL, heat, air conditioning in the summer, etc.. And I suspect that if I domicile my vehicles there instead of redlined 55411 and give up my phone and internet service here I'll save enough to cover the rent. And so I am with sadness beginning to say goodbye to Minneapolis. I still have to be here 5 days a week for work, but in a few years I'll be retired. In case Council Member Samuels is looking for a 3rd ward residency, my property is neither for rent or sale- I'm holding on to it in hopes Minneapolis someday gets it's act together and I can come home.
exiled in greater Minnesota,
Dyna Sluyter
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