It seems like much of the cost could be reduced by taking out the parts of the proposal that prepare to add capacity to 35W. I'm curious where Mayor RT Rybak is on this portion of the proposal.
Just add ramps at Lake St. That's what's needed. Leave it at that.
Another question I have is why is our tax money continuing to go to Smith Parker for their advocacy on behalf of their other clients - specifically Allina and Wells Fargo - when pushing this project.
Intimidation Tactics towards Cartoonists
A while back, the Minneapolis Southwest Journal sent local Minneapolis cartoonist Ken Avidor a cease and decist letter because a graphic posted on the Stride site was a photo from SW Journal that was doctored. Since the photo was doctored as a parody, it seems that it was a new piece of original work - and not a copyright violation. The original photo: a picture of Tom Johnson, the Excess Project booster. The Stride site graphic - the picture of Johnson with horns. It looked like the horns were added in crayon. I also understand that this particular bit of creative work was not Avidor's - but another Stride members. But Avidor has his name on the site, so he got the legal contact. When I talked with Avidor about fighting SW Journal on this, he said that he has heard from other cartoonists that it takes lots of money to fight these things - and for this reason, SW Journal - and their lawyers won out. Later the Stride site featured a photo of SW Journal Editor (and Minneapolis List-Meister) David Brauer with an Alfred E Neuman smile. That photo originated at SW Journal and the new creative version appeared on the Stride Website. I can't find any of this stuff when I peruse the Stride Site now.
It kind of reminds me of Fox News Suing Al Franken for the use of the words "Fair and Balanced". Or Talk Radio Networks's Mike Savage suing the savagestupidity.com website for trademark infringement with the domain name. Fox News Suit helped push Franken's book into a best seller. But this story has a local Minneapolis flavor - repleat with a Minneapolis cast of characters.
The cartoon in question here portrays Peter McLaughlin as a rather Dickensian character.
I read the thread posted here about the intimidation of Ken Avidor, but wasn't really able to make heads or tails of it. So I'm not clear whether there is evidence that McLaughlin or Smith Parker were involved or not.
Eva Young
Near North
Minneapolis
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Blog is up:
http://lloydletta.blogspot.com
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