First, so it doesn't get lost in the text below, I'd like to thank Commissioners Young and Erwin for demonstrating the true nature of leadership, going the extra mile to engage the public.
Then, in response to some of Andrew's points: > By this do you mean the park board spends $3,675,000.00 per year on > internet access ($75,000 x 49 recreation centers) or they are spending > $127.55 per month per center ($75,000 / 49 recreation centers / 12 > months)? Jason : The answer is the latter, because the former would be nearly impossible. > Great idea -- but there is a capital outlay that would probably have to > take place. Unless the break even point is within the first year, lets > try keeping our beaches open first. And harvesting the milfoil that > makes the lakes look and smell horrible such that people are not as > interested in coming to see them to begin with. As an aside, why is it > that this park board is willing to accept as a gift a milfoil harvester > from neighborhood NRP money, yet they still put such a low priority on > the actual harvesting? Shameful. Jason : Water quality does need further attention. The MPRB is responsible for some aspects of water quality (invasive species, shorelines, water testing) while the Minnehaha Creek Watershed Dist is responsible for some other aspects. I would like to see the MPRB focusing more attention on some core issues. I like the concept of solar panels, but as a homeowner I have been told that solar panels are the very last investment in energy efficiency that one should make after having 'tightened' every other aspect of energy efficiency. For example, would there be a greater dividend in energy efficiency by replacing some old inefficient furnaces in rec centers? It takes a long time to realize the benefits of solar panels. Some people misconstrue the actual source of smells, myself included. I was enlightened when I raised issues about Lake Harriet stink and was subsequently cc:ed on some emails between the Mayor & folks managing water quality. Does milfoil actually stink? Further, dog parks are icing on the cake. I believe that further lighting of dog parks should, in the current climate, be considered a frivolous activity. > Which brings us to the elephant in the middle of the living room > everyone seems to be ignoring: why is it that the Park Board has its > own police force? What does it do? Why is it we have a duplicate > police force in the City of Minneapolis? If you really are looking at > ways to increase efficiencies, that seems to be a big one. You cannot > get me to believe that there would not be huge cost benefits to all > involved by consolidating these police forces plus the added benefit of > getting more police on the street at the times we need them there. Jason : Good question, Andrew. This is a component of the considerable power they hold, apparently granted by MN statute 398.13 which provides that MPRB has authority to employ police officers to enforce ordinances. I'd be interested in historical perspective of why it was deemed important for the MPRB to have power of law enforcement. Jason Stone Diamond Lake __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
