Michael Hohmann wrote: I too question why the MPRB should be considering making local parks wireless access 'hot spots.' I agree with Andrew-- libraries, yes; parks, no. Some coffee shops offer wi-fi at no cost to patrons and they absorb the cost, while others charge for it. I think the MPRB has enough to take care of without getting into providing wireless access for the masses. Do the public schools provide wi-fi to students and teachers? Does the city provide wireless access for all employees, other than where hand held units , etc. might be used on the job? How about Hennepin County or the state? Let's keep our eye on the mission. Let's keep the parks green and the surface waters clean; and, provide reasonable recreation programming for city youth on a year-round basis.
Matt Burress responds: The mission of the MPRB is to provide a set of public services, and I agree that such services should include clean waters and recreational programming. But I contend that wi-fi supports that mission. As with libraries, it is a public good relevant to users of parks -- even though it is a new one like skateboarding facilities and off-leash recreational areas for dogs. The financial cost may make it an unreasonable service to provide (although I tend not to think so), but this is a question separate from whether wi-fi constitutes a branching out of the MPRB mission. Also, the lack of wi-fi in other public buildings in Minneapolis is not an argument against having wi-fi; rather, it is a reflection of the cutting edge nature of the technology. Matt Burress Audubon 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
