In a message dated 4/12/2004 10:12:12 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
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. In a message dated 4/12/2004 10:37:10 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Access to and enhancement of communication and information is the basis of civil society. Other cities on the planet, although not without their turf battles, are more aggressive about developing an infrastructure with a much longer look to the future than keeping the playgrounds neat and the lakes clean. Jonathan Palmer Responds: How about before we develop cutting edge technology, we make sure that all the parks have the basics first. While this discussion is going about how necessary it is to have Wi-Fi for a civil society, Jordan Park is one of the last, if not the last park to still have the old chemically treated wood playground equipment. Don't you think before we start arguing over the digital divide between us and other cities we ought to deal with the resource divide between neighborhoods and parks in Minneapolis? The replacement of said equipment was moved up from 2007 to 2005 thanks to the efforts of Jon Olson, but how do you explain to one of the kids in Jordan that they've got to wait until next year for the basics in playground equipment, because some kid in one of the "nice" neighborhoods needs to have internet access while sitting by the lake? And we've got to help fund the replacement! It's all well and good to speak of how important this is for "basic services" but while some parks are getting skate parks, Jordan doesn't have a park building. How about before we start talking about "necessary amenities" we make sure that all the parks have the basic necessities. Jonathan Palmer live in Victory Work in Jordan 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
