http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4751283.html
The headline: 50 new families in owner-occupied homes and revitalize 41 vacant and boarded properties on the North Side as part of a $40 million housing fund by 2006. >From the Strib: "After months of work from Rybak, city staff, business leaders and the North Side council members, the Northside Home Fund was created from donations of $20 million from the Minnesota Housing and Finance Agency and $20 million from the Franklin National Bank "The goal is to reduce the disproportionate number of boarded-up and vacant properties on the North Side. "... North Side activist Roberta Englund, the executive director of the Folwell and Webber-Camden neighborhood associations and a self-proclaimed cynic, praised Rybak for work on the Northside Home Fund. "It's a magical opportunity for the North Side,' she said." The conflict: Councilmembers Natalie Johnson Lee and Nizolek boycott the speech and conflict with the mayor come out in the open. According to Strib's Rochelle Olson: "While Johnson Lee and Niziolek didn't attend, they criticized him earlier in the day. "'I can't listen to another disingenuous speech,' Johnson Lee said. She faults the mayor for making promises in speeches and not following through or being collaborative on issues that matter to minority and underprivileged communities. "Rybak said, 'Council Member Johnson Lee has her skills, but she's proven to be a passionate critic and a passive participant. That has limited her effectiveness.' "Niziolek said he's frustrated with the mayor on the investigation into the shooting of police officer Duy Ngo. Rybak recently cited to Niziolek parts of the city charter that he says give the mayor authority over the police chief." David Brauer List manager 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
