On 8/15/04 10:37 AM, "Gina Palandri" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I have determined that after talking with some of the media that's been > covering the whole LRT Parking issues I am rather disappointed. Rather > than really mention what's most important: that Metro Transit should be > proactive in solving this problem since they created it; the media would > rather sensationalize the anger of neighbors and make it appear like we > are against public transportation. Even KSTP; they came to my door last > night and asked if I would talk to them about what I expected with the > Vikings game happening. As I told them that Metro Transit needs to be > proactive, and that since evolving public transportation has to happen; > the solutions have to happen. They never aired any of that.
It's good to know that some people simply won't allow facts to get in the way of their beliefs. Ms. Palandri continues to fault Metro Transit and apparently, now the local media, for her neighborhood's parking problems when the Star Tribune plainly reported on Sunday that it was Minneapolis City Council that opposed the construction of any Park and Ride lots in Minneapolis proper beyond the one located at Lake Street that will open this fall. -------- "Minneapolis looks at solutions for unwelcome parkers" - http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4927522.html "Transit officials plan to build the Fort Snelling deck when funding becomes available. And the city backed off its strict prohibition, opting to allow a 195-space park-and-ride lot at the Lake Street/Midtown station. It will open this fall. But the council is disinclined to add other lots. In a decision that dates to the 1980s, the council wanted to put land near transit stations to better use. Members thought that parking lots would only invite new traffic to neighborhoods and then fill up anyway -- sending the spillover to residential streets. By not providing parking, they hoped to encourage riders to connect with the rail line by bus, bike or on foot. Despite the lofty goals, the Hiawatha line opened in June with no designated parking between downtown Minneapolis and Fort Snelling, and many rail riders are left to park on public streets. Many are unaware that it causes problems for residents. Anticipating this, the city took photos of streets near the stations before the rail line opened. Now officials are taking pictures, checking license plates and making visual inspections before rendering an opinion on the scope of the problem. A staff report, due by the end of August, will start a discussion with council members and residents about what to do, said Jon Wertjes, Minneapolis' director of traffic and parking services." -------- In addition, as mentioned in the article, it was Minneapolis officials that decided to wait eight weeks to try to learn what "what day-to-day parking patterns would emerge" before attempting to do anything to mitigate parking crunches. So Ms. Palandri and her neighbors might be better served to shift the focus of their ire from slamming Metro Transit and intimidating LRT riders who aren't doing anything wrong to seeking some help from their very own city elected officials. It was their decision-making, or lack thereof, that led to having no plan ready for how to manage this problem when LRT opened. Mark Snyder Windom Park 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
