Just a quick comment regarding Jason's post: 1) First, thanks for the thoughtful feedback Jason. Thanks also to Chris for taking such complete and timely notes!
Yes, the Kroc Center issue could be difficult. I am very concerned about the issue of abiding by the city's non-discrimination policy. Ideally, we have a successful proposal and an agreement to abide by that policy in hiring. Certainly, such a facility would be a HUGE benefit to the kids and other residents of either the northside and/or northeast side. 2) The issue of the Bryn Mawr Meadows Athletic Facilities is related to process in my mind. Comm. Olson is absolutely correct in talking about the future. I believe we need to have a lot more visioning about our park system with the public and on the Board. The concern over this project was the expenditure of funds for planning and the lack of discussion and communication with the Board and neighborhoods. 3) The MPRB is and has been very concerned about trees. I believe this concern is shared not only by the Park Board, but also by the City Council and Mayor. Together we increased tree planting this year from approx. 2,400 trees (the base the Park Board was going to plant) to 5,000 trees (that we will be doing with additional dollars received from the city). In addition, we did a large planting of new strains of Dutch Elm Resistant trees along Olson Memorial Highway. It has been and still is my desire to retain a number of major elm corridors in Minneapolis - this Highway is one of them. Having said this, we are seeing approx. a tripling of the take downs. The reason for the dramatic increase in take downs is due, in part, to the warm winters resulting in an increased spread of the disease (beetles) and a more rapid progression of the disease once a tree is infected. Bottom line is that we have doubled tree planting this year and have significantly increased take downs in an effort to control the spread of this disease. This is over budget already, but the Park Board is committed to the control. Mother nature has not been helping! Remember that if we have a moist fall, we will be finishing this year's planting! If any of you have had empty spots in front of your homes/apartments, please call their location in to the Park Board main office - 612-230-6400, to add them to the list. Also PLEASE remember that watering newly planted trees really helps in their establishment even 3 months after they are planted! Sincerely, John Erwin Minneapolis Park and Rec Board 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
