I can see the value of the Department of Transportation broadcasting traffic information. But at a time when low power broadcasting is just about to come into its own, maybe the issue should be changed into an investigation as to why the Minneapolis Schools have a radio station at all. Minnesota Public Radio just paid a ton of money to purchase WCAL in Northfield. Twelve million? There aren't a lot of positions on the FM broadcast band. I would propose that $12,000,000 would buy a lot of pencils and papers, yes, even drawing papers, so that teachers won't have to dip into their own pockets for such items. Let the DOT set up its own low power system paid for by gasoline taxes, rather than enjoy a subsidy provided by the taxpayers of Minneapolis for a Metro wide benefit. What benefit does a jazz station have for the vast majority of Minneapolis students. I would guess extremely few listen to jazz. Almost none of the students who "study radio" in the MPS system will get jobs without having taken courses at Brown Institute [What's this "Brown College" business? Everybody has their own college these days] unless their aunt owns a station somewhere. Does anybody know how many other public school systems in the country operate full power radio stations? Ray Marshall Minnehaha
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 17:38:54 -0600 From: "Rick Mons" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Mpls] Best way to get Traffic Info The MN DOT is making a huge mistake when it decides to withdraw funds for a dedicated radio-based traffic information system (now provided on KBEM). 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
