Three of the nine Commissioners on the MPRB have started businesses or currently have small businesses that I know of (Fine, Olson, Erwin). I would be among that group (landscaping business in the past and a current consulting business). Both successful I might add. To suggest that if you have an employer, that you either 1) don't have any accountability, or 2) should not be an elected official is ridiculous! Think three ( at a minimum) of the Nine have grant writing experience (Young, Erwin, Kummer) - this is also an important skill to have on a Board.
I, for one, certainly would not want only groups of small business owners running the city! I do want officials that represent the public. Running a system is not only about money . . . .there are other issues that determine priorities! Currently, the MPRB has a parole officer, former met council member, environmental activist, horticulture professor, Dairy Queen owner, Real estate lawyer, nurse, and former police officer and teacher on it. Each person brings different experiences to the Board that are valuable in our decision making. With respect to criticisms over green space and Dutch elm, I remind the author that the MPRB has INCREASED park green space in the park system during the past 4 years, INCREASED tree planting over the last four years, INCREASED diseased tree removal during the past four years, and INCREASED police officer number during the last four years. Not exactly a terrible record for a Park Board during significant budget cuts! I agree that not keeping the warming houses open last weekend was a mistake. I also did not support the pool closures - I agree, both common sense issues. The warming house closure issue was a miscommunication among staff which was addressed at the last Board meeting publicly. Mistake - no excuses. This was not a Board decision by any stretch of the imagination. As new Rec. Committee Chair, we will be taking care of that issue with a new policy at the next meeting. Sincerely, John Erwin MPRB At-Large Commissioner "How many of the Commissioners have started a business from the ground up? How many have been self employed? How many have done the books of a business other than their own households? This is my question for many of our elected officials....most have not.. yet they start spending the tax dollar as if it were their own and they have no business savvy, no business history , and no accountablity since they have always had an employer taking care of them. Before anyone spends a dime of tax money do some research....unless it is used as the money should be used....keeping green spaces green, getting the diseased elm down, keeping warming houses open for children on cold evenings, water in pools in the summer for the kids, Comman sense." REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
