Shawne does an excellent job of recapping the Neiman field issues. The Nineties were heady times for the Park Board. NRP funds helped rebuild the parks and several gyms were initiated. Unfortunately, little thought was given to long term costs and operating funds. Interestingly, this seemed to be a general criticism that can be attributed to all the commissioners not a particular grouping. Several, Hauser, Erwin and Kummer were not on the Commission during this time.
For Dorea, she asks very good questions. Charter schools do receive funds for leasing facilities. Minneapolis however has the property tax levy and the referendum funds and does spend thousands more per student. For example, we have to pay for Police services with our own state funds. Minneapolis uses the levy to hire Park Police. MTS receives no support from this levy. Yes charter schools do pay rent. Many facilities in my community (YWCA, Matthews Park) facilities are already dedicated to Minneapolis Public Schools and are not attainable by charter schools. Newer schools like MTS can save thousands of taxpayers dollars if they rent existing facilities. MTS currently leases from Pillsbury United Neighborhood Services and several church gyms. Park and YWCA are either not available or are difficult to use. Only the intervention of Commissioner Hauser allowed us any Park facilities use for MTS. To Jason, I am sorry. The electorate not the candidate set the agenda in my view. I am not interested in debating all your rhetorical statements. I thought candidates responded to constituent concerns. Several candidates seem more interested in their own agenda or supporting a faction on the Board. I am not impressed with Jason's demand I debate his concerns. Instead, will Jason work to have the School Patrol from the Park Police serve alternative and charter schools? Why do the schools with the poorest students needing the most service often get the least amount of park services both police and facilities? I know these are very specific but several commissioners have responded on these issues including Kummer, Hauser, Young and Erwin. Tony Scallon Longfellow Community. 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:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
