Eva: It's great we can agree to disagree. I think I was very clear that my politics are different than Art's. But we are talking about the children. While I can't speak for Neva, and I can tell you that Neva's politics ARE about children and also about Human Rights for all people. I know that for a fact and I think she is very clear in her actions. I was living in the Central Neighborhood when we had an opportunity to get Inner City Tennis in the Central Neighborhood. I worked very hard to get this effort through. If I remember correctly, you were a part of the group that kept that initiative from moving forward. Inner City Tennis is a program that is run by senior volunteers, my 83 year old dad and his wife being two of them. These seniors work to teach young people how to play tennis. It has been very successful in St. Paul for over 20 years, but unfortunately because of the issues you had with Urban Ventures, who was going to partner with Inner City Tennis, it did not move forward and the children suffered. My father is a long time supporter of human rights but also understands that we must insure that our children in the city don't get caught up in the political in-fighting that keeps programs from moving forward. It takes money, and yes, lots of money to get structures built and programs developed. This project has been on the table for years. I don't think there is another program that has the capacity to bring the program to fruition. I would rather have a discussion on how we are going to work to get Human Rights for all people, and not a discussion on how we can keep money from those we dislike or disagree. The issue is Human Rights and Gay Marriage, not Urban Ventures and the Colin Powell Center. Eva, please separate them. Taking the program away from the children is not going to get us our Human Rights. It won't do a thing but hurt our children that are seriously suffering right now. Take care, Matthea
Eva Young <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Matthea Little Smith (Neva's campaign manager) responded to my post on the Central Chat list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/central-chat/message/866 This is my response to Matthea's post..... While Neva is a supporter of the Colin Powell Center, with the other serious issues facing the legislature the past few years, the Center hasn't been the high active priority of her work. EY: Since Art is asking for 6.35 million of bonding funding, for the Colin Powell Center, and Neva Walker has been supporting this (When I talked with Keith Ellison about this program, he said that part of the reason he had signed on was because Neva had asked him to.) Matthea: However, I believe, if this program does not come to fruition, because someone blurs the political lines, and keeps children in the Phillips and surrounding neighborhoods from access to programs that will enrich their lives, again, the children of WILL be "left behind". My hope Eva, is that you will address Art on his politics, not Neva or Peter, for that matter, on their great work to ensure our children have access to programs that enrich their lives. EY: Why not fund programs for children with groups that have a better track record of respecting parents of non-christian kids - rather than undermining the parents? I'm addressing Neva Walker and Peter McLaughlin because they both have supported bonding funding for Urban Ventures. Peter McLaughlin supported this project by having Hennepin County pass a resolution in support of it. Neva Walker has been pushing for this bill in the house. I'll forward this email to Neva, and the other emails I've sent. Neva no longer represents me in the legislature - I have been contacting Keith Ellison on this issue - who does represent me. I've also contacted the house bonding committee about this. It's really pretty appalling that the public schools, parks and libraries are getting cut - but the legislature and Governor Pawlenty wants to waste over 6 million on bonding funds for Urban Ventures.... It's good that Art and UV has now distanced themselves from the anti-gay prayer effort. I still question whether any UV program would serve kids whose parents don't want them to participate in the ministry part of the program. Eva Young Near North Eva Young Near North Minneapolis Blogs: http://lloydletta.blogspot.com http://www.outletradio.com 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 Matthea Little Smith 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
