The Scallon Response to Jason misses the mark to a degree. The beef that many in Minneapolis who watch government closely is that none of the necessary information is readily available. Research is sometimes impossible, and asking budgetary questions of Park Board incumbents doesn't make sense, because they're often working off executive summaries rather than actual budgets. Not too long ago I was looking at some numbers for golf courses and no actuals or variances were included. Furthermore, what do you do when the largest line items are "other?"
There is a five person coalition running the Park Board and they're not doing a good job, they're not keeping up with technology, they're not keeping up with cultural changes. There was a post recently regarding the Fort Snelling project being under-utilized. Of course it is, because it was built on the dark side of the moon where no body lives. Jason's beef is that decisions like this, that cost you and me and everyone else a ton of money, are obfuscated by a lack of public documentation. Park Board is not the City Council, who is getting better and more transparent. Jeremy Wieland Circulation Director Utne magazine 1624 Harmon Place Minneapolis, MN 55403 612.338.5040 x326 www.utne.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 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
