Wow - bad faith, dishonesty and distortion all at once! A hat trick! And all for a post about rabbits!
I always think it's best to be civil and stick with the facts. The parcel at issue here is legally described as Block 4, Nicollet Island. It's about 2.7 acres. There are three "wild" areas on the Island: Block 4, the space just to the north of the railroad tracks and the north tip of the Island. There are indeed 3 tennis courts on Block 4. While I don't believe a survey exists, it is obvious to the common observer that they take up less than half of the total area in that space. The rest is newly planted trees (paid for by the Tree Trust) and unmaintained prairie. And yes, if my dogs' interest is any indication, lots of rabbits live there, woodchucks too. The beavers stick to the river and I've only seen the fox on the west side of the Island. While Islanders are obviously concerned about this issue, every neighborhood up and down the river that has considered this issue (Nicollet Island/East Bank, Marcy Holmes, St. Anthony West and Prospect Park) opposes the plan. Over 1200 people from all over the region have signed petitions opposing the plan. It's not just about a few Island residents. Obviously, I live on the Island - that's evident from the way I sign every post - but I think any poster on this issue (including Ms. Carlson) should disclose their own interest in and relationship to the proposal. What we have seen is that just about every writer of letters to the editor and the vocal supporters in favor of this project (including by the way, several Park Board Commissioners) are unadmitted DeLaSalle alumni, parents or employees. I'm not claiming independence on this issue, just asking that we all disclose our own interests. Barry Clegg Nicollet Island Nikki Carlson said: >>I have ignored many distortions about the shared DeLaSalle/Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board multi-use playing field. I've told myself that these untruths would all come out in the wash. Now I hear all over town things quoted from this list about the project that are simply not true, so I've decided to try to correct them. First of all, one of the main criticisms is the lack of good-faith discussion. One of the tenets of this is honesty, and not deliberately distorting the other side's position. Currently the land in question contains: 3 full-size asphalt-paved tennis courts and two half-block street lanes of concrete pavers. Certainly those precious rabbits are not eating the asphalt and concrete. I don't believe there will be any net loss of green space. If anyone who is concerned with the children of Minneapolis and wants to hear about the benefits of this playing field, or would like to tour the site, or hear about the awesome accomplishments of DeLaSalle in educating children and creating leaders from all walks of life, or how this is a great complement to the mission and recreational offerings of the MPRB, please feel free to call me at 612-889-3632. Nikki Carlson Linden Hills << 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
