On 7/21/05 7:35 AM, "gemgram" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I am afraid some people might have the wrong idea when I am critical of RT > and the crime issue. Some might think I do it to support Peter McLaughlin, > but come on folks. I would be doing the same if Peter McLaughlin was not > even running for office. The problem is not one that McLaughlin has anything > to do with, the problem is that RT's staff has not placed ANY priority on > the loss of police officers. That is until now, when it becomes a campaign > issue that threatens his campaign and there jobs. Don't you wish that bunch > would have worked a little harder on doing a good job instead of just > keeping their job? They do a great job of running a campaign, but they suck > at running the City.
Count me as one who had the "wrong idea" about Jim's criticism of our mayor. Perhaps Jim and others who have been spending so much time complaining about Rybak can help me out with a question I have. Why is it that everything you perceive as wrong with the city is strictly the mayor's fault and no blame or responsibility seems to be placed on City Council? After all, they play as large, if not a larger role than the mayor in determining how this city operates. Case in point: earlier this year, we had a big thread going on that became known as "Stormwatergate" where Jim and others ripped the mayor for the new storm water utility fee. No mention, however, was made of the role that the Transportation and Public Works committee of City Council played in this fee being introduced. For those unfamiliar, the Transportation and Public Works Committee handles stuff like infrastructure improvements such as skyways, street lighting, streets, bridges, sanitary sewers and storm drains, water treatment and traffic control facilities. So they had to approve this stormwater utility fee and how it was structured before it could be enacted. So where is the grief for committee chair Sandy Colvin Roy or committee members Robert Lilligren, Barret Lane, Scott Benson, Gary Schiff and Dean Zimmermann? Another example: police and fire are overseen by the Public Safety & Regulatory Services Committee. This committee also considers applications for gambling, business, rental dwelling, liquor, beer and wine licenses. They also make recommendations about razing condemned buildings, set policy for the Inspections, Police and Fire departments, and considers public health, safety and social service programs for the City. Given that, is it really fair to say that it's the mayor and his staff that have "placed ANY priority on the loss of police officers" or should some of that blame be assigned to committee chair Dan Niziolek and committee members Don Samuels, Sandy Colvin Roy, Barbara Johnson, Paul Ostrow and Paul Zerby? Plus, we have those who complain about the city's budget priorities in general and like to put all that in the mayor's lap: What about the role the Ways & Means/Budget Committee plays in this, since this committee determines the annual budget appropriations for structure, operation and organization for City departments. They also consider lawsuit settlements; execution of contracts; and considers issuance of bonds recommended by the Community Development Committee. Personnel assignments, replacements, additions or reductions require approval from this committee. Now ironically, committee chair Barbara Johnson is running unopposed in Ward 4. That's pretty sad considering what an influence she has on how the city spends it's money and how many people out there are apparently upset about that. Other members of this committee include Paul Zerby, Sandy Colvin Roy, Barret Lane, Natalie Johnson Lee and Dan Niziolek. In looking at these committees now, I notice that Sandy Colvin Roy is a member of all of them. So maybe it's all her fault and she's the one we should be getting rid of. Is that overly simplistic on my part? Perhaps. But that's about the same level of analysis the various Rybak detractors seem to be employing... Mark Snyder Windom Park 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
