Wizard: I'm going to stop posting on this...after I respond to your comment :) Neither side is going to change their position, and I've just become too frustrated with those opposed to building the field changing their tactics and arguments daily from: (1) its bad for the island and the park should remain an open space (a good argument, one I disagree with but hey, I hear ya) to (2) any park commissioner that votes for this plan is voting for "patronage, special interests and cronyism"...i.e. they are corrupt (personal attacks with no support or basis save that a few of the Commissioners have or have had personal ties to DLS); to (3) separation of church and state (it was argued a loooooooong time ago and now resurfaces with no explanation as to how this would constitute an endorsement or establishment.) As far as the separation of church and state, its absolutely ridiculous. No one could argue that the reciprocal use agreement constitutes an endorsement of the Catholic faith by the Park Board...its preposterous. The mere fact that a religious institution is involved in a land-use agreement with a local government entity in NO way brings it in violation of the Constitution! A few weeks back someone said that if the Park Board was really looking out for Nicollet Island they'd have found a way to get rid of DLS...no DLS supporter retorted with an argument that such a move would prohibit the free practice of religion. The separation of church and state is thrown around too loosely with little or no idea of what it actually means and its careless to do so in this case as well...it's easy to throw out as it will likely frighten and confuse a few folks but you know and I know that its irrelevant to this discussion. As I noted, I think there are many many reasons to be for this plan to build a playing field. But I understand as well that there are ideologies and reasons which would take a different view. I've heard many rational arguments for not building the field, I simply disagree... I can understand wanting to keep an open space in the City...I get that. I personally went to school at DLS and think of that open space as an unattractive railroad right-of-way, nothing special...but I dont quarrel with those who see value in it. However, "patronage, special interests and cronyism" and violations of church/state, the argument can do without. It has devolved from the merits...(I think I remember Rep. Kahn discussing census statistics and whether the parkboard could actually use a stadium)...now its personal attacks against Commissioners and inferring or outright claiming that anyone who votes for the plan is corrupt. Kind regards, Anthony Thompson Standish DLS '96 -------------------------- Political sense of conflict of mission as it relates to the MPRB's interest: Though we be deep in the heart of Denial, MN, the park board still proposes to give away a chunk of land to a religious institution in a country that makes a lotta noise about the righteousness of the separation of church and state. I doubt there could be a clearer instance of offending that principle around at the moment. Ecological conflict of interest: From the position of the MPRB, the ecobest they can do is to say a pox on both the islanders and the school. This is park land, this is a very delicate piece of land, this is a part of MN history for eons (probably since the glaciers), and both the residents and the school can keep their grubby mitts off it! It already has more pressure than it should have to endure. Head races and tail races that no longer operate, miles of defunct tunnel, a lock and dam, a hydropower plant, a restaurant, a school, a hulking replacement bridge, a small bridge, a railroad bridge, and a foot bridge, and whatever else. It's a little island with a tough history and an already tough job to do. 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.
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