Forwarded on behalf of Marie Hauser...
In political campaigns, as in war correspondent coverage, "Truth" as
they say, “is often the first casualty." Rhetoric gets tossed around
in campaigns, often in a personal fashion. I want to set the true
facts out in regard to my vote at last week's Park Board meeting. I
voted in support of the Metropolitan Council’s 1983 Agreement, which
includes a direction to the MPRB to build De La Salle High School an
athletic field. I think when you know the facts, you'll understand why.
As directed by the 1983 Agreement between the Metropolitan Council,
the MCDA and the MPRB, the Park Board Planning Committee passed a
Reciprocal Use Agreement on August 3rd. This Reciprocal Use Agreement
would allow Minneapolis children participating in Park Board programs
to join De La Salle students playing on Nicollet Island. I believe
this Reciprocal Use Agreement satisfies a contractual obligation
placed on the Park Board by the 1983 Metropolitan Council Agreement.
Failure to do so, I believe, places the Park Board and the City at
risk for failure to meet contractual obligations outlined in the 1983
Agreement.
This Reciprocal Use Agreement does not sell, lease, rent or give away
park land. Instead, it creates a playing field from about 2/3
privately owned De La Salle land and about 1/3 park space. The new
field would be shared by De La Salle students and City children
participating in Park Board programs. De La Salle’s space is already
a playing field, used for decades by ball teams for practices and by
gym classes. The park land is part of a regional park, the majority
of which is open space, with some used for historic housing. This
would allow City children participating in Park Board programs to
join students on private land, while giving De La Salle students a
full size field for play.
A motion to establish a Citizen’s Advisory Committee has been made
and passed. No details of the plan have yet been decided. The design
of the field, which the 1983 Agreement directs to be built, will be
worked out during the Planning Phase, in meetings of the Citizens
Advisory Board, including residents and neighbors. Some details of
design have been suggested. No details of the plan will be decided
until the completion of the Planning Process and a public vote of the
Park Board, to approve a final plan.
I have followed the direction of the 1983 contractual Agreement. My
vote protects the Park Board and the City from possible serious legal
consequences. Instead of exposing Minneapolis taxpayers to a lawsuit,
I voted to give Minneapolis children park land on which to play! Even
if you disagree with me, I hope you can understand the obligation I
feel to uphold a legal contract.
Marie Hauser
Central Neighborhood
3rd District Commissioner, MPRB
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