Just wanted to note my support for some of Tony Scallon's comments and add a couple others.
1) With respect to the conflict of interest issue, each commissioner will need to make that choice as a personal matter. Technically, there needs to be a financial involvement for conflict of interest to be noted legally. NO Commissioner has a direct financial interest in DeLaSalle. However, I have never voted for anything related to the University of Minnesota on the Park Board (I am a U employee) because of a potential 'perception' of conflict of interest. The rowing building on the river is a long ways from the horticulture department at the St Paul campus where I work, yet I did not feel comfortable voting on it. This was a personal decision that I made and am comfortable with. Each commissioner will have to make their own judgment and be held responsible for it at the ballot box. 2) Annie and I put a motion out last week (which was passed) to get the CAC (Citizens' Advisory Committee) rolling on the DeLaSalle project. Frankly, I/we have always though that this should have been the first step with the eventual development of a use agreement after. The approval of the project can be used as leverage to get a better deal for the city and taxpayers on the facility/parking itself. This is how we handled the recent U of M rowing facility proposal and the process worked just fine. Such a committee likely would have avoided much of this controversy and follows our own process. 3) Unfortunately, this issue has taken on an us against them mentality. There is the real possibility that this project could be good for the island residents and the school. Could we build a field and increase green space on the island? How would we do this? Perhaps moving some of DeLaSalle's parking and the tennis courts into the BF Nelson site where we are going to have to put in parking anyway. This may allow Grove St. to stay open and provide amenities at the BF Nelson site that we would like to have anyway. I am sure there are many other possibilities. 4) Both the island residents and DeLaSalle should be commended for their passion for their causes and involvement as well as all those who have taken the time to voice their opinions on the issues list. The most constructive thing to do at this time is to sit down and talk to find out if there is a compromise that is beneficial to DeLaSalle, the environment of the island, and the city as a whole. This is long overdue. Those discussions will likely formally start in September. These are all good people and suspect that they will come up with a good solution through the CAC and an eventual use agreement. Sincerely, John Erwin At-Large MPRB Commissioner 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
