In reply to Doug Mann, I am not opposed to a publically owned (100% publically owned) since all the profits would go into the Minneapolis general fund. But I am opposed to ANY stadium tax, whether tthe stadium is publically or privately owned, unless it passes in a referendum. If the referendum is for a publically owned stadium, I will consider the particular proposal on its merits before deciding how to vote on it. I hope the Green Party insists on REAL public ownership before deciding what vote to urge on a referendum and does not let itself be satisfied with some phoney facade of public ownership or partial public ownership in which the bulk of the profits go to a private business. No socialism for the rich! Also, no Robin Hood in reverse or stealing from the poor to give to the rich. Robert Halfhill [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://halfhillblog.blogspot.com http://halfhillviews.greatnow.com http://www.thepen.us -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: aaron klemz writes, "I don't know for what reason Doug Mann didn't solicit GP endorsement, nor do I think that his signs are a big deal. But it is more than clear that the GP has a strong position against state funding for a stadium, referendum or not. To wit (MNGP Platform, available at mngreens.org):" [Doug Mann]: The MN GP platform is one thing. The 5th district steering committee's stance toward the stadium proposal was quite different. The steering committee was for public financing of the stadium if there was a "public ownership" component. This is reflected in the press release pasted at the end of this message. The steering committee produced a draft resolution about the stadium, but the adoption of a stadium resolution (and discussion about how to fight the Stadium deal) has yet to be put on the agenda of a 5th district Green Party meeting, so far as I know. (I do pay attention to the meeting notices, agendas, meeting notes) The local Green Party therefore does not have an official position that is binding on the leadership. Why? The Green Party leadership has been divided on the stadium issue. Dean Z. and Natalie Johnson Lee took a firm stand against the stadium. Annie Young didn't want to reject a stadium deal out of hand. The compromise they came up with was to say no to a publicly funded stadium unless it is publicly owned. As I see it, calling for "public ownership" is a ploy to get the Green Party engaged in a negotiating process. In my opinion, "No new stadium tax without a referendum" is really a stronger statement of opposition to the stadium than "No stadium tax" period (per the MN GP platform) because it addresses the issue of our right to vote on the imposition of a sales tax. A stadium tax has no chance of getting voter approval, which is why the Hennepin County Board is trying to get the tax imposed without a referedum. The 5th District Green Party has nothing to say about that! It is also worth noting that the DFL saved a seat on the Park Board for Annie Young. The DFL only endorsed 2 candidates for 3 at-large positions. Annie attended the DFL convention and lobbied for that result, according to her own account of the DFL convention that was published on the local Green Party listserv. GREEN PARTY LAUNCHES MINNEAPOLIS CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND PARK BOARD [press release] Minneapolis, MN - On the morning of Thursday, May 12, the candidates endorsed by the 5th Congressional District Green Party (5CDGP) launched what promises to be an exciting city campaign this year. At a press conference at Minneapolis City Hall, they took a stand on some important issues facing the people of Minneapolis, calling for: >- No stadium paid with taxes unless we have a locally owned team... -Doug Mann, King Field, 8th ward Green Candidate for City Council, ward 8 - 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 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
