(Part 1 - A ended with this statement: Several indications reveal the connection and potential for De LaSalle's stadium proposal to materially affect the upcoming election for both Park Board and City Council.)
1 -- THERE IS AN INTENSE PUSH TO BRING THE ISSUE TO A VOTE BEFORE THE NOV. 8 ELECTION. a. To accomplish this a compressed timeframe was imposed on the Citizen Advisory Commission (CAC). (CAC's studying simple issues typically take many months. The CAC process for the dog park involved a couple of years' work. In contrast, the Nicollet Island/De LaSalle CAC was decreed in advance to meet four times over sixteen days.) b. The issue has moved to a vote 1 - while legal questions remain unanswered (i.e. Board Attorney Brian Rice has yet to issue any response on constitutionality; an 1983 agreement has conflicting legal interpretations that will require resolution); 2 - while the Environmental Assessment Worksheet had not even begun, but, most importantly; 3 - before any EVALUATION OF COST/BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC has been presented. c. This timetable has been explained as necessary because the current board has the background for the vote. However, the present board would have plenty of time to vote following the election, as any new members would not be seated until January. And, if this were a valid argument, many other issues would qualify for the same voting deadline. For instance, the St. Anthony Parkway bikeway issue CAC had not even convened when I last heard, yet a delayed vote on this issue may jeopardize future state funding for the project. The contrast in how these issues are being handled is very telling. d. Brother Collins, the school's leader, has stated the vote is needed now because De LaSalle can't just keep on waiting. Judge that argument for yourself. 2 -- THE DISTRIBUTION OF A LETTER BY CM HAUSER TO CONSTITUENTS CALLING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO HER SUPPORT OF THE DE LASALLE ISSUE. THE SCHOOL IS NOT LOCATED IN CM HAUSER'S PARK DISTRICT. ENROLLMENT IS NOT LIMITED TO ANY PARISH OR SCHOOL BOUNDARIES. CM Hauser is leaving the Park Board to run for the City Council. The letter is dated prior to the primary election, where Hauser garnered top vote counts. Any questions as to the letter's intent and affect are best addressed by actual review of the letter. http://www.mplsparkwatch.org/files/HauserLetter.pdf 3 -- CM DZIEDZICS'S COMMENT WHEN CONFRONTED WITH ISLAND RESIDENTS PASSING A PETITION OPPOSING DE LASALLE'S PLAN: HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF CATHOLICS IN MINNEAPOLIS. 4 -- DE LASALLE'S WEBSITE AS OF OCTOBER 19 LISTED ALL THE PARK BOARD COMMISSIONERS WITH THIS NOTATION BY SPECIFIC COMMISSIONER'S NAMES: "Voted FOR De LaSalle on 6/1 and on 8/3." The implications of this for a political candidate are not difficult to imagine. It seems as if candidates' positions on De LaSalle have become the local litmus test. In fact, the mayoral condidates were asked their stands on the issue in a public debate, even though they have no vote on the issue. End of Part 1 - B I urge you to read all parts in sequence for a true comprehension of the issues raised. (Part 1 A and Part 2 were posted yesterday 10/27) Christine Viken Stevens Square/Loring Heights 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
