I read this on Netlets tonight and wanted to pass on the issues forum -- Thanks Liz for your contributions - always!
http://www.startribune.com/stories/109/5701911.html To halt land rush on urban parks, vote Nov. 8 Last month's Star Tribune series on skyrocketing prices for property in northern Minnesota underscored how highly people value the chance to live near natural resources and places for passive and active recreation. If such properties are coveted in remote areas, imagine what public parks mean to urban dwellers who, unlike our friends in rural and suburban area, have yards the size of postage stamps if we have them at all. With 6,400 acres containing lakes, creeks, a riverfront, playing fields, open spaces and 48 recreation centers, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is the largest landowner in the city. The nine-person, elected Park Board controls an annual budget which includes nearly $50 million in taxpayer money. Because of this substantial budget, the stewardship and responsibility required of those elected to the Park Board is daunting. Park commissioners must be vigilant in protecting our much-needed open spaces and picturesque shorelines from the grasping hands of those seeking to create profit for the few. They must exercise caution when pondering long-term contracts for spaces paid for by the public. They must practice diligent oversight to ensure we are getting the best return on our tax dollar. And they must balance the public's diverse needs for sound environmental policy and recreational opportunities without overly burdening city taxpayers already reeling from cost of living increases. A current majority on the Minneapolis Park Bard has not lived up to those standards. These commissioners have squandered funds on unwise, overpriced capital projects that have little or no public benefit, while threatening basic necessities like restrooms, summer park supervision and wading pools. From the lakes to the riverfront they have tried to remove precious park resources from public control or access. The land rush on our urban parks has been held in check, but if the board's narrow five-member majority gains a sixth vote in November's general election, our parkland could be auctioned to the highest bidder (or to the best-connected private party in a no-bid process). And all done in the name of preserving the park system, following the Orwellian logic that to save our parks we must divest ourselves of them. Park Watch (www mplsparkwatch org) is an ad hoc group that monitors the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and tries to shine a light on its actions and policies -- a laborious but necessary function with a public body that has ceased to uphold such basic elements of governance as recording written meeting minutes. The group formed after a five-person majority faction of Minneapolis park commissioners voted in December 2003 to hire a superintendent who was not a candidate for the position and had not even interviewed. Park Watch supports good government and an independent park board. Please remember to vote on Nov. 8 and elect a district park commissioner and three at-large, citywide park commissioners who will be accountable, govern in a transparent manner, reverse the course on privatizing park resources and provide the stewardship to keep our waters clean, our recreations centers open, our open spaces public and basic services maintained. Written by: LIZ WIELINSKI, MINNEAPOLIS; CO-FOUNDER PARK WATCH Katie Simon-Dastych - Cooper/ Longfellow Resident - Park District 3 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
