There is concern over my proposing of a Non-Discrimination assurance from DeLaSalle as an amendment prior to sending the project forward for an EAW as a 'conspiracy' to derail the planning process for the proposed athletic field by DeLaSalle High School. There is/was no such conspiracy on my part. It was purely coincidence that some blog was written some where on this topic prior to the meeting.
Some citizens have brought a concern related to the non-discrimination issue forward in the past and it is a relevant and reasonable concern with this or any other long term project on public lands. A similar concern was brought forward by Annie Young and me years ago when a new Salvation Army Koch Center was proposed for development on Park Board and City land. I made the decision to add this amendment at the meeting. No commissioners, project proponents or project opponents knew of it. I wanted reassurance and a Board commitment that it is our expectation that there will be compliance with the City's and Park Board's own non-discrimination policy by DeLaSalle High School. Reasonable, I think. DeLaSalle has never given any indication that they would be anything other than completely supportive of the current city and park board non-discrimination policy. Who knows what the future holds? This amendment and vote suggests that regardless of changes in the future, the Park Board expects compliance. Such compliance is expected and is not an unreasonable request during the planning process as was mentioned by the Park Board's Council at the meeting on Wednesday. I offered it as a friendly amendment - that was rejected. Therefore, I brought it up as a Motion - Comm. Dziedzic seconded the motion. So, in short, the addition of this amendment was simply making sure the cities and citizens issues were addressed now and in the future. I note that the support of the amendment on the Park Board was unanimous (9-0), so this is not a pro- versus con- issue on the Board as some have suggested. Sincerely, John Erwin City-Wide Minneapolis Park Board 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
