We will be electing a Minneapolis mayor in two days. Unfortunately, we will be electing a mayor who will have much of his power statutorily restricted to those whom we can't select at the polls.
We have a number of powerful public officials in Minneapolis whom we might label minimayors. These individuals seem to be empowered to do what they please without really answering to anyone. For example, there is the minimayor of Operations and Regulatory Services and the minimayor of Public Works. The domain of the minimayor of Operations and Regulatory Services includes the traditionally dysfunctional divisions of Inspections and Licensing. The minimayor of Public Works is responsible for polluting the environment and increasing global warming (by insisting on having boulevard lights turned on during much of the daytime), and the unnecessary plugging of crosswalks and driveways through antiquated snowplowing practices. The minimayor of Public Works also has allowed the sloppy installation of boulevard street lights and incomplete boulevard restoration with apparent disregard for the contractual requirements of the lowest bidding contractor. Both minimayors have had the ultimate responsibility for wasting the taxpayers' money and other resources. Citizens certainly suffer when they are not able to elect more responsible and effective public officials. It seems obvious that we need to make changes in the basic organization of the government of Minneapolis. Neal E. Simons Prospect Park 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
