My title reads like the National Inquirer, I know. Thanks for opening my post. I don't think I could ever call myself anti-reform. Like most organizations, I believe there is room for process improvement at the park board. But in my observation, the "reformers" are frightening in their zealotry, their meanness, and their reckless disregard of the truth. In short, far worse than any current disfunction. One reason may be that the reform movement started out with some false premises. One of them is that one side is good and the other is evil. QUESTION: Was the hiring of Supt. Gurban, as most "reformers" maintain, the seminal incident of corruption? I am sorry to criticize someone who has spent many years of her life in public service, as a volunteer and park commissioner, but Vivian Mason has changed dramatically over the years. She carries deep resentments against people who disagree with her. In my observation, she thwarted the search for a park superintendent and the 2 finalist candidates both dropped out of the search after she made inappropriate comments about them in the paper. The superintendent had resigned and Christmas was approaching. So did Gurban's hiring follow appropriate protocol? No. Was it an evil conspiracy? No. I think it was a frustrated response to Vivian Mason's innappropriate actions. Sometimes a story changes depending on where you start it. And Vivian Mason's inexhaustible venom is fueling much of the park "reform" movement. In its endorsements, the Star Tribune said, "The minority faction is not blameless. It has perfected the attitude of victimhood and that, too, has been destructive. The departure of Vivian Mason, who saw conspiracies everywhere, should help mend the board's personality disorder." QUESTION: Is is okay to lie to achieve "reform" objectives? The park "reformers" talk constantly about ethics and integrity. To me, it seems contradictory. "Respondent violated Minn. Stat. 211B.06 by preparing and disseminating campaign material that contained three false statements that Respondent knew were false or communicated to others with reckless disregard as to whether they were false." Is this from the "cabal" of 5? No, the Respondent is former state commerce commissioner Jim Bernstein, one of the "reform" candidates. It was handed down this afternoon by a panel of judges in a lawsuit between Jim and Bob Fine. It goes on to say that violating this statute is a gross misdemeanor. QUESTION: Should a park commissioner who has been censured for verbally abusing park employees including using the N word, and whose is voice mail is always full and never receives calls be endorsed by an organization that stands for accountability or integrity? Try it. Here's her number. Call her. I have. Almost a hundreds times. 612-230-6443 ext. 7 The voice mail is always full. I have left her messages at her office at Hennepin County probation several times and never received a call back. As for the "N" word censure, it's in the Star Tribune archives. QUESTION: Is 16 and 12 years long enough on the park board to implement a reform agenda? Annie Young has been on the MPRB for 16 years, and Rochelle for 12. And they're the reformers? Here is what the Star Tribune had to say about our two longest serving commissioners. "Incumbents Annie Young and Rochelle Berry Graves have 28 years of experience between them. It's time for them to go." Here is one accomplishment the "reformers" won't tell you about. Under President Jon Olson, starting last year the park meetings are broadcast live on cable tv and webcast on the internet for the whole world to see, anywhere, anytime, for free. In my opinion, that is openness and reform. Please think for yourselves and make informed votes tomorrow. Please don't be swayed by these "reformers" who are trying to manipulate the electorate for their own objectives of political control. Nikki Carlson Linden Hills 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.
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