Heidi Quezada wrote:
Well, I will be the second to express my disgust. Take this quote from Matt
Taibbi explaining why he is disenchanted by the Democratic Party. It
explains exactly how I feel (and a majority of 'progressives' in
Minneapolis, I think).
Let me remind everyone that both the Park Board Reform and People for
Independent Parks groups supported DFL candidates. With the exception
of Annie Young, both sides of this battle can be seen within the DFL.
DFL-endorsed candidates fell on both sides of the issue, and some
districts had no endorsed DFL candidate. There are few specific
statements of the Minneapolis DFL that directly address this battle, but
here are the five Park Board related resolutions that were adopted at
the city convention:
Be it resolved, that the Minneapolis Park Board make its budget
available to the public at budget hearings and on the Minneapolis Park &
Recreation (MPRB) website.
Be it resolved that we urge the MPRB develop a long-term plan for the
preservation and maintenance of existing parklands and recreation
programs as well as the acquisition of additional lands in partnership
with all city neighborhood and recreation groups and the public at
large; and that this plan be publicly reviewed and updated every 3-5 years.
Be it resolved that the Minneapolis DFL oppose any divestiture of
parkland via sale or long-term lease until and unless such needs are
identified and reviewed as part of the long-term planning process; and
be it further resolved that we endorse the League of Women Voters of
Minneapolis position that "no park lands should be taken for other
purposes unless all feasible alternatives have been exhausted."
Be it resolved, that the Minneapolis DFL call for a moratorium on
additional privatization efforts until such time as the MPRB of
Commissioners, in cooperation with Minneapolis neighborhood
organizations and the general public, develops a policy regarding future
MPRB privatization and outsourcing.
Be it resolved that the Minneapolis DFL oppose the use of parkland for
additional commercial purposes; and be it further resolved that we
beseech the Park Board to incur no more bond or mortgage debt until the
bonds at Neiman Athletic Complex and the mortgage on the headquarters
building are paid in full; and be it further resolved that we ask that
future Park Board development plans undergo the standard review process
of all neighborhoods affected by the development; and be it further
resolved that we affirm our support for keeping facilities located on
parklands publicly owned and operated, and free or affordable to all
city residents.
I hope that all DFL elected officials listen to the voices of the DFL
electorate, and live up to these principles.
David Weinlick
Armatage
Minneapolis DFL
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