RE: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef?
Hey All, I agree with Joe on this one! With all the conflict of interest stuff the city holds neighborhood board members accountable to, I think it only fitting the city council and others politicians are expected to behave a certain way, too. And we have an election coming up in Florida for Govenor. Jeb's running for re-election. Joe, we will be watching all those ballots and touch screens carefully :) You know, the city council election is coming up here. Unlike Minneapolis, we vote for all the seats, not just those in our districts. There are people coming out from everywhere to run, and all sorts of votes will be split. They need some organization down here in the south. Pamela Taylor (Tampa, FL) --- Joe Barisonzi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Alan, > > IF Mr. Biernat was a regular citizen working at > Mills Fleet Farm and struggling to make a living > wage like the rest of us. . .I would entirely agree > with your minimization of the crime and the desire to > have less laws governing personal behavior. > But Mr. Beirnet is not a regular citizen, he is an > elected official. As with that job, which he chose > to run for, comes some basic responsibilities to > uphold the integrity of the democratic process. > > They all tarnish a democracy that promises one > person -- one vote. (Except in Florida or when > overruled by the "Supreme" Court.) > > Joseph Barisonzi > Lyndale, Ward 10 > > __ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Mowing & Minneapolis
I agree with Steve that the lawn-mowing thread has spread beyond Minneapolis, with the exception of Robin Garwood, who asked some really great questions about whether Minneapolis has ordinances "mandating crew cuts for lawns" (man, what great a great description!) and whether renters have any say in what lawn care methods are used on the properties at which they live - any landlords care to weigh in on that? However, in defense of Gary, while "preachy" might be an appropriate description, I don't in the least detect any intolerance or condescension in his posts. Steve requests posters focus on educating people about costs and benefits. I quote from Gary's post: "Reducing lawn size and designing lawns to be mowable without electric or gas-powered machines is one way to exercise good urban citizenship to the end of creating a healthier watershed without costing the government taxpayers a dime." Gary went on to describe the leaf-blower man. I found this to be a far less condescending description than I would have used. I won't go into further detail because I don't want to force Mr. Brauer to issue yet another decorum reminder today. :-) For those who wonder what the big deal over lawn mowers, leaf blowers, gas-powered weed whackers are - let me share a recent experience: Last week, fire alarms went off in my building, forcing an evacuation that had us all standing outside for 15 minutes or so while the fire department came to investigate. The cause of the alarm going off was determined to be a maintenance worker running a gas-powered weed whacker too close to a building air intake. Exhaust from the machine was sucked into the building where it then set off the alarm. These things DO pollute. We should all look for alternatives, whether they be human-powered lawn maintenance, prairie lawns or buying a goat. Hope that's not too preachy for everyone. Mark Snyder Windom Park [EMAIL PROTECTED] On 5/22/02 1:24 PM, "Steven Marchese" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I think Gary makes some good points about the worthiness of supporting local > eco-friendly enterprises whenever possible. But I have to admit that this > mowing thread is getting on my nerves for two reasons. One, I tend to agree > with the list manager that this really isn't Minneapolis-specific. Sorry, > but almost any issue can be trained back to Minneapolis because it relates > somehow to life as we live it or wished we could. > > Second, this is getting way too preachy for my tastes. I think we need to > be careful about exalting our own eco-friendly choices lest we look as > intolerant and condescending as those who would see those same choices as > off-beat or crazy. The point should be educating people about the costs and > benefits of the different types of mowing options, as well as a host of > other choices people make in their daily lives (where to shop, what kinds of > food to buy, what types of entertainment to enjoy, etc.) For example, every > dollar spent going to a Twins game may mean dollars not going to a host of > other worthy local enterprises. To my mind, Minneapolis should be a place > where people's individual choices are respected and encouraged, even if, at > times, they would vary from what I or others might want. (Hello, > diversity!) Let's educate folks about the options and empower them to make > the decisions that work best for themselves and their community. > > Steve ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Future use of the dome
According to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, the Dome is actually in use about 300 days out of the year. Whether these other uses outside of Twins and Vikings games would be enough to keep it operating, I don't know. Obviously, not having those games would mean nearly a third of those days would need to be filled with new events. So maybe having LRT run by the Dome wasn't such a bad idea. And maybe if the Vikings could be sold to someone with a clue, the Dome could perhaps be renovated for the Vikings and Gophers rather than replaced with another football stadium. I've yet to see any specifics from the Vikings as to why the Sports Facilities Commission's proposals for renovation were deemed inadequate. On a somewhat related note, I strongly agree with Tim Connelly and Bob Velez about Twins baseball and the Dome. I've continued to attend games there on occasion despite the Dome being such a lousy baseball venue because I want to support my favorite baseball team - but I'd go to a lot more games if they played in a real baseball park instead of the "abomination" we have now. Hopefully St. Paul can find something that will work after Mr. Osthoff was successful in his "stick it to Minneapolis" quest. Can anyone tell me where I can send comments supporting a particular location? Mark Snyder Windom Park [EMAIL PROTECTED] On 5/22/02 9:30 PM, "Many Crows" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > So if the twins get a new stadium somewhere or they are contracted and > the vikings move, > what should we do with the dome? > I'd be all for bulldozing and putting in a park, > but that idea I suppose won't last very long. > By the way did it make much sense to put light rail right > past a sports facility that may sit vacant much of the time? > > > Robert Yorga > St. Anthony West > > "We have men among us, like the whites, who pretend to know the right > path, > but will not consent to show it without pay! I have no faith in their > paths, but believe > that every man must make his own path!" > > -Black Hawk (Sauk) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Wildlife in Minneapolis
I may not know much about wildlife, but I can recognize deer tracks. And I may not be a good golfer, and that is why I saw deer tracks in one of the sand traps on the Hiawatha Golf Course this morning. Jan Del Calzo Lynnhurst ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Re: foxes
Did anyone else see the animal control board out on Lake of the Isles on a hovercraft out to one of the islands (Raspberry?) this past spring? I could swear they were trapping a wolf. -- Steve Kotvis > From: "Clark C. Griffith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Organization: Clark C.Griffith, P.A. > Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 14:52:28 -0500 > To: Dave McCoy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [Mpls] Re: foxes > > I see foxes in Kenwood very often. They are primarily nocturnal and > feed, I hope, on our abundant rabbit population. > Clark Griffith, 7th Ward > ___ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Biernat
While I am glad we are innocent until proven guilty, this is beginning to smell and look like what we all know it to be. If he does sing and take others down, I am at least glad that the dirty closet may eventually smell clean. But how does that change the politics of this city and especially the dfl, the party who has no accountability. Granted not all of our city politicos are this way, but to look the other way is another way of saying," it's just the way things are done here." maybe now, but well see next time around especially if the closet stinks to high heaven. Robert Yorga St. Anthony West "Like a man who has been dying for many days, a man in your city is numb to the stench." -Chief Seattle (Suqwamish and Duwamish) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Ventura Bonding Cuts
Yes it includes the Guthrie, and Planetarium. But he also cut $3.0 million in empowerment zone $$$. Some of which would have helped pay for infrastructure improvements at the Heritage Park redevelopment project. Dean E. Carlson East Harriet, still Ward 10 http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/2853684.html ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Future use of the dome
Robert Yorga writes: > So if the twins get a new stadium somewhere or they are contracted and > the vikings move, > what should we do with the dome? > I'd be all for bulldozing and putting in a park, > but that idea I suppose won't last very long. Unless someone wants to pay for the park, those in power will go for the gold. Also, there are now existing claims on any dough produced. The legislature passed a little-noticed provision of the stadium bill that dedicates the proceeds from selling the Dome and/or its land to the new football stadium (rather than, say, building affordable housing on the Dome site). If the Vikes leave, I suppose the money is up for grabs, though. > By the way did it make much sense to put light rail right > past a sports facility that may sit vacant much of the time? Yes, because LRT really won't do much for the sports crowd even if the Twins and Vikes stay. A dirty little secret - which I believe has been referenced by some on this list - is that the "carrying capacity" of light rail isn't well-suited for ballgame traffic. I think we have 2-car trains, carrying 100 or so people, running what, every 10-15 minutes? Even with a sped-up schedule, a tiny fraction of fans would be able to get to the Dome in the pre-game crush via LRT. The Metrodome stop is more aimed at developing housing and office business in the Downtown East area by providing a transit alterative and a nearby stop. Of course, they said the Dome would develop the area, too, though I doubt LRT could do worse. David Brauer King Field > Robert Yorga > St. Anthony West > > "We have men among us, like the whites, who pretend to know the right > path, > but will not consent to show it without pay! I have no faith in their > paths, but believe > that every man must make his own path!" > > -Black Hawk (Sauk) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Future use of the dome
So if the twins get a new stadium somewhere or they are contracted and the vikings move, what should we do with the dome? I'd be all for bulldozing and putting in a park, but that idea I suppose won't last very long. By the way did it make much sense to put light rail right past a sports facility that may sit vacant much of the time? Robert Yorga St. Anthony West "We have men among us, like the whites, who pretend to know the right path, but will not consent to show it without pay! I have no faith in their paths, but believe that every man must make his own path!" -Black Hawk (Sauk) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Ventura and Minneapolis
Timothy Mady wrote: > At this point I'd take a Governor Sullivan > over this gruff and self-serving entertainment". I don't know what your political leanings are, but I can guarantee you that Sullivan would be much, much worse for Minneapolis than Ventura. First, all of your public school students would be saying their state-mandated Pledge of Allegiance. Ventura vetoed that nonsense today. Read an inspiring veto letter at http://www.governor.state.mn.us/may_22_veto_letter.html. Second, aid to cities and to schools would be cut drastically as Sullivan attempts to get out of a $2 billion biennium shortfall without raising taxes. I can already hear the screams of anguish coming from our city's future. Third, Minneapolis legislators will be completely marginalized. My guess is that a Sullivan win would almost certainly be accompanied by the loss of DFL control in the Senate. If the Governor's office and both houses of the Legislature were GOP-controlled, what would that do for Minneapolis? Frankly, I think Roger Moe has the potential for a bigger defeat than the one that Skip Humphrey took. With the Green Senate candidate, McGaa, being an incredible embarassment, as anyone who heard him on MPR yesterday can testify, the Greens are going to need to pull out all the stops for Ken Pentel to retain major party status. For moderate voters like me, that doesn't leave much of a choice. Ventura or Sullivan? Given that choice I'd go with Ventura every time. Walt Cygan Keewaydin ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Decorum reminder
> To list manager Brauer re decorum issue: think "metaphor." Unfortunately, there is a literal reading that is not a great leap. In any event, please err on the side of decorum. I will enforce this ruling. David Brauer List manager ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] RE: foxes
I saw what was probably the same fox Dave saw about a year ago. It was near the railroad tracks where East Franklin crosses I-94 east of the Mississippi. A few months later I saw a deer on 31st Ave right in the middle of Seward heading for Matthews Park. (I called 911 with hopes that someone could corral it before it got hit by a car. But they don't send anyone out unless the deer is already down because they don't have the manpower to chase a deer around town.) Coons were a nightly sight a few years back across the street from where I live. A big family would crawl out of the sewer at dusk and amble into the woods along the 27th St rail tracks. Tom Brady-Leighton Seward > Message: 11 > Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 14:33:45 -0500 > From: Dave McCoy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [Mpls] Re: foxes > > Last winter, around six on a Sunday morning, I spotted a fox on West River > Parkway around 28th St. We stared at each other for a moment. I was trying > to figure out what it was - too big for cat, too lean for a raccoon. Then > its bushy tail gave it away. I walked closer, wondering at it. When I got > too close, 20 yards or so, it very nonchalantly got up and trotted toward > the edge of the gorge, and with a quick look back at me, disappeared into > the woods. > ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Ventura and Minneapolis
Remember, oh about 3 1/2 years ago when a kid who was born and raised in the city of Minneapolis won the Governor's race? A kid who swam in Lake Nokomis and spent days playing in the river gorge. There was a hint of optimism that this could in some small way be beneficial to the city's interests. Well, that way of thinking has now been totally obliterated. Save for LRT, whose overall benefits are a debateable, albeit welcoming alternative for urbanity, the city has seen no results from this Governor. Zero, zilch, check please. At this point I'd take a Governor Sullivan over this gruff and self-serving entertainment". Tim Mady West Calhoun __ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef?
In skimming the list today, I believe that I missed the news article that told me that Mr. Biernat was found guilty of a crime. Could someone please send me the article, or, could folks please remember that even elected folks should receive due process. Susan Young Yes, currently City Employee---but I've been and/or am a private employee, a public employee, and an elected official, and I have yet to find a perfect individual in any of the above (or in the mirror). ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Nicollet Mall Bus Free!
Richard Anderson wrote: > Just a thought but wouldn't it be nice to move bus traffic > off Nicollet Mall for three or four months every summer? I like the idea! When, due to the construction of the LRT line, all the Hennepin and Nicollet buses ran on Nicollet Mall, it was a mess. Now, all the buses running on Hennepin has turned out to be faster and more convenient than I expected. (I don't know why, because during the Holidazzle Parade it's a mess again. Oh, excuse me, TCF-Holidazzle, or whatever it's called now.) I've become convinced that there is no real reason to run buses between Washington and 8th on Nicollet. The Farmer's Market will definitely be more fun without bus traffic. Kristine Harley Sheridan ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Decorum reminder
To list manager Brauer re decorum issue: think "metaphor." ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef?
Herron was a classier dirty politician than some others. Ed Felien wrote a piece last summer "Herron Takes a Dive," that ended with this: Theres one final difference between the sweet talkin son of a preacher man from the Eighth Ward and other politicians, he came to believe that what he had done was wrong. Rosalind Nelson Bancroft M Smith wrote: > Alan: > > I have more respect for those that admit their crimes and > are willing to pay the consequences of their behavior > upfront rather than have their constituents pay additional > dollars to go through an extensive court costs. > > I surely question why Brian Herron got all of the press for > admitting to his crime and Joe Biernat is getting much less > press for "fighting" for his political career and in my > opinion making a "mockery" of our city political system > that is already fragile. > > Hmmm... I am sure there is an answer to my question here > someplace, but it will probably take someone with more > media or political savvy than myself to answer it. > > Matthea Little Smith > Powderhorn Park > ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Nicollet Mall Bus Free!
What a joy to walk down the few blocks of Nicollet Mall that do not have bus traffic due to the LRT construction on 5th Street. The sidewalk cafes are pleasant to sit at with no diesel fumes and deafening noise to contend with. Just a thought but wouldn't it be nice to move bus traffic off Nicollet Mall for three or four months every summer? Think of all the activity that could be had along the Mall instead of the assault on our senses that bus traffic creates! Richard Anderson Loring Park ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef?
Although the dollar amount wasn't that big, I think the lapse in ethics is still relevant. Why can't we expect our elected officials to know better than receiving even one free dollar worth of services from somebody, especially someone who might then do business with the city or potentially be appointed to a board. This is the kind of issue that is so difficult to sort out - was there intention when the free service was received and the board appointment made or not - that elected officials just need to take the high road. Joe Biernat should have been in a position when making the board appointment to not have to think twice about who gave him a free service and who didn't. I think it is reasonable to expect elected officials to behave this way, and the way we enforce how people behave is through our laws. Therefore, it seems reasonable to me that the kind of behavior Joe Biernat engaged in should be looked at by our justice system. Michelle Mensing Armatage > Speaking as one who did not support Joe Biernat for reelection, I have > not been overly impressed so far by the seriousness of the charges > against Joe Biernat. $2,700 in free services? Let's see, some stores > triple the cost of the products they sell. If such a markup prevailed > here it would be $900 of service, marked up to retail value of $2,700. > $900. Is this in the felony range? (I'm asking. I don't know.) > > And then the article in the Stribe today talks about mail fraud, because > a union official sent a false invoice through the mails. (Memo to > padded-billers: use FedEx.) Seems like a stretch to me, like making a > robbery a federal case if Tom Thumb robber fled on federal highway > I-35. (Hummm. Maybe if US currency is involved in a payoff then it is > automatically a federal case. Memo to politicians--take payoffs in > liras or fracs.) > > Anyway, this case, at least as it pertains to Joe Biernat, hasn't seemed > too strong. Can they show the appointment to the Examining Board was a > quid pro quo? It's probably as likely Joe was pro-union and felt this > guy fit the bill for the Board job. Did Joe know anyone was being paid > for the work done on his house--or could it have been friends helping > friends, or doing each other favors. > > I know people who help each other out, giving services at cost or for > free. For free I helped a friend two days ago explore job postings on > the Internet, and I raked my wife's aunt's front yard a couple weeks ago > in Superior. I know of people with trucks who plow their neighbors' > drives every time it snows. I hate to see the criminalization of > friends helping friends (and acquientances). I prefer to presume > innocence instead of guilt in an ambigious case. > > Maybe the feds have more on Joe than I am aware of. But this case seems > to be limping. > > I don't like it when the state has so many laws governing so many facets > of our lives that, in effect, all of us are guilty of something or > other, so it becomes the perogative of the people in power to decide who > they will prosecute and who they will leave alone (for now). > > Alan Shilepsky > Downtown > libertarian statement--a country with too many laws is like a country > with no laws--in both cases those in power can decide the rules. > ___ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef?
Alan: I have more respect for those that admit their crimes and are willing to pay the consequences of their behavior upfront rather than have their constituents pay additional dollars to go through an extensive court costs. I surely question why Brian Herron got all of the press for admitting to his crime and Joe Biernat is getting much less press for "fighting" for his political career and in my opinion making a "mockery" of our city political system that is already fragile. Hmmm... I am sure there is an answer to my question here someplace, but it will probably take someone with more media or political savvy than myself to answer it. Matthea Little Smith Powderhorn Park __ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Re: foxes
I see foxes in Kenwood very often. They are primarily nocturnal and feed, I hope, on our abundant rabbit population. Clark Griffith, 7th Ward ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: MPD: Re: [Mpls] Bonding Bill Includes Colin Powell Youth Center
Wow, I never thought I'd say this, but I agree 100% with Eva. How sad that a bonding line item gets passed with inner city DFL support for a youth center that has religious programs. The same folks who normally foam at the mouth and get positively Madisonian in defense of governmental nonpromotion of religion suddenly lose their way. Loki Anderson Marshall Terrace [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Eva Young <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > EY: > It's not an issue with religion. I am a member of > Calvary Lutheran Church > -- which is a church in the neighborhood that does > alot of good. However, > I feel strongly that there are people who live in > the area who come from a > wide variety of religions -- not all Christian. For > example, there is a > growing Somalian population in Central -- who are > muslim. I do have a > problem with people who try to push their particular > religion on others, > and feel strongly that Government should not be in > the business of forcing > specific religions down people's throats. > > Mary Jo Copeland's proposal (which Rep. Neva Walker > and Sen. Jane Ranum > tried to derail in the legislature) will be entirely > privately funded. It > does include religious components. As long is it's > privately funded, I > don't have problems with this. I do have problems > with the Government > sponsoring specific religions. = "In their styes with all their backing They don't care what goes on around In their eyes there's something lacking What they need's a damn good whacking" -George Harrison __ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef?
Alan, IF Mr. Biernat was a regular citizen working at Mills Fleet Farm and struggling to make a living wage like the rest of us. . .I would entirely agree with your minimization of the crime and the desire to have less laws governing personal behavior. It would be awful if it became a crime to shovel a neighbors walk, or to bring over a plate of cookies. But Mr. Beirnet is not a regular citizen, he is an elected official. As with that job, which he chose to run for, comes some basic responsibilities to uphold the integrity of the democratic process. For year's democracy advocates pushing for clean, fair, open elections in the United States have identified the back slapping, quid-pro-quo culture of politics when mixed with money as ripe with and for corruption. In my eyes it is corruption to take "free" service or products as a public official whether it is a $25 dollar nosebleed ticket at the Target Center, a $2,700 plumbing job, or a $10,000 payment on student loans. In my eyes corruption is a Council member taking $25,000 whether or not the promised lobby on behalf of the business is actually carried out; it is corruption to close a big deal for a developer and then less then a year later show up on their payroll whether they work for the MCDA or a neighborhood; or peddling the promise of political access while running for office. They all tarnish a democracy that promises one person -- one vote. (Except in Florida or when overruled by the "Supreme" Court.) If Joe Beirnet paid for his plumbing work -- by all means he should stay and fight the charge. If he didn't pay for his plumbing, no matter how big the bill -- he should show that he has some respect for his constituents, the city, and democracy -- and resign. (unless his father and his father's former employer appointed the members of the jury) Joseph Barisonzi Lyndale, Ward 10 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Alan Shilepsky Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 2:07 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef? Speaking as one who did not support Joe Biernat for reelection, I have not been overly impressed so far by the seriousness of the charges against Joe Biernat. $2,700 in free services? Let's see, some stores triple the cost of the products they sell. If such a markup prevailed here it would be $900 of service, marked up to retail value of $2,700. $900. Is this in the felony range? (I'm asking. I don't know.) And then the article in the Stribe today talks about mail fraud, because a union official sent a false invoice through the mails. (Memo to padded-billers: use FedEx.) Seems like a stretch to me, like making a robbery a federal case if Tom Thumb robber fled on federal highway I-35. (Hummm. Maybe if US currency is involved in a payoff then it is automatically a federal case. Memo to politicians--take payoffs in liras or fracs.) Anyway, this case, at least as it pertains to Joe Biernat, hasn't seemed too strong. Can they show the appointment to the Examining Board was a quid pro quo? It's probably as likely Joe was pro-union and felt this guy fit the bill for the Board job. Did Joe know anyone was being paid for the work done on his house--or could it have been friends helping friends, or doing each other favors. I know people who help each other out, giving services at cost or for free. For free I helped a friend two days ago explore job postings on the Internet, and I raked my wife's aunt's front yard a couple weeks ago in Superior. I know of people with trucks who plow their neighbors' drives every time it snows. I hate to see the criminalization of friends helping friends (and acquientances). I prefer to presume innocence instead of guilt in an ambigious case. Maybe the feds have more on Joe than I am aware of. But this case seems to be limping. I don't like it when the state has so many laws governing so many facets of our lives that, in effect, all of us are guilty of something or other, so it becomes the perogative of the people in power to decide who they will prosecute and who they will leave alone (for now). Alan Shilepsky Downtown libertarian statement--a country with too many laws is like a country with no laws--in both cases those in power can decide the rules. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] LRT/Baseball/Buses and Taxis/Necking
Two Easters ago I had the pleasure of dining with a friend and her mother. The mother was from NYC. She made an offhand comment during the meal that I've pondered since. She said: "You have a very good bus system here." Now this was one person's opinion but as I've ridden the bus more since that day I've come to agree with her. On another occasion I chatted with a fellow in a bar (The Loring Bar as it were). He was an older pol from Minneapolis. The conversation turned to LRT as it was on my mind at the time. I think I said something like I thought the Hiawatha Line was a boondoggle. What do you think? He lived out toward the Veterans Hospital. He thought LRT was fine and that furthermore he would jump on board in his neighborhood and ride, say, to a baseball game. It could have been either at the Metrodome or at the preferred Rapid Park site for those Minneapolis new stadium boosters. It mattered little more than a few minutes. I read the editorial in this morning's StarTribune about the Legislature's failure to pass a transportation bill because of the polarization and an inability on the part of some to have a vision of the future that took into consideration ideas and values the newspaper espouses one of which is LRT. Bruce Gaarder of this list is forever trumpeting the inefficiency and cost of trains relative to the lesser cost and greater flexibility of buses. I understand his arguements perfectly and agree in principle though I am not entirely willing to relent on the idea of trains in certain cases. I like as many options as possible. What I ponder endlessly as I ride the bus is why so few middle class city people ride the bus. Certainly there are many commuters coming downtown from the nether reaches of the city or those in the city who commute to work in the suburbs who could take the bus. Instead of two car families we could have more one car families. When I owned a newer model car which is many years ago now and I was shackled with monthly car loan payments, insurance costs, garage fees, gas and maintenance, and the occasional towing fee, I also drove a cab in the city. When I thought of owning that car I measured it against taxicab fares and realized I could take a surprising number of taxicab rides, at some distance, for less than I spent on an automobile and that a cab could satisfy my need for flexibility and personal freedom. It might even enhance it. It's a lot easier to neck in a cab when you're moving or stuck in traffic. It's easier to avoid disquieting moments that lead to road rage. It's easy to concentrate on work or just sit back and relax. If one were to use a taxicab for every trip one took it might not have a great effect in easing congestion or wreaking less havoc on the environment but used in conjunction with buses they would have a definite effect. Why does one rarely hear a mention of taxicabs, alone or in conjunction with other modes of travel, when we speak of transit options. We have rarely used bike racks on the front of buses and that is a conjoining of modes of travel. So why won't people ride the bus and why will they be more inclined to ride LRT? To save ten minutes? I think it is about our discomfort with people that are different from us. I think it is about race and class and xenophobia. It's about people's perception of the city as being even more crime-ridden, violent and threatening than it is. We're safe in our cars. We are also alone and maybe listening to talk radio which all too often reinforces those stereotypes and perceptions we have constantly drummed into our heads. It's about people thinking the buses are dirty. And sometimes they are. It's about letting things like loud and unruly kids get under our skin or bus drivers who are less than amicable or too cheerful and perky. I get the impression that people think this LRT will be different. That it won't get dirty, that minorities and poor people won't be on the train, that there won't be unruly teenagers, etc. I really don't think this is about saving ten minutes travel time or even the environmental advantages. It won't be too long before we have fuel cell technology that could be used full scale for bus transit if not private automobiles. It's as much about being perceived as hip and cool and progressive as a city whether or not we really are and whether or not LRT serves any good purpose in this case. Maybe the reason the Legislature is so polarized is not because a bunch of Luddite Republicans will not vote for the Northstar Commuter Line as it is that our pea-brained Governor was sold a bill of goods by city DFLers who wouldn't ride the bus if it came to their front door. Finally, If my friend from the bar that Friday night were to hop on the #7 bus three and a half blocks from his house and got off at Chicago and Washington, two blocks from the dome, or at the 5th Street garage which is the northern terminus for both LRT Hiawatha Line and the #7 bus and is ac
Re: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef?
I believe it IS felony range, Alan. But ANY proven corruption is grounds for removal at least, some jail time at best. Minimizing Biernat's willingness to trade his power-brokering for personal profit does nothing to advance the cause of ethics in governance. Andy Driscoll Saint Paul -- "Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action." - Benjamin Disraeli > From: Alan Shilepsky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 14:06:31 -0500 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef? > > Speaking as one who did not support Joe Biernat for reelection, I have > not been overly impressed so far by the seriousness of the charges > against Joe Biernat. $2,700 in free services? Let's see, some stores > triple the cost of the products they sell. If such a markup prevailed > here it would be $900 of service, marked up to retail value of $2,700. > $900. Is this in the felony range? (I'm asking. I don't know.) > > And then the article in the Stribe today talks about mail fraud, because > a union official sent a false invoice through the mails. (Memo to > padded-billers: use FedEx.) Seems like a stretch to me, like making a > robbery a federal case if Tom Thumb robber fled on federal highway > I-35. (Hummm. Maybe if US currency is involved in a payoff then it is > automatically a federal case. Memo to politicians--take payoffs in > liras or fracs.) > > Anyway, this case, at least as it pertains to Joe Biernat, hasn't seemed > too strong. Can they show the appointment to the Examining Board was a > quid pro quo? It's probably as likely Joe was pro-union and felt this > guy fit the bill for the Board job. Did Joe know anyone was being paid > for the work done on his house--or could it have been friends helping > friends, or doing each other favors. > > I know people who help each other out, giving services at cost or for > free. For free I helped a friend two days ago explore job postings on > the Internet, and I raked my wife's aunt's front yard a couple weeks ago > in Superior. I know of people with trucks who plow their neighbors' > drives every time it snows. I hate to see the criminalization of > friends helping friends (and acquientances). I prefer to presume > innocence instead of guilt in an ambigious case. > > Maybe the feds have more on Joe than I am aware of. But this case seems > to be limping. > > I don't like it when the state has so many laws governing so many facets > of our lives that, in effect, all of us are guilty of something or > other, so it becomes the perogative of the people in power to decide who > they will prosecute and who they will leave alone (for now). > > Alan Shilepsky > Downtown > libertarian statement--a country with too many laws is like a country > with no laws--in both cases those in power can decide the rules. > ___ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re: foxes
Last winter, around six on a Sunday morning, I spotted a fox on West River Parkway around 28th St. We stared at each other for a moment. I was trying to figure out what it was - too big for cat, too lean for a raccoon. Then its bushy tail gave it away. I walked closer, wondering at it. When I got too close, 20 yards or so, it very nonchalantly got up and trotted toward the edge of the gorge, and with a quick look back at me, disappeared into the woods. > Unlike Mark Wilde's neighbor, I haven't seen any deer recently, but I did = > see a turkey a couple of weeks ago up along Groveland Avenue. Does anyone = > know if the foxes are still living in Roberts bird sanctuary? > > Steve Brandt > King Field > Kingfield > Nicollet Field > > > > > --__--__-- > ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] RE: rails
I am going to pipe in here on this issue as well. I have lived in Denver, San Francisco, Toronto Ontario and New Delhi India. ALL of these cities are world class cities and ALL of them have a large variety of transit options that include rail systems. New Delhi had the widest variety. In addition to trains, buses and cars, there were rickshaws, scooter cabs, bicycles, vespas, camels, elephants, and horse drawn carts. Minneapolis and the entire region is at the point where we either decide to continue our place among other world class cities which means we offer a variety of transit options OR we keep the status quo and become like Walnut Grove on "Little house on the prairie". The same thing goes for density. We can't sprawl further out. We need to start going up. Toronto did it quickly in the late 70's when everyone was mass exiting Montreal. They are a booming, thriving, wonderful city to live and work in. There were a lot of homeownership opportunties with two floor family homes that were condo style in hi-rise buildings. They were really cool places with beautiful views and substantial green space at the base. The best part.no mosquitos up that high and great breezes. The bottom line is that I will fight tooth and nail to avoid giving up anymore of my neighborhood to cement because someone who lives in "pleasantvalley" wants to drive instead of taking the train. Until 35W contains plans for rail down the middle, I will urge the legislature to vote against any expansion. On a personal note, I can't wait until I can hop the LRT to the Mall of America or Airport without having to drive around to find parking or pay the huge fees at the airport. I have a ticket for the first ride on the train and I plan on being there when they smash that first bottle of champagne. Barb Lickness Whittier (choo choo!) = "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead __ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] today in the Pioneer Press
Additional charges filed against Minneapolis council member Biernat A federal grand jury today filed two additional mail fraud charges against Minneapolis City Council Member Joe Biernat. (BY JUDITH YATES BORGER, PIONEER PRESS, 05/21/2002 03:03 pm CDT) Judith Yates Borger Staff Reporter Minneapolis Bureau St. Paul Pioneer Press 612 338-8198 Cell: 651 503-0162
[Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef?
Speaking as one who did not support Joe Biernat for reelection, I have not been overly impressed so far by the seriousness of the charges against Joe Biernat. $2,700 in free services? Let's see, some stores triple the cost of the products they sell. If such a markup prevailed here it would be $900 of service, marked up to retail value of $2,700. $900. Is this in the felony range? (I'm asking. I don't know.) And then the article in the Stribe today talks about mail fraud, because a union official sent a false invoice through the mails. (Memo to padded-billers: use FedEx.) Seems like a stretch to me, like making a robbery a federal case if Tom Thumb robber fled on federal highway I-35. (Hummm. Maybe if US currency is involved in a payoff then it is automatically a federal case. Memo to politicians--take payoffs in liras or fracs.) Anyway, this case, at least as it pertains to Joe Biernat, hasn't seemed too strong. Can they show the appointment to the Examining Board was a quid pro quo? It's probably as likely Joe was pro-union and felt this guy fit the bill for the Board job. Did Joe know anyone was being paid for the work done on his house--or could it have been friends helping friends, or doing each other favors. I know people who help each other out, giving services at cost or for free. For free I helped a friend two days ago explore job postings on the Internet, and I raked my wife's aunt's front yard a couple weeks ago in Superior. I know of people with trucks who plow their neighbors' drives every time it snows. I hate to see the criminalization of friends helping friends (and acquientances). I prefer to presume innocence instead of guilt in an ambigious case. Maybe the feds have more on Joe than I am aware of. But this case seems to be limping. I don't like it when the state has so many laws governing so many facets of our lives that, in effect, all of us are guilty of something or other, so it becomes the perogative of the people in power to decide who they will prosecute and who they will leave alone (for now). Alan Shilepsky Downtown libertarian statement--a country with too many laws is like a country with no laws--in both cases those in power can decide the rules. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Wildlife
I bike the Greenway to work every day & recently saw two deer bounding along the embankment next to the railroad tracks at about Blaisdell Ave, heading west. Mary Gibney Lyndale ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: Mpls [Mpls] Mowing & Minneapolis
I think Gary makes some good points about the worthiness of supporting local eco-friendly enterprises whenever possible. But I have to admit that this mowing thread is getting on my nerves for two reasons. One, I tend to agree with the list manager that this really isn't Minneapolis-specific. Sorry, but almost any issue can be trained back to Minneapolis because it relates somehow to life as we live it or wished we could. Second, this is getting way too preachy for my tastes. I think we need to be careful about exalting our own eco-friendly choices lest we look as intolerant and condescending as those who would see those same choices as off-beat or crazy. The point should be educating people about the costs and benefits of the different types of mowing options, as well as a host of other choices people make in their daily lives (where to shop, what kinds of food to buy, what types of entertainment to enjoy, etc.) For example, every dollar spent going to a Twins game may mean dollars not going to a host of other worthy local enterprises. To my mind, Minneapolis should be a place where people's individual choices are respected and encouraged, even if, at times, they would vary from what I or others might want. (Hello, diversity!) Let's educate folks about the options and empower them to make the decisions that work best for themselves and their community. Steve From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 09:05:28 EDT To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Mowing & Minneapolis --part1_41.1d804c48.2a1cf198_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Yikes! Not to offend our good list manager, but I *do* see this as a critical Mpls issue. I agree with Mr. Hohmann (see below) as well. We nedd to re-design our yards to be ecologically sound as well as beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. Reducing lawn size and designing lawns to be mowable without electric or gas-powered machines is one way to exercise good urban citizenship to the end of creating a healthier watershed without costing the governmenttaxpayers a dime. I do human-powered and earth-friendly yardening as a part of my business. I know at least one other man in town wjo does the same - going as far as using human power to get from job site to job site as well. A couple of weeks ago I was working on a yard in the Fulton neighborhood when an elderly neighbor of my clients came over, shook my hand, and thanked me for using a rake instead of a blower. Across the street, a huge truck had pulled up towing a trailer, and disgorged loud, smelly mowers and blowers to do lawn care. How strange to observe a grown man chasing some leaves down a driveway on a windy day, with a loud stinky blower in hand, with grim determination to make the grounds of this house leaf-free! If the good citizens of Minneapolis would employ local, neighborhood people to do human-powered, earth-friendly yard-care, we would make a huge step forward in handing on a place worth inheriting! Now, there are subsidies for studies for stadiums and the like -- half a million dollars here, half a million dollars there...I submit that our Mayor and City Council should create a program to incubate neighborhood micro-eco-enterprises related to household-helper work, energy, waste and water-management retrofitting, and transportation. (I know, the state legislature did the $500,000 deal to do stadium study stuff for the billionaire Vikings enterprise, but that's truly a state issue -- I'll talk to my *state* legislator about that...) How about it Mr. Mayor, City Council Folks??? How about creating a business incubator for micro-eco-enterprises...perhaps also related to luring some of the huge and growing renewable energy industry businesses and jobs to our town? (ps.new thread?) Gary Hoover King Field _ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] RE: rails
On behalf of the Metropolitan Council I'd like to respond to Bruce Gaarder's anti-LRT post about "Jesse's and Ted's choo-choo." To reduce traffic congestion, we need roads AND transit choices including buses, light rail and commuter rail. Forget the old unproductive either/or argument that pits one mode of transportation against another. While traffic tops the polls of what irritates Twin Citians, gridlock (buses vs. rail, metro vs. rural) grips our policymakers. Mobility = livability. Today's Minnesota Nice will be reduced to road-kill with the influx of nearly one million new people to the Twin Cities area by year 2030. Now is the time to fund transportation choices. Use the Hiawatha line as an example of the benefits of light rail. A 6-to-8-lane super-freeway was originally envisioned as the connection between downtown Minneapolis and the airport. Strong community opposition to clearing homes for lanes killed the freeway proposal. Light rail was preferred because it is less intrusive, more cost effective and environmentally friendly with opportunities to create more livable, walkable neighborhoods. Light rail is more cost effective to operate than buses. Plus, one light rail vehicle can transport four times the number of passengers that a bus can carry. When travel demand increases, it's easier to increase the capacity of light rail than it is to build more lanes for buses and autos. Simply run more trains and increase their frequency. After the Reagan revolution in the 1980s, the federal government no longer funds transit operations. It's now a decision left to local governments. The Hiawatha line can count on operating funds from farebox revenue and motor vehicle sales taxes. The Legislature hasn't yet committed dollars from the state's general fund to operate the Hiawatha line, but the Metropolitan Council will pursue this third source of funding next session. Transit is a huge infrastructure project, providing a public service that offers affordable fares, dependable quality service and a commitment to ongoing maintenance. Like roads, it's worth subsidizing. Let's start focusing on the value of transportation choices to preserve our livability. Jennifer Lovaasen Outreach Coordinator Metropolitan Council >>> Bruce Gaarder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 05/21/02 09:52AM >>> The feds may have been silent about helping to pay the operating costs of Jesse's and Ted's choo-choo, but that's because the feds NEVER pay the operating costs, only the exaggerated capital costs. lrt is designed to recover only 33% (or less) of operating costs from the farebox, the rest is supposed to come from advertising and subsidies. Kevin mentions millions for buses. According to a met council report on the "costs of sprawl", $440 million would put twice as many buses on the road (an extra 900). Ramsey County mentioned that the doubling of buses would result in a 41% increase in overall ridership. Instead, more than $675 million is going down the drain on just the first line. Could have expanded the bus fleet by 1350 for that amount of money. Interestingly enough, they are really pushing for lrt between the two downtowns for "only" $660 million more. Oddly enough, extra lrt lines without tunnels under the airport and a maintenance facility and storage yard were forecast to cost $440 million each. So, if they were to waste more money to build lrt in the central corridor, the amount down the drain would total more than $1,335 million, enough to add 2,730 buses. Contrast that to the relatively recent "bus rapid transit" lines added in Los Angeles, such as the Wilshire rapid line. Running with regular traffic in non-dedicated lanes, with electronic gear to extend green lights, etc., the ridership went up 29% in just three months while the time it took to travel the line went down by 25%. The cost was $190,000 per mile plus the cost of buses. Recently, it was announced that the LA Blue Line lrt, the highest ridership lrt line in the country, reached 36,000 one-way trips per day after "only" six years. The Wilshire Rapid Line was at 44,000 per day at about the same time, in about 1/4 the time. So, don't believe it when you are told that only rail can be used on a route with high ridership. You might also hear about lrt cars lasting much longer than buses. It's true that the FTA life of lrt cars is 25 years. It's also true that the FTA life of a bus is 12 years. So, a train car lasts about twice as long and costs about six times as much, meaning three times as much per year for a trolley car. Keith writes wanting reverse commutes to Saint Cloud on the Northstar choo-choo. The last time I saw a "sample schedule", they were saying that there would be eight runs in the morning and afternoon rush periods and one train each way at noon. If I remember it correctly, there were only two reverse commute trains in the 3+ hour rush period and only two trains that came in from S
[Mpls] lawn care in mpls
I agree with Gary... there are some quite Minneapolis-specific questions in my mind about this whole issue. The first has to do with the lawn care option I forgot to mention in my previous post (and, in my opinion, the best option): to let it go. My favorite yards have always been little prairie reserves, with native wildflowers and weeds up to the knees. They require no mower emissions, fairly little work, no pesticides. I've heard they're a great way to preserve native species, and they have the fringe benefit of being absolutely gorgeous. Now, over in the sister city, the following took place a few years ago. A family decided they wanted this sort of prairie lawn. Their neighbors objected, ostensibly because the seeds from the wildflowers would make it more difficult for them to keep their (semi-artificial) turf pristine. These neighbors called the city, and it turned out there was an ordinance banning the wild lawn option. The environmentally-friendly family was forced to choose between cutting their grass and getting a fine. Could the same thing happen here? Do we have laws mandating crew cuts for lawns? If so, it would be pretty amusing: as we spend city money to do prairie restoration in our parks (as I understand we are...) and bar the people from helping out. Second question. I know it was meant in fun (the little smily-winky-sideways-guy clued me in), but is it legal to own a goat within the city of Minneapolis? I've wondered this for years. Finally, what legal control do renters have over the lawn care method used on the properties at which they live? Any? Robin Garwood Seward P.S. On the Minneapolis-5th District Green Party list the other day, there was the coolest strategy for dealing with dandelions (if you find them to be a problem) without herbicide. Oats! Get the sort of oats that horses eat from a pet-supply place. It's important that they be able to grow. Spread them around the areas where the dandelions are sprouting. When the oats grow, they put down roots deeper than the dandelions', thereby crowding them out. The grass, however, outcompetes the oats! I haven't tried it, but it sounds pretty neat. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Dog Park
This post is in reply to Robin Hartl's post about dogs, cliffs and voice commands. Your posting while seeming to appear rationale is insensitive, uncaring, shortsighted and plain old ignorant! Show me a dog that obeys 100% of the time, better yet, ever had a child listen to each and every demand made upon him or her? You should know Ms. Hartl that Raj graduated tops in his class on two occasions and was well on his way to acing his third class, all at the age of only 8 months. This was no dodo bird dog. Matter of fact, Petco, where we took him for obedience training, has offered lifetime classes for any dog I take there for training. This comes from the recommendation of the trainer that taught the classes he attended. This trainer has well over 30+ years of experience and based on what the corporate Petco people told me is one of their best. You should know that this trainer is one tough cookie. She is one of the best I've worked with. Petco believes this and followed her recommendations to give me the lifetime membership. A small jesture on their part, but most appreciated. So, Ms. Hartl believe what you will, dogs will be dogs, dangers are what they are and this in no way should impede efforts to erect safety fencing. Consider yourself the only individual out of dozens who believe differently about this issue than you do. God forbid your pets for if they are ever in a tragic accident, they will have to endure your senseless admonishments as to why they didn't listen to your imperious voice commands as they lay helpless and injured. My demands for safety fencing are based on the fact that I acknowledge my responsibility as a pet owner, however, this does not imply that anyone is at fault, simply an attempt to see that this does not happen to anyone else. Eduardo Parra Cleveland Neighborhood,N. Minneapolis ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Decorum reminder
Two recent posts have referred to people as "evil" and "rat." I want to caution members in the strongest possible terms that this constitutes inflamed rhetoric and is inappropriate according to forum rules. There are ways to strongly condemn elected representatives and their actions and representatives without this stuff. It turns many reasonable members off and reduces the breadth of the community who remain here to participate and discuss. I am not trying to prevent anyone's position from being communicated here; I am merely asking not to go for the schoolyard insult or the inflammatory adjective. David Brauer List manager ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Biernat's latest indictments
Roslaind Nelson's speculation about Biernat's possible implication of other CMs may have some merit. There has been second-hand information circulating that Biernat contacted some community members before his indictments became public, seeking similar "dirt" on other CMs. Just rumors, but if true, it would fit into Biernat's general MO -- take care of #1. Perhaps the rats are turning on each other. Depending on the outcome of Biernat's case, we will see if he sang like a bird to get himself a lighter sentence and whether he does, in fact, know anything about others in public office who may have betrayed the public trust. What a sorry set of circumstances for our city if this is all true. Many people in the community have been loyal to Joe, even in the face of bad decisions and vindictive behavior. He sought sympathy rather than support for his record. Instead of using his power of office to lead, he used it to enhance his personal situation (this is true regardless of the outcome of the criminal investigation). Greg Luce's suggestion that he resign also has merit, but it is unlikely that Biernat will do so. One could have hoped that these indictments at least would have tempered his arrogance. Even if he is innocent as a lamb, he should have resigned as chair of Regulatory Services and certainly should refrain from voting on any matters that could be tied to his case, pending the outcome of a trial/settlement. That would have been the statesman like thing to do. Sadly, Biernat has never been a statesman. Biernat's inability to see the bigger picture has always been his downfall, along with a lack of leadership skills. Instead of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety by refraining from participating in matters that are tied to his case, he remains in a decision-making role. What a fool. Fran Guminga Bottineau, Ward 3 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Water Management Organizations
Here is a link to a revealing City Pages article about the Shingle Creek Water Management Organization , WMO's in general, and Watershed Districts. In case you are not aware, Minneapolis has one watershed district -- Minnehaha Creek and 3 water management organizations (WMO'S) -- Bassett Creek, Shingle Creek, and Middle Mississippi. All Minneapolis residents live in one of the above. http://www.citypages.com/databank/23/1120/article10408.asp Obviously, I'm biased on the issue but I think the watershed district model works more effectively--and am quoted as saying so. ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~ Pam Blixt Nokomis East ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Minnehaha Park Danger
The Minnehaha Off-Leash park had been used for more than 20 years by dog owners before it became a legal off-leash area. There were no reported incidents of falling off the cliff during that time. Even if an incident wouldn't have been officially reported, the people that frequent that area know when something happens and they tell everyone. None of us had ever heard a thing in the past. I believe these incidents are now occurring because we have people visiting the park that are not familiar with the dangerous cliff area. Signs have now been put up today to warn people of the danger. One of the rules of the dog park is that your dog must be under voice control. If your dog will not respond to voice control, you should not be using this park. Use one of the other parks that are totally fenced in. I have voice control over my two dogs and when they start to get near the cliffs I call them immediately and they come. I saw two people standing along the edge of the cliff yesterday watching their dog run up and down the cliff. I then saw, 5 minutes before that, someone throwing a stick to their dog toward the cliff. Bottom line, if you do not have voice control over your dog (and children), don't use this site! Robin Hartl
[Mpls] Red: PR Dunderhead-of-the-month winner
I agree with Walt's comment excerpted below. We do not need professional sports in town. Far from it! We need to imagine and create a city which is not tangled in the professional sports industry model of sucking huge sums of money from taxpayers to subsidize the inflated salaries and egos that inhabit pseudo-sports paradigm bound to implode. Better to spend money on parks and recreation which are very participatory and very integrated into the fabric of our city and of our lives. (Go Park and Rec Board!!!) We citizens need to steel ourselves against the viral marketing and lobbying of the professional sports industries. At the same time, we need to participate in creating sports and entertainment that are sustainable and participatory. My son and I love to watch baseball at Martin Luther King Park! (Or any other Park, for that matter.) He is a bit young, but we can still play baseball together and with friends as well. "Take me out to *that* old ball game!" We need to attract progressive businesses - the growing renewable energy industry, sustainable agriculture, and businesses committed to our city, state, and region. We need to carefully evaluate what kind of businesses we want to cultivate, and focus on that. Gary Hoover King Field In a message dated 5/21/02 6:35:39 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Portland, OR has survived quite nicely without either a pro baseball or football team. We will too! Walt Cygan Keewaydin -- where the "Northwest wind" is fragrant from the flowering trees and soon the lilacs on Minnehaha Parkway.
[Mpls] Mowing & Minneapolis
Yikes! Not to offend our good list manager, but I *do* see this as a critical Mpls issue. I agree with Mr. Hohmann (see below) as well. We nedd to re-design our yards to be ecologically sound as well as beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. Reducing lawn size and designing lawns to be mowable without electric or gas-powered machines is one way to exercise good urban citizenship to the end of creating a healthier watershed without costing the governmenttaxpayers a dime. I do human-powered and earth-friendly yardening as a part of my business. I know at least one other man in town wjo does the same - going as far as using human power to get from job site to job site as well. A couple of weeks ago I was working on a yard in the Fulton neighborhood when an elderly neighbor of my clients came over, shook my hand, and thanked me for using a rake instead of a blower. Across the street, a huge truck had pulled up towing a trailer, and disgorged loud, smelly mowers and blowers to do lawn care. How strange to observe a grown man chasing some leaves down a driveway on a windy day, with a loud stinky blower in hand, with grim determination to make the grounds of this house leaf-free! If the good citizens of Minneapolis would employ local, neighborhood people to do human-powered, earth-friendly yard-care, we would make a huge step forward in handing on a place worth inheriting! Now, there are subsidies for studies for stadiums and the like -- half a million dollars here, half a million dollars there...I submit that our Mayor and City Council should create a program to incubate neighborhood micro-eco-enterprises related to household-helper work, energy, waste and water-management retrofitting, and transportation. (I know, the state legislature did the $500,000 deal to do stadium study stuff for the billionaire Vikings enterprise, but that's truly a state issue -- I'll talk to my *state* legislator about that...) How about it Mr. Mayor, City Council Folks??? How about creating a business incubator for micro-eco-enterprises...perhaps also related to luring some of the huge and growing renewable energy industry businesses and jobs to our town? (ps.new thread?) Gary Hoover King Field In a message dated 5/21/02 10:06:05 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Electric mowers use about three times the primary energy as a gas-fired mower, due to the thermodynamic efficiencies of electric power production... three units of primary energy convert to one unit of electric energy, compared to one unit used in a gas mower. In MN, most primary energy used in electricity production comes from coal, and a lesser amount from nuclear (and much, much less from wind)... to mow a yard? Might be better to consider alternatives to the traditional 'green' grass yards that require mowing every week and regular watering. Same considerations for leaf blowers vs old fashioned rakes, and electric water heaters vs nat. gas, and nat. gas furnace vs electric baseboard. Michael Hohmann Linden Hills www.mahohmannbizplans.com
Re: [Mpls] Bonding Bill Includes Colin Powell Youth Center
At 08:44 AM 5/22/02 -0500, Dooley, Bill wrote: >On May 21, 2002 at 12:59PM Eva Young writes: > >"This is one project that many in the Central >Neighborhood do not want." > >BD: Proof? Other than Eva and one or two other individuals complaining about Urban Ventures religious-based programs, I have yet to see criticism of Urban Ventures on either the Minneapolis or Minnesota discussion group lists. > Well I would not make such a statement if I hadn't discussed this issue with a number of neighbors. People have various reasons for opposing the Colin Powell Center. The proof is in the calls that have gone to the governor's office on this issue (651-296-3391). Wizard Mark's claim that this is a racial issue is bogus. I've talked to a number of African Americans in the neighborhood who oppose this center. >"Instead, what would be >good is to portray the neighborhood as a place where suburbanites who are >sick of long commutes into the city, might want to move to, rather than a >place to give money to Urban Ventures to assuage their white guilt." > >BD: Since you have injected race into this discussion, many African Americans in this community could say that Central is ripe for gentrification and guess how many affordable units will remain in this neighborhood? > And again, African Americans aren't all one monolithic unit. I've heard folks in the African American community in Central be in favor of gentrification. There are whites in the neighborhood who are concerned about gentrification. >"Please help the >people who live in Central, and call Ventura's office (651-266-3391) and >tell him to Veto the Colin Powell Youth Center." > Actually the number is 651-296-3391 and I'm sorry for the mistake on that one. > >"Lou [Berglin's aid] also mentioned as fact that Urban Ventures >has an openly gay board member, and an openly gay employee. Those people >ought to be out at the legislature testifying on the bills behalf. If >that's the case, then why did UV refuse to return calls from Lavender >asking them to comment?" > >BD: Finally we get to the nitty-gritty! Eva, you need to be explicit. If you are saying Urban Ventures is an anti-gay organization, you need to cite concrete examples of organizational anti-gay behavior. It would be helpful if you not include alleged utterances or flyers distributed by volunteers not on the Urban Ventures payroll. Art Erickson is President of Urban Ventures. The anti-gay behavior was this: in a board packet sent to Walt Gutzmer, who was the designated Gay Representative of an NRP steering committee by Urban Ventures included a newsletter from the Central Community Church. Included in this newsletter was an article about how gay people should repent. No one else on the Steering Committee got this newsletter in their board packet. Walt was so angry that he tore up and threw away the newsletter. There are other contemporaneous witnesses to this one. > >"Recall that Basim Sabri has been one of the funders of Urban Ventures." > >BD:Basim Sabri funds a number of entities on Lake Street and in the Central area and is innocent until convicted. > There are plenty of people who are guilty as sin who avoid conviction in a court of law. The folks responsible for the Enron debacle haven't been convicted. In Sabri's case, Mr Sabri was caught on tape trying to bribe Brian Herron to facilitate the building of an AmericInn Motel that was opposed by a wide cross section of people in the neighborhood. Unless the tape was doctored, to me that is pretty compelling evidence. Art Erickson (UV President) and Ralph Bruins (UV Executive Director, who was convicted and served time for embezzling when he worked for a bank) were major boosters of the Motel -- and in fact had been trying to push through the idea of a Motel on that block for years -- and the CNIA business development committee kept on voting it down. Also, just for the record, both Art and Ralph are caucasion - since race is being brought into this, let's not forget that. >On May 21, 2002 at 3:12PM, Wizard Marks wrote: > >"In looking at the stink Eva Young has created about this center, it's >based entirely in a church magazine or newsletter alledgedly sent to one >gay mann in the neighborhood some ten years ago. I lived here then, >(I've lived here most of the last 30 years) two blocks away from the >recipient, and got no magazine. Why should African American kids, who do >need strength to thrive in any environment, have to pay for this alleged >church magazine? Erickson, whom I do not particularly like, is the >Director of UV, he won't be doing any athletics with these kids. > >I get a clear picture that Eva has a personal problem with religion--and >it's strictly a personal problem. > EY: It's not an issue with religion. I am a member of Calvary Lutheran Church -- which is a church in the neighborhood that does alot of good. However, I feel strongly that there are people who live in the area who come
Re: [Mpls] Grow on Mpls stadium bid
Believe me, St. Paul people are, in the main, as embarrassed by Tom Osthoff as anyone. We know evil over here when we see it, and this divisive and unrelentingly abrasive and abusive public official is among the worst many of us have encountered in decades of public policy work. He will not be missed as he retires from the Legislature this year. Please do not use Osthoff and his statements as a barometer for how St. Paul people feel. He's the type that makes our friendly rivalry a mean-spirited one. Minneapolis is, partly, a victim of its success. As the largest city in the state, its movers are the richest and most powerful in the state. This may draw some resentment from St. Paul, which has often felt like the inferior twin (and behaved like it - petulantly), but more from other parts of the state. From a policy perspective, St. Paul has likely been seen as a less-threatening power center by suburban and rural legislators, therefore a beneficiary of state largesse likely to be viewed as sticking it to Minneapolis. There is also a general sense (I have insufficient information to share this sentiment) that Hennepin County, which embraces not only Minneapolis but all of its wealthy residential suburbs, works mightily to dominate all of Minnesota's governance and development. Thus, while Minneapolis suffers from jealousy in its own right, its role as county seat also engenders undeserved resentment. Andy Driscoll Saint Paulite who loves my sister city. -- "Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action." - Benjamin Disraeli > From: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 20:42:44 -0500 > To: "Mpls list" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [Mpls] Grow on Mpls stadium bid > > Doug Grow takes some shots, fair and unfair, at Minneapolis leadership's > conduct during the stadium debate. > > http://www.startribune.com/stories/465/2848617.html > > Grow examines a lot of canards and is usually pretty good at puncturing > them. But he lets this quote from Tommy Osthoff go unchallenged: > > "I think Minneapolis and Hennepin County have more lobbyists over here > than the rest of the state combined," Osthoff said. "They're always > claiming that everything that's happening on their side of the river is > regional. Everything else in the state is local and some of us just get > tired of that." > > What a crock. The state didn't pay for the Convention Center - > unarguably an asset of regional significance - the city did. The state > didn't pay for the Metrodome - it was a local bar tax and a user fee. > Target Center? Aside from a $750,000 state annual payment, all financed > by Minneapolis. > > Meanwhile, St. Paul has the state-financed Science Museum, Children's > Museum, and Xcel Arena, which has beaucoup state bucks. But > Minneapolis's Planetarium? Sorry, pay for it yourself. > > At least when it comes to major education/entertainment thingies, the > Capitol City has us whupped. So at least in this "regional" competition, > it seems to me Minneapolis has reason to whine, at least compared to > Osthoff's St. Paul. What I am missing? > > David Brauer > King Field > > ___ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] ACK! Another metrodome thread! (other stuff too!)
List, Went to the Twins game last night with my daughter (participating in the Trade Union Night @ the Metrodome) and I must agree that it sucks as a baseball venue. I ABSOLUTELY OPPOSE public funding for millionaires, but I do agree that it leave a lot to be desired for baseball fans. 1) I hate that there are no "bullpens" for pitchers to warm up in. 2) The turf and "faux dirt" give it a gymnasium feel rather than a ballpark feel. 3) Those lights are really distracting when you try to follow a fly ball, even for the fans; let alone for the players. I enjoyed JEERING A-Rod and inciting others to do the same. Life's wicked little pleasures... Had a talk with Joe Mullery (Rep for my area, 58A) regarding the whole stadium issue and other Minneapolis issues. The stadium issue is not the only one that legislators try to shaft Minneapolis with. After talking with joe, I was astounded at some of the things that the legislature does to make the Minneapolis delegation miserable. We've got a bunch of abandoned, dilapidated structures along the West side of the River that are just sitting there. Joe explained that the legislature has forbidden, through their legislative powers, redevelopment of that area. No real reasons given or needed apparently, it is just an opportunity to put Minneapolis in its place that lawmakers get off on. Very discouraging to say the least. Bob Velez Shingle Creek Ward 4-1 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Rob Leer Investigative Report Tonight - 10 o'clock News - TV Channel 5
Don't miss this one - another informative story about who is getting your Minneapolis tax dollars. Vicky Heller, North Oaks the proud daughter of two U.S. Marine Corps WWII veterans. Yes it's true, Mom was a BAM and Dad was a Carlson Raider, which is why I have no fear and good posture! ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: Fwd: [Mpls] That open state senate seat in 62 looks good to me
FYI...Scott Dibble is running for the State Senate in District 60. The endorsed DFL candidate in SD62 is Wes Skoglund. Loki Anderson Marshall Terrace [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > In a message dated 5/21/02 8:38:11 PM Central > Daylight Time, GarySimmbo > writes: > > > > > > Holle, > > > > Congratulations on your decision to run! I am > sure you will be a superb > > candidate, and a real plus for the Green Party, > too! > > > > I am interested to know what some of your ideas > are as a candidate for > > State Senate. What issues stand out to you, and > what initiatives would you > > like to be a part of as a State Senator? What > specific committies or areas > > of interest do you have? > > > > Also, who will you be running against? Is Scott > Dibble going to run for > > State Senate rather than for the State House of > Representatives, and if so, > > will he compete with you for the seat? > > > > I'll be very interested in the state elections > this time around with more > > Green candidates campaigning for office. > > > > Minneapolis needs very, very strong representation > at the state level, > > that's for sure! > > > > Gary Hoover > > King Field > > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 5/21/02 9:06:23 AM Central > Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > writes: > > > > > > >> > >> > >> For those who may have been wondering, this is my > informal but official > >> announcement that I will be running for the open > state senate seat in > >> District 62. > >> > >> For a Green future - > >> > >> -- Holle Brian > >> Bancroft > >> > > > > > ATTACHMENT part 2 message/rfc822 > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 21:38:11 EDT > Subject: Re: [Mpls] That open state senate seat in > 62 looks good to me > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Holle, > > Congratulations on your decision to run! I am sure > you will be a superb > candidate, and a real plus for the Green Party, too! > > I am interested to know what some of your ideas are > as a candidate for State > Senate. What issues stand out to you, and what > initiatives would you like to > be a part of as a State Senator? What specific > committies or areas of > interest do you have? > > Also, who will you be running against? Is Scott > Dibble going to run for > State Senate rather than for the State House of > Representatives, and if so, > will he compete with you for the seat? > > I'll be very interested in the state elections this > time around with more > Green candidates campaigning for office. > > Minneapolis needs very, very strong representation > at the state level, that's > for sure! > > Gary Hoover > King Field > > > > > In a message dated 5/21/02 9:06:23 AM Central > Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] > writes: > > > > > > > > For those who may have been wondering, this is my > informal but official > > announcement that I will be running for the open > state senate seat in > > District 62. > > > > For a Green future - > > > > -- Holle Brian > > Bancroft > > > > = "In their styes with all their backing They don't care what goes on around In their eyes there's something lacking What they need's a damn good whacking" -George Harrison __ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Bonding Bill Includes Coliin Powell Youth Center
On May 21, 2002 at 12:59PM Eva Young writes: "This is one project that many in the Central Neighborhood do not want." BD: Proof? Other than Eva and one or two other individuals complaining about Urban Ventures religious-based programs, I have yet to see criticism of Urban Ventures on either the Minneapolis or Minnesota discussion group lists. "Instead, what would be good is to portray the neighborhood as a place where suburbanites who are sick of long commutes into the city, might want to move to, rather than a place to give money to Urban Ventures to assuage their white guilt." BD: Since you have injected race into this discussion, many African Americans in this community could say that Central is ripe for gentrification and guess how many affordable units will remain in this neighborhood? "Please help the people who live in Central, and call Ventura's office (651-266-3391) and tell him to Veto the Colin Powell Youth Center." BD: Please help the people who live in Central, and call Ventura's office (651.266.3391) and tell him to KEEP the bonding for the Colin Powell Youth Center. "Lou also mentioned as fact that Urban Ventures has an openly gay board member, and an openly gay employee. Those people ought to be out at the legislature testifying on the bills behalf. If that's the case, then why did UV refuse to return calls from Lavender asking them to comment?" BD: Finally we get to the nitty-gritty! Eva, you need to be explicit. If you are saying Urban Ventures is an anti-gay organization, you need to cite concrete examples of organizational anti-gay behavior. It would be helpful if you not include alleged utterances or flyers distributed by volunteers not on the Urban Ventures payroll. "Recall that Basim Sabri has been one of the funders of Urban Ventures." BD:Basim Sabri funds a number of entities on Lake Street and in the Central area and is innocent until convicted. On May 21, 2002 at 3:12PM, Wizard Marks wrote: "In looking at the stink Eva Young has created about this center, it's based entirely in a church magazine or newsletter alledgedly sent to one gay mann in the neighborhood some ten years ago. I lived here then, (I've lived here most of the last 30 years) two blocks away from the recipient, and got no magazine. Why should African American kids, who do need strength to thrive in any environment, have to pay for this alleged church magazine? Erickson, whom I do not particularly like, is the Director of UV, he won't be doing any athletics with these kids. I get a clear picture that Eva has a personal problem with religion--and it's strictly a personal problem. As a person who chose to live here and continues to make that choice, I don't think this particular center is going to scar the neighborhood for life. As an aside, it was also African Americans who wanted a hotel. African Americans, who are not the majority, but do hold the plurality in Central, probably should have some say in this. Us mixed Caucasians only comprise some 25% of the neighborhood. For some Central residents diversity is fine so long as the Caucasians control what happens. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt; sucks big time." BD: This pretty much sums it up for me folks. However, I do like Art Erickson. Bill Dooley Minneapolis Kenny ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Fwd: [Mpls] That open state senate seat in 62 looks good to me
In a message dated 5/21/02 8:38:11 PM Central Daylight Time, GarySimmbo writes: Holle, Congratulations on your decision to run! I am sure you will be a superb candidate, and a real plus for the Green Party, too! I am interested to know what some of your ideas are as a candidate for State Senate. What issues stand out to you, and what initiatives would you like to be a part of as a State Senator? What specific committies or areas of interest do you have? Also, who will you be running against? Is Scott Dibble going to run for State Senate rather than for the State House of Representatives, and if so, will he compete with you for the seat? I'll be very interested in the state elections this time around with more Green candidates campaigning for office. Minneapolis needs very, very strong representation at the state level, that's for sure! Gary Hoover King Field In a message dated 5/21/02 9:06:23 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: For those who may have been wondering, this is my informal but official announcement that I will be running for the open state senate seat in District 62. For a Green future - -- Holle Brian Bancroft --- Begin Message --- Holle, Congratulations on your decision to run! I am sure you will be a superb candidate, and a real plus for the Green Party, too! I am interested to know what some of your ideas are as a candidate for State Senate. What issues stand out to you, and what initiatives would you like to be a part of as a State Senator? What specific committies or areas of interest do you have? Also, who will you be running against? Is Scott Dibble going to run for State Senate rather than for the State House of Representatives, and if so, will he compete with you for the seat? I'll be very interested in the state elections this time around with more Green candidates campaigning for office. Minneapolis needs very, very strong representation at the state level, that's for sure! Gary Hoover King Field In a message dated 5/21/02 9:06:23 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: For those who may have been wondering, this is my informal but official announcement that I will be running for the open state senate seat in District 62. For a Green future - -- Holle Brian Bancroft --- End Message ---
Re: [Mpls] Birds
- Original Message - From: Corrie Zoll Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 12:21 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Birds Corrie Zoll writes: In the same conversation yesterday, someone mentioned seeing a large groupof orioles in the city. Ron Says: According to their schedule, the Twins are not scheduled to play Baltimore at the dome until August 13-15 !! Ron Lischeid Windom [:o)) ___> Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy> Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:> http://e-democracy.org/mpls>___Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Wildlife
In a message dated 5/21/02 3:08:30 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: . Does anyone know if the foxes are still living in Roberts bird sanctuary? Walked through there last evening. No foxes that I could see, but a deer walked up almost within arm's reach. Ann Berget Kingfield
