Re: [Mpls] Political Lawn Signs Or Lack Thereof

[RANDERSON67]

In a message dated 10/18/2002 9:11:28 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

In neighborhood blocks like mine, any ideas why so few political lawn signs? 


Bill.

I will not presume to speak for all candidates , that is pure insanity. However, if they are caught up in the fervor of the day, they are practicing fiscal responsibility. On the other hand, candidates are experiencing a changing public: a more educated public understands that the character of a candidate cannot be measured by the number of ads one can produce or, as in this case, the number of lawn signs one can string along an avenue. Weary voters are wanting more a situation that brings them face to face with a candidate so the opportunity to engage them in conversation on issues, and to judge them on their own merits, decides the vote.

A case in point is the forum held last night at 50th and Washburn Ave. I attended as the representative candidate for 61B on the Independence ticket. I thouroughly enjoyed the repartee and comradery of all candidates and community persons in the house. I wqas especially enthused when interviewed by one of the students of the school where the event was held. She was bright, energetic, and asked questions that would give her peers a view of the candidates she interviewed. Democracy at its finest. I spoke with many residents and visitors and had an opportunity to air my views on the topics of the day. While there was a cost to stage this production, I am willing to bet it would not buy ten seconds of air time where the theme is trashing the opponent.

If we are to clean up political races, reform attitudes against large war chest for campaigns we must embrace the concept exhibited at last evenings event. I only hope for the sake of the voting public that this idea catches on like butter melting on hot pan cakes. It was wholesome, refreshing,  and fun to see candidates from various venues sharing civil conversation and exhibiting the social graces and skills that is so vital top effectively representing the public in office. Many thanks to Madalyn Cioci and Michelle Mensing, organizers of the event, for such a wonderful opportunity.

Getting  back to the point, the voting public deserves an opportunity to meet face to face with those vieing for office. As more events of this nature replace the 30 second sound bite (or is it 20 and 10 seconds now), you should see the confidence level increase in the voting trends. On the other hand, deserving candidates like Jim Moore for the US Senate and, yes, Robert Anderson for the State House, will be afforded an opportunity to meet with community residents. Yard signs can only put your name before the public; they cannot determine the character and interaction of candidates to the voting public.

Robert Anderson
IP Candidate for the House
Field-Regina LD61B

Re: [Mpls] Zoning Changes/Affordable Housing

[Barbara Lickness]

If you want to see a great example of the city encouraging the destruction of single family homes to make way for high density housing buildings come to Whittier. We are the kings.  Before my time I am told by Senator Linda Berglins aid Lou Tofte that while the "republicans" were in charge of the city in the 70's, they encouraged people to buy up single family homes, raze them and construct 2 1/2 story walk-ups in their places.  They ripped down an entire block of them to make way for Whittier Park. There was a shortage of affordable housing then as well.  We have lived with the affects of it ever since.  While some of these buildings have been a great contribution to the neighborhood such as the ones run by Mel Gregerson, there have been many of them that were poorly constructed with short shelf lives. In some cases, the shelf life ended in the late 80's and early 90's. The neighborhood used it's NRP funds to buy them and rehab them into permanent 3-4 bedroom affordable housing units at 50% of MMI. All in all, it's turned out to be a very very expensive way to provide affordable housing.  
Maybe there will there be a different spin put on it in the new millenium if it is done with a democrat city council at the helm?
I hope in the changes the planning commission wants to make to the zoning code to alleviate barriers to affordable housing that they do not repeal the quarter mile spacing requirement.  This will not happen without a very intense battle.   
Barb Lickness/Whittier
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Bulldozers & Affordable Housing (was Re: [Mpls] ... next block e?)

[michael libby]

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On Friday 18 October 2002 16:36, Tim Bonham wrote: 
> "Eager to bulldoze"? Seems like a bit of revising history 
> here! As I recall it, the city fought this in Court for several years. 
> And the whole thing was started by a lawsuit from some residents (and 
> community organizations), not the city.

You caught me, Mr. Bonham! Please accept my apologies for distorting the 
story. This was due to in part to unintentionally selective memory and 
just plain ignorance on my part. I have done my research now.

> They won the lawsuit, and now people are not happy with the result?

The NAACP was a party to the original lawsuit. However, when the bulldozing 
had started, they were the ones filing for an injunction. Why? Because 
promised replacement housing was not in evidence. If one of the parties to 
the settlement was upset with the outcome and tried to halt it, I'd say 
this qualifies the city for the tag of "eager" with respect to the 
bulldozing.

> What a surprise.

How is that a surprise?

> Maybe they should ask themselves that old political question: 
> Are you better off now than you were before this lawsuit?

Perhaps the real question they should ask is: have years of allowing the 
DFL to have dominant control over the City made the City better off? Hint: 
possible answers may be gleanable from the results of recent local 
elections.

The city has been good at bulldozing... not so good at planning and getting 
new buildings up. This could be why Minneapolis was only able to grow its 
population by 3.9% from 1990 to 2000. In that same period Hennepin County 
managed 8.1% grwoth (Minneapolis being the major drag here), but statewide 
the growth was 12.4%, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA had growth of 
16.9%. (These are all numbers straight from www.census.gov).

In that same decade the number of housing units available DECREASED by 
2.4%, which I'd like to say is the result of some "smart growth" and 
increased density, but which more likely reflects the fact that owner 
occupied occupancy went up 4.5% (meaning: more people bought houses and 
condos because of great mortgage rates and a booming economy). In fact the 
number of renter occupied units went down 2.3%, which means that in all 
likelihood the people who could least afford to get squeezed in the 
housing market were forced out of town. (These numbers are right out of 
the Mpls 2001 State of the City report)

That the City of Minneapolis was, for all intents and purposes, showing 
stagnant growth during an incredible boom to the metro area speaks volumes 
about the approaches taken during that period.

I am heartened, however, to see so many developments of fairly dense 
housing going on-- so I'm hopeful that the statistics I've quoted will be 
much improved in 2010. I'm glad to see so much building going on in the 
warehouse district and the St. Anthony Main area. And while I wish I could 
afford to live there, I am not going to hold grudges against those who 
can. And although I'm not big on subsidizing development (preferring rent 
coupons and the like instead), I can say that I prefer to see housing 
built rather than stadiums and chain stores, even if the housing is not 
affordable to all.

And let me just comment on rent coupons a bit further. What these would do 
is help prevent further lawsuits like Hollman by taking certain 
developments and, instead of requiring the developers to offer 
"affordable" housing units and all the red tape that goes with that (and 
I'm curious how well people think this actually works anyway), it allows 
residents to be able to afford to live where they choose, so that the 
promise of a truly mixed income rental population is much more likely to 
be a reality.

As long as we're using tax money to attempt to manipulate the housing 
market, I think we should look at options that increase personal choice in 
housing, minimize bureaucracy, maximize family stability, and decentralize 
poverty. I think rent coupons does this better than any other proposed 
solution I've heard of. Just look at Mr. Goray's post about how can he get 
part of his duplex declared affordable housing. If his tenants qualify for 
that, they would qualify for rent coupons. His dilemma would be an open 
and shut case. 

Social engineering that gives immediate benefits to suppliers on the 
assumption that the suppliers will pass those benefits along to consumers 
is inherently less efficient than simply giving similar benefits directly 
to those consumers. It's an old technique called "cutting out the 
middle[person]."

- -michael libby (cleveland/north mpls)

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Michael C. Libby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
public key: http://www.ichimunki.com/public_key.txt web site: 
http://www.ichimunki.com
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[Mpls] Zoning Changes/Affordable Housing

[Steve Cross]

All:

Since my post yesterday on the proposed modifications to the
Minneapolis Plan and zoning ordinances, I've been reading more of the
material on the city's web site.  I also appreciate the opinions of
others who have provided their comments on the list.

On a technical basis, I get the allowance of a "density bonus" for
affordable housing.

But...

I still don't get how a "development" can be a single parcel with
already constructed housing in place.  There is a map included with the
city's materials and it happens to be of my neighborhood: Prospect
Park.  See:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/planning/housing/ProspectPark.jpg

As it happens, my home's parcel is one of the scattered parcels
marked in orange that is "newly eligible for a lot area or lot width
variance."  What does that mean?  How would it work?  (I can't see how
anyone could afford to tear down the house and put up three or four
dwelling units with all but one at market rate subsidizing one at an
affordable rate.)

The changes in the TMP and zoning seem to relate just to affordable
housing, but the description says it is intended to increase the amount
of "housing in general."  What does that mean?  Why is that being done?
(I know about the crisis in affordable housing but haven't heard
anything about a problem in market-rate housing.)  What provisions are
being changed in the TMP and zoning that will affect "housing in
general."

It's also difficult to see how ultra-dense housing on narrow lots is
going to be desirable housing for anyone: "market-rate" people or
"affordable" people.  It certainly isn't going to do much for
competition with the suburbs where lots are measured by the acre and not
by the front-foot.

I think that David Harstad makes a good point too.  If zoning was
meant to ensure the "health, safety, and welfare" of the community then
allowing ultra-dense housing to gain a social goal sounds like it's at
the price of a serious loss in "health, safety, and welfare."  If that's
the trade-off, I'm not sure how many will move in just to achieve the
social goal.

To be sure, we need to do more to gain more affordable housing.
But, based on what I've read so far, I don't see how this proposal has
much, if anything, to do with that goal.  My gut feeling is beginning to
be that there is some other agenda being achieved and it's being
masqueraded under a label of "affordable housing" because everyone's
afraid of being accused of going NIMBY on the whole idea of affordable
housing.

The Zoning Commission meeting is Monday night.  Maybe it will be
clearer then.

Steve Cross
Prospect Park

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[Mpls] Voting, Housing, Multi-Lingual, Administrators

[phaedrus]

VOTING:

In response to my musing ...

>> One thing I've been wondering, thinking back on
>> that whole American Revolution thing...
>>
>> If non-citizens can't vote, should they have to
>> pay taxes? What about people under 18, and people
>> who've had their civil rights stripped?

Michael Atherton brought up the obvious (but
important) point:

> Non-citizens who reside in this country use many of
> its services: roads, weather reporting, police
> protection, fire fighting, etc.  I think it's 
> entirely reasonable that they should pay taxes, it 
> is their choice to live here. It would be 
> unreasonable to expect the internees in Cuba to
> pay for their incarceration.

Yep, I agree that there are many services that people
who can't vote are advantaged by and it is reasonable
to expect them to pay for it.

So there are two sides to "No taxation without
representation"

I'm just brainstorming at this point, but how about
giving non citizens representation?

Perhaps we should have an additional city council
member to represent non-citizens. This person would
not necessarily have the ability to vote or input on
ALL issues, but if non-citizens are paying taxes to
support infrastructure and services, then shouldn't
they have at least a small voice in how those taxes
are spent?

It sounds kind of out there, but it is in line with
our basic principles. The main difficulty would be
defining which things that representative would get to
vote on and which things they did not.

Or how about our citizens that don't get to vote?

Shouldn't youth get an input on things that directly
influence them? How about a youth seat on the school
board? I'm not talking about handing the control of
the schools to them, just one vote and the opportunity
to be directly involved.

Aren't our parks heavily utilized by youth? Maybe they
should get a park board seat as well.

There are a lot of details to be considered in these
things, but it's plausible to think that giving youth
a voice and a vote would encourage them to have more
social involvement, interest, and responsibility.

Regarding former felons who've lost their civil
rights, another list member mentioned to me that they
do have the right to reclaim them after a period of
time, but this is not generally communicated to them.
It seems reasonable to imagine that a good way to
remind people of their civic responsibility is to
remind them of their civic rights and get them back
into the process.

HOUSING:

Vicky Heller brought up a number of the facts
regarding affordable housing. She gave a portion of
the figures regarding what 60% AMI affordable housing
limits were. I recall an earlier post that showed the
full chart.

I admit that it does seem like a lot of money going
into not a lot of affordable housing.

I think a question that needs to be asked is if the
AMI limits in this development are 60%. I attended a
city council meeting a while back discussing another
development applying for various affordable housing
funding and their housing was XX at 50% AMI and XX at
30% AMI.

For a meaningful look at this development, I think we
need to know how many of the units are at what levels
of "affordable" and then look at the rents and incomes
involved at those levels.

However, regardless, this brings up something else
I've been meaning to ask.

I own a duplex and rent out the lower half. I made the
choice to rent the unit at a lower price to help out
some folks who were good people but don't make a lot
of money. This gives them a comfortable place to live
in the cities that they can afford and it gives me
some reliable tenants who I don't have to worry about.
It also makes me feel good.

I'm pretty sure their incomes fit into "affordable
housing" qualifications, although how would I find
out? If they do, can I make my property an affordable
housing property and get funding to subsidize it? What
sort of funding is available if I guarantee that my
rental unit will be affordable. How long do I need to
make that guarantee for? What would my tennants have
to do to make it all legal?

I currently charge $650 for a 2 BR 1000 sq. ft. unit
(yeah, right, but that's what the paperwork says) and
pay all utilities except electricity (gas heat). I'm
pretty sure that's under the limits to qualify at an
affordable rate.

I wasn't quite sure which figures were repayable and
which weren't, so I'm just going to go with the number
of $144,344 per unit that Vicky came up with.

This is partially tongue and cheek, but...

My house is older (but I like it), so I'll cut a deal.
If someone pays me $120,000 I designate my rental as
an "affordable unit". I'd have to look over the
specific details and responsibilities before signing
the deal, but at this point, I'd say it's a go.

Am I misinterpreting this? That is not a rhetorical
question - if I am not seeing things quite right, I'd
appreciate someone pointing it out as I'm relatively
new to both being a landlord and affordable housing
concepts.

Seriously,

[Mpls] What's Happened to the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society ?

[JOAN BERTHIAUME]

On October 17 Karen Collier asked "What's happened 
to the Parks Legacy group who wants to turn it (the Superintendent's residence) 
into a public building ?"
 
Thanks for asking about us Karen!
 
The Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society (M.P.L.S.) is 
alive and well!  We are a 501(c)(3) corporation and our mission is to 
preserve, protect, and interpret the historical resources of the Minneapolis 
Park System.
 
With many potential projects in mind throughout the 
city, the M.P.L.S. has already raised the funding and directed the study which 
resulted in the historic Superintendent's residence at 3954 Bryant being placed 
on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park 
Service identified this National Historic Site, as the "Theodore Wirth Home 
and Administration Building".
 
After Theodore Wirth, some of the succeeding 
Superintendent's lived in this building. Since 1997 it has been leased to a 
professional recreation association, the Minnesota Recreation and Park 
Association (MRPA) for their office space.
 
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is now 
considering the building's highest and best public use including converting it 
back into a Superintendent's Residence.
 
Depending on the Minneapolis Park Board's decision, 
the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society has developed a program to open all 
or part of the building for public use.
 
The East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association 
( this National Historic Sight is located within  Lyndale Farmstead Park) 
has already set aside $5,000 for the restoration of the fireplace if the 
M.P.L.S. opens the home for public use. The Minneapolis Park Board and the 
Minneapolis Star Tribune have received numerous letters in support of our 
program. We have nearly 800 signatures on petitions, from all 6 park districts, 
encouraging the Minneapolis Park Commissioners to consider this M.P.L.S. 
program.
 
We have many other appropriate projects pending in 
every park throughout the city and are currently conducting a Charter Membership 
Drive. 
 
If you love our Minneapolis Parks, consider 
joining! If you would like further information on the Minneapolis Parks Legacy 
Society, please email us at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 
Theodore J Wirth
Board Chairman
and 
Joan Berthiaume
Board President
Boar
 
 
 

RE: [Mpls] Zoning Changes/Affordable Housing

[John Rocker]

I think some clarifications are in order after Vicky's post on "what
affordable housing means in Minneapolis." She makes some good points,
but much of it is also misleading.

1. The income and rent limits she listed are correct for units
restricted at 60% AMI. However, the state's Qualified Allocation Plan
(which is used to score potential low income housing tax credit and bond
projects) gives preference to projects with rents at 50% AMI and 30%
AMI. It also gives preference to SRO projects, projects with 3+ bedroom
units, and projects serving special needs. A generic project with rents
at 60% AMI would probably not get funded under the competitive tax
credit process.

2. The allowable rents (e.g., $805 for a studio at 60% AMI or $862 for a
2BR unit at 50% AMI) are not guaranteed, but rather the MAXIMUM
ALLOWABLE GROSS rent that could be charged if the market would support
it. The actual rents charged depend on the market and are typically
underwritten at rents at least 10% below comparable market rents. So, if
the going rent for a COMPARABLE apartment in the neighborhood is $500,
the tax credit project will have to work financially and open with rents
no higher than $450 -- even if the maximum allowable rent is $805.

3. Bonds used to finance affordable housing are not a grant, but a way
to loan money to the developer at below market interest rates in
exchange for keeping units "affordable." So the $26.9M in bonds for
Mann's project functions like a mortgage, with the owner responsible for
paying the principle and interest on the bonds.

4. The $3M in tax credits sold to "rich guys" represent the federal Low
Income Housing Tax Credits the project received for making units
affordable. The credits are paid out over 10 years, and the developer
typically sells these credits at a discount (to institutional investors
not rich guys). The cash from the sale of the credits goes to cover some
of the project costs.



John Rocker
JCR Realty Advisors
3211 Fremont Avenue South
Minneapolis MN 55408
(612) 825-4110
(612) 825-1082 fax


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:mpls-admin@;mnforum.org] On Behalf
Of Victoria Heller
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 11:41 AM
To: Mpls Forum
Subject: [Mpls] Zoning Changes/Affordable Housing

Everyone should know what "affordable housing" means in Minneapolis.

A single person, making $32,220 qualifies for "affordable housing."
A developer may charge that person $805 rent for a studio apartment,
including utilities.

A five person family making $49,680 qualifies for "affordable housing."
A developer may charge that family $1,035 rent for a 2 BR apartment,
including utilities.

All of the "affordable housing" calculations are based on AMI (Area
Median
Income.)  The AMIs used in Minneapolis are as follows:

1 person$53,700
2 persons   $61,400
3 persons   $69,000
4 persons   $76,700
5 persons   $82,800

If persons make 60% of these figures (60% of AMI) they qualify.

Here are the "affordable rents" that developers may charge persons at
60%
AMI, including utilities:

Studio $805
1 BR   $863
2 BR   $1,035
3 BR   $1,196
4 BR   $1,335
5 BR   $1,472

Now you know what's "affordable."

A development like The Village at St. Anthony ($95 million) needed only
30
"affordable units" to qualify for taxpayer guaranteed financing.

Steve Minn's development is receiving $23.7 million in housing revenue
bonds from the City and County, plus $3.2 million in tax increment
financing - for 221 units.  I couldn't tell from Neal St. Anthony's
article
how many units are "affordable."

In addition to the $26.9 million, Minn will receive another $3 million
by
selling "tax credits" to rich guys.  Now were up to $29.9 million for
221
units - $135,294 per unit.

An MCDA official (Hemmerlin) in charge of this deal said "they also
brought
nearly $2 million in cash into the project."  Could we see copies of the
cancelled checks Mr. Hemmerlin?  Assuming this is true (which I doubt),
the
project cost goes up to $31.9 million for 221 units - $144,344 per unit.

Does anyone really think this is affordable housing?  Steve Minn ends up
with a $30 million asset.  How does that help people who cannot pay $500
per month for apartments that are available now?

Vicky Heller
North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside

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[Mpls] Minneapolis Tenant Summit: Oct 26

[Gregory D. Luce]

The Tenant Issues Working Group, a coalition of local tenant advocacy 
organizations, is sponsoring the Minneapolis Tenant Summit on Saturday, 
October 26, 2002, at the American Indian Center (1530 E. Franklin 
Avenue).  We and tenants city-wide are asking the City to take action on 
five proposals for change:

*Ban Application Fees.
*Prevent Water Shut Offs.
*Reform NRP.
*Preserve Subsidized Housing.
*Improve Tenant Screening Criteria.

At the Summit, we will offer the detailed proposals (they are also 
available by e-mailing the contact person listed below), hear feedback 
from tenants and others, and secure endorsements from City Council 
members on the proposals. So far, CMs Lilligren, Zimmermann, and Schiff 
are confirmeed attendees and/or sponsors of at least one of the 
proposals, and we expect to announce additional sponsors and endorsees 
shortly.

Flyers and posters are available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.

The Summit is being organized by the Tenant Issues Working Group, a 
coalition of five local tenant advocacy organizations:  Family and 
Children's Services, HOME Line, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, the 
Minnesota Tenants Union, and Project 504.

Gregory Luce
Project 504/Minneapolis (North Phillips)

Proposal Contacts:

Ban Application Fees:  BROTHER, Jobs and Affordable Housing Campaign, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Reform NRP:  Gregory Luce, Project 504, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Improve Tenant Screening Criteria:  Spencer Blaw, Minnesota Tenants 
Union, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Preserve Subsidized Housing:  Melissa Rudnick, HOME Line, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Prevent Water Shut Offs:  Sam Magavern, Legal Aid Society of 
Minneapolis, [EMAIL PROTECTED]






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[Mpls] Minneapolis' National Night Out ranks #1 again!

[Pai, Vaman M]

Minneapolis once again ranked number one in the nation among large cities for its 
National Night Out efforts on Aug. 6, 2002. This is the second consecutive year that 
Minneapolis got the top honor from the National Association of Town Watch 
, which sponsors the annual event. 
It's also the first time that a city received the #1 ranking two years in a row.
Minneapolis' 2002 National Night Out was a record-breaking campaign, with more than 
44,000 people from 1,827 blocks gathered at 867 separate events. Events featured a 
range of entertainment and kid-friendly activities like petting zoos, scavenger hunts, 
piñatas and boccé ball. Minneapolis block groups decided how best to participate in 
National Night Out events since there is no "right" or "wrong " way to give crime and 
drugs a going away party.
National Night Out is a unique crime and drug prevention event scheduled annually for 
the first Tuesday in August. Citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, 
businesses and local officials from 9,850 communities from all 50 states, U.S. 
territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide participated in the 19th 
Annual "National Night Out." 
Minneapolis' Community Crime Prevention/SAFE unit of the Police Department coordinates 
the city's activities. The National Association of Town Watch bases its ranking on a 
community's overall National Night Out effort, including the quality and size of the 
overall campaign; law enforcement involvement; neighborhood participation; and special 
events. 


Vaman Pai
Communications Department





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Re: [Mpls] free rides

[David Wilson]

I've been riding the bus to and from work for about 6 months now.  If
people come up short on the fare, the drivers usually let them ride, but
don't give them a transfer.  I've seen a few obvious moochers, but the
drivers never put anyone off (at least in my experience).  Sometimes I've
been $.05-.10 short and the driver waved my through.

This makes for a nonconfrontational encounter generally.

As to the "honor" system for LRT.  I read a report yesterday about a low
level scam that is going on in the New York subway.  The scammers buy an
allday pass, stand at the turnstile, and collect a "discounted" fare and
let the buyer in.  Of course I rolled my eyes and chalk it up to typical
New York chutzpah.  I can't even imagine what polite form the scams will
take in Minneapolis once the trains start running.

>From the other posts on this thread I detect the scent of the political
arguments over LRT that we hammered out on this listserv.  The permanent
operating subsidy is the thing to watch in the future.  Follow the money.

David Wilson
Loring Park




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[Mpls] Housing, Voting, Library Director too much talk!

[Erik Riese]

Hello list,

There's so much to respond to on the list recently. 

I'm going to start with start with two of Vickie's recent posts and work backwards.

Housing--
I think Vickie is a sharp business person with a pretty good
understanding of finance and development issues.  Her research into a
riverfront housing development is interesting reading but she paints a
misleading picture that ends with "Steve Minn ends up with a $30 million
asset.  How does that help people who cannot pay $500 per month for
apartments that are available now?"

Dissecting the finances for this deal would probably show that Steve
ends up with 1% of a $30 million asset and that the asset is offset by a
$31 million list of debts. The remaining equity will be in the hands of
limited partners while the debt holders will have liens on the property
until the debts are paid off. 

Voting--
In an earlier post Vickie asks about non-citizens voting. I'm an
election judge and I was interested in this same issue at training this
year. It turns out that we, election judges, cannot ask if a person is a
citizen. We administer an oath that the voter must swear they are a
citizen, 18 years old, not a felon, not under guardianship, that they
live in the precinct in which they are voting etc. But, if a voter wants
to commit perjury in front of an election judge, a non-citizen has an
easier time voting than a 15 year old has getting a picture ID from the
State. 

Library Director--
How many folks on this list use the library? It seems a lot of people
are willing to criticize and bad mouth the Library Board without much
understanding of our library, how it works or the level of knowledge and
expertise needed to lead an agency of this magnitude. 

The discussion of salary might be seen as class envy. Poor (like me) and
lower middle class folks (like anyone earning less than about $80,000
per year) post here yearning to get one of those upper middle class
salaries in the $120,000 and up range. These folks can't see how anyone
should earn that much. First, its not really a zero sum situation. And
second, the real culprit here is the upper class who have siphoned off
the value created in the past twenty years into their off shore
accounts, their palatial estates, their ownership of over 80% of all US
corporation and the trust funds for their children. 

Back to Minneapolis on this--
Even as someone who's been out of work for almost two years now, I can
see how a person being recruited to take on a job like Director of the
Minneapolis Public Library system or Superintendent of the Minneapolis
Park and Recreation Board would need a serious salary that might exceed
the State mandate. This becomes an argument in favor of paying the
Governor more or maybe paying the First Lady a salary and including that
salary in the formula. Or, scratching the law from the State books
altogether. 

While   I agree with Vickie and others who rightly point out that fancy
resumes and high salaries does not guarantee effectiveness or high job
performance and while I agree that salaries have to be compared to
others in the local area not only to those in higher cost localities, I
also understand that any skilled professional needs incentive to pick up
from a safe job and move to a new one even if they are not relocating
from another city. That incentive must be enough to fit the challenge of
the job and to acknowledge the personal interests of the candidate.

I support the Library Board and the Personnel Committee in their work
and I sympathize with their recent set back. It must be very
disappointing to lose both the top candidates after all the work they've
put into making a great choice for new leadership of the Minneapolis
Public Library. 

Thank you to the Library Board and especially to those involved on the
Personnel Committee.

-- 
In cooperation,
Erik Riese

Seward:
a great place to live, work, learn, and play! 

(612) 724-3217 home
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
mailto:riese@;tcfreenet.org
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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[Mpls] free rides

[Mark Wilde]

"Want to take wagers on the number of people who will
use lrt to get around downtown Minneapolis without 
paying."

wow, this wouldn't really be that big of a deal would
it?  I mean, riding public transportation isn't a joy
ride.  these are people going to work, school, etc. 
if they don't make that much money and could benefit
by moving around downtown for free I would support it.

you make it sound like these people are getting away
with something.  go ride the bus around for a few
hours, its not that much fun.

mark wilde
windom park





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[Mpls] FW: Absentee Voting

[Griffin, Susanne H]

Clarification on Message 9, Voters wishing to vote by absentee ballot in Minneapolis 
can apply in a couple of ways:

1.  Go to the Minneapolis Elections office web site below and click on Absentee Voting 
Information :
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/elections/

2.  Call the Elections and Voter Registration office at 612-673-2070.


Susanne Griffin
Director of Elections and Voter Registration
Room 1B - City Hall
612-673-2070
[EMAIL PROTECTED]



--__--__--

Message: 9
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 01:06:33 EDT
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [Mpls] Voting by mail.


--part1_16b.15baf70f.2ae0f0d9_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit


One of the important responsibilities of the
Minneapolis City Clerk's office is to process
absentee ballot applications.

A political party organization has facilitated the 
process by sending out applications through the 
mail.  These applications will, of course, be useful 
when planning to vote for candidates of any of the 
parties.  Just remember to save the top half of the 
mailing which contains the instructions. 

The mailing states that one may qualify for using
an absentee ballot for any of the following reasons:

-Absence from precinct
-Illness or disability
-Observance of religious holiday or religious discipline
-Service as an election judge

Interested Minneapolis residents who did not receive 
the mailing can obtain information from the City 
Clerk's office by calling (612) 673-3000.

Neal E. Simons
Prospect Park

  

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Re: [Mpls] Light rail farecard machines to be in three languages? Free riders??

[KHarley471]

I just got back from Paris, and the Paris metro is based on the honor system. There 
is, however, a hefty fine if you get caught riding with a ticket. Police enforce this.

I saw many signs in three languages: French, English, and German. ALL of the menus 
were at least in French and English, or all three languages.

People spoke English as long as I made an attempt at French (and I can read French 
much better than I speak it). I also conversed in with a couple from Germany, in 
German. (I speak German and have a degree in English.) In contrast to all the horror 
stories I was told about the arrogance of the French, I found them to be kind, 
helpful, and willingly multilingual.

Expand your mind. Globalization goes both ways. It won't kill you to be exposed to 
signs in another language--it certainly isn't worth punching anything over. At the 
very least, imagine how "our American country" would be different today if more people 
spoke Arabic and could have translated that phrase "Tomorrow is our day of glory" 
received by our government on September 10.

Kristine Harley
Sheridan

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Re: [Mpls] Voting by Non-Citizens - by mail or in person

[Michael Atherton]

Jason Goray wrote:

> One thing I've been wondering, thinking back on that
> whole American Revolution thing...
>
> If non-citizens can't vote, should they have to pay
> taxes? What about people under 18, and people who've
> had their civil rights stripped?

Non-citizens who reside in this country use many of its
services: roads, weather reporting, police protection,
fire fighting, etc.  I think it's entirely reasonable that they
should pay taxes, it is their choice to live here.  It would
be unreasonable to expect the internees in Cuba to pay
for their incarceration.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park

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Re: [Mpls] Sour Grapes from Cherryhomes

[Eric Mitchell]

Susan,
Jackie has moved on. 
The court system is s-l-o-w.  I did notice that the county attorney chose not to investigate some of the allegations. 
No one is/was trying to reverse the resultsof the Fifth Ward, but there are rules in which you are supposed to play by if you choose to get into the game. There should be accountability for those who break those rules. Republican Gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty is a perfect example of that. He broke the rules and he was fined. He wasn't kicked out of the race.
Eric Mitchell
 Susan Maricle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood provided this link:http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3373197.htmlGive it up, Jackie. Move on with your life. A few months ago Sharon Sayles Belton was guest hoston the WCCO drive time show. She sounded so happy,relaxed, assured, informed, engaging,professional--she should pursue radio full time.Susan Maricleformerly of Folwellnow of Bruno, MN__Do you Yahoo!?Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & Morehttp://faith.yahoo.com___Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mplsDo you Yahoo!?
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Re: [Mpls] Light rail farecard machines to be in three languages? Free riders??

[Peter Klausler]

On Fri, Oct 18, 2002 at 08:19:46AM -0500, Stephen Jester wrote:
> 
> Why this all ties into our LRT is the story in yesterdays paper. Feeling
> like I have some knowledge now of how this form of transportation works, I
> just couldn't believe my eyes. All fares are going to be based on the honor
> system? HELLO! This thing is not going to make a dime. It won't even be
> able to pay for itself. What kills me is you have the machines and
> instructions in different languages, and the way you enforce the fares is by
> using police officers?? I guess we better get officers that speak Hmong,
> Spanish, Somailian, Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish, French, Ect.. I can see the
> stories now... "Blacks sick of be profiled on LRT." "Somali community upset
> that officers held fare busters that cannot understand English."
> 
> It just goes to show that as an American society, we all need to be able to
> communicate in one lanaguage. English. Period. End of Story.

I would be overjoyed if my fellow Americans would master at least their
native language.  For those who immigrate, I'm impressed at the rate
at which they acquire, as adults, a tongue as weird and complicated
as English -- especially those coming from societies without widespread
literacy in the native languages.  Putting Spanish, Hmong, and other
languages with significant populations of immigrants to Minneapolis
on public signage and gas bills is a courtesy that I support.

Yes, I do think that it's a practical reality that immigrants must
learn English as quickly as they can.  But I'm leery of legislating
"English Only" restrictions as some states have tried.  In America,
for adults it would be like legislating "Oxygen/Nitrogen Breathing Only".

Some data on ticketing in other transit systems:

* In the London Underground and Paris Me'tro, I recall having to
  use one ticket to get in and to get out.  If there was value
  left on the ticket, you get it back when you get out.  And
  if you travelled too far, you discover that the gates are
  pretty easy to leap, or you can stand there helplessly in the
  little stall until an attendant notices lets you out with
  a fine of either a Firm Disapproving Expression (London) or
  a Look of Pity at the Helpless Uncultured Barbarian (Paris).

  The gates themselves are hard to negotiate with luggage,
  and I have found myself several times with my suitcase
  on one side of the barrier and myself, sans billet, on
  the other.  The French find watching this situation funnier
  than a Jerry Lewis movie.

* In German cities, it's the honor system on busses, Strassebahn,
  and U-bahn.  You buy your ticket before boarding (or from the
  driver, if there is one) and cancel it yourself.  Traffic polizei
  in plain clothes lurk on the cars and conduct spot checks for
  missing or uncancelled tickets.  They do seem to target foreigners
  and immigrants; speaking English or Turkish on a streetcar is good
  way to hear "Ihre Fahrkarte, bitte?"  The fine is about twice what
  a monthly pass costs and it's payable in cash on the spot.

* In Geneva and Lausanne, it's the same honor system, but nobody
  ever seems to check, and I think that a lot of the locals
  are riding for free.  It's a small compensation for having
  to know three official major languages as well as English,
  which they all speak better than I do.

So I think that you can enforce payment either with lots of
machinery or with an honor system backed up by fines.  I'd
prefer machinery, since I wouldn't expect an honor system
to work with Americans any better than it does at enforcing
red lights and speed limits on the roadways once the police
have abandoned them.  (I still think that we could solve our
budget woes in Minneapolis by just collecting traffic fines
on West 50th Street.)

-- 
Peter Klausler, Linden Hills, Minneapolis, Minnesota ',.PY FGCRL
Principal Engineer, Cray Inc.AOEUI DHTNS
pmk@visi,com, [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.visi.com/~pmk ;QJKX BMWVZ
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RE: [Mpls] City to change winter parking rules?

[Corrie Zoll]

I’m with Barb.  This will be a
nightmare in neighborhoods where the cars get towed maybe one snow emergency
out of five.

 

Corrie Zoll

Phillips

 

-Original Message-
From: Barbara Lickness
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] 
Sent: Thursday,
 October 17, 2002 11:04 PM
To: List Manager; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Mpls] City to change
winter parking rules?

 

Fully plowed may have different connotations in my
neighborhood. We historically deal with people who ignore the snow emergency
rules and park on the wrong side of the street. (I know they tow cars for
this in some areas of town, but, they have never towed them for this offense on
my block.)  The plows come through and plow around the offenders. When the
car that ignored the snow emergency rules finally moves there is still a giant
heap of snow in the street from where the plow had to go around the car. 
Would that still be considered fully plowed? or will the plows return to finish
the job first?

Barb Lickness/Whittier



"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
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it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead

 







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Re: [Mpls] Voting by Non-Citizens - by mail or in person

[phaedrus]

- - -
According to the 2000 census, roughly 49,000 people in
Minneapolis were not citizens.

Do Minneapolis election judges verify citizenship
before allowing votes to be counted?
- - -

One thing I've been wondering, thinking back on that
whole American Revolution thing...

If non-citizens can't vote, should they have to pay
taxes? What about people under 18, and people who've
had their civil rights stripped?

- Jason Goray, Sheridan, NE


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[Mpls] Star Tribune and Beautifying Downtown

[Timothy Mady]

In reference to today's light rail editorial in the
Star Tribune, I'm wondering what their official
opinion is of the acres of black top parking with no
landscaping that spreads out from the front of their
buildings.  They complain monthly about sterile
downtown streets but what are they doing with their
own land?  I'm just assuming they own those parking
lots, but maybe I'm wrong.  

Tim Mady
West Calhoun

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[Mpls] Sour Grapes from Cherryhomes

[Susan Maricle]

Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood provided this link:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3373197.html

Give it up, Jackie. Move on with your life. 

A few months ago Sharon Sayles Belton was guest host
on the WCCO drive time show. She sounded so happy,
relaxed, assured, informed, engaging,
professional--she should pursue radio full time.

Susan Maricle
formerly of Folwell
now of Bruno, MN




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[Mpls] Zoning Changes/Affordable Housing

[Victoria Heller]

Everyone should know what "affordable housing" means in Minneapolis.

A single person, making $32,220 qualifies for "affordable housing."
A developer may charge that person $805 rent for a studio apartment,
including utilities.

A five person family making $49,680 qualifies for "affordable housing."
A developer may charge that family $1,035 rent for a 2 BR apartment,
including utilities.

All of the "affordable housing" calculations are based on AMI (Area Median
Income.)  The AMIs used in Minneapolis are as follows:

1 person$53,700
2 persons   $61,400
3 persons   $69,000
4 persons   $76,700
5 persons   $82,800

If persons make 60% of these figures (60% of AMI) they qualify.

Here are the "affordable rents" that developers may charge persons at 60%
AMI, including utilities:

Studio $805
1 BR   $863
2 BR   $1,035
3 BR   $1,196
4 BR   $1,335
5 BR   $1,472

Now you know what's "affordable."

A development like The Village at St. Anthony ($95 million) needed only 30
"affordable units" to qualify for taxpayer guaranteed financing.

Steve Minn's development is receiving $23.7 million in housing revenue
bonds from the City and County, plus $3.2 million in tax increment
financing - for 221 units.  I couldn't tell from Neal St. Anthony's article
how many units are "affordable."

In addition to the $26.9 million, Minn will receive another $3 million by
selling "tax credits" to rich guys.  Now were up to $29.9 million for 221
units - $135,294 per unit.

An MCDA official (Hemmerlin) in charge of this deal said "they also brought
nearly $2 million in cash into the project."  Could we see copies of the
cancelled checks Mr. Hemmerlin?  Assuming this is true (which I doubt), the
project cost goes up to $31.9 million for 221 units - $144,344 per unit.

Does anyone really think this is affordable housing?  Steve Minn ends up
with a $30 million asset.  How does that help people who cannot pay $500
per month for apartments that are available now?

Vicky Heller
North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside

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Re: [Mpls] Library Director Pay, Candidate Forums

[Michelle Mensing]

As one of the organizers of the event Jim talks about (part of the "Getting
to the Bottom of the Ballot" effort), I'm glad to hear this feedback.  We
heard many comments throughout the event about how new and different this
type of forum felt to people and how helpful it was.  Our organizing
committee has talked at length about how civic engagement can be enhanced
and we actually looked to the past to come up with this idea.  It certainly
felt new and different to the people who participated, both the candidates
and the voters, but it is actually a concept that was the norm in our recent
political past.  Political socials were how candidates got to know voters
before the media came into full force in politics.  Now, most forums need to
be tailored to the media (debates and speeches) and we end up losing the
voter-candidate connection piece.  Southwest Citizens for Civic Engagement
(the group that organized the "Getting to the Bottom of the Ballot" effort)
plans to continue this effort and try new experiments to promote a more
engaged voting population.

If people on this list have any new ideas (or ideas taken from the past),
please email me off-list.  We plan to take our efforts that have been
successful in Southwest Minneapolis and see what will work city-wide.

Michelle Mensing
Armatage resident
Coordinator for the "Getting to the Bottom of the Ballot" effort

- Original Message -
From: "Jim Mork" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 9:51 AM
Subject: [Mpls] Library Director Pay, Candidate Forums


> Went to the candidates fair at Lake Harriet
> School.  First thing of that type I've ever seen.
>  The League of Women Voters people present said
> they thought there had only been one other.
> Anyway, a very useful experience that I hope gets
> repeated a lot.  I spoke to two judicial
> candidates who were running against each other.
> I've never really spoken to a judge in my life,
> so it was a brand new experience.  They were
> running for a family court position,  so I got
> contrasting opinions on what was or was not wrong
> with our family courts.  I told them of my
> limited courtroom experience and how different it
> was from any of the courtroom shows on TV.
> Basically in being a lot more rapid and a lot
> LESS emotional than anything on TV.  I also told
> them how hard it is to do a good vote for a
> judge.  The information that we get on judges is
> so  scant that we end up either not voting or
> going with bar association polls.  So I felt I'd
> gone to a new level by talking to candidates.
>
> I also spoke to two of Mary Kiffmyers opponents.
> Dean Alger of the Independence Party was pretty
> scorching about her, but Buck Humphrey seemed to
> measure his words more.
>
> I held a short chat with Doug Mann before working
> the room.  I think he's the least inflammatory
> socialist I've ever met.  I hope if he gets
> elected he can hold his own in board arguments.
> He seems awfully apologetic about his views.  You
> aren't really that way, are you, Doug?
> Personally, I think a leftwing candidate should
> be able to open his mouth and level a city block.
> But, hey, just my prejudice on the matter.
>
> Anyway, on leaving I gave a strong endorsement to
> the League ladies, saying I want to do a lot more
> of this type of thing.  It is really helpful to
> have so many applicants for public jobs in one
> room.  And it is a big break for the minor
> candidates to be able to meet the public one to
> one.  It humanizes them as nothing else can.
>
> They handed out a lot of literature.  On the way
> home, I was wishing I could get on an email list
> alerting me to voter education events.  When I
> got home and  read the material I picked up at
> the door, I found an inset that says "For more
> information on the candidates, visit the League
> of Women Voters of Minnesota web site at
> www.lwvmn.org.  The web site has a comprehensive
> list of League of Women Voters candidate forums
> for elections at all levels throughout the state.
>  The League encourages voters to attend in person
> or to watch the re-broadcasts on local cable TV
> stations." (That was the second time of the night
> I wished I had a cable hookup).
>
> Consulting the Leage of Women Voters list, I see:
>
> Senate candidates debating in Stillwater, October
> 14, 11am-1pm in Stillwater Area High School Gym.
>
> 5th District Congressional Candidates, Monday,
> October 21, 7pm, Golden Valley City Hall Council
> Chambers 7800 Golden Valley Road
> Golden Valley, MN 55427-4508
> Other than those, go to:
>
>
> http://www.lwvmn.org/EdFund/Election2002DebateSchedule.html
>
>
> On pay for Superintendents and Library Directors,
> Michael Atherton said:
> "Yes. It takes much more skill to be a
> superintendent than a short order cook,
> librarian, or a school teacher. They all involve
> different skill sets and the skills necessary to
> be an effective superintendent are not held by as
> many people as

Re: [Mpls] Light rail farecard machines to be in three languages? Free riders??

[Jim MCGUIRE]

I read this message several times trying to figure out what the problem is 
here.

First off, this is clearly written by an opponent of light rail.  It looks 
to me as if Mr. Jester expected to find something in the article to make him 
mad and then succeeded.

As to fares, I'm not certain what the best collection system is.  It doesn't 
bother me, per se, that it will be "voluntary", but neither would I disagree 
with a compulsory system.  The bottom line, however, is that transit isn't 
designed to make money.  (How much money did 35W make last year?)

As to the rant about ENGLISH.  It's just that, a rant.  There's nothing 
wrong with designing a system that acknowledges that we have non-English 
reading residents (citizens and non-citizens).  Plus one can simply take a 
look at the route and realize that this system goes through the West Bank, 
which has a large Somali community, and crosses Lake St which has a large 
Hispanic community.  Would Mr. Jester prefer that if people have trouble 
reading English they not ride the train?

Jim McGuire
Como






Original Message Follows
From: "Stephen Jester" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mpls" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Mpls] Light rail farecard machines to be in three languages? Free 
riders??
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 08:19:46 -0500

When I read this story yesterday, I nearly punched my monitor. It made me
that angry. Why? I'll tell you why.

My wife and I were in Washington DC a month ago celebrating our anniversary.
Neither of us had used the subway in DC before, but all of our travel books
said that it was cheap and easy to use. And the books were right. The
station was four blocks from our hotel, and was located in the George
Washington University area. You would take and esclator down, and the first
thing you notice is farecard machines. Guess what? They are in ENGLISH
All the maps? ENGLISH! Anyway, you would stick your money in the machine,
press a button for a farecard and the machine would spit it out. And typed
on the card is the value. Then you walk to the gates that lead to the
platforms. You take your farecard stick in into a slot in the front of the
gate, and it reads your card and spits it out through the top, and the gate
opens. You get on the train, and once you arrive at you destination station,
you have to use the gates again. Why? Fares are based on how far you have
gone from your original destination. So you stick your card in again, just
like before, and if you have enough value on your card, it comes out the top
and the gate opens. It's very cheap, considering a cab from our hotel was 10
bucks, the subway was 2.20.

Why this all ties into our LRT is the story in yesterdays paper. Feeling
like I have some knowledge now of how this form of transportation works, I
just couldn't believe my eyes. All fares are going to be based on the honor
system? HELLO! This thing is not going to make a dime. It won't even be
able to pay for itself. What kills me is you have the machines and
instructions in different languages, and the way you enforce the fares is by
using police officers?? I guess we better get officers that speak Hmong,
Spanish, Somailian, Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish, French, Ect.. I can see the
stories now... "Blacks sick of be profiled on LRT." "Somali community upset
that officers held fare busters that cannot understand English."

It just goes to show that as an American society, we all need to be able to
communicate in one lanaguage. English. Period. End of Story.

Stephen Jester
McKinley


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Re: [Mpls] No voter fraud found in contest (JohnsonLee vs Cherryhomes)

[Craig Miller]

Hey Rochelle!

Any chance we can find an electronic version of the Anoka County Report? Are
there any listmembers savvy with the Anoka County websight?


Craig Miller
Former Fultonite
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Original Message -
From: "Shawn Lewis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 6:35 AM
Subject: [Mpls] No voter fraud found in contest (JohnsonLee vs Cherryhomes)


>
> No voter fraud in Minneapolis council election
> last year
> Rochelle Olson
>
>
> Published Oct 18, 2002
>
> The Anoka County attorney's office found no
> grounds to further pursue election fraud charges
> in the 2001 contest between Minneapolis City
> Council Member Natalie Johnson Lee and
> former Council President Jackie Cherryhomes.
>
> http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3373197.html
>
> Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> __
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[Mpls] Big Zoning Changes Coming But May Be Below Everyone's

[Dave Harstad]

Why allow the increased density only for affordable
housing projects?  The purpose of the zoning code is
to protect the "health, safety, and welfare" of the
community.  Either you are endangering the "health,
safety, and welfare" of the community by allowing the
increased density for affordable housing, or the
density restrictions for "non-affordable" housing are
arbitrary.  

To have two different density requirements, one for
affordable housing and one for "non affordable
housing" is utterly rediculous.  What's next, relief
from the code's out of control parking requirements
for sushi restaurants, but not for burger joints?  

The bottom line is that, in many instances, the new
zoning code is too draconian.  Instead of carving out
exceptions and granting variances to favored players
-- here the affordable housing industry -- the most
onerous restrictions in the new code should be rolled
back for everyone. 

Dave Harstad
Whittier

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re: [Mpls] Light rail farecard machines to be in three languages? Free riders??

[Eric Oines]

So, is one of three languages NOT English?  

There are something like 120+ languages spoken in DC, so it makes sense that they 
would not try to accomodate everyone.  We have some pretty specific large immigrant 
groups here (Hmong, Somali, Hispanic/Latino).  Would you rather they got lost on the 
way to their job, which keeps them off public assistance while they take English 
lessons at the corner church 3 nights a week?

Reliant/Minnegasco (whatever they're called these days) has several languages on their 
envelopes because they want to make sure people pay their bill.  We want to make sure 
people get to work on time, so we make it a little easier on folks.  Why on earth 
would this upset you so much?

Recent data suggests that over 90% of recent US immigrants speak English enough to 
function in American society.  Another 7% are learning English actively and the rest 
are mostly older folks who can be taken care of by younger folks.  Reminds me very 
much of when my Norwegian ancestors arrived here.  My great-Grandfather, who was born 
in Wisconsin, didn't know English when he started Kindergarten.  But, he learned, 
especially after he peed his pants because he didn't know how to ask for the bathroom. 
 At the same time, the teachers knew some Swedish, German, Norwegian, etc., in order 
to help the kids come along quicker.  

Contrary to whatever you may think, immigrants do their level best to learn English in 
a timely manner.  Consider that many immigrants take the citizenship test, which many 
native-born folks would easily fail, in English, only 5 or so years after they arrive. 
 The only exclusions in MN that I am aware of are Hmong war veterens, who would be 
dead in Laos/Thailand if they hadn't been granted asylum.

As to the 'honor system', I have been to many cities that have such systems.  The one 
that comes to mind right now is Prague.  In Prague, you buy a transit ticket that is 
good for 3 hours.  It's a little slip with a time stamp on it.  That's all.  You can 
use it for trolleys, buses, or subways.  It's totally on the honor system.  Every once 
in a while a cop hops on the trolley, checks tickets for 3 minutes and hops off.  The 
ticket costs about $.25.  The fine for getting caught with an expired ticket is about 
$50.  People don't cheat.  It's not worth it.

-- 
Eric Oines
Green Party Endorsed Candidate
State House Seat 58A
A REAL Choice for the Northside
www.OinesForHouse.org
612.521.3482

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort,
 but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
    ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)



>>> "Stephen Jester" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote...
When I read this story yesterday, I nearly punched my monitor. It made me
that angry. Why? I'll tell you why.

My wife and I were in Washington DC a month ago celebrating our anniversary.
Neither of us had used the subway in DC before, but all of our travel books
said that it was cheap and easy to use. And the books were right. The
station was four blocks from our hotel, and was located in the George
Washington University area. You would take and esclator down, and the first
thing you notice is farecard machines. Guess what? They are in ENGLISH
All the maps? ENGLISH! Anyway, you would stick your money in the machine,
press a button for a farecard and the machine would spit it out. And typed
on the card is the value. Then you walk to the gates that lead to the
platforms. You take your farecard stick in into a slot in the front of the
gate, and it reads your card and spits it out through the top, and the gate
opens. You get on the train, and once you arrive at you destination station,
you have to use the gates again. Why? Fares are based on how far you have
gone from your original destination. So you stick your card in again, just
like before, and if you have enough value on your card, it comes out the top
and the gate opens. It's very cheap, considering a cab from our hotel was 10
bucks, the subway was 2.20.

Why this all ties into our LRT is the story in yesterdays paper. Feeling
like I have some knowledge now of how this form of transportation works, I
just couldn't believe my eyes. All fares are going to be based on the honor
system? HELLO! This thing is not going to make a dime. It won't even be
able to pay for itself. What kills me is you have the machines and
instructions in different languages, and the way you enforce the fares is by
using police officers?? I guess we better get officers that speak Hmong,
Spanish, Somailian, Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish, French, Ect.. I can see the
stories now... "Blacks sick of be profiled on LRT." "Somali community upset
that officers held fare busters that cannot understand English."

It just goes to show that as an American society, we all need to be able to
communicate in one lanaguage. English. Period. End of Story.

Stephen Jester
McKinley






























__

[Mpls] lrt ticket machines

[Bruce Gaarder]

Mr. Jester said, in his shocked reaction to the lrt ticket machines, that
the system wouldn't make any money.  I'll reassure him that it was never 
intended that the system would make money.

Even after blowing off more than $700 million in capital costs and however
much more the city and met council push in for "transit-oriented development",
it would be lucky to come up to the approx. 33% portion of operating and
maintenance costs paid by fares.

Note well that the estimated rate of "fare evasion" in Portland is at least
10%, and that's including the fact that there is the "fareless square" around
downtown where you don't need to pay.  Want to take wagers on the number of
people who will use lrt to get around downtown Minneapolis without paying?

Of course, the stated plan was to increase the transit police staff by 1/3
when the lrt starts operating.

Bruce Gaarder
Highland Park  Saint Paul
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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[Mpls] Library Director Pay, Candidate Forums

[Jim Mork]

Went to the candidates fair at Lake Harriet
School.  First thing of that type I've ever seen.
 The League of Women Voters people present said
they thought there had only been one other. 
Anyway, a very useful experience that I hope gets
repeated a lot.  I spoke to two judicial
candidates who were running against each other. 
I've never really spoken to a judge in my life,
so it was a brand new experience.  They were
running for a family court position,  so I got
contrasting opinions on what was or was not wrong
with our family courts.  I told them of my
limited courtroom experience and how different it
was from any of the courtroom shows on TV. 
Basically in being a lot more rapid and a lot
LESS emotional than anything on TV.  I also told
them how hard it is to do a good vote for a
judge.  The information that we get on judges is
so  scant that we end up either not voting or
going with bar association polls.  So I felt I'd
gone to a new level by talking to candidates.

I also spoke to two of Mary Kiffmyers opponents. 
Dean Alger of the Independence Party was pretty
scorching about her, but Buck Humphrey seemed to
measure his words more.

I held a short chat with Doug Mann before working
the room.  I think he's the least inflammatory
socialist I've ever met.  I hope if he gets
elected he can hold his own in board arguments. 
He seems awfully apologetic about his views.  You
aren't really that way, are you, Doug? 
Personally, I think a leftwing candidate should
be able to open his mouth and level a city block.
But, hey, just my prejudice on the matter.

Anyway, on leaving I gave a strong endorsement to
the League ladies, saying I want to do a lot more
of this type of thing.  It is really helpful to
have so many applicants for public jobs in one
room.  And it is a big break for the minor
candidates to be able to meet the public one to
one.  It humanizes them as nothing else can.

They handed out a lot of literature.  On the way
home, I was wishing I could get on an email list
alerting me to voter education events.  When I
got home and  read the material I picked up at
the door, I found an inset that says "For more
information on the candidates, visit the League
of Women Voters of Minnesota web site at
www.lwvmn.org.  The web site has a comprehensive
list of League of Women Voters candidate forums
for elections at all levels throughout the state.
 The League encourages voters to attend in person
or to watch the re-broadcasts on local cable TV
stations." (That was the second time of the night
I wished I had a cable hookup).

Consulting the Leage of Women Voters list, I see:

Senate candidates debating in Stillwater, October
14, 11am-1pm in Stillwater Area High School Gym.

5th District Congressional Candidates, Monday,
October 21, 7pm, Golden Valley City Hall Council
Chambers 7800 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427-4508 
Other than those, go to: 
 
  
http://www.lwvmn.org/EdFund/Election2002DebateSchedule.html


On pay for Superintendents and Library Directors,
Michael Atherton said:
"Yes. It takes much more skill to be a
superintendent than a short order cook,
librarian, or a school teacher. They all involve
different skill sets and the skills necessary to
be an effective superintendent are not held by as
many people as those who can be cooks,
librarians, teachers, cops and fire fighters.
However, one would hope that superintendents
would actually be able to show that they have a
significant impact in their role before they are
granted a new contract."

I think a cook that can make a good meal is more
skilled than a library director that makes
expensive decisions with taxpayer funds that buy
public monuments instead of better resources. 
You're right, Michael, a GOOD director  that
makes sound decisions may need to know more, but
how does raising pay guarantee that? Are the
best-paid doctors the best doctors?  And how do
you know that?

WizardMarks said to Vicky Heller:
"WM: Maybe the judgement of the library board was
"no" and they're willing to pay extra to find
one"

Wiz, I assume you pay property taxes and, as
such, realize the Library Board doesn't "pay
extra", they take extra from US to pay.  And what
we're saying is that in our judgment, an entity
with a budget shortfall shouldnt be spending as
if they had their books balanced.  I was afraid
that this "8 percent inflation cap" was going to
become a license to spend extra money.  It's like
getting a notice of a raise in your credit limit.
"Oh boy, what can I buy with my 8 percent?"

Jim Mork
Cooper Neighborhood
 




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Re: [Mpls] Voting by Non-Citizens - by mail or in person

[Michael Atherton]

Victoria Heller wrote:

> According to the 2000 census, roughly 49,000 people in Minneapolis were not
> citizens.
>
> Do Minneapolis election judges verify citizenship before allowing votes to
> be counted?
>
> Can any citizen audit voter records after an election?
>
> Conspiracy to procure unlawful voting and conspiracy to commit forgery are
> both felonies.  I presume both would be grounds for deportation.

If non citizens vote it would prevent them from ever becoming citizens.
It's one of the "trick" questions that the INS asks during citizenship
application interviews.  If you answer, "yes," your application would
be denied.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park

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[Mpls] Re: Library Job: What are the qualifications anyway?

[WizardMarks]

Victoria Heller wrote:


Quotes from WizardMarks followed by RESPONSES FROM VICKY:

"Some of the best people we have at MPL are not willing to take on this
challenge at this point in their lives. Others are totally swamped with
the work they are presently doing and may not have taken the time to
apply."

VH - HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS?


WM: I work at the library, I ask questions.




"Simultaneously, we are embarking on a grand adventure of
a new library and facing the information needs of a new century."

VH - THE LIBRARY OF THE FUTURE IN ON THE INTERNET.  YOU CAN BUY AN INTERNET
READY COMPUTER SYSTEM AT WAL-MART.COM FOR $399.72.


WM: It would take a very long replay to answer this. Suffice it to say 
that the notion that the internet can serve all one's information needs 
is too simplistic for words.

"I'd be willing to bet that the board is looking for someone from outside
who has the compare and contrast experience to lead at this juncture.  An
outsider has the advantage of not knowing the system and therefore having
to ask many, many, many questions."

VH - THIS COULD ALSO BE CALLED A VERY EXPENSIVE LEARNING CURVE.


WM: I don't think so. The person chosen would already be a librarian of 
some experience. MPL is at a juncture where it does have changes to 
make--big changes to meet the changing information needs of the 
population.  Introducing someone new into the equation has positive 
possibilities.

"What would be good to have to carry through would be stellar leadership
capability (and self-ruthless time management and delegation skills)."

VH - DO WE HAVE ANY SUCH LEADERS IN MINNEAPOLIS?  I MIGHT BE WILLING TO PAY
EXTRA IF WE COULD ACTUALLY FIND ONE.


WM: Maybe the judgement of the library board was "no" and they're 
willing to pay extra to find one.

WizardMarks, Central



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[Mpls] Second Library Director Candidate Withdraws

[Gibson, Kristi]

The last candidate under consideration for the position of Minneapolis
Public Library (MPL) director has withdrawn from the search, the Library
Board of Trustees announced today. 

Saul J. Amdursky, director of the public library system in Kalamazoo,
Michigan, informed the Board yesterday that he was no longer an active
candidate. On Wednesday, Norman Holman, Senior Vice President and Director
of Capital Planning and Construction for the New York Public Library system,
withdrew his name. Both final candidates indicated that salary was a
critical issue.

Anita Duckor, Library Board Trustee and chair of the Board's Personnel
Committee, said that the Board was very disappointed to lose two highly
qualified candidates who had met with approval from the Board, staff, and
the unions. "We feel we are disadvantaged by the salary cap imposed by the
State," said Duckor. "Both finalists were very impressed with our library
system and the people of Minneapolis, who demonstrate a great love for their
libraries. But it is difficult to compete in a national market where
candidates can command much higher salaries."

The Library Board Personnel Committee will convene on Wednesday, October 23
at 5:30 p.m. at Central Library Marquette, 250 Marquette Av. S., to consider
next steps and make recommendations to the Board.

Kristi Gibson
Public Affairs
Minneapolis Public Library

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[Mpls] Voting by Non-Citizens - by mail or in person

[Victoria Heller]

According to the 2000 census, roughly 49,000 people in Minneapolis were not
citizens.

Do Minneapolis election judges verify citizenship before allowing votes to
be counted?

Can any citizen audit voter records after an election?

Conspiracy to procure unlawful voting and conspiracy to commit forgery are
both felonies.  I presume both would be grounds for deportation.

Are there any Listlawyers who can tell me where to start such an
investigation?

Vicky Heller
North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


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[Mpls] Political Lawn Signs Or Lack Thereof

[Dooley, Bill]

I have the only political lawn signs on the entire block in my Kenny neighborhood. For 
the adjacent two blocks north on both sides of the street, there are exactly one set 
of political lawn signs on each block. Granted I am not on a boulevard or heavily 
traveled street but I am surprised to see so few signs. My neighbor did wander over 
and said he supported my candidate for governor so I'm telling all my friends I 
represent the block's political views. In neighborhood blocks like mine, any ideas why 
so few political lawn signs? 

Bill Dooley
Kenny
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[Mpls] Light rail farecard machines to be in three languages? Free riders??

[Stephen Jester]

When I read this story yesterday, I nearly punched my monitor. It made me
that angry. Why? I'll tell you why.

My wife and I were in Washington DC a month ago celebrating our anniversary.
Neither of us had used the subway in DC before, but all of our travel books
said that it was cheap and easy to use. And the books were right. The
station was four blocks from our hotel, and was located in the George
Washington University area. You would take and esclator down, and the first
thing you notice is farecard machines. Guess what? They are in ENGLISH
All the maps? ENGLISH! Anyway, you would stick your money in the machine,
press a button for a farecard and the machine would spit it out. And typed
on the card is the value. Then you walk to the gates that lead to the
platforms. You take your farecard stick in into a slot in the front of the
gate, and it reads your card and spits it out through the top, and the gate
opens. You get on the train, and once you arrive at you destination station,
you have to use the gates again. Why? Fares are based on how far you have
gone from your original destination. So you stick your card in again, just
like before, and if you have enough value on your card, it comes out the top
and the gate opens. It's very cheap, considering a cab from our hotel was 10
bucks, the subway was 2.20.

Why this all ties into our LRT is the story in yesterdays paper. Feeling
like I have some knowledge now of how this form of transportation works, I
just couldn't believe my eyes. All fares are going to be based on the honor
system? HELLO! This thing is not going to make a dime. It won't even be
able to pay for itself. What kills me is you have the machines and
instructions in different languages, and the way you enforce the fares is by
using police officers?? I guess we better get officers that speak Hmong,
Spanish, Somailian, Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish, French, Ect.. I can see the
stories now... "Blacks sick of be profiled on LRT." "Somali community upset
that officers held fare busters that cannot understand English."

It just goes to show that as an American society, we all need to be able to
communicate in one lanaguage. English. Period. End of Story.

Stephen Jester
McKinley


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Re: [Mpls] library delayed, next block e?

[michael libby]

-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1

On Thursday 17 October 2002 23:22, Mike Nelson wrote:

>   Sorry to hear of your disappointment with the interim site, but there
> is just as much if not more carpeting at this site than in the old
> library.

I realize that, but the old site had plenty of tile... as such the floor 
was finished. The interim floor is unfinished. 

>  Carpet is nice as it helps deaden a room acoustically, but beyond that
> I fail to see any real benefit from it being installed in a temporary
> space.

For whatever reason, the interim space feels "loud" to me,  and I normally 
don't hear that well. I guess years of working in skyrises has me 
expecting that cheap sectional carpet to be in a place like that rather 
than an unfinished floor. I fully understand that carpet is harder to 
clean and things like that. And really, my first day there was one of the 
first days the location was open. My comments were not entirely fair. And 
I certainly didn't want to slight the library staff-- who are amazingly 
helpful and friendly and I can barely imagine how hard this move has made 
their jobs.

>   The library is facing serious budget cuts, and this may be a good
> place to save money.

I'm pretty sure I find it confusing to hear the words "save money" in 
association with this project. I've seen a lot of new tech appearing at 
the new library, none of which looks that affordable to me.

What happened to the old auto-checkout machines that I never saw anyone 
use, and why were they replaced with new ones that I expect will also be 
largely unused? Have these machines reduced the need for checkout staff in 
any measurable quanity? I really have to say that I doubt it.

I'm also very concerned that the Library (and all City government) is 
spending a lot of money on newer computers and Windows and other 
proprietary software license fees when there are Free Software 
alternatives (please see http://www.gnu.org or http://www.debian.org for 
more information on Free Software).

As an observer I don't get a lot of information about this stuff (and I do 
try to dig for it, but my free time is limited), so I'm sorry if I'm going 
off half-cocked here, but I have to question this stuff because I think 
there are affordable, sensible solutions that have additional long term 
benefits.

> The word slipshod suggests carelessness and negligence.
> The only evidence of this I have seen is in the deplorable working
> conditions imposed on some of the employees that the public doesn't see,
> a subject I won't get into right now.

Again I want to sound as though I'm badmouthing the employees! I'm pretty 
sure that the people who've had to do the actual work of 
packing/unpacking, setting things up, dealing with an 400% increase in the 
need to help patrons find stuff, learning the new setup, etc... that those 
people are being stretched to their limits. I haven't got a single 
complaint about the librarians and other staff. 

>   Please keep in mind the fact that this place is temporary, and most of
> the people involved have never had to move a library of this size.
> They are doing their best, and most are anything but careless or
> negligent.

Most of those people probably weren't the decision-makers who chose to move 
to an interim location before plans for the new location were even 
finalized nor-- as I understand it-- financing fully secured.

>  Things could be worse. In St. Paul, everyone, including the children,
> was just S.O.L. while they renovated their central library. They saved a
> LOT of money by not having an interim site.

And I have to ask: in St. Paul had they actually gotten building plans and 
financing together for the new building before they went and closed the 
central library?

My reference to Block E was deliberate. I consider that whole thing from 
1987 to present a bona fide fiasco. I ride the bus past another location 
(the Hollman site) where the City was eager to bulldoze, but seems to be 
way behind schedule on replacing the homes they destroyed. I live less 
than a mile away from a large field of grass on a major intersection, for 
which I've seen development plans, but for which no development *at all* 
has actually been done. 

I don't think I'm off-kilter to worry that my beloved Minneapolis libraries 
will have similar problems, when they start to throw up red flags like 
being months behind on getting plans for the new building drawn up (the 
MPL site says these schematics were planned for Summer 2002).

 -michael libby (cleveland/north mpls)

p.s. list-members: please don't "cc" me when replying on-list to a post 
I've made. I don't need two copies of the same message. Thanks. :)

++
Michael C. Libby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
public key: http://www.ichimunki.com/public_key.txt
web site: http://www.ichimunki.com
++
-BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-
Version: GnuPG v1.0.7 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE9

RE: [Mpls] library delayed, next block e?

[Gibson, Kristi]

One small correction to Mike Nelson's post: If you have a comment or
suggestion for the Minneapolis Public Library please submit it online to
www.mplib.org/suggest.asp (for general comments) or
www.mplib.org/yourideas.asp (for comments specific to the New Central
Library Project or Community Library building projects).

Kristi Gibson
Public Affairs
Minneapolis Public Library

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[Mpls] Voting by mail.

[NESIMONS]

One of the important responsibilities of the
Minneapolis City Clerk's office is to process
absentee ballot applications.

A political party organization has facilitated the 
process by sending out applications through the 
mail.  These applications will, of course, be useful 
when planning to vote for candidates of any of the 
parties.  Just remember to save the top half of the 
mailing which contains the instructions. 

The mailing states that one may qualify for using
an absentee ballot for any of the following reasons:

-Absence from precinct
-Illness or disability
-Observance of religious holiday or religious discipline
-Service as an election judge

Interested Minneapolis residents who did not receive 
the mailing can obtain information from the City 
Clerk's office by calling (612) 673-3000.

Neal E. Simons
Prospect Park

  

[Mpls] No voter fraud found in contest (JohnsonLee vs Cherryhomes)

[Shawn Lewis]

No voter fraud in Minneapolis council election 
last year
Rochelle Olson 
 
  
Published Oct 18, 2002 

The Anoka County attorney's office found no 
grounds to further pursue election fraud charges 
in the 2001 contest between Minneapolis City 
Council Member Natalie Johnson Lee and 
former Council President Jackie Cherryhomes.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3373197.html

Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood



 


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[Mpls] Big Zoning Changes Coming But May Be Below Everyone's Radar

[Florence H. Littman]

The creation and adoption of The Minneapolis Plan (TMP) and the 2000 Zoning
Code were accomplished with citizen input, public hearings in the
neighborhoods and a newsletter from the Planning Department.  At a minimum
this process should be used for the contemplated revisions of TMP and the
Zoning Code.  

In the past, the comprehensive plan was created and then the zoning was
changed to conform to the comprehensive plan.  Now it appears that TMP is
being changed to conform to recently proposed zoning text amendments.
These proposed revisions change the goal of accepting our fair share of
subsidized housing to one of accepting more than our fair share. The
proposed revisions would increase density and decrease lot side and setback
requirements.

The Minneapolis City Planning Department Report Comprehensive Plan
Amendments states:

"The proposed changes have been developed in consultation with an
interdepartmental work team that included staff from the MCDA, NRP, MPHA,
Housing Inspections, and Plan Review.  The Shelter Advisory Board received
additional feedback."

There is something wrong with this picture.  Where is the citizen input?

The Planning Commission should postpone its recommendations on revisions of
TMP and the Zoning Code until there is adequate notification, and publicity
and city wide hearings at times and in places that make citizen
participation possible. 

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