Re: [Mpls] Property Rights .....continued
On Wednesday, November 12, 2003, at 06:12 AM, Victoria Heller wrote: There are lots of these awful stories in Minneapolis - but the citizens don't know about them. Utterly disgusting. Which is why I am headed west to one of the free states. I'm sick of the smarty pants college boys trying to run my life and my business...can hardly wait to join a few cowboys and ranchers in Wyoming. For reference, here is a gorgeous property that's for sale: http://www.rockriverranch.com/. Victoria, you're one of the fortunate few who can afford to fight city hall AND move out of this city. Most of us are stuck between a rock and a hard place. We can't afford to move to a safer community in the metro area or in the country if we're retiring. Some of my neighbors have committed to 30 year mortgages on homes they have been chased from by crime. As the value of their unliveable Minneapolis homes crashes they're struggling to pay off that mortgage, take a huge loss, or default and have their credit ruined for life. All the while paying rent or payments for a home in a safer community they can actually live in. Some of us will pay an even greater price for Minneapolis unlivability. Every year in Minneapolis innocent citizens are murdered, and many of those victims would be living in safer communities if they could. Many more are maimed and disabled for life by criminals, like my friend, who already had MS, and had her arm permanently damaged by a mugger in Minneapolis. But we all pay the costs for Minneapolis tolerance of crime. Insurance rates are exorbidant, if you can get it. We take long ways home to avoid gang turfs, repair broken windows on a regular basis, and schedule our lives around the criminal activity. Our children can only play behind high fences when the gunfire is infrequent, or we have to drive them to playgrounds in the suburbs or Minneapolis' few remaining safe parks. And that's just the crime problem. Minnesota's largest private employer is no longer Northwest or 3M or Honeywell, it's WalMart. With WalMart setting the wage scale, a two wage earner family can barely qualify for a $100,000 home. Now Minneapolis could let you build an affordable home, but they're not about to without a considerable fight. Down at the castle with the cookoo clock they call city hall the strategy is to manipulate the housing market so prices go upward. There's a simple logic to this strategy- rising property values= rising tax collections to pay for the city's out of control procurement and property acquisitions without defaulting on legacy costs like debt service and pension costs. Problem is, within the castle they can't see this thing called a housing market. While they try to force single family homes over the $200,000 threshold, the average home buyer knows that a new townhouse can be had for that magic $100,000 number in Belgrade or Des Moines. For less than that they can have a new modular home on their own acreage. Or for $130,000, the price of a tiny old Minneapolis home with Mr. Porter and his homies next door, you can have a new single family home in Kimball or Des Moines. So the folks who still can are still fleeing Minneapolis, and the folks in the castle with the cookoo clock still don't understand why. held captive in Hawthorne, Dyna Sluyter REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] re: City Council districts
Mr. Nolley's post is grossly inaccurate. Fiction. Make believe. Nonsense. One may certainly dispute the new ward boundaries (some have, they filed a lawsuit) but the redistricting commission no more set out to eliminate Council Members Johnson-Lee and Zimmerman than they planned to get rid of Saddam Hussein! As a member of the Minneapolis Charter Commission (we appointed most of the Redistricting Commission) I will state that any applicant who would have even hinted that his/her interest in serving on the commission was to remove any city council member would have been instantly disqualified from consideration! To accept Mr. Nolley's theory would require one to believe that a rather remarkable conspiracy was in place when the these individuals were appointed and that the Charter Commission and the City Council itself (they also appointed two members) were part of this conspiracy. Rep. Kahn's effort to require an election so that the new wards have council members who actually live in those wards isn't even remotely close to the gerrymandering spectacle that took place in Texas. Texas has already redistricted, elections took place and Democrats were elected in four seats that Tom DeLay figured should go to Republicans. Of course, for a hyper-partisan ass like Mr. DeLay, that was unacceptable so the solution (instead of running better candidates) is to create districts so bizarre and so lopsidedly loaded that even the dumbest/weakest Republican could not lose! Rep. Kahn (and others) are only asking that the city be required to hold elections soon after the new lines are drawn so that each ward will have a council member who lives in that ward. Jim Bernstein Fulton -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tamir Nolley Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 5:51 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] re: City Council districts Terrel Brown Wrote: I still think the primary reason for this suit is because Dean Zimmerman doesn't like being put in the same ward as another member of the current council. He would rather not run against another incumbent. Probably would be an easier election if he only faced non-incumbent challengers. TN Of course the reason the redistricting comission chose these districts was to get rid of Dean Zimmermann and Natalie Johnson Lee. It was one of the most cynical and partisan moves in Minneapolis history, and Phyllis Khan's attempt to mandate early elections based on those districts reminds me a lot of Tom DeLay's redistricting scheme in Texas. It's interesting to see how similar DFL and Republican tactics, and how willing to cooperate they are when the two party system itself is threatened. Tamir Nolley Holland w3 __ Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Hood Stores in North Minneapolis
Mr. Hodges: What city ward is the location of this store? Also, please report this situation to the appropriate elected official. After reporting this situation to him or her, please share with us his/her response. Thank you. Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- __ Sign-up for your own personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup Search Smarter - get the new eXact Search Bar for free! http://www.exactsearchbar.com/ REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Up Your's: TAXES
[Dyna] Minnesota's largest private employer is no longer Northwest or 3M or Honeywell, it's WalMart. [Vicky] Actually, the largest PRIVATE employer in Minnesota is Target. Of course Minneapolis taxpayers are paying a hefty price for those low wage jobs. Over the past twenty years in Minnesota, LOCAL government employment has INCREASED 45.1% while the population only increased 21.5%. These are statewide figures - It would be very interesting to compare Minneapolis City payroll costs in 1982 vs. 2002, a twenty year period of DECLINING population. [Dyna] Some of my neighbors have committed to 30 year mortgages on homes they have been chased from by crime. As the value of their unliveable Minneapolis homes crashes they're struggling to pay off that mortgage, take a huge loss, or default and have their credit ruined for life. [Vicky] Housing values are determined by a handful of desperate sellers (same for stock prices.) Once the selling begins..watch out below. Using Warren Buffett's words We live in Squanderville. Minneapolis (and many of its residents) has mortgaged its future to get what it wants now. Carol Becker claims that Minneapolis has a balanced budget. Very deceptive language. The budget was balanced by borrowing over a Billion dollars. Those who live in Squanderville don't care who pays the tab -- as long as they get what they want. I find this attitude selfish and irresponsible. [Dyna] So the folks who still can are still fleeing Minneapolis, and the folks in the castle with the cookoo clock still don't understand why. [Vicky] They will figure it out eventually.I hope it's not too late. Vicky Heller North Oaks Footnote: The LARGEST employer in MN is STATE GOVERNMENT. The second largest employer in MN is the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Target comes in as #3 followed by the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA in 4th place. Public employees make 20% more than private sector equivalents PLUS much better benefits PLUS lots more time off! Source: A pretty good deal at www.taxpayersleague.org. REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Hood Stores in North Minneapolis
While Mr. Hodges may have been reporting about one particular store in this story, I do not believe this is not a situation that is unique to only this store. I believe this goes on all over the city every day at many so-called corner stores. I spent a great deal of time on this issue about 10 years ago. The most my advocacy was able to bring to this issue was a moratorium on adding more corner stores to my neighborhood. That moratorium lasted only one year. I am hoping that the city council will consider a spacing requirement for corner stores much the same as they do second hand goods stores and other businesses. This would not guarantee that the stores would operate honorably and within legal boundaries, but, it would give them a better chance to make a profit legally without having to resort to illegal means to do so. Barb Lickness Whittier 3 houses from a hood store. = 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 REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Star Tribune Pulls Steve Brandt Off Neighborhoods Beat
The Star Tribune is becoming more irrelevant each passing day for this city dweller. I use this list, neighborhood newspapers and the Skyway News to keep up with local issues and various national newspaper websites to keep up with national and international news. The Star Tribune mission is apparently to disseminate seven county news to suburban consumers who are interested in and can afford the products advertised in that newspaper. Bill Dooley Kenny -Original Message- From: gemgram [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 12:33 AM To: Jay Clark; Minneapolis Issues Subject: Re: [Mpls] Star Tribune Pulls Steve Brandt Off Neighborhoods Beat Jay Clark raises an important issue and concern about StarTribune coverage. We can only hope that the paper will assign an equally or more aggressive reporter to do neighborhoods. The Star Tribune should realize that community schools are in fact in neighborhoods and what affects neighborhoods will affect schools. In the past the Strib was often very lax in its coverage of very important issues in Minneapolis that made national and inter-national news. The Phillips neighborhood asks to be declared a National Disaster Area because of crime and blight and it makes a small paragraph or so on a back page of the Strib. Yet the same story rates a half page above the fold first story in the Sunday edition of the Washington Post, is a featured half page in the Dallas Morning News, (two of the most prestigious newspapers in the United States) as well as a feature article in the London Times. The Pioneer Press features extensive articles on the subject. You would think that even if the Strib did not think the issue was news worthy it would have run a story on the national newspapers doing a story on a poor Minneapolis neighborhood. At this time a Federal Judge in Federal Court is hearing a case that may be of national importance, yet it has rated almost no coverage by the StarTibune. The Ventura Village lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis and PPL may set the precedent that Minneapolis and other cities may no longer engage in institutional patterns of discrimination by concentrating Supportive Housing in small containment zones in poor and minority neighborhoods. That Minneapolis ordinances and laws that apply to the rest of the city may not be arbitrarily and capriciously ignored in poor communities of color. A ruling of such could possibly force Minneapolis to affirmatively act to apply its own existing law and disburse such publicly funded quasi-public housing equitably to all neighborhoods of Minneapolis. One would think that this would be a hot story, but not one reporter from the Strib was in attendance a preliminary hearing last week. Clearly this is an important case with major ramifications, but one is compelled to ask will it be first read about in the New York and Washington newspapers before the StarTribune covers it? It is the classical situation of the poor neighborhood finding a champion in ZelleHoffmann to fight the rich and powerful Project for Pride in Living (PPL) with their expensive law firm of Dorsey and Whitney. The wealthy Non-Profit can often afford to buy more justice than poor people. Even the honorable judge seemed to address this at the hearing. Even if the StarTribune has no interest in the social justice issue one would think they would do a story on the willingness of Zelle Hoffmann to step forward to assist a poor neighborhood in its fight to stop discrimination. What a marvelous human-interest story even without the legal ramifications. Think about how empowering it would be if other high quality law firms were to contribute some legal time to cases where neighborhoods and community residents were suffering under institutional discrimination. Imagine how empowering it would be if poor communities could afford to seek the same quality legal representations as the rich powerful organizations like PPL can afford to buy. With a little more coverage of ZelleHoffmann's efforts (and their good example) other reputable firms and lawyers might step forward. What a concept. Someone might read the story and say, Who Knew? Well darn few people know if our own newspapers and TV media do not adequately cover it. Jim Graham, Ventura Village If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing - Benjamin Franklin REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at:
Re: [Mpls] Star Tribune Pulls Steve Brandt Off Neighborhoods Beat
In a message dated 11/12/2003 10:33:27 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Steve has been assigned to cover Minneapolis schools. I certainly support adequate coverage of Minneapolis schools, but not at the expense of Minneapolis neighborhoods. Is Allie Shah being reassigned from the Minneapolis schools beat to something else or what? -Doug Mann, King Field REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] affordable housing density seminar
Barbara Lickness writes: I would be interested in an honest discussion about the true vacancy rate, average rent prices, costs of providing rental units etc. and the things contributing to the problems of high vacancy rates and rent prices. I suspect that there are a number of factors that have caused the rental market to go upside down. One such factor, I suspect, is the increased access to home purchases. We've seen a consistently strong private home ownership market over the past several years. Mortgages are much more available and much less expensive. Initial costs (e.g. down payment, closing costs, etc) have declined with a variety of low-cost (sometimes no-cost) programs available. Less expensive starter homes (and make sure you include townhomes in this category) have been available as their owners have decided to move up to larger homes. During the past several years when the economy was hurting, residential real estate kept chugging along. Rick Mons Shoreview REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] State's biggest union battle is at SW nursing home
by Michael Metzger, SW Journal, Date October 16, 2003 At Walker Methodist, immigrant workers seeking more respect battle management who say the fight could cause a nationwide cost crisis. One of Minnesota's biggest union struggles is taking place at the state's second largest nursing home, Southwest's Walker Methodist Health Center. Full Text at: http://www.swjournal.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detaildoc=/2003/October/16-12 80-news01.txt -Doug Mann, King Field REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] re: City Council districts
--- Jim Bernstein [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Mr. Nolley's post is grossly inaccurate. Fiction. Make believe. Nonsense. Why this sure sets a polite discussion tone. One may certainly dispute the new ward boundaries (some have, they filed a lawsuit) but the redistricting commission no more set out to eliminate Council Members Johnson-Lee and Zimmerman than they planned to get rid of Saddam Hussein! TN I don't know, Jim. I've always thought that if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. I don't doubt that my own contempt for the two party system comes through here, but the ward boundaries chosen by the redistricting commission were extremely partisan when a far more sensible map that followed guidelines and kept neighborhoods close basically in the same wards was presented. As a member of the Minneapolis Charter Commission (we appointed most of the Redistricting Commission) I will state that any applicant who would have even hinted that his/her interest in serving on the commission was to remove any city council member would have been instantly disqualified from consideration! I'm sure no one wrote on their application,My primary goal in seeking a seat on the redistricting commission is to remove council member x, but that doesn't deny the partisanship of committee members. To accept Mr. Nolley's theory would require one to believe that a rather remarkable conspiracy was in place when the these individuals were appointed and that the Charter Commission and the City Council itself (they also appointed two members) were part of this conspiracy. I don't know if it was a conspiracy. I don't know for that matter if DeLay's actions amounted to a conspiracy either, both both outcomes were extremely partisan in nature . This also quacks pretty loud. Rep. Kahn's effort to require an election so that the new wards have council members who actually live in those wards isn't even remotely close to the gerrymandering spectacle that took place in Texas. Rep. Khan's plan may have technical differences so that it can be more easily justified, but the partisan motivation is clearly there and her feelings about the Green Party are no secret. Texas has already redistricted, elections took place and Democrats were elected in four seats that Tom DeLay figured should go to Republicans. Of course, for a hyper-partisan ass like Mr. DeLay, that was unacceptable so the solution (instead of running better candidates) is to create districts so bizarre and so lopsidedly loaded that even the dumbest/weakest Republican could not lose! Minneapolis has it's elections spelled out in the city charter, changing this, this year when there actually an opposition party on the city council is pretty easy to see through. These folks have been in the legislature for years. Why only now would early elections be an issue. Also, I believe (I could be wrong about this) the charter states that elected officials only live within ward boundries for a limited amount of time and after that they can live wherever they want and continue to represent their district. Rep. Kahn (and others) are only asking that the city be required to hold elections soon after the new lines are drawn so that each ward will have a council member who lives in that ward. Tom DeLay (and others) are much more honest about their equally partisan motivations Tamir Nolley w3 pct 2 __ Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] affordable housing density seminar
Barb, We have received assurances from both the City and County that their investment in future projects with these non profits is done and over with. Unfortunately they are still obligated to many projects that were already in the pipeline, so the glut of affordable housing will be with us for quite some time. Steve Meldahl Jordan (work) - Original Message - From: Barbara Lickness [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Becker [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 8:13 PM Subject: Re: [Mpls] affordable housing density seminar So, if that is the case. Why is the state, county, and city still pouring money into non-profit developments to build even more high density multi-unit rental housing? Just trying to make sense of all of this. Barb Lickness Whittier = 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 REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Downtown Crime
I find it interesting that Block-E Developer Don McCaffrey is hosting a meet-and-greet for Deputy Chief Lucy Gerold http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4209576.html during the same time downtown crime spree allegations are coming to light. http://www.skywaynews.net/display/inn_news/news01.txt Downtown is under the command of Inspector Rob Allen and both Gerold and Allen are candidates to replace Chief Olson. I believe Inspector Allen is getting a raw deal on the downtown crime spree allegations. You must have a city philosophy of zero tolerance for nuisance crimes in order to rid downtown of panhandling, clandestine drug dealing and petty theft that could turn into wildings. New York City did this several years ago staring with the squeegee men and moving up the ladder. Clearly we are not at zero tolerance at City Hall. Having said all this, I go back to the Hennepin Avenue of the late 70s and the days of Moby Dick's, porn shops, and open drug dealing. Hennepin Avenue has significantly improved from that time, but it is no Manhattan where you feel safe to walk 24/7. Bill Dooley Kenny REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] re: City Council districts
--- Tamir Nolley [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- Jim Bernstein [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Mr. Nolley's post is grossly inaccurate. Fiction. Make believe. Nonsense. Why this sure sets a polite discussion tone. One may certainly dispute the new ward boundaries (some have, they filed a lawsuit) but the redistricting commission no more set out to eliminate Council Members Johnson-Lee and Zimmerman than they planned to get rid of Saddam Hussein! TN I don't know, Jim. I've always thought that if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. I don't doubt that my own contempt for the two party system comes through here, but the ward boundaries chosen by the redistricting commission were extremely partisan when a far more sensible map that followed guidelines and kept neighborhoods close basically in the same wards was presented. [TB] I do know Jim Bernstein, Jim Bernstein is a friend of mine and ... (appoligies to the Sen. from Texas) When the Redistricting Commission drew their map Councilmember Johnson-Lee lived in a ward where she was the only incumbent Councilmember. Subsequent to the drawing of that map, the 3rd ward councilmember resigned and the newly elected member lives in the same ward as Ms. Johnson-Lee. Geezz, it was one heck of a conspiracy to also rig the special election in the 3rd ward. As the Minority Caucus of the council, Zimmerman and Johnson-Lee chose one member of the Redistricting Commission. According to the minutes of the Commission (see: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/redistricting/docs/041802.pdf ) the plan passed unanimously. So did their member participate in the conspiracy? Conspriacy theories are far fetched. Terrell Brown Loring Park __ Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] re: City Council wards
I want to take a stab at Tamir's criticism of the new ward plan because I agree with half of it. Fundamentally, the Redistricting Commission could conspire against the Greens if the DFL, Republicans and Independence party reps (two-thirds of the commission, guaranteed by the city charter) decided to. I do think the mess involving Robert Lilligren, Dean Zimmerperson and Gary Schiff was a byproduct of tripartisan collusion - to a point. I do think the Republicans and Independence reps were not unhappy throwing three central-city guys together - the further south councilmembers live, generally the less Green (or Greenish DFL) they will be. Rick Stafford - one of the DFL reps (the council DFLers' choice) is also one of the cleverest operators out there (which is why the DFL majority picked him). I think Rick is so effective he could have prevented Robert switching wards and Gary being thrown into a race with Dean. I would have loved to hear Rick explain to Robert and Gary why this all went down. Perhaps Rick, Robert or Gary could recount that conversation here. That said, if you look on a map, these 3 fine public servants do live pretty close to one another - and the plate tectonics on shifting wards (remember, the 11th Ward just south had to grow the most, and the 6th was one of the big shrinkers) was another key factor in the game of musical chairs. THAT said, Dean Z.'s settlement map showed you could protect all three despite the shifts. I don't think the redrawing of Ward 5 (Johnson Lee's ward) was an attempt to get her into a race with Samuels - when the map was drawn, no one knew who he was. The issue with the 5th is whether it should have its current piece of Downtown - which the Commission ended up taking away. But even doing so, they left Johnson Lee with, if anything, a more winnable district. (Remember your history - it was Jackie Cherryhomes who wanted the wealthier, whiter riverfront areas in with the 5th in 1990.) I believe - but cannot prove - that the new 3rd Ward was drawn the way it was to move its center of gravity from the north side to the Nicollet Island-Marcy Homes-St. Anthony East/West area. Perhaps that has the effect of making it less Green-friendly. But that's not the same as trying to screw over the Green Party's Johnson Lee in the 5th. David Brauer Kingfield Redistricting junkie REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] ICS: Burning Hazardous Chemical Wastes in the City
Burning Hazardous Chemical Wastes in the City: Industrial Container Services in Northeast Minneapolis While the Xcel Riverside Generating Plant continues to receive a great deal of attention as a major pollution source, it is far from the only one in northeast Minneapolis. I would like to outline some concerns over Industrial Container Services, a facility currently the subject of enforcement actions by city and state authorities due to air quality permit violations. Most upper northeast residents are unaware of the source of an acrid noxious smell that periodically permeates their neighborhoods. At times the emissions are so unpleasant that they give people instant headaches, cause a burning sensation in the eyes, or force people to go inside. These emissions come from a smokestack on a thermal oxidizer owned by Industrial Container Services, located near the intersection of 27th Avenue and University Avenue NE. The facility is in the Marshall Terrace neighborhood and close to the Columbia Park, Bottineau, and Holland neighborhoods. If you are driving north on University past Lowry, this smokestack is visible off to the left as you start over the bridge over the BNSF railroad tracks at the east throat of Northtown Yard. For years the facility was owned locally and known as the Continental Container Corporation. Several years ago, Continental Container carried out a consolidation of its operations, closing another facility that had been located in north Minneapolis. This led to an increase in operations at the 27th and University facility. In early 2002 Industrial Container Services completed its purchase of Continental Container. ICS is a large multinational corporation headquartered in California. It has operations in twelve states and in many countries in Latin America and Europe. What it does: ICS takes used chemical containers-mostly they are 55 gallon steel drums--and reconditions them. Unfortunately, these containers often still contain remnants of the chemicals they carried. Many, if not most, of these chemicals are potential health hazards-solvents, corrosives, acids, paint resins, epoxies, etc. According to information ICS filed with Hennepin County, some of these chemicals cause skin and eye irritation and are inhalation hazards. Several chemicals may be toxic. Many of the barrels on site carry hazard warning labels. The scoured drums are then repainted, a process that reportedly normally causes even more air pollution than does the chemical burning process. In 2001 ICS reported to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) that it released close to 50 tons of pollutants into the atmosphere of northeast Minneapolis. These included 27.67 tons of Volatile Organic Compounds, over 15 tons of Particulate Matter, over four tons of Nitrogen Oxide, and .02 tons of Sulfur Dioxide. Supposedly, if there is less than one inch of chemicals left in a barrel, ICS can burn out the residue. This happens in a furnace that can process 180 drums per hour. The fumes then flow into the thermal oxidizer which is meant to function as sort of an afterburner. When it is working right, no visible smoke or noticeable smells are supposed to emerge from the smokestack. Unfortunately, things aren't working right. Complaints and Violations According to the city of Minneapolis Environmental Inspector office, there have been many many complaints regarding the emissions from this facility. There would probably be many more, but, given other pollution sources in the area, shifting winds, and the thermal oxidizer's location at the far rear of the ICS complex, it takes some effort to pinpoint where exactly these unpleasant orders are coming from. Pollution from ICS is bad enough, however, that it has been an issue for union workers at the Thiele Manufacturing plant next door. The union steward there has reported that at times some rooms at their plant become unusable due to fumes coming from ICS. City records show complaints over smoke problems at the site dating back to 1966. State and county records show a long history of past problems at the facility. A 1990 state report noted that the MPCA had received numerous citizen complaints between 1987 and the present. There was a series of citations in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The facility failed a 1987 EPA inspection and was cited for its visible emissions. The MPCA cited the facility at least four more times in 1987-89. Then in March, 1990 new violations led to a $50,000 fine being assessed and a stipulation agreement being made over Continental Container's noncompliance with its air emission permit. But then in 1993 there was another permit violation over emissions and then in 1997 there were at least two enforcement actions by the MPCA. In 1998 smoke emissions from the facility were so bad that a nearby resident called the fire department mistakenly believing there was a fire inside the facility. An inspector expressed
Re: [Mpls] affordable housing density seminar
In a message dated 11/12/03 4:09:39 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Did we really build that many more units? Are rents so unaffordable that people are doubling or tripling up? Did a bunch of people move out of the city? Exactly what happened?. I can't precisely say what happened over the course of the last five years and I doubt anyone can.How about some local examples to compare with other anecdotal evidence? Five years ago the rents in the buildings I worked in were about $425 for a studio and $525 for a one bedroom. There had been a long period where rents would only go up $10-$15 dollars at lease renewal time. Pretty reasonable for Loring Park.If you worked downtown you could get by without the expense of a car and it became even more reasonable. We screened credit and crime histories closely. Maintenance was on site (that was myself) and prompt. We constantly upgraded the apartments. The result was full occupancy with many long term tenants. About three years ago there appeared to be a rental shortage (I still do not understand if there actually was; how could it go away so quickly?). People were signing up on lists to get into places like this. Naturally the rents started to soar in much larger and faster increments than previously. Soon studios were $550 and 1 bedrooms $675. This had at least a few effects: younger folks just starting out could no longer afford even a studio, longer term tenants started feeling insulted by the huge leaps in their rents and the buildings became attractive to buyers due to the newly rich income per square foot. Long story short, some new people bought out the owner I'd been working with for seven years, immediately canceled any more upgrades , scaled back hours for maintenance, raised rents yet again and pretty much sat back and waited for the coffers to fill to the brim. The long termers started the exodus. When it started taking quite a while to re-rent their apartments (remember, no upgrade while it's empty) I sensed a lowering of standards on the screening process and some far less desirable people started moving in. Well, that just flushed out most of the rest of the good tenants and today we're approaching 25% vacancy. We've had apartments empty for months on end. Now of course this is just one story but I'll bet it's been repeated in many instances in the last few years. Now if David will indulge me one small list faux-pas, the negative cash flow here has approached hemorrhage proportions and last week I was informed my services, no matter how cut back, were no longer affordable. So after nine years and with no notice I am out of my base job. Any of you owners out there need a mature fellow with almost twenty years experience in multi-unit maintenance and remodeling, write me off-list. Jon Gorder Loring Park
[Mpls] Hood Stores Part 1
This is the first part of the Hood Stores story. I never posted this part because I was duck hunting during the week it was published. Investigative team sniffs out Hood Stores By: Booker T Hodges Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Originally posted 10/17/2003 First of a two-part column Have you ever wondered what goes on in what I will call ''Hood Stores''? You know, the corner stores located in areas where there is a high concentration of poverty and all the things normally associated with poverty? These corner stores are located all over the metro area. The Booker T Investigative Team spent two months this summer monitoring what goes on in these stores. Let me say that it isnt pretty. These stores prey on poor people, and until now no one has spoken up about it. I will discuss the atmospheres, products, and customer services that my investigative team witnessed at these Hood Stores. The atmosphere of these stores is deplorable, to say the least. ''When I walked inside the store, I noticed a stench that reeked of dead animals. There were flies flying around and ants crawling on the floor,'' says Investigative Team Member Ted after visiting a Hood Store in St. Paul. When Ted asked the person behind the counter what the smell was coming from and why there were so many bugs flying around the store, the person responded by saying, ''Dont worry about it. You buy something or leave before I call the police.'' Ted proceeded to purchase a pack of Black Label bacon for $6.57. When Ted had taken the bacon home, he noticed that it had an expiration date that was two weeks old. When he took the bacon back to the store, he was told that he couldnt return it. ''The store had coolers that were only 55 degrees when they should have been 40 degrees, and I assume that is what is causing the store to smell as bad as it did because the meat was spoiling. The store had poor lighting, small aisles, and just looked grimy. This store was similar to most of the Hood Stores I visited during this investigation,'' says Ted. The products these store offer in many ways contribute to the crime in the neighborhood. ''I found the product line of the Hood Stores in Minneapolis to be in line with stores in Third World countries,'' says Mike, another member of the investigative team. ''I have traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, and Bosnia, and stores in those countries have product lines that are similar to our Hood Stores.'' Hood Stores sell products that you wont find in normal or mainstream stores. For example, every Hood Store we visited was guaranteed to have Zig Zags, blunts, cannabis magazines, African American hair products, pre-paid phone cards, cannabis pipes, small baggies (bags used to package a single rock of cocaine), and high-priced baby food. But often these stores lacked fresh vegetables/fruit, fresh fish, and fresh meat. In several of the Hood Stores we were able to purchase single Zig Zag papers for $.05, single cigarettes for $.25, and single blunt cigars for $.50. It is illegal to sell these items individually, but who is going to report it? The price of the products in these stores exceeded mainstream stores by an average of 300 percent. In several of the stores we visited, some of the products had two different price tags on them. ''One of the Hood Stores in Minneapolis was selling baby clothes with Target price tags on them,'' says Mike. ''When I asked why does this item have Target price tags on it, I was told that they were purchased at wholesale from Target. When we checked with Target, we were informed that Target doesnt sell its merchandise wholesale to anyone because Target has a very few select products that they themselves make. We were also informed by Target that they dont produce any baby clothing themselves and purchase all their baby clothing from merchandisers. So how did this store obtain these baby products? We found customer service at these Hood Stores to be unsatisfactory at best. The African American men members of our team were treated with the most disrespect, whereas the African American females were treated with the most respect. Often the Black male members of the team were followed around the store and watched by store personnel. One shop even went as far as dialing 911 and having the operator hold on the phone until one of the Black male members left the store. Half of the people working at these stores had no idea how much something cost. In several of the stores we visited, the store clerk made up a price on the spot. In part two of this column, I will talk about the illegal activity that we witnessed taking place in these Hood Stores and profile the owners of these stores. I will also look at the impact these stores have on poor communities. If you are being abused or know someone who is being abused you can call the following numbers: Harriet Tubman Center, 612-825-; Domestic Abuse Project, 612-673-3526; Minnesota Domestic
Re: [Mpls] Hood Stores Part 1
Did you ask patrons of the Hood Stores why they shop there? I'd be inclined to give poor people more credit than being prey for predatory corner grocers. Part II evoked a much more sympathetic response. Regards, Jason Stone | Hale --- Booker Hodges [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is the first part of the Hood Stores story. I never posted this part because I was duck hunting during the week it was published. Investigative team sniffs out Hood Stores By: Booker T Hodges Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Originally posted 10/17/2003 First of a two-part column Have you ever wondered what goes on in what I will call ''Hood Stores''? You know, the corner stores located in areas where there is a high concentration of poverty and all the things normally associated with poverty? These corner stores are located all over the metro area. The Booker T Investigative Team spent two months this summer monitoring what goes on in these stores. Let me say that it isnt pretty. These stores prey on poor people, and until now no one has spoken up about it. I will discuss the atmospheres, products, and customer services that my investigative team witnessed at these Hood Stores. The atmosphere of these stores is deplorable, to say the least. ''When I walked inside the store, I noticed a stench that reeked of dead animals. There were flies flying around and ants crawling on the floor,'' says Investigative Team Member Ted after visiting a Hood Store in St. Paul. When Ted asked the person behind the counter what the smell was coming from and why there were so many bugs flying around the store, the person responded by saying, ''Dont worry about it. You buy something or leave before I call the police.'' Ted proceeded to purchase a pack of Black Label bacon for $6.57. When Ted had taken the bacon home, he noticed that it had an expiration date that was two weeks old. When he took the bacon back to the store, he was told that he couldnt return it. ''The store had coolers that were only 55 degrees when they should have been 40 degrees, and I assume that is what is causing the store to smell as bad as it did because the meat was spoiling. The store had poor lighting, small aisles, and just looked grimy. This store was similar to most of the Hood Stores I visited during this investigation,'' says Ted. The products these store offer in many ways contribute to the crime in the neighborhood. ''I found the product line of the Hood Stores in Minneapolis to be in line with stores in Third World countries,'' says Mike, another member of the investigative team. ''I have traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, and Bosnia, and stores in those countries have product lines that are similar to our Hood Stores.'' Hood Stores sell products that you wont find in normal or mainstream stores. For example, every Hood Store we visited was guaranteed to have Zig Zags, blunts, cannabis magazines, African American hair products, pre-paid phone cards, cannabis pipes, small baggies (bags used to package a single rock of cocaine), and high-priced baby food. But often these stores lacked fresh vegetables/fruit, fresh fish, and fresh meat. In several of the Hood Stores we were able to purchase single Zig Zag papers for $.05, single cigarettes for $.25, and single blunt cigars for $.50. It is illegal to sell these items individually, but who is going to report it? The price of the products in these stores exceeded mainstream stores by an average of 300 percent. In several of the stores we visited, some of the products had two different price tags on them. ''One of the Hood Stores in Minneapolis was selling baby clothes with Target price tags on them,'' says Mike. ''When I asked why does this item have Target price tags on it, I was told that they were purchased at wholesale from Target. When we checked with Target, we were informed that Target doesnt sell its merchandise wholesale to anyone because Target has a very few select products that they themselves make. We were also informed by Target that they dont produce any baby clothing themselves and purchase all their baby clothing from merchandisers. So how did this store obtain these baby products? We found customer service at these Hood Stores to be unsatisfactory at best. The African American men members of our team were treated with the most disrespect, whereas the African American females were treated with the most respect. Often the Black male members of the team were followed around the store and watched by store personnel. One shop even went as far as dialing 911 and having the operator hold on the phone until one of the Black male members left the store. Half of the people working at these stores had no idea how much something cost. In several of the stores we visited, the store clerk made up a price on the spot. In part two of this column, I will talk about the illegal activity
Re: [Mpls] re: City Council districts
Normally on Sunday morning I get my humor from the comics section, it's pretty funny (Except for the Family Circus. I know it's a classic but there's only so many times you can see a Not Me bit before you start wondering if the publisher lost a bet). Yet this past Sunday I was treated to the comedy stylings of Lori Sturdevant and her one woman tribute to--I'm sorry, article on the newly remastered and digitally enhanced release of the Wrath of Kahn entitled New wards mean there's a need for new city elections. Not since Tori Spelling took a leading role for acting on her Dad's show have I seen such an ingratiating work of ironic comedic fiction. I thought it was supposed to be a serious, unbias report, but then I also remembered that Sturdevant referred to Phyllis as the Godmother of Woman's Sports. But whether your's a Phyllis Phan (who can forget those classic legislative works like the 16-year old voting and let cousins marry initiatives) or not, the fact remains that this is not about Championing the People but rather about one person's dogmatic obsession under the guise of destroying a monster. I believe I already quoted Melville the last time I wrote about this, so I'll leave you to draw your own inference. Don't get me wrong, I understand the logic of realigning the district and accurate representation for the future, it's the retroactive election and cries of injustice that really make no sense. If Phyllis really believes in the need to make things equal right here and right now, I've got a copy of a Slavery Reparations Bill that she can champion over at the Legislature. You want to talk about untimely reconciliation... If you're going to claim ethics, they've got to be consistent. As Tamir pointed out, if this was such an important issue, why wasn't she beating down the doors and pitching her flag in the previous 15 terms she's served. It becomes suspicious when our party loses two seats (and a third is later won by an unendorsed candidate. David's right that the maps had nothing to do with Don's election, but Phyllis did restart her efforts during his election.)and suddenly it's an epidemic. Kind of like how the concerns about drugs and gun violence became really important once they hit the first ring of suburbs in this country. To say definitively that a person elected to a district can or will no longer represent that district because they no longer live in it reveals a different issue that is more disturbing. If someone is elected to represent an area and won't do it fairly and effectively because of geography, then that person shouldn't be in public service, because they don't have the skill set or integrity for the job. To say that they can't do it because they can't represent someplace they don't live leaves you stuck with question how does anyone represent you if they don't live on your block, much less your neighborhood? Districts and Wards are made up of a variety of neighborhoods, some of them as different as the people on the Council or in the House. Where is it that you get to honestly draw that line? Perhaps though, this is Phyllis' issue. Sturdevant said that ...it runs counter to the nature of the political beast. At the Capitol, legislators confess that they mentally adopt new constituencies instantly upon learning that redistricting has awarded them new territory. So maybe this isn't about fairness or what City Council Members would do, but rather a shortcoming that Phyllis or other legislators have. In psychology we call that Projection. Whether you support Redistricting and the maps or not, the bottom line is that trying to retroactively change leadership for the good of the people doesn't hold water as a legitimate attempt to ensure representative government. To keep doing it after it's failed twice, your own party as well as the public at large has denounced it and your support comes from an opposing party and a handful of friends smacks of a deeper, more malicious motive and it's not the way, in my opinion to be part of a government, by the people, of the people and for the people. But it does make for good comedic fiction Jonathan Palmer Victory REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Sabo Announces $20.1 Million for Minneapolis St. Paul
Sabo Announces $20.1 Million for Minneapolis St. Paul Urban Security *** Finally, a new pot of money for the non-profits to fight over and pay themselves with to achieve their non-measurable goals. David Piehl Central __ Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] re: City Council wards
THAT said, Dean Z.'s settlement map showed you could protect all three despite the shifts. . . . David Brauer Yes, but 'protecting the incumbent office holders' is NOT one of the goals given to the redistricting commission! Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] City Council districts
I think it's shockingly undemocratic (with a small d) that some folks think it's just fine to use the 1990 census ward lines until January, 2006. Therefore, I agree with Phyllis Kahn in her efforts to get new elections held. However, I also respect the opinions of folks who happen to believe otherwise. And that's the point I'm writing about tonight -- why do some of you feel it to be so necessary to impugn the motives of those with whom you disagree? I may have said this before here, perhaps six months ago or more, but lately I've read this again and again, so it bears repeating -- why can't we stick to the pros and cons of the policy? Why do we have to attack Phyllis Kahn's motives, or really anyone's for that matter? In some ways, I guess this is kind of a debate about list rules, and I know that we're supposed to e-mail David off-list about that (and I often do!). But -- I read all of your messages and rarely post here, and even then usually just to give some information, not always an opinion. And the folks complaining about Phyllis have been at this over and over, so maybe I'm entitled to one public comment on it. So here's another call for decorum please! Don Jorovsky New Brighton REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] ICS: Burning Hazardous Chemical Wastes in the City
Thank you Bruce for bringing this issue back into the light. ICS and other such companies shouldn't be operating next to a residential neighborhood, no matter what class, race or creed those neighbors may be. Isn't this why zoning laws were created? -Sean Ryan Audubon _ Is your computer infected with a virus? Find out with a FREE computer virus scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Hood Stores Part 1
Jason asked: Did you ask patrons of the Hood Stores why they shop there? I'd be inclined to give poor people more credit than being prey for predatory corner grocers. I say: WIC coupons present a major business for these hood stores. In fact I drove by several stores tonight and noticed that there were very large signs in the windows saying We accept WIC and FOOD STAMPS (EBT). There is a reason they advertise so noticeably. WIC coupons are presented to the store and the patron receives the items listed on the coupon. The patron does not have to give any consideration to the price of that item. There is no monetary allotment. It is simply a coupon entitling the recipient to the item listed on the coupon regardless of price. The coupons say 1 dozen eggs, 2 gallons milk, 1 lb. cheese, 2 boxes cereal, 1 gallon juice, 1 case formula, etc. I posted previously that I have watched a store owner charge $6.39 for a 1 lb. block of cheese that would have cost $1.69 at Rainbow or Cub. Formula is a HUGE cash cow for these hood stores. Formula is VERY expensive. The hood stores charge BIG money for this item and get BIG money in return. If there is no impetus for the recipient of the items on the WIC coupon to care about price why would they care where they get the item. The corner or hood store is only a block away. To get the same items at a major grocery retailer would require a bus, taxi or car ride. Or, in some cases a VERY VERY Long walk. Remember, Phillips, Elliot Park, Powderhorn Park, Corcoran and Central have no major retail grocers located in these neighborhood boundaries. As far as Food Stamps or EBT goes, the hood store owners accept EBT cards for items that are not eligible for purchase on these cards on a pretty regular basis. Cigarettes, beer, crack paraphernalia, rolling papers, cash, etc. As I stated in a previous post, the purchases on EBT cards and WIC coupons are randomly audited. The county has very few people assigned to this function. So...the store owners obviously feel their chances of getting caught are slim and do whatever they can get away with. Even if they get caught they generally just get a hand slapping or lose their license to accept the EBT cards and WIC coupons. They just change the business license into someone else's name and are back in business by the next week. So what are the real consequences here. I will say that some store owners have actually done jail time. The previous owners of a chain of hood stores called Z's markets got popped for fencing stolen goods and WIC fraud and actually spent some time in jail. Hood people shop at these stores even though they are getting gouged because they are close and they can walk to them. Mostly they are getting chips, pop, junk food, or an item they forgot to get at the regular grocery store. Most of these people do their major shopping at a bigger grocery retailer. Cigarettes are about the same price at the hood stores as they are at the bigger supermarkets. The chances of the corner store accepting the EBT card for items not eligible for purchase is far greater than at a major grocery retailer. The major stores have it all programmed in their scanners. Where the slippery slope gets even worse is at months end when the patron has nothing left on EBT and has used all the WIC coupons. The hood stores often times extend credit in exchange for. The mother needs food for the kids, formula and diapers for the baby so what's a 30 second quicky in the back room compared to no food?. I am not justifying this only stating that that's the way it is. As I posted previously, one of the owners of the corner store by my house was running prostitutes out of the basement. He didn't get popped for that. He got popped for WIC fraud and selling stolen goods out of the store. I also have many singles living on my block that live on pizza, chips and pop. They are also without cars and the big grocery store is a 6 block walk. Those people shop at the hood store and pay the extra price rather than walk to the other grocery store. As far as the comment about people of color or poor people getting treated disrespectfully by these store owners go I think these people are used to getting treated in a suspicious manner so there is nothing new about these attitudes. The hood store people are just more direct about their suspicions than at other places. You think people or color or people who look poor aren't getting followed around in Marshall Fields just because they look poor or have skin of color and may be dressed in hip hop and wearing a little bling bling? As a mother of a black son I can tell you that I have watched my son get stereotyped pretty regularly by people in stores, theaters, restaurants, etc. Especially now that he is older and looking more hip hop. The hood store is just more blatant about it. I still say that part of the solution is to limit the number of hood or convenience stores that can exist within a
Re: [Mpls] Hood Stores Part 1
Booker T Hodges writes about a very serious problem in impacted communities. Throughout history there has been stories of merchants who operate in low income areas of cities, sell rotten produce, overpriced goods, etc. I recently read the "Condition of the Working Class in England", by Fredriech Engels, written in 1845, were he wrote about market venders who would sell overpriced, often stale or rotten goods in the low income districts of London. The merchants who Engels wrote about lived outside the city, did not employ people from the working class areas (they were usually family run businesses) and they made their living by exploiting the basic needs of the working class. I see disturbing similarities between the merchants Engels wrote about in 1845 and some of the store owners who operate in impacted communities in Minneapolis. I will give one example: Abraham Awaijane, who owns the Big Stop store on 26th and Knox and the gas station on 26th and Penn, is a man who showed up to our neighborhood forum in Jordan this summer and promised our neighborhood that he would be a good business owner in our neighborhood, discourage drug dealing, call the police, and even employ off duty officers. However, today we are faced with a store owner who sells scales, small bags for cocaine rocks, blunts, and his store serves open food and is infested with cockroaches. The paraphernalia he sells promotes the very activity he clams to want to end. Unfortunately, he makes a great deal of money off the dealers who hang out all day long dealing drugs along 26th Avenue duck into his store (usually when the police drive by) to buy paraphernalia and food from his store. He employs people only from his family or friend network, who all live in the suburbs and they tend to treat the customers with extreme disrespect. They remind me off something out of "Do the right thing" a film by Spike Lee. We need clean, respectable, neighborhood corner stores--the opposite of what a lot of impacted communities have now. I hope Booker T. Hodges contacts the official at City Hall with an address of the store he is writing about. Together lets work to get rid of businesses who continually exploit residents in impacted communities. Kelly Phillips Jordan Booker Hodges wrote: This is the first part of the Hood Stores story. I never posted this part because I was duck hunting during the week it was published. Investigative team sniffs out Hood Stores By: Booker T Hodges Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Originally posted 10/17/2003 First of a two-part column Have you ever wondered what goes on in what I will call ''Hood Stores''? You know, the corner stores located in areas where there is a high concentration of poverty and all the things normally associated with poverty? These corner stores are located all over the metro area. The Booker T Investigative Team spent two months this summer monitoring what goes on in these stores. Let me say that it isnt pretty. These stores prey on poor people, and until now no one has spoken up about it. I will discuss the atmospheres, products, and customer services that my investigative team witnessed at these Hood Stores. The atmosphere of these stores is deplorable, to say the least. ''When I walked inside the store, I noticed a stench that reeked of dead animals. There were flies flying around and ants crawling on the floor,'' says Investigative Team Member Ted after visiting a Hood Store in St. Paul. When Ted asked the person behind the counter what the smell was coming from and why there were so many bugs flying around the store, the person responded by saying, ''Dont worry about it. You buy something or leave before I call the police.'' Ted proceeded to purchase a pack of Black Label bacon for $6.57. When Ted had taken the bacon home, he noticed that it had an expiration date that was two weeks old. When he took the bacon back to the store, he was told that he couldnt return it. ''The store had coolers that were only 55 degrees when they should have been 40 degrees, and I assume that is what is causing the store to smell as bad as it did because the meat was spoiling. The store had poor lighting, small aisles, and just looked grimy. This store was similar to most of the Hood Stores I visited during this investigation,'' says Ted. The products these store offer in many ways contribute to the crime in the neighborhood. ''I found the product line of the Hood Stores in Minneapolis to be in line with stores in Third World countries,'' says Mike, another member of the investigative team. ''I have traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, and Bosnia, and stores in those countries have product lines that are similar to our Hood Stores.'' Hood Stores sell products that you wont find in normal or mainstream stores. For example, every Hood Store we visited was guaranteed to have Zig Zags, blunts, cannabis magazines, African American hair products, pre-paid phone cards,
[Mpls] Is Block E Developer's Lobbying For Police Chief Buying A Favor Or Paying For One?
According to the StarTribune the block E Developer, McCaffery Interests, appear to be supporting and lobbying for their own candidate for Police Chief. Given the fiasco of the Block E development and the political cronyism surrounding that development, it would seem to indicate that someone might be receiving payment for past or future favors. So which Council Members are supporting a candidate with no background to be Police Chief? After we know the answer to that hen we should know who is getting some pay back. If the McCaffrey people had been serious about wanting Downtown people to meet a real qualified candidate they would have included a woman who has real and legitimate credentials. Deputy Chief Sharon Lubinski is a real and serious police officer. McCaffrey Interests' not including Sharon shows how truly shallow this naked attempt at pandering really was. The selection of Lucy Gerold makes the Jennings credentials look spectacular in comparison. Will people actually list Gerold's background and credentials for this position? Education? Years as a police officer? Years as a street cop? Riding a car or walking a beat after training, not a desk! Accomplishments as a police officer? Some questions come to mind after considering Gerold's credentials and the continued activity to justify appointing her. Has the position of Chief sunk so low that we no longer need a professional to head it? Has the crime problem been so well addressed that it no longer is a priority? If these are true, then why don't we simply hire a proven administrator to fill the position? Are the only credentials necessary to be Police Chief in Minneapolis the favoritism of some politicians? Minneapolis is presently experiencing continuing high levels of crime in the Impacted Neighborhoods. I think the job demands a serious candidate, not a fluff political appointment. We need a serious Police Chief that the street cops can and will take as serious. Not someone whose sole purpose is to cover up for the politicians. We need to apply a little more light and heat to this soggy snowball they are attempting to roll up the hill of public opinion. I think the ball will melt in their hands if that little bit of light is shined upon it. Like they say down home, When you look at it in the daylight you gotta know this old dog just won't hunt! Jim Graham, Ventura Village Will Rogers had some advice that could have been written for some of our City's political leaders, If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there. REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Community Forums on Superintendent Search ( 1 down, 2 to go)
Ann Berget wrote: In a message dated 11/11/2003 6:24:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I would like the new supperintendent to have a track record of past proven success in improving student achievement. AB: A word of caution is in order here. Even if a prospective superintendent has a boffo record somewhere else, there's no reason to assume that the same conditions are present in MPS that ade those successes possible. Those who try to clone anything, sheep, programs or successes, usually find out that each success is unique. There really isn't a magic formula. While it is true that successful past performance is not a guarantee of future success, it is the most reliable predictor. Thus, there is a reason to believe that although conditions here maybe different, a successful supperintendent is more likely to be successful than someone with a track record of failures. I believe that there is a magic formula. According to Clark's Third Law: Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Here it's not that the solutions are so technologically advanced, it's that people's emotional and philosophical convictions make it appear that the solutions can only be magical. I watched the last School Board meeting on cable. It's good to know that they realize they're in a world of hurt. It's depressing to realize that they don't have any solutions. One of the board members actually used the used the word magic when discussing solutions. This Board doesn't need magic it needs paradigm change or religious revelation as the case may be. Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] re: City Council districts
Don Jorovsky wrote: I may have said this before here, perhaps six months ago or more, but lately I've read this again and again, so it bears repeating -- why can't we stick to the pros and cons of the policy? Why do we have to attack Phyllis Kahn's motives, or really anyone's for that matter? In some ways, I guess this is kind of a debate about list rules, and I know that we're supposed to e-mail David off-list about that (and I often do!). But -- I read all of your messages and rarely post here, and even then usually just to give some information, not always an opinion. And the folks complaining about Phyllis have been at this over and over, so maybe I'm entitled to one public comment on it. So here's another call for decorum please! TN As with any public or elected official, Rep. Khan's motivations are as legitimate for discussion as is the issue itself. The plan is a partisan attempt to nullify election results, even in the 5th ward (Phyllis Khan resides in the old 5th ward boundries if I'm not mistaken, which is now the 3rd or 7th...as I write this I'm not exactly sure where Nicollet Island will be in the next election.) This is not just an anti-DFL rant. I have many problems with the way the 3rd ward special election came about. (I believe that some elements of the Bush administration have been attempting to remove local aldreman that they don't care for and micro manage some city policies, that Joe Beirnat and Brian Herron were targets of this. The fact that this same thing has happened in Millwaukee and San Francisco and that the FBI was caught red-handed bugging the Philly mayor's office during an election only reinforces this beliefbut not necessarily a MPLS issue) Never the less, Rep. Khan makes no secret of her extreme dislike of the Green Party. (This may extend to all independents as many house DFL members were far more hostile to Ventura than they are to Pawlenty.) The one Green on the redistricting commission did in fact vote against the map that they approved, but was obviously a lone vote. I like David's analysis if the issue, specifically the Republican cooperation with the map (I'm a little mystified by the IP members going a long with it though, unless they were Republican crossovers,) because it reinforces my sense that the two parties cooperate when the two party system is threatened Extreme partisan tinkering with who represents us is a legitamate list discussion issue. So are the motivations behind it. Tamir Nolley w3 pct 2 __ Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] City Council districts
Well, I appreciate Don's point of view, but have to respectively disagree. I don't
think that anyone is just fine with census ward lines, and to state so is a bit
misleading. There are two general objections that those opposed to the redrawn maps
have: 1. That the lines were unfairly drawn and done so with the purpose of benefiting
certain Council Members and disadvantaging others, and, 2. That trying to
retroactively force elections smacks more of Florida tactics than it does of trying
to ensure adequate and fair representation.
However, I'm uncertain how you can say that you agree with Phyllis Kahn in her efforts
and say that you respect the opinions of other folks who believe otherwise and yet
still query why some people (I'm pretty sure you meant me since I'm the only one who
wrote about her specifically) question her motives. The motives that people have make
all of the difference in the world. There's a big difference between a man stealing
money or food to feed his family, and a man stealing money or food because he likes
the thrill.
But, case in point, Phyllis accused those elected officials against her bill (HF 67)
of aligning themselves with with Southern Segregationists and their philosphy in this
very forum on February 25, 2003. On Jan 26, 2003, she stated clearly that she felt
disenfranchised as a 3rd Ward resident because the special election was being held in
the old 3rd Ward and endorsed Don's opponent partially because of this, and that she
found it outrageous that ward 6 has two resident council members and 8 had none, and
finally that one of the principles of representative government is residency. Yet
this was never an issue important enough for her to raise in the previous 15 terms.
Again, if you're going to have ethics around an issue, they have to be consistent.
Motive becomes an issue when you keep your mouth shut for 30 years and shout when
things don't go your way and when your actions seem to have no purpose other than
political assault. Motive becomes an issue when you have supporters write fluff
pieces masquerading as news and when you are a public figure stating public reasons
for doing things that people find illogical.
See, I would support Phyllis' resolution if we were talking about from here forward.
Planning for the future doesn't usually disenfranchise voters, it gives people a time
to understand what's happening, and it's called progess. But when you decide to go
into the past and retroactively change systems and it is directed at emerging
groups, it doesn't smack of fairness it rings of marginalization. Finally, I have yet
to hear any groundswell of support from the very people she claims to represent. If
you're going to claim to be doing this for the people it helps when the majority of
them are not against your actions.
Lastly, unfortunately, we don't live in a world of sweetness and light where everyone
does things for the best of reasons. You have to examine and question the intentions
and motives of those in power if only to reassure yourself of them accurately
representing you. If their intentions are good and their motives are pure, they
should stand up to any questioning. But what would have happened if we hadn't
questioned Hitler's motives, he said he was doing things just for the good of the
Aryan race; or what about George Wallace, it was only for the sanctity of good,
God-fearin' Christians that he did what he did, or even tobacco companies and their
policies. To be clear, I don't think Phyllis is anything like these examples, but it
is the purpose and responsibility of every American to question their leaders and
people in positions of power to make certain they are doing the right things for the
right reasons. The ends do not always justify the means.
Jonathan Palmer
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RE: [Mpls] City Council districts
Jonathan writes: But what would have happened if we hadn't questioned Hitler's motives, he said he was doing things just for the good of the Aryan race; A quick digression here: I think Jonathan unintentionally proves Don's point. Having just finished Vol. 1 of Winston Churchill's (gulp!) 5-book history of WWII, I can tell you that Churchill believed the facts on the ground (Germany's clear violation of treaties by rearming) were all the proof needed to intervene in the mid-'30s (even before Munich). The trouble was, too many people were listening to his rhetoric (especially Neville Chamberlain). And I would argue that the flip side of listening to a politician's rhetoric is speculating on his or her motives - it's the territory of smoke and mirrors, very hard to prove, easy to become a sideshow. Look at this debate - fundamentally, does it really matter why Rep. Kahn did what she did? The important thing is WHAT she is proposing, WHAT the Redistricting Commission did and thinking about structural/procedural ways to fix it (if you want to fix it). I'm not saying Tamir is wrong - just that it's impossible to know if he's right, and not super-important if he is. It's much more possible to examine/critique/debate/fix what happened. That's where I'd prefer to see the debate focused. David Brauer Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Walking Tour along Bassett Creek in Mpls, (Sun, 2-pm, Cedar Lk Rd bridge)
This is an invitation, for anyone who may be interested, to join some members of the Friends of Bassett Creek on a casual walking and talking tour along Bassett's Creek in Minneapolis. What: Bassett Creek Walking Tour. Where: Cedar Lk Rd Chestnut Av, Minneapolis. When:2:00 pm, Nov. 16, Sunday Afternoon Who: The Public is invited (Note that the the trail is crude and brushy in parts so wear sturdy footwear and casual clothing. Note also that the walk will be cancelled in the case of bad weather.) We will meet at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 16, at the Cedar Lake Road Bridge over the creek (100' south of Logan Chestnut). From there we will enter the strange and interesting no-man's land along the creek between the Impound Lot and the Harrison Neighborhood industrial area. The tour will follow the south side of the creek to the tunnel entrance, and then return on the north side of the creek. Some of the sights will include the Impound Lot, future location Van White Blvd, the new Bassett Creek tunnel entrance, the old Bassett's Creek tunnel entrance, one of the most beautiful views of the downtown skyline, a section of the abandoned creek channel, Scrap Metal Processors property, and the superfund sites of Chemart and Warden oil. If we are real lucky we may even see the ten point buck or the wild turkey that hang out here. Please feel free to email or call me for more information 612-377-4096. Dave Stack Harrison Neighborhood, Minneapolis REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re: Coverage of city issues.Steve Brandt
Many of us remember how badly the Star Tribune covered Mpls. neighborhood issues 15 years ago. I remember a forum back then with Tim McQuire, the editor of the Strib, and neighborhood representatives. The conclusion of that forum, at least from the neighborhood perspective was that considering how clueless the Strib reporting was it was better if the Strib didn't even try to cover neighborhood issues. Reporters Olson and Brandt have really changed the quality of understanding of city issues. And Steve Brandt has really shown a passion for going to the many out of the way corners that are the places of really interesting neighborhood work. His willingness to answer questions on the Mpls. Issues Forum and to individuals and to provide information about his work is really helpful to provide the context and background that makes us better informed citizens. It is very refreshing and unfortunately very rare. So what is the corporate explanation of why this is a good idea? Thanks, Scott Vreeland Seward, President of the Seward neighborhood Group
Re: [Mpls] Is Block E Developer's Lobbying For Police Chief Buying A Favor Or Paying For One?
Jim makes some good points about qualifications for police chief. It's kind of the same as the arguments against David Jennings for School Superintendent. Even though Lucy has a POST license which says she is a police officer, she has no real experience as such. She went thru the Mpls Cadet class after she was deputy chief/director/second in command in the dept. Needless to say, the officers who were her field training officers for the six months she was supposedly 'on the street' could hardly have evaluated her performance without knowing she was their boss. Lucy is a nice, intelligent woman, but she is not a cop and will not have the respect of her peers or subordinates. I, too, would vote for Labinski or Dolan. We need someone who knows who's who and what's what and can hit the ground running. Both of these candidates are community oriented and are respected by both the community and the officers. For the nay sayers who think we need another outsider, I would point to Chief Finney: he came up thru the ranks of St Paul PD and seems to have done alright. Anne McCandless Jordan REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Sabo Announces $20.1 Million for Minneapolis St. Paul
Congressman Sabo tries to show he is working for us by this announcement and it will not go to nonprofits any more than the housing Sayles-Belton built went to low income folks. The monies will go to the very people that many feel are terrorizing our communities already. Did Sabo try to stop the recent laws that have eroded our personal freedoms? What direct threat to mpls justifies millions of dollars? If some sicko wanted to terrorize the twin cities can the money really stop them? The only way I see that we could truely be protected is by checking everyone coming or going from the twin cities and checking everyone at home or hotels or anywhere else folks might reside. Sabo is really attempting to gain political ground embracing the current climate of fear. Dain Lyngstad phillips/edina --- Dave Piehl [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sabo Announces $20.1 Million for Minneapolis St. Paul Urban Security *** Finally, a new pot of money for the non-profits to fight over and pay themselves with to achieve their non-measurable goals. David Piehl Central __ Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls __ Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re: Block E Developer's Lobbying...?/ Does Gerold know about bobbying?
In a message dated 11/13/03 5:42:41 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The selection of Lucy Gerold makes the Jennings credentials look spectacular in comparison. Will people actually list Gerold's background and credentials for this position? Education? Years as a police officer? Years as a street cop? Riding a car or walking a beat after training, not a desk! Accomplishments as a police officer? Keith says; Lucy Gerold gained a position of authority and public trust, commanding the CCP/SAFE unit during the bad old days of the former DFL Junta. Paper work instead of police work was the operative plan. Attack, do not assist, property owners; was the marching orders. Lucy Gerold was a willing executioner of those bad City policies; the bones are still in the vacant lots. Still there; even with the overlay of new housing starts, above. That was then; this is now. And now is a very perilous time. Dangerous for all stake holders in our City. I, like Jim, would like to know Lucy Gerold's qualifications, background, and practical experience. I already know how well she handled the dirty little assault on property owners in the Zones. I recommend Tim Dolan, 4th Precinct, for Chief. He has earned it, over and over Keith Reitman NearNorth PS- Will Gerold campaign on our City's Dime, or her own time? REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Post resent because it came through as gibberish
Well, I appreciate Don's point of view, but have to respectively disagree. I don't
think that anyone is just fine with census ward lines, and to state so is a bit
misleading. There are two general objections that those opposed to the redrawn maps
have: 1. That the lines were unfairly drawn and done so with the purpose of benefiting
certain Council Members and disadvantaging others, and, 2. That trying to
retroactively force elections smacks more of Florida tactics than it does of trying
to ensure adequate and fair representation.
However, I'm uncertain how you can say that you agree with Phyllis Kahn in her efforts
and say that you respect the opinions of other folks who believe otherwise and yet
still query why some people (I'm pretty sure you meant me since I'm the only one who
wrote about her specifically) question her motives. The motives that people have make
all of the difference in the world. There's a big difference between a man stealing
money or food to feed his family, and a man stealing money or food because he likes
the thrill.
But, case in point, Phyllis accused those elected officials against her bill (HF 67)
of aligning themselves with with Southern Segregationists and their philosphy in this
very forum on February 25, 2003. On Jan 26, 2003, she stated clearly that she felt
disenfranchised as a 3rd Ward resident because the special election was being held in
the old 3rd Ward and endorsed Don's opponent partially because of this, and that she
found it outrageous that ward 6 has two resident council members and 8 had none, and
finally that one of the principles of representative government is residency. Yet
this was never an issue important enough for her to raise in the previous 15 terms.
Again, if you're going to have ethics around an issue, they have to be consistent.
Motive becomes an issue when you keep your mouth shut for 30 years and shout when
things don't go your way and when your actions seem to have no purpose other than
political assault. Motive becomes an issue when you have supporters write fluff
pieces masquerading as news and when you are a public figure stating public reasons
for doing things that people find illogical.
See, I would support Phyllis' resolution if we were talking about from here forward.
Planning for the future doesn't usually disenfranchise voters, it gives people a time
to understand what's happening, and it's called progess. But when you decide to go
into the past and retroactively change systems and it is directed at emerging
groups, it doesn't smack of fairness it rings of marginalization. Finally, I have yet
to hear any groundswell of support from the very people she claims to represent. If
you're going to claim to be doing this for the people it helps when the majority of
them are not against your actions.
Lastly, unfortunately, we don't live in a world of sweetness and light where everyone
does things for the best of reasons. You have to examine and question the intentions
and motives of those in power if only to reassure yourself of them accurately
representing you. If their intentions are good and their motives are pure, they
should stand up to any questioning. But what would have happened if we hadn't
questioned Hitler's motives, he said he was doing things just for the good of the
Aryan race; or what about George Wallace, it was only for the sanctity of good,
God-fearin' Christians that he did what he did, or even tobacco companies and their
policies. To be clear, I don't think Phyllis is anything like these examples, but it
is the purpose and responsibility of every American to question their leaders and
people in positions of power to make certain they are doing the right things for the
right reasons. The ends do not always justify the means.
Jonathan Palmer
Victory
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[Mpls] Sabo's pot of gold
I would have to say that if the dollars are going towards law enforcement dealing with the drug dealers on the streets and gang shootings that we keep experiencing, I'd be all for it. Just to give us a pot of money to place on the board in the name of homeland defense I ask if we have that big of a need? If we do, he is just doing what is required and this is no big deal. If we don't, the pot of money is a waste and could be spent better elsewhere. Just another example of a tax and waste political gamesmanship power move. Steve Sumner Waite Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] TAXES and HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
On Thursday, November 13, 2003, at 07:59 AM, Victoria Heller wrote: [Vicky] Actually, the largest PRIVATE employer in Minnesota is Target. Of course Minneapolis taxpayers are paying a hefty price for those low wage jobs. Hard to say who's leading- these two low wage retailers are generally at the top of the list of Minnesota private employers in number of employees, but probably not in wages plowed back into the community. While Target claims to donate to nonprofits, it has no shame about demanding contributions from the taxpayers. Over the past twenty years in Minnesota, LOCAL government employment has INCREASED 45.1% while the population only increased 21.5%. These are statewide figures - It would be very interesting to compare Minneapolis City payroll costs in 1982 vs. 2002, a twenty year period of DECLINING population. A lot of that increase is probably due to the increasing numbers of low paid and unemployed workers need for greater government services. Also note that some of the fastest growing sectors of government during the last 20 years were law enforcement and corrections. [Vicky] Housing values are determined by a handful of desperate sellers (same for stock prices.) Once the selling begins..watch out below. Agreed- here in the 'hood housing values have been in free fall all year long. Even in the 'burbs the builders are starting to offer rebates. Using Warren Buffett's words We live in Squanderville. Minneapolis (and many of its residents) has mortgaged its future to get what it wants now. Carol Becker claims that Minneapolis has a balanced budget. Very deceptive language. The budget was balanced by borrowing over a Billion dollars. Those who live in Squanderville don't care who pays the tab -- as long as they get what they want. I find this attitude selfish and irresponsible. I never seem to be amazed at the Republicans who blame government's financial problems on supposedly overpaid employees. Meanwhile, the real cause is visible all around us- new police and fire radios that don't work, redoing the same intersection 3 times in fifteen years, building a new parking ramp then tearing it down a couple years later, expensively renovating three theatres when there's maybe a market for one, bailing out Target Center only to have St.Paul build a competing arena, giving Continental Baking the money for a new bakery and letting them run off with it, buying new cars for city departments while we're practically giving away couple year old squads, etc... The list of boondoggles is near endless. [Vicky] They will figure it out eventually.I hope it's not too late. Yes, hopefully the Republicans will someday figure out how to balance a budget. Footnote: The LARGEST employer in MN is STATE GOVERNMENT. The second largest employer in MN is the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Target comes in as #3 followed by the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA in 4th place. Public employees make 20% more than private sector equivalents PLUS much better benefits PLUS lots more time off! Source: A pretty good deal at www.taxpayersleague.org. The (Rich) Taxpayers League is a front group for the Republican Party. When a Republican President manages to balance a budget their numbers might have a bit of credibility. hanging on in Hawthorne, Dyna Sluyter REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Mpls elections
Instead of responding to the inaccurate innuendos I will post some of the facts relating to this case. FACT SHEET · Factual Background Plaintiffs served and filed a complaint against the City of Minneapolis, the City Council members, and the city elections clerk on July 25, 2003. The case was filed in Hennepin County District Court. On August 20, 2003, the defendants filed a Notice of Removal removing this case from state court to federal court. · Application to this Case This case is based on provisions of the Minnesota Constitution and Minnesota statutes. Minnesota Constitution, Article I, § 2: No member of this state shall be disenfranchised or deprived of any of the rights or privileges secured to any citizen thereof . . . Minnesota Constitution, Article VII, §1: Every person 18 years of age or more who has been a citizen of the United States for three months and who has resided in the precinct for 30 days preceding an election shall be entitled to vote in that district. Minnesota Statute § 204.135, subd. 1: A city that elects its own council members by wards may not redistrict those wards before the legislature has been redistricted in a year ending in one or two. The wards must be redistricted within 60 days after the legislature has been redistricted or at least 19 weeks before the state primary election in the year ending in two, whichever is first. Minnesota Statute § 204B.14, subd. 1a: It is the intention of the legislature to complete congressional and legislative redistricting activities in time to permit counties and municipalities to begin the process of reestablishing precinct boundaries as soon as possible after the adoption of the congressional and legislative redistricting plans but in no case later than 25 weeks before the state primary election in the year ending in two. The complaint also contains claims based upon the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. · Main Points The City has already admitted numerous points. The City has admitted that the official population of the City of Minneapolis was determined by the U.S. Census Bureau as of April 1, 2000. The City has admitted that the Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel issued its final Order adopting a legislative redistricting plan on March 19, 2002. The City has admitted that the Minneapolis Redistricting Commission created new municipal ward boundaries based on the population figures in the 2000 census. The City has admitted that the Minneapolis Redistricting Commission filed its final district lines for the City of Minneapolis municipal wards with the Minneapolis City Clerk on April 18, 2002. The City has admitted that it held city council elections in 2001 using the old municipal ward boundaries based on the 1990 census. The City has admitted that it will not schedule another election for the office of Minneapolis City Council until November 2005. The City has admitted that the new Wards 3 and 8 have no current city council member living in either of them. In addition to the named plaintiffs, the case for earlier elections is supported by the following noted persons well known for their expertise in public affairs: Former State Senator (and President of the Senate) Allan Spear State Senator Larry Pogemiller State Representative Ron Abrams Joan Growe, Former Secretary of State Arvonne Fraser, Hubert Humphrey School faculty member Lee Eklund, former Chair of the Minneapolis Republican Party Carlton Crawford, Current Chair Minneapolis Republican Party John Brandl, Former legislator and Dean of the Humphrey School Lyle Schwarzkopf, Former Minneapolis City Clerk, Former Legislator and Alderman John Bergford, Former Minneapolis Alderman November note: The decision was made to leave the case in Federal court along with the other case contesting the district lines. Plaintiffs and defendants have agreed that cross motions for summary judgment will be filed no later than February 2, 2004. In addition, on November 5, the Minneapolis Charter Commission passed language requiring an early election on to the city council for consideration as an ordinance. (Passage would require a 13-0 vote from the council.) REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Re breeders
Actually, the Breeders have been one of my favorite bands for almost a decade. Mike Nelson Diggin' It in Central REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
