[Mpls] Ballpark site to be sold
The Strib reports that Houston-based Hines, the city's biggest landlord, has an agreement to buy the 16-acre Rapid Park site where the proposed ballpark is to be built. (The deal also includes more land than the ballpark site.) Mike Opat worries that the sale would drive up the cost of the ballpark. The county could still use eminent domain to acquire the site, if they can't negotiate a deal, but battling Hines' deeper pockets in court could drive up the price regardless. A Hines executive says the ballpark is not essential to their plans, that housing is #1, ballpark #2 Read Neal St. Anthony's scoop at: http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5452297-2.html David Brauer List manager REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Ballpark site sale addition
It's Terry Fielder's scoop as well as Neal St. Anthony's... David Brauer List manager REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Public Park/Free speech/Fresh Air/Great Nation
Dear Mr. Jason Stone, I would like to volunteer my time to distributing your campaign literature to individuals at our City parks. Please contact me. I admit I do not know much about your campaign, itself. I do know it is appropriate, and essential, to bring Park Board election campaign issues, and candidate outlooks, to our Park users. As this is an open letter; I ask if any other readers would care to join me? You are invited to share the fresh air and conversation with me and others at our parks; you may bring the campaign literature of the candidates of your choice. Bring comfortable clothes; we may end up in jail. Keith Reitman NearNorth REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Information on violence prevention
Those interested in violence prevention can benefit from looking at what is going on in Chicago at _http://www.ceasefirechicago.org/index.html_ (http://www.ceasefirechicago.org/index.html) . You may agree that Chicago's CeaseFire could be a model for Minneapolis violence prevention efforts, if we develop the vision and leadership necessary to adapt it to our circumstances. I also hope others will agree that our seeming inability to create a violence prevention approach as comprehensive and effective as CeaseFire is a serious matter that deserves our attention as well. Arthur T. Himmelman Loring Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Public Park/Free speech/Fresh Air/Great Nation
Keith - Just read your note to my widfe, Sandi and evenb thou I am alreday working on Jason's campaign, she said, Count me in. Send particualrs off-grou so we can hook up. Dann Dobson [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dear Mr. Jason Stone, I would like to volunteer my time to distributing your campaign literature to individuals at our City parks. Please contact me. I admit I do not know much about your campaign, itself. I do know it is appropriate, and essential, to bring Park Board election campaign issues, and candidate outlooks, to our Park users. As this is an open letter; I ask if any other readers would care to join me? You are invited to share the fresh air and conversation with me and others at our parks; you may bring the campaign literature of the candidates of your choice. Bring comfortable clothes; we may end up in jail. Keith Reitman NearNorth REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls - Discover Yahoo! Find restaurants, movies, travel more fun for the weekend. Check it out! REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re: Living Wage
The Mpls. DFL rightfully pressed for their Living Wages YES! resolution at their City Convention (kudos for this! Did it pass?). Yes, it passed with 88% of the votes in favor. See the listing of all ballots, including resolutions, on the webpage at www.mpls.dfl.org, specifically http://www.scc.net/~t-bonham/MPLS2005CV.HTM Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Labor endorses McLaughlin for Mayor
Dyna's post about McLaughlin's endorsement by another labor organization was comic relief as I read it this morning. Dyna professes to be a strong labor supporter, yet has a difficult time as each labor organization goes on board with support for McLaughlin. It brought to mind the old little bit pregnant joke about how pregnant is she? Dyna is still not believing in the pregnancy after the labor mother is eight months along and about to deliver. She demands to know who the father was and how many times the act occured before she will believe the baby exists. Does Peter McLaughlin have labor support? Yes, all the labor support! Teamsters, Firefighters, AFL-CIO, AFSME, and pretty much all the rest. The only labor endorsement he might not have yet is the union of paperboys and lawn mowers, if one exists. So Dyna, what are you going to do, invent a new labor group? Just so you can say, AH ha! He doesn't have ALL the labor Of course Peter McLaughlin does not have the Police Federation endorsement yet as far as I know, but can any one even in a illusionary dream really believe the police department is going to endorse Rybak. The Mayor who created the worst morale within the Department in my memory? Rybak has about the same chance of getting that labor endorsement as he has of financing his campaign by winning the Power Ball lottery. As for Dyna's 'manufactured' endorsement like the Stonewall DFL's. Come on Dyna you owe them an apology. In my opinion you seem to be saying that the gay community does not have the ability to endorse a candidate, and the endorsement has to be manufactured for them. I believe there is a process for endorsement for that organization, and believe at the end of that process an endorsement takes place or does not take place. It is also like being a little pregnant, either you got it or you didn't. Though Dyna's post did raise one important question. Other than the wealthy yups from the Southwest, and the Sierra Club, does anyone now support Rybak? All the labor, all the neighborhood activists, the community development organizations, the Stonewall group, the main workers in Rybak's last election. All these support now Peter McLaughlin over Rybak. Now truthfully some of that support for McLaughlin may indeed be more opposition to Rybak than wholehearted support for McLaughlin, but that is indicative of their perception of how bad a job RT's appointments have done at running the City of Minneapolis. That goes doubly for the different departments of the City of Minneapolis itself. The workers who actually do the work for Minneapolis, and who are in the best position to know the job RT's administration has done, almost to a man or woman oppose Rybak. Almost all want anyone BUT Rybak. Want anyone but Rybak because of his appointee's bungling management of the City. Does RT have a chance to turn that mismanagement of the City around, so as to get support from more than the affluent? Yes he does! Yes, but he is certainly running out of time. Rybak must change and begin to act in a competent manner immediately, or the opportunity will be lost. Like the grasshopper fiddling and dancing RT has enjoyed the position of Mayor too much. He has fiddled away three years enjoying his Mayoral party. The cold hard political winter is almost upon him. Can Rybak store a little voter supply away to carry him through November? I don't know, but RT better hurry cause no one knows where the love of God goes when the Winds of November come early. RT Rybak must already feel that cold winter chill blowing up his back while he plays. The public safety fiasco, the StormWatergate fiasco, the attacks on neighborhoods and attempts to destroy NRP fiasco, his lack of leadership on housing and the mess CPED has become fiasco, and RT's support of the criminal briber Basim Sabri fiasco. How many more fiascos does it take? What happened to the promises that RT made, and the promise he offered. RT has not done much while in office; other than look good, take credit for other's work, and party. At that New-Year's party three years ago RT promised to run City Hall by day and party all night. God knows Rybak remembered that part about party, unfortunately it seems to be the ONLY promise he remembered. RT may not remember the part about run the City by day. RT was a cute, fun, date at first. But that is getting old fast, and I think we are starting to look for a little more substance than cute in this relationship and love affair. Is RT cuter and more polished than Peter? Sure he is! I would much rather have RT running a cocktail party for me, but running the City has probably taken RT beyond his natural talent. Would I rather have RT Rybak being a television talk show host or news announcer? Sure I would! It's his natural talent! But running the City takes a lot More Substance, and a lot Less Fluff. So if Dyna is waiting
Re: [Mpls] Information on violence prevention
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Those interested in violence prevention can benefit from looking at what is going on in Chicago at _http://www.ceasefirechicago.org/index.html_ (http://www.ceasefirechicago.org/index.html) . You may agree that Chicago's CeaseFire could be a model for Minneapolis violence prevention efforts, if we develop the vision and leadership necessary to adapt it to our circumstances. The last time the MPD adapted a program from another city it was the Broken Windows program from NYC? or Boston? Can't remember which. However, the heart of the program was cut out by MPD, making it much less effective than it could have been. WizardMarks, Central Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Peter McLaughlin
Despite my obvious dislike for the Stadium Deal... I remain steadfast in giving credit where credit is due regarding issues pertaining to homelessness. Peter McLaughlin has proven to me that he is a man of his word regarding his commitment to proactive work on homelessness. I have previoulsy noted my concern about the Livability Ordinance passed by the county commissioners. After receiving feedback from advocates and meeting with advocates, Peter was instrumental (along with Gail Dorfman's advocacy) in including a commitment to form a DT Work Group to address positive, humane solutions regarding homelessness in DT Mpls. This group is now up and running and includes so many voices and perspectives that there are too many to mention. This is COLLABORATION in it truest sense and I would not be fair if I did not thank Peter McLaughlin for his causing this wonderful opportunity to create solutions and understanding. As I have said before on this list..I don't care if you are Democrat, Republican, Green or whatever. If you push forward solutions and work to make them happen, you deserve respect and recognition. Margaret Hastings Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Mower Update - Thanks for all the help!
Thanks for all the words of sympathetic outrage, offers of mowers and/or mowing assistance. As it turns out, yesterday ended on a pretty upbeat note with cut grass, good will and the prospect of a replacement mower soon. Anyhow before I abandoned my mower quest yesterday, I stopped in at Nicollet ACE (38th Nicollet) and although they didn't have much in the mower department, one of the guys there lives around the corner from me and offered to lend me his own machine to use. How nice is that? When I finished mowing and brought the it back, he even offered me a beer. Again, thanks to everyone for comiserating. I was pretty frustrated with the whole thing, but my faith in most people is pretty much restored for the time being. Ann Berget Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Park Board Candidate Considers Legal Action to ProtectFreedom of Spee
Let me start by saying thank you Jason! Never back down when your rights are being abused by a government official. I do have two questions however. First is what repercussions will there be for Gurban? Will he be fired for this abuse of power? Not likely with the current park board majority. Will he be suspended with, or without, pay for any period of time? Not likely with the current park board majority. Will he have an official letter of reprimand placed in his personnel file? Again not likely with the current park board majority. Will he get off with no punishment what-so-ever? Likely with the current park board majority. Attention Park Board Commissioners: WE'RE WATCHING! We EXPECT a significant reprimand, if not removal, for this abuse of power. Election day is only a few short months away. This will not be forgotten. My second question is about the park police. Why didn't they tell Gurban to piss off? Don't they know the law? Don't they know what is, and is not, allowed on park property? While the blame for this abuse clearly falls on Gurban's shoulders, why didn't the park police remove HIM from park property for attempting to limit Mr. Stone's rights? While I do not live in Mr. Stone's park district I will be writing him a check as a donation to his campaign. I encourage everyone who is frusterated by this sickening abuse of power, or the dirty politics and policies of the current majority, to do the same. I also encourage everyone to visit Mr. Stone's web site at: http://jasonforparks.com Randall Cutting Daily park user Seward REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Accessory Units - Legalize them
For those who don't know, a carriage house is an apartment over a detached garage. There are actually a lot of them in Minneapolis, build decades ago. It was common practice that when a well off family built their house that they would build an apartment over their carriage house for the butler/gardener(s) while the third floor (read attic) was living quarters for the maid/cook(s). Today we refer to these buildings as single family homes when in fact they were built to house much more than a nuclear family. The model makes sense today as well. As far as I am concerned every house or duplex should be allowed to have a carriage house build above its garage. Just keep the footprint requirements for garages the same, but allow a small living unit to be added on the second floor. It would add density without changing the character of the neighborhood. It would be a way for home owners to get a cash little help with their house payment or with just keeping up their property. Elderly people could rent to people who would help them keep up the yard, help them with shopping or working on the house. They would be idea low cost apartments for students or young people trying to save up money. In the interest of promoting home ownership, one might allow such a carriage house to be a legal rental unit only if the property (meaning the main house) is homesteaded. Mpls could increase its stock of affordable rental units by allowing attics to be converted into housing apartments. There are thousands of duplexes (and some single family homes) that have attics that could easily be converted into nice live quarters for $10,000 to $40,000). Actually there are many that do have third floor apartments already - what their legal status is, is anybodies guess. There would be no change to outward appearance to the building. The only thing standing in the way is our draconian housing and zoning codes. There are many attics that are finished but not occupied because they are not legal. If I thought for one second there were votes on this Council to do what it takes to make this possible, it would be done. Thank you Jim for keeping this discussion in front of us. Peace, Dean Zimmermann Mpls City Council - Ward 6 [EMAIL PROTECTED] C: 612-388-1311 W: 612-673-2206 H: 612-724-3888 2200 Clinton Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404 Surely the most important task for all of us is to leave behind a planet that is fit for our great grandchildren to live on. So all of our personal actions, as well as our political policies, must be tempered with an eye to long term sustainability, not short term profit or expediency -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of gemgram Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 11:47 PM To: Dan McGuire Cc: Minneapolis Issues Subject: Re: [Mpls] Accessory Units - Legalize them No, sorry Dan. The grant from the Met Council is specific to Ventura Village Neighborhood. The other Ventura Village grants are from Ventura Village NRP and specific to that neighborhood. The neighborhood NRP process stipulates that Ventura Village NRP funds SHALL only be used for revitalization within that neighborhoods boundaries. Dan is correct about who seem to oppose the accessory housing principal. After all, we are talking about private investment, NOT City investment. Investment that might be used for a son, a daughter, a mother or father, and yes by someone who just might need an AFFORDABLE place to live. Perhaps the City should not finance carriage houses because there are too many rental units as Dennis Plante suggested, but as long as those same city officials are claiming there is a housing shortage, then it is ridiculous to prevent PRIVATE dollars being spent to create accessory units. Dennis, when we approached mortgage lenders they loved the idea of financing construction of carriage houses. They thought they were the most secure type of investment a Bank or Mortgage lender could make. Also, while Dennis is correct about Why zoning laws are in existence , please do not confuse this with wise zoning law. When it takes $2000 extra FEEdollars and several months to get through what the City has already declared as permissible, then you certainly do not have wise zoning law. What you have is a zoning system purposefully created to allow CM's the most arbitrary of decision making possible for political purposes, NOT zoning law that is sound for our City. Private individuals in my neighborhood often rent units in their buildings for far below the rent levels being charged under the supposed affordable rent guidelines. I rent three bedroom units for 550 to 650 a month. Why? In part because my wife believes it is criminal to squeeze poor people for more. She thinks the renters become part of our extended family, or of our village, and you just do not do that to your own people. Unique perspective for some, but very common in my
Re: [Mpls] Park Board Candidate Considers Legal Action to ProtectFreedom of Spee
Randall G Cutting wrote: My second question is about the park police. Why didn't they tell Gurban to piss off? Cause he's the park superintendent. Don't they know the law? Don't they know what is, and is not, allowed on park property? Cause Gurban's the park superintendent. While the blame for this abuse clearly falls on Gurban's shoulders, why didn't the park police remove HIM from park property for attempting to limit Mr. Stone's rights? Cause he's the park superintendent. WizardMarks, Central Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] 2005 Election Issues
Your list of questions below is certainly not worthless, Aaron. In fact, this is probably the most intelligent list of questions about governing the city that I've seen. I would be happy if candidates commented on just half of these issues. It would sure be nice if the local papers asked our candidates a list of sophisticated questions like this, instead of the more general questions normally asked. I suppose that would result in far too much volume, which wouldn't be very marketable. Anyone have ideas on how to make our campaigns more substantial with fewer sound bites? Mark V Anderson Bancroft Aaron Klemz wrote: List: I'd like to see the candidates for mayor and city council address the following issues in their campaigns. 1) Report and prioritize the disposition rate of criminal cases reported to the Minneapolis Police. Currently, response time to 911 calls and number of reported serious crimes (e.g. murder and rape) are used as the primary measures of policing effectiveness. Statistics on the success of the Minneapolis Police in investigating crimes and referring cases for prosecution are unavailable. Since those who commit serious crimes rarely start there, investigation and prosecution of crimes such as assault and theft serve to preempt more serious crimes. 2) Increase transparency for City of Minneapolis budgets. The City of Minneapolis should make all non-privileged financial transactions available for public scrutiny. Budgets should be specific and precise enough that a duly diligent citizen would be able to trace city expenditures from City to recipient. The conditions that have allowed bribery and corruption remain unchanged, although individuals may have been caught. 3) Reform the Stormwater Fee. The fundamental principle of the fee is good, but the City should make the process for appealing inaccurate assessments clear and user-friendly, and set a timetable for assessing the fee based on accurate measurements rather than general guidelines. 4) Eliminate duplicative inspection and licensing requirements. Where the State of Minnesota has established licensure requirements for work performed the City of Minneapolis should repeal additional and duplicate requirements. 5) Increase cooperation between the independent boards of Minneapolis governance and the City. For example, since we all agree that education is crucial, the City, Library Board, School Board and Park Board should cooperate in offering Summer education programs that draw on the strengths, resources and expertise of each in creating meaningful employment and educational experiences for the young people of Minneapolis. Similar avenues for cooperation should be pursued, beginning with a frank dialogue about how the various instruments of Minneapolis governance can pool their resources and expertise to maximize the public good. 6) Lead by example by creating a responsive governance structure for both the City and independent boards. Offer to host the minutes and documents for all Council, independent boards and other branches of city governance on a single website so that interested citizens can understand the operations of every brach of city governance from the Charter Commission to the Board of Estimate and Taxation. 7) Significantly reduce tax base subsidies for development. The City should limit TIF and other forms of tax subsidies for developments that serve a significant public interest, would not otherwise occur, and do not simply shift development from one metropolitan area city to Minneapolis. Minneapolis should also dialogue with other metropolitan area cities (within the property tax base sharing region) to adopt similar guidelines on the usage of TIF districts. 8) Adopt constituent service models that create an equitable citywide constituent service response as a primary model, with individual council members as a supplement. 9) Unambiguously oppose the proposed Hennepin County proposal for the Minnesota Twins ballpark and 15 mill sales tax. Minimize general tax burdens by taxing ticket sales and parking to the extent possible and capturing revenue created by a ballpark before creating a general and regressive tax to provide the remaining necessary revenue to fund a ballpark. Unambiguously state that Minneapolis needs additional and proportional representation on any newly created Ballpark Commission. Utilize the ballpark dialogue to leverage change that benefits all Minneapolis residents, such as a Transit Hub connecting LRT and commuter rail. 10) Adopt a leadership role in generating a metro-wide dialogue on metropolitan governance issues. Propose a metropolitan council of municipal executives that could strongly influence legislative actions and represents the elected officials of the metropolitan cities, as opposed to the appointed representatives of the governor. I'm happy to be told that my issues are worthless, but I don't hear much (if anything) on any
[Mpls] Stone vs Gurban
I've been reading the discussion on the Stone/Gurban dustup with trepidation. I certainly agree that if the incident occurred just as Stone reported it, then Gurban deserves at least a severe reprimand by the Park Board, and perhaps should be fired. (By the way, do the park police report to Gurban? If so, it is somewhat hard to blame the cops, but would be one more black mark on Gurban.) But I hate to jump on the bandwagon when I haven't heard a peep explaining Gurban's side of what happened. Gurban doesn't get a free pass on the incident just by ignoring it, but so far I've only seen discussion on this List, and that only for the last few days. So I don't know that it's reasonable that Gurban should have responded publicly by this point. How public is this information? I haven't seen anything in the Strib - anything coming soon Steve Brandt? Can it be added to the Park Board agenda? Will this get covered in the Southwest Journal, even though Pearl Park is east of 35W? Anywhere else? Mark V Anderson Bancroft REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Social responsibility
Over the past two weeks, this forum had multiple threads blaming landlords for their tenants behavior. The first, implied that the landlord was not a good Christian, and the second said the landlord was not meeting their social responsibility. I, and most landlords, want to be socially responsible. We want to run a good business that is an asset to the community. However, everyday we are torn. We accept applications from families only to find out that they have a history of causing problems. Some landlords accept tenants with historical behavioral problems, others reject the applicants outright. What is the socially responsible thing to do? Should landlords refuse to rent to applicants with a criminal history? Applicants with bad credit? Applicants with a history of trashing apartments? Applicants with a history of drug or alcohol abuse? Applicants that have a shaky income history? I have a proposal to make this board. I am President of the St. Paul Association of Responsible Landlords. If this board is would take the time to describe who a socially responsible landlord keeps out of housing, I promise to send the specification to all landlords I know of. I currently have addresses for over 1500 landlords. I will pay to mail this myself. If you wont help me determine what families a socially responsible landlord will refuse housing to, then I dont know how we can ever meet your expectations. I look forward to reading your responses. Regards, Bill Cullen Whittier Landlord. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.6.9 - Release Date: 6/11/2005 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Information on violence prevention
CODEFOR is the Minneapolis version Of NYPD's COMPSTAT paradigm. Both use, in part, the broken window theory advanced by Wilson and Kelling. The theory in short: A broken window--or a littered sidewalk, a graffito, or what you like--does no great harm to a neighborhood if promptly addressed. But left untended, it sends a signal: that no one cares about this neighborhood, that it is a safe place to break things, to litter, to vandalize. Those who engage in such behaviors will feel safe here. And once these minor miscreants have become well established, perhaps it will seem a safe enough neighborhood in which to be openly drunk, in which to beg for money, and possibly extort it. In short the smallest symptoms of antisocial behavior will, left to fester, breed greater and greater crimes, all the to murder. Using strategic deployment and the above management theory, NYPD reduced levels of reported crime by 70% in the last 12 years. Minneapolis has had a similar, but to a lesser degree, of success. Reported Part I crimes (Murder, rape, robber, aggravated assault, theft, auto theft, arson, and burglary) have decreased nearly 40% since the 1998 inception of CODEFOR (Compute Optimized Deployment Focused On Results). Much like a Fortune 500 company the police industry, including MPD, employes best pratices that have been used with success elsewhere. Gregory Reinhardt Excelsior REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Court Opinion Needed Regarding Gurban's Ruling Prior to PRIDE
I had not heard that Gurban had issued this opinion / order. Was this before or after he tried to have Jason Stone arrested for passing out campaign material on Park Board property? I would advise any candidate who asked me, to just ignore this clearly illegal and unconstitutional edict. Maybe write the Park Board in advance that they intent to ignore this illegal policy, but one should not have to go to court IN ADVANCE to exercise their First Amendment Rights. Make the Park Board enforce this asscinine rule and look stupid in front of the whole world Regarding marching in Gay Pride, the Park Board and Park Police have no jurisdiction over 98% of the parade route or maybe none, since the parade is on Minneapolis City Streets and only ends at Loring Park. I am not sure the parade route even goes into Loring Park. Having marched in PRIDE with both Paul Wellstone and Mike Circisi, I would advise any candidate to march in the PRIDE Parade, as it is one of the largest turnout of people in Minneapolis at any event during the year. It's great for name recognition. If the Park Board and Gurban want to try and enforce this restriction they will look as stupid as hell and could be subjecting taxpayers to a huge liability. If the Park Police are stupid enough to arrest anyone who is politicking on Park Land it is a clear violation of 14 USC 1983, Federal Civil Rights Law. If Gurban issued this opinion, on top of trying to have Stone arrested he clearly needs to be placed on leave, until Gurban and the Park Board understands that the Constitution applies to Minneapolis Park land, as much as certain members of the staff and board want to treat it as their own private Kingdom. Dann Dobson Saint Paul Ron Lischeid [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I hope that the courts will be able to successfully make a ruling on Superintendent Gurban's interpretation and enforcement of Park Board Policy before the PRIDE Festival two weeks from today. If Mr. Gurban is correct, then all candidates and all political parties that have traditionally had booths in Loring Park during the 2-day PRIDE Festival will not be able to participate because of the restriction of candidates to campaign on Park Board property. We might also have to get a ruling to see if it is okay for candidates to participate in the PRIDE parade on Sunday since it is held on public streets within the city of Minneapolis. It sure is going to be a different atmosphere at Loring Park during the PRIDE Festival if none of the candidates can be there because Superintendent Gurban is correct in his interpretation of Park Board Policy. Then again, maybe we will find out that someone should be arrested for impersonating a Park Superintendent. Ron Lischeid University Neighborhood (Stirring the pot a little to make sure that it doesn't boil over) REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls - Discover Yahoo! Have fun online with music videos, cool games, IM more. Check it out! REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Social responsibility
Bill Cullen writes, If this board is would take the time to describe who a socially responsible landlord keeps out of housing, I promise to send the specification to all landlords I know of. I currently have addresses for over 1500 landlords. I will pay to mail this myself. If you wont help me determine what families a socially responsible landlord will refuse housing to, then I dont know how we can ever meet your expectations. Well Bill I think you started out great with landlords refuse to rent to applicants with a criminal history? Applicants with bad credit? Applicants with a history of trashing apartments? Applicants with a history of drug or alcohol abuse? Applicants that have a shaky income history? All the above will do, unless the person has gone through a period of recovery and rehabilitation, including classes on tenant responsibility. Under those situations a person or family may demonstrate an attempt to change and be forgiven for some past stupidity ignorance and thus be forgiven by the community. In describing who a responsible landlord should refuse to rent to let's start with: 1. Anyone with three or more unlawful detainers. 2. Follow that with any person or family who has a substantial history of criminal behavior, particularly several arrests for drug sales. 3. Anyone using a rental unit for direct criminal activity that could result in charges of controlling a Disorderly House under Minnesota Statute. (This includes, but is not limited to, tippling house, prostitution, gambling, and most important of all Drug dealing. 4. Why in God's name would anyone rent to someone with a history of trashing apartments? You would have to be crazy. 5. Anyone with a history of gang affiliation unless proof of rehab and a long period of separation from such activities exists. 6. Those with a history of criminal violence towards others. 7. Anyone with a history of sexual abuse of children. Unless that person has willingly or unwillingly undergone physical castration, or tanking modification.. Personally, as a responsible property owner, I would never rent to any person, or family, who I would not rent a unit in a duplex where I personally also lived. If I would not want them living in a house with me, then I certainly will not subject others to living with them for just a profit. It is not hard to be responsible. Just treat every person as if they were going to be moving into your house with you and your children. If you wouldn't live with them, then please do NOT bring them into my community. I am sure I have not covered all reasons to banish people from Minneapolis housing, so other Listers continue to add to the list for Bill. Jim Graham, A land-peasant from Ventura Village He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven. In the forgiveness of others one forgives themselves, and this is the forgiveness that is most essential. Forgiveness can not change the past, but it does enlarge the future REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] RE: Library Board Candidates Forum
Translating delegates' interest and questions into action! I'm happy to announce that there will be a series of candidate forums in the community libraries. Many delegates at the DFL city convention were disappointed in the vote to cut the library board candidates' presentation time from five minutes to three minutes. No questions from delegates were allowed. Several delegates asked me to help bring the campaign to them in their community libraries. Now it will happen! Minneapolis voters made a tremendous investment in libraries by passing the referendum to build a new central library with updating of the community libraries. Now the library system is being starved by one after another cut in Local Government Aid. Have a point of view on this? Pick a date and come on out. The Friends of the Library will moderate the sessions. This is a great opportunity for all of you to see and hear the candidates up close. Here is what is lined up so far. There may be one or two more: (these are all for 1.5 hours). 1. Franklin Library Thursday, July 21 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room 2. Washburn Library Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 pm - Meeting Room 3. Northeast Library Wednesday, July 27 at 6:30 pm - Homework Helper Area 4. Nokomis Library Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room 5. Southeast Library Monday, August 1 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room 6. Linden Hills Library Thursday, August 4 at 6:30 pm - History Area 7. Pierre Bottineau Library Monday, August 8 at 6:30 pm - Sheridan Meeting Room 8. Sumner Library Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m. - Cargill Room 9. Hosmer Library Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room 10. Walker Library Saturday, August 20 at 2:00 pm - Meeting Room Best wishes, Laura Laura Waterman Wittstock Candidate for Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees DFL and Labor endorsed Minneapolis, MN 612-387-4915 www.laurawatermanwittstock.com http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/ Wittstock for Library Committee 913 19th Avenue SE, Mpls, 55414 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Gurban should resign....
People need to remember that John Gurban was appointed to fill the vacant superintendent's job over more qualified applicants after serving in an interim capacity. The Park Board majority responsible for Gurban's appointment as Superintendent included Commissioners Fine, Kummer, Dziedzic, Olson and Hauser. Prior to his appointment Gurban ran a recreation group that was housed in a historically significant park building, the Theordore Wirth House in East Harriet Farmstead Park. Gurban's group had a sweateheart deal with the Park Board, rented the space at far below market rates, and repeatedly thwarted neighborhood efforts to renovate the building for use as a museum with public access. During his tenure with the recreation group, Gurban apparently had problems with state charitable gaming officials which become public during the time he was serving as the interim superintendent. Of those who voted for Gurban, Hauser is running for city council and the others are standing for re-election. This is an issue they should all be called to account for...both for the poor quality of their choice, and for Gurban's misuse of power. Bullying behavior cannot be tolerated. Gurban's unprofessional actions in this instance make plain his poor judgement and demonstrated his lack of commitment to open access. He should resign. The fact that three squads were disipatched to hassle Jason Stone for his perfectly legitimate activity certainly makes me question the need for a seperate park police force, especially one with such poor control over its resources. As for the Park Board, they should 1) speak out against Gurban's abuse of power and 2) take action to remove him if he doesn't resign and 3) take steps to reign in the Park Police and make the parks open and welcoming of free speech and political discourse. If they aren't up to the task, they should find another job. Niel Ritchie Linden Hills __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Court Opinion Needed Regarding Gurban's Ruling Prior toPRIDE
Dann and Rob, et. al. I would like to start with a bit of a history lesson for all. The following excerpt is from a web site that describes the significance of Stonewall to the GLBT community: http://members.aol.com/matrixwerx/glbthistory/stonewall.htm On June 27, 1969, a raid by New York City police on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village resulted in the first ever gay riot in the United States. Raids on gay bars and other bawdy establishments weren't uncommon in that day and age, in fact they usually preceded without much resistance. The reputations, and even the lives, of the people who frequented these bars were often destroyed when they found their names posted in the newspapers the following day. Something was different that hot summer night, as the community mourned the death of gay icon Judy Garland. While many fled the police in defeat, a handful of drag queens stood up for themselves and began to resist and taunt the police. They began to throw pennies from broken parking meters and stones. The police barricaded themselves inside the bar for protection. A growing number of mass street demonstrations followed for the next several nights. This stand inspired other homosexuals to stand up for themselves. Over the next few years a plethora of gay and lesbian rights organizations began to spring up all over the country. Every June, members of the GLBT community gather in cities across the country to celebrate our right for equal protection under the law, to make a renewed statement of commitment for our rights and to remember our past victories and defeats. In the 1990's, a group of GLBT DFLers formally organized the Stonewall DFL caucus whose name honors the beginning of the modern GLBT rights movement. GLBT Pride is at its CORE a political event - a protest event - a celebration of spirit. This year, as in years past, GLBT Pride/Twin Cities will host the official Pride Festival on June 25 26 in Loring Park, the pride boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka on June 18th, the annual Pride Picnic at Como Zoo on June 19th, the Pride Block Party at 9th Hennepin on June 26th and the Ashley Rukes Pride Parade on Hennepin Avenue on June 26th. (www.tcpride.org) DD: Regarding marching in Gay Pride, the Park Board and Park Police have no jurisdiction over 98% of the parade route or maybe none, since the parade is on Minneapolis City Streets and only ends at Loring Park. I am not sure the parade route even goes into Loring Park. Having marched in PRIDE with both Paul Wellstone and Mike Circisi, I would advise any candidate to march in the PRIDE Parade, as it is one of the largest turnout of people in Minneapolis at any event during the year. PRS: The permits for the PARADE are not under the jurisdiction of the parks board since the parade itself is on city streets. The GLBT Pride parade is the largest parade OF ANY TYPE in the entire Midwest - Minneapolis Aquatennial events, I believe hold second place honors. RL: I hope that the courts will be able to successfully make a ruling on Superintendent Gurban's interpretation and enforcement of Park Board Policy before the PRIDE Festival two weeks from today. If Mr. Gurban is correct, then all candidates and all political parties that have traditionally had booths in Loring Park during the 2-day PRIDE Festival will not be able to participate because of the restriction of candidates to campaign on Park Board property. PRS: Point me to the front of the 'hand-cuff line' because I have full intention of 'breaking the law' over Pride weekend then. They better have a couple hundred-thousand extra pairs of handcuffs, too...and a fist full of lawyers because I am speculating that the City of Minneapolis could be liable for a host of contracts that would not be honored including the fees for booth space by Stonewall DFL (to Pride/Twin Cities) for the specific purpose of participating in the festival in Loring Park and advocating for our endorsed and acceptable candidates. Not to mention ticking off candidates for Mayor, City Council, Library Board, PARKS BOARD and the Board of Estimate and Taxation that Stonewall DFL has endorsed. I'm guessing that this is not a crowd that will go quietly. ;) The permits for the Pride FESTIVAL would be under the jurisdiction of the Parks Board (obviously). I'm just waiting for this one to hit the mainstream media. It will be interesting to see how this one is spun, retracted or covered-up... Peace Pride, Paul R. Skrbec Chair, Stonewall DFL Inver Grove Heights, MN [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dann Dobson Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 10:33 PM To: Ron Lischeid; Minneapolis Issues E-group Subject: Re: [Mpls] Court Opinion Needed Regarding Gurban's Ruling Prior toPRIDE I had not heard that Gurban had issued this opinion / order. Was this before or after he tried to have Jason Stone arrested for passing out campaign material on Park Board property? I
[Mpls] (no subject)
Greetings, I would like to address the recent posting regarding the success of CODEFOR in the City of Minneapolis. First of all, the reputed success of COMPSTAT in New York, initiated under Mayor Giuliani, is by no means indisputable. In support of this assertion, I would cite studies done at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia, Seattle, and by the Council on Juvenile Justice in the City of San Francisco. In this last instance, San Francisco actually enjoyed a higher reduction in criminal activity than did NYC. This was accomplished not through targeting livability (or low-intensity level) types of crime, but through a combination of creative strategies in the Court system, housing services, homeless outreach, Mental Illness training and outreach, and neighborhood organization. If anyone cares to read about this in more detail, a cursory search on the web will yield a study entitled, Shattering Broken Windows. Further information on related strategies may be found for the city of Philadelphia, as well as, for Seattle, Philadelphia and other Metropolitan areas. The decline in crime rates is not a localized phenomenon, it is a nation-wide and not clearly understood trend. In support of this lack of clarity, one can reference the Minneapolis City Attorney's 5 year Business Plan: Therein, on page 5 under Significant Trends, paragraph 2, the following passage may be found; The number of criminal cases is declining. In CY 2003 the Criminal Division handled 35,393 cases: In contrast, the Office handled 43,961 cases in CY 2002; 44,970 cases in CY 2001; 51,808 cases in CY 1999 and 63,887 in CY 1998. It is unclear why this caseload decline has occurred or whether it will continue. Similar commentary can be found in UCR data reports throughout most (not all) metropolitan areas of the US. Articles in journals, periodicals and scholarly studies abound and are easily found on the net and in any Public Library. It is very odd that we need to remind ourselves of the intimate connection between poverty and criminal activity. The loss of hope, hunger, homelessness...these things have long driven people toward criminal behavior. Mental Illness and substance dependency and abuse also contribute to 'livability' crime rates. This is an observation older than the Hills. If implementation of the Broken Windows model were such a clear-cut deterrant to livability offenses, why is it that in the neighborhood of 70% of all people listed on the NPA (No permanent address) list of the MPD appear year after year after year. Would it not follow that they would most likely commit a more serious offense and end up in prison? In fact, continual arrests for livability ordinance and Statute offenses during 2003-2004 provided little apparent deterrant at all for the top 100 offenders on the NPA list...only 2 are now incarcerated...most continue to cycle in and out of jail, detox, shelters, Mental Illness treatment facilities...with no resolution (and at an enormous cost to the Public) in sight. The Broken Windows model may work, in part, but it is by no means a universal panacea. Another troubling aspect of the CODEFOR implementation is the huge racial disparity which occurs. In 2002 the Council on Crime and Justice completed its Racial Disparity Initiative at the behest of the City. This was followed up on in a subsequent report on Low-Intensity Level Offenses (livability crime) in the City of Minneapolis. This report was completed in November of 2004-both reports are also available on-line. In this study, examining moving violations, Loitering, Lurking and other 'livability' crimes, 75% of all those arrested were African-American. An African-American male is 16 times more likely to be stopped than a caucasian male. Literally millions of dollars have been expended on achieving some sort of articulation and at least a modicum of equity...but the problem continues. Native Americans receive an even higher level of attention. In summation, the assertion that the Broken Windows Model provides (or has provided) all the answers to an increasingly complex set of issues... is hardly incontestable. Minneapolis needs to explore an homegrown version of homeless outreach, strategies for dealing with the Mentally Ill, public Housing, of dealing with diversity. This effort needs to involve the MPD, the City Attorney, advocates, neighborhoods, housing service providers, and Public Officials. In fact, the foundation for just such a work- group exists in the newly formed Downtown Council Work-Group initiated by Commissioner Mclaughlin, and chaired by Judge Hopper. The members of this group-though disagreeing on details-share a common desire to improve our response to livability crime. Deputy Chief Lubinski, Judge Hopper, Natalie Johnson- Lee, Commissioners Dorfman and Mclaughlin, CM Niziolek, Mental Health providers, Homeless Outreach people, District Court Staff, Shelter Providers,
RE: [Mpls] Social responsibility
List, Jim raises a great list of solid reasons for a responsible property owner to refuse rental to a potential tenant. It is framed by an equally compelling value of only renting to those we would want as a roommate (my personal reason for getting out of the rental property business. I am not good living with anyone other than myself and wouldn't wish anyone to be my roommate -- thus tenant.) However, I think there is a deeper challenging question presented by Bill. Where DO those people live? We live in a dark time where both the social commitment to rehabilitation and the funding for transition programs is diminishing. As we have discussed here, the facts consistently point to the manifestations of racism in who gets arrested, who serves time, who ends up with unlawful detainers. The spirals of credit history in an era of predatory lending by mortgage companies, credit card companies and ever retailer with their own finance department; and employment stability in an economy that puts a higher priority on maximizing shareholder return then employment seem equality prone to systemic inequalities. I am sure there are those much more literate than I who can expose the horrific role of family and gender violence in destabilizing families and leaving them with This is not to provide excuses. Yet, socially responsibility necessitates we take these factors into consideration. Driving people from neighborhood to neighborhood, from municipality to municipality until they end up a permanent transient class seems to me to be unhealthy for the families, the children and our community. It also raises legitimate value and ethical issues for consideration. I think that Bill's challenge for us to contemplate the social responsibility as individuals and as a community in ensuring that there is safe and affordable housing for everyone -- even for those we don't want to live with or next too -- is worth deeper thought and reflection. Joseph Barisonzi CommunityLeader, Inc [EMAIL PROTECTED] 612-518-5536 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Campaigning on park property
Campaigning is prohibited on park property? Since when? -Many of this year's DFL ward conventions were held on park property--with many candidates campaigning --including current Park board members. -Candidates campaign at neighborhood festivals--for example, at Windom and Prospect Park last Friday I was campaigning. At Prospect Park I saw a least two Mayor candidates, two 2nd Ward candidates and at least one member of Park Board. - Pride at Loring Park--always lots of candidates. I plan on actively campaigning at all neighborhood events this year in city parks and at Pride in Loring Park in two weeks. I invite Gurban to have me arrested. We'll have an interesting discussion of the first amendment. I don't think that will happen because I expect (hope) the Park Board resolves this issue before Pride. sheldon Sheldon Mains DFL and Labor Endorsed Candidate for Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees http://www.MainsForLibrary.org [EMAIL PROTECTED] 612/618-7149 Mains for Library Committee 2718 24th St. E., Mpls 55406 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] MPRB rules regarding free speech
To drive home Randall Cutting's point: PB2-19. Parades, entertainments, public meetings, etc. Bands, processions, parades, military displays, entertainments, exhibitions, public meetings and constitutionally protected expressions shall be allowed, given or held in the parks subject to the rules and regulations regarding such activities as promulgated under this section. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 1010.271; Pk. Bd. Ord. No. 90-103, § 1, 9-5-90) --one section in a chapter of thirteen chapters of MPRB laws one can find by following the link to the muncode.com site from the City of Mpls site (http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/) One would think Gurban and the board would be familiar with these laws. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Social responsibility
2. Follow that with any person or family who has a substantial history of criminal behavior, particularly several arrests for drug sales. 3. Anyone using a rental unit for direct criminal activity that could result in charges of controlling a Disorderly House under Minnesota Statute. (This includes, but is not limited to, tippling house, prostitution, gambling, and most important of all Drug dealing. 5. Anyone with a history of gang affiliation unless proof of rehab and a long period of separation from such activities exists. . . . Jim Graham, A land-peasant from Ventura Village Jim -- I think a few of your items would get you in trouble legally, regarding non-discrimination statutes. #2: you say arrests, rather than convictions. Generally, in America, we say people are innocent until proven guilty. #3: you say that could result in charges, as opposed to has resulted in conviction on charges. Again, innocent until proven guilty. (Heck, I've been to a lot of political fundraisers at somebodys house 'that could result in charges' of a tippling house, if someone had complained.) #5: history of gang affiliation -- pretty wide open here. What's a history of affiliation, and what do you define as a gang? Could I say that membership in the republican party that's sending our boys to die in Iraq for who knows what reason is affiliation with a violent gang? Seems I could, under your rules. I think you need criteria that's a bit more objective, and more based on proven activity, not just accusations. Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Labor endorses McLaughlin for Mayor
Jim, endorsements are imperfect tools. When comparing candidates with widely diverging platforms and past performance like John Kerry and George W. Bush they're pretty accurate. When comparing members of the same progressive wing of the same DFL party endorsements are often of little value. Oftentimes in these cases endorsements reflect who did the better job of getting their supporters onto the endorsement deciding group more than their value to the cohort the group pretends to represent. Dyna's post about McLaughlin's endorsement by another labor organization was comic relief as I read it this morning. Dyna professes to be a strong labor supporter, yet has a difficult time as each labor organization goes on board with support for McLaughlin. It brought to mind the old little bit pregnant joke about how pregnant is she? Dyna is still not believing in the pregnancy after the labor mother is eight months along and about to deliver. She demands to know who the father was and how many times the act occured before she will believe the baby exists. Again, an endorsement by a thin margin does little to move me to support Peter McLaughlin. However, if the endorsement were truly unanamous I would of course support Peter. Does Peter McLaughlin have labor support? Yes, all the labor support! Teamsters, Firefighters, AFL-CIO, AFSME, and pretty much all the rest. The only labor endorsement he might not have yet is the union of paperboys and lawn mowers, if one exists. So Dyna, what are you going to do, invent a new labor group? Just so you can say, AH ha! He doesn't have ALL the labor Of course Peter McLaughlin does not have the Police Federation endorsement yet as far as I know, but can any one even in a illusionary dream really believe the police department is going to endorse Rybak. The Mayor who created the worst morale within the Department in my memory? Rybak has about the same chance of getting that labor endorsement as he has of financing his campaign by winning the Power Ball lottery. Jim, my own union representative tells me that many union members spoke in favor of R.T. at the endorsing meetings. As for Dyna's 'manufactured' endorsement like the Stonewall DFL's. Come on Dyna you owe them an apology. In my opinion you seem to be saying that the gay community does not have the ability to endorse a candidate, and the endorsement has to be manufactured for them. I believe there is a process for endorsement for that organization, and believe at the end of that process an endorsement takes place or does not take place. It is also like being a little pregnant, either you got it or you didn't. The Stonewall DFL more so owes gay DFLers an apology for misrepresenting them. Though Dyna's post did raise one important question. Other than the wealthy yups from the Southwest, and the Sierra Club, does anyone now support Rybak? All the labor, all the neighborhood activists, the community development organizations, the Stonewall group, the main workers in Rybak's last election. All these support now Peter McLaughlin over Rybak. Now truthfully some of that support for McLaughlin may indeed be more opposition to Rybak than wholehearted support for McLaughlin, but that is indicative of their perception of how bad a job RT's appointments have done at running the City of Minneapolis. That goes doubly for the different departments of the City of Minneapolis itself. The workers who actually do the work for Minneapolis, and who are in the best position to know the job RT's administration has done, almost to a man or woman oppose Rybak. Almost all want anyone BUT Rybak. Want anyone but Rybak because of his appointee's bungling management of the City. First off the nonprofit community development groups cannot legally support any candidate. As for your attempt at stereotyping R.T.'s supporters, at the city convention we both saw folks from all sectors of the city including union members on each candidates side. Does RT have a chance to turn that mismanagement of the City around, so as to get support from more than the affluent? Yes he does! Yes, but he is certainly running out of time. Rybak must change and begin to act in a competent manner immediately, or the opportunity will be lost. Like the grasshopper fiddling and dancing RT has enjoyed the position of Mayor too much. He has fiddled away three years enjoying his Mayoral party. The cold hard political winter is almost upon him. Can Rybak store a little voter supply away to carry him through November? I don't know, but RT better hurry cause no one knows where the love of God goes when the Winds of November come early. RT Rybak must already feel that cold winter chill blowing up his back while he plays. Even Peter McLaughlin's campaign admits they have an uphill fight- he has the same demographic problem Sharon Sayles-Belton had with most of her support coming
[Mpls] This Week in The Minneapolis Observer
THIS WEEK IN THE OBSERVER: * MTN Drops Suspension of Hodges and Flowers * North Side Kowalski's to Close * Grant Will Help Local Research Firm Develop Biomass Market in Northern Minnesota * Park Board Candidate Alleges Free Speech Violation * Lagoon High Rise Gets Planning Commission Approval * Park Board Begins Negotiations with De LaSalle Over Football Field * Local Think Tank Gets National Civil Leadership Award * Online High School to Open in September Plus: Remembering Frenchy Belair, selling anti-freeze, a modest proposal for a new golf community at Fort Snelling, and the 10-ton cure in the garden Go to: http://www.mplsobserver.com -- Craig Cox Founder/Editor The Minneapolis Observer www.mplsobserver.com 612/721-0285 Support the independent media! Pick up your neighborhood newspaper! REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Social responsibility
If we truly want the problem to addressed, the solution is simple. The City needs to find a legal way to limit the number of rental licenses available by neighborhood. It would take a fair amount of assesment, but a formula could be arrived at that took into consideration ALL of the indexes associated with the issue. We are in the process of creating our own ghettos in Minneapolis by packing low-income, disenfranchised peoples into specific geographic areas. Literally hundreds of children from the next generation are doomed to failure. Not because the programs to assist them aren't available. But, because of where they have to live and under what conditions. Children are much more astute observers than we give them credit for. When they hop-off a school bus at the end of the day and they see their norm as being volence and drug dealing, they are very apt to accept this as the norm. You want to leave a lasting legacy for the next generation? Place more of these kids AND their families in better neighborhoods that become positive role models. Start building affordable houysing in those neighborhoods that can offer this. As for the landlords. They don't need a list of social responsibilities. They need to start aggressively censuring those landlords that choose to operate in a substandard manner, and stop making excuses for them.. dennis plante lind-bohanon dennis plante Lind-Bohanon REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
