[Mpls] See Strib Online: MPS Hires Investigator re Peebles
_http://www.startribune.com/stories/1592/5565855.html_ (http://www.startribune.com/stories/1592/5565855.html) 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
[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
[Mpls] Mower Blues - Got a spare?
I need a small used gas or electric mower. If you have one for sale, please contact me offline. Here's how I came to be mowerless: ListMeister Brauer can attest that I liked to take care of my yard, the long grass citation from the city lawn police two years ago notwithstanding. So in preparation for the grass season, I took my red 2 year old WalMart mower to the repair shop for a tuneup. A couple of weeks later they called to say it was ready, $76 in repairs. Seems like a lot, I thought, but lawn pride doesn't come cheap, so I went to pick it up. I was astonished when they rolled my mower out: it had morphed into a black circa 1960's contraption. That's not my mower, I said. But they were insistant that it was. True, the claim tag matched, but there the resemblance ended. This was NOT my mower. The conversation devolved into a pretty inane IS/ IS NOT argument before my good sense returned and I had the wit to leave. Believe it or not, I found the receipt for the purchase of my red mower, but as fate would have it, the receipt showed only the horsepower, the size of the cutting deck and the price. The repair shop folks were unmoved. They insisted the relic was mine. Are you saying I'm lying? I asked. Well, they said, uh, yes. Hey, if I was gonna come up with this absurd senario for copping a different mower, I'd at least claim I had brought in a Toro, don't you think? Well, anyhow, I am mowerless and pretty ticked. I live in fear of the return of the lawn police and I need a mower quick. Any and all offers considered. 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
[Mpls] Were the delegates actually committed to endorsement?
Since 40+% of yesterday's delegates chose to support a candidate who openly stated all along that he was not committed to abiding by the endorsement if he didn't obtain it for himself, what - if anything - does this say about the commitment of the delegates themselves to the endorsement? Ann Berget Kingfield-in-the-8th 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] DeLaSalle Community/Charitable Service
Chris Johnson asks: What's the average amount of community service donated by high school students on a per school basis? Is DeLaSalle unusual in this regard? I don't know what the average amount of community service donated by students at other schools is on a per school basis, but I do know that every DeLaSalle student is required to contribute 60 hours of charitable service as a requirement for graduation. During my school board years (1992-2000), Minneapolis Public Schools had no community service requirement. Ann Berget Kingfield 8-6 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] Stormwater - a clarification
Tonight I received an email from John McLean, the City stormwater point man. He had seen my earlier post and wrote to address two points that I had made: 1) I had erroneously reported that the size of the statistical sample on which the average impermeable area measurement was based. The sample size was 660 randomly selected properties, not 220 as I had written earlier. I apologize: The error was mine. The statistical minds among you know better than I if 660 out of 75,000 is a sufficient number of samples to provide a defensible figure. 2) I wrote that the City hurried to adopt this strategy for raising $30M in order to avoid a lawsuit. McLean does not dispute that the amount raised is $30M, but he clarifies: Second, regarding the Citys motivation for seeking potential changes to how we charge for stormwater services. It is true that there was active litigation when the City initiated a study to look at changing the way we collect revenue for stormwater services. However, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled (in December 2003) that the City did not need to change the way it collected stormwater revenue. The City continued its study because it wanted to find a way to more equitably and accurately charge customers for stormwater services. I still say that the absence of progressivity for properties with more than 1578 sq. ft. of impermeable surface per lot (also with no regard to lot size at all for residences) places undue burden for this improvement on owners of smaller properties to the obvious benefit of owners of supersized residential property. McLean stated that the size of the average impermeable surface on a city lot is 1530 sq. ft. That said, then nearly half of the 75,000 residential properties - all larger ones - benefit from the size factor being capped at 1578 sq. ft. and the burden does truly fall on the little guys. I apologize for misstating the sample size. Ann Berget Kingfield 8-6 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] Sewer Units (aka Storm Water Concerns)
Okay, here's the short version of my report-back on my conversation with John McLean about the stormwater cleanup fee: I talked with John McLean, the Sewer Unit/Storm Water point man, this morning at length. McLean is obviously a smart, knowledgeable and courteous man. He speaks knowledgeably about the fee, the methodology, and the choices that were involved in the fee deliberations. The conversation was informative to me. I know many new things about city property, including that there now are approx. 75,000 single family residences in Minneapolis, that the average impermeable area of a residential property, based on a survey of 200+ randomly selected properties, is 1530 sq. ft., and that the max. rate for this new stormwater fee is assessed on properties believed to have 1578 sq. ft. of impermeable surface area regardless of the size of the property, and that the City hurried to adopt this strategy for raising $30M in order to avoid a lawsuit. All this is good and factual, but in my opinion, it altogether lacks a Fairness Factor. It's not too hard to figure out that this broad-brush fee assessment places the greatest proportional burden on average properties. There is no progressivity beyond the 1578 sq. ft. measure. Thus, 11,000 sq. ft. multimillion dollar Gold Coast residences with 75+% of their available area paved or covered with structures - and across the street from the Mississippi River for runoff purposes - pays the same $10.60 fee that I do for my R1A lot with no driveway or garage 8 blocks from Lake Harriet. Gimme a break, folks. It doesn't take a degree in hydrology to figure out which property has more runoff - or who's in a better position to help pay for cleaning things up. It's ironic that if the City had chosen to resolve the dispute by being sued - and then lost - the $30M would be paid more equitably through the property tax structure which is at least a bit more progressive than the Stormwater model. Yes, we can appeal our rate assignments, but that does nothing to change the fact that all supersize residential properties benefit at the expense of all properties that are average or less. Almost makes me sorry that I asked. Ann Berget Kingfield 8-6 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] Storm Water Fee criteria (apparent absence of, that is)
I got my storm water fee billing this week and was surprised to find my property charged the highest rate since I have a 40'x140' lot with no driveway, alley or garage. Only my house sits on the lot unless you count my garden shed (6'x8'). I wanted to know what the criteria is for the different fee levels. I called the number on the bill for questions yesterday (Friday), and after sitting on hold for nearly 10 minutes, I hung up and called Gay Noble in the Ward 10 office. She didn't know and wasn't able to find the information on the website either. She said that the first round of billing had been done with a blunt instrument (my language, not hers). In other words, I won the fee lottery and get charged at the highest level just because that's what they're charging me. No one looked at my property to decide what level was appropriate and it is my burden to complain and ask for reconsideration - although actually no one considered my property in the first place. Gay asked called John McLean to call me and we are now playing phone tag. I will report back after my conversation with him. If anyone already has the criteria, please post them so we can all see what they are. Ann Berget Kingfield 8-6 (formerly 10-11) 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:The Gurban Chill
A chilling aspect of The Gurban Affair: Success usually reinforces behavior. What's to prevent these five commissioners and Gurban from handling future park matters in the same bullying fashion? As Brian Melendez observed, this behavior does not appear to have violated the letter of the law. It merely ripped to shreds the spirit of the law and fed the remains to buzzards. Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] Park Board - Actionable Open Meeting violation?
IF - big "if" - it can be proved that a majority of the Park Board met outside of a properly noticed meeting for the purpose of making this decision, it may be an actionable violation of the open meeting law on the part of each of them. Where personnel matters are concerned it's often murky, but this seems suspicious. Lawyers on the list - please comment. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Packing Sex offenders in Mpls/ The wrong question?
If the question is "In which neighborhood do we house dangerous essentially unsupervised sexual predators?", maybe that's the wrong question. Why should any neighborhood be the "right" one for such a danger? And again, distributing those same offenders all across the state really isn't a better answer than concentrating many such offenders in a few neighborhoods unless you believe that it takes two or more offenders to cause harm - clearly it doesn't - or you think that putting more communities at risk better. This morning's Strib editorial makes an important point: sexual predators who have not already murdered would not qualify for a death penalty. Unfortunately, prepetrators of this sort do tend to continue to offend and to escalate in the violence of their crimes. No community, its women, children and vulnerable people, should be put in harm's way of such a serious known danger, in my opinion. How do we change our laws on sentencing and releasing such perpetrators so that they truly never have access again to their prey, that seems to me to be a better question? Ann Berget Mother of two young adult daughters Resident of Kingfield with a Level 3 offender living 4 blocks away
[Mpls] Kahn suit - a plaintiff comments
In a message dated 11/25/03 6:16:22 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: It's registered voters and more importantly, THOSE THAT ACTUALLY SHOW UP TO VOTE that count. Mike - Before you go too far down this path...beware - this is a treacherous direction to pursue, IMHO. Following this line of thought, one could argue that the franchise itself should be abandoned when less than a majority make use of it. Is this really the direction you want to go? In the interest of openness, I will mention that I am a plaintiff in the Kahn suit. I joined this suit because I believethat a 3+year gap between adoption of the new ward boundaries and elections congruent with those boundaries undermined the intention of timely adoption and implementation of the Y2000 census redistricting. In addition I am a resident of the "new" 8th ward which lives under the cloud of representative ambiguity given that 8thW Councilperson Lilligren had been redistricted out of the 8th (through no fault of his own) and it is unclear at best how residents of the noveau 8th W could hold him accountable for his council work and its impact on the noveau 8th. I agree with the observations that elections are a costly and time consuming remedy, but I believe that authentic and timely representation trumps convenience. You certainly may disagree, but that's why I joined the suit. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Community Forums on Superintendent Search ( 1 down, 2 to go)
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. Ann Berget 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] Black Leadership in Mpls.- Charlotte Davis' death
Regarding black leadership in Minneapolis, let's not let this day pass without taking note of the passing of a fine woman, Charlotte Davis, wife of 61 years to Harry Davis, Minneapolis first black mayoral candidate in the early 70's and later a 21-year school board member. Together, Charlotte and Harry were a couple of rare devotion, dignity and civic commitment. Leadership wears many faces, folks, and Charlotte's was beautiful, unflinching, and principled through and through. Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church, the first intentionally integrated Methodist church, was filled this morning with hundreds of people of all colors and beliefs who came to honor her life and offer support and comfort to her family. Some people just have the kind of humanity that makes other differences seem trivial. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Jennings @ the whipping post/Qualifications?
Hm-m-...what ARE the qualifications for being Governor besides getting elected? Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] Radical Center author Ted Halstead to speak in St. Paul 10/29
Ted Halstead, NY Times journalist and author of "The Radical Center", will be speaking in St. Paul on October 29th. I think this may be interesting to list members, so here are the details: The Citizens League and Minnesota Public Radio are pleased to present "The Radical Center and America's Democracy" With Ted Halstead Wednesday October 29, 7:00 p.m., Fitzgerald Theater, downtown Saint Paul As Minnesota voters continue to fluctuate between the Wellstone-left and the George W. Bush-right; with a majority of voters now considering themselves 'independent'; and with the parties themselves becoming more polarized, what is going on in American politics? Are recent voters in California - and Minnesota - confused? Or are they just unhappy with their choices? What do they want and who will engage them? What does this mean for the elections this November, and especially for next year's Presidential election? What does it mean for democracy, and for the most important policy issues of our time? The Citizens League and Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) are thrilled to bring you one of the most innovative and refreshing new voices in American political thinking: Ted Halstead. Ted Halstead is a defining voice for a new generation of political leaders, and is widely praised for his thoughtful analysis, his bold recommendations, and his entrepreneurial policy solutions. "The Radical Center and America's Democracy" will take place on Wednesday October 29, at 7:00 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Theater, 10 Exchange Street in downtown Saint Paul. Tickets are $10 for League and MPR members, $12 for the general public, and free for students. General admission seating will be available on the 29th, or through the Fitzgerald Box Office, at 651-290-1221. Easy parking is available in the World Trade Center Ramp behind the Fitzgerald Theater. (Note: Proceeds from the event will help cover Citizens League expenses. The event is not a fundraiser for either organization.) The Radical Center and America's Democracy is the first in a series of exciting events designed to 're-launch' the Citizens League in its mission to address the most critical public policy issues facing Minnesota, (and to build effective partnerships as it does so). The discussion with Ted Halstead is also a key event in an innovative and timely series sponsored by MPR called, "Whose Democracy Is It?" MPR is leading a nationwide collaboration of public radio stations, networks and other partners devoted to special coverage on this issue. Ted Halstead is the author of The Radical Center, and a regular contributor to the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Washington Post and the LA Times. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Analysis of Jennings departure continues
A casual look at the gap in major metro school districts suggests no advantage associated with race of the superintendent, but I don't think formal studies exist on this very provocative subject. Can anyone cite formal research here? Ann Berget 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. 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] Speaking of community input re: Jennings et al
Speaking of "community input" in the Jennings matter, I'm curious what process the Staten/Moss group used to gather input and come to a consensus about point of view. Was the process "inclusive", and if so, who participated and in what settings? Were the opportunities for this input communicated to the public, and if so, how? Is the Staten/Moss model for community input one that can be used productively in other situations? Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] The question - clarified.
Unfortunately, respondent Mann quoted part of my question, but did not answer any of it. I hope he didn't misunderstand what I am asking. Let me clarify: I am seeking information about what process of community involvement Moss/Staten used to arrive at their position on the Jennings matter prior to their speaking out as community spokespeople. Here's the actual question I posed again: Speaking of "community input" in the Jennings matter, I'm curious what process the Staten/Moss group used to gather input and come to a consensus about point of view. Was the process "inclusive", and if so, who participated and in what settings? Were the opportunities for this input communicated to the public, and if so, how? Is the Staten/Moss model for community input one that can be used productively in other situations? Ann Berget Kingfield :
Re: [Mpls] My statement today on the River Run Proposal
In the statement on River Run, Samuels wrote (and sent to the list as a download): "As an elected official, I am chosen to make decisions on behalf of my community and the city so that people can go about their lives..." Samuels writes about his thoughts and decision-making process in the River Run matter but, more importantly, he spells out some of his philosophy about the dicey business of representative government. His writing is articulate, clear and, IMHO, high-minded. It deserves a read by anyone interested in how Minneapolis City government is going these days. Please take the time to download it and read it through. Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] Jennings Letter
MPS Staff: Below is a letter I have submitted to the Board of Education, today, withdrawing my name as the next permanent Superintendent of Schools for MPS. As you know, the board's recent decision to move past my previously planned service as interim superintendent and to move directly to naming me for the permanent post has caused some controversy. The voices of dissent are from a radical element in the community and do not represent the larger group's view, but they persist and that persistence is getting in the way of the real work of the district. I am sure my decision comes as a surprise to all and a disappointment to some. The board is adamant in their opposition to the idea, but willing to respect my wishes. From you, I ask understanding. You know as well as I do the importance of the work and the vulnerability of the population of kids we serve. I believe this is the best way to keep the focus on them and not on city politics. ## Sharon Henry-Blythe, Chair Minneapolis Board of Education 807 Broadway NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 Dear Chair Henry-Blythe: I came to MPS two years ago with a simple agenda. I hoped to be able to help a district that was struggling financially and to help poor kids and kids of color in Minneapolis find the same kind of academic success as their white and middle class counterparts. I know that Dr. Johnson and the Board, and you in particular, share that dream. With her departure, however, other events have begun to take over center stage on our agenda and they are beginning to get in the way of the real cause we pursue. It is for that reason, that I must use this means to withdraw my name as the successor to Dr. Johnson and recommend that the Board pursue a different course of action. I will not dwell on the events of recent days and the obvious speciousness and venality that underlie the charges and accusations made toward the Board and toward me. It is tempting to fight the fight against this lunacy and win, which we would surely do. What nags at me is the likelihood that we would win the battle but the kids would lose the war. You and I both know the responsibility for why kids of color are lagging behind academically must be shared by many. Part of it belongs to us and to the system we run. The good news is that we know it and have committed ourselves to doing something about it. The rest of the story, however, is that part of the responsibility also falls directly on the shoulders of the community itself. If we force this issue around my appointment and "win", we will have just handed a perfect excuse for inaction to anyone in that community who is looking for such an excuse. We cannot do that. It might feel good to us for a time, but it would also condemn us to failure in the real mission long term. Instead, I recommend a simple plan. I will stand by my original commitment to the board and serve as interim superintendent until a suitable replacement can be named. I will assist you in organizing and conducting that search in a timely way and in finding the right leader to continue the dream we share. Sincerely, David M. Jennings Chief Operating Officer This message was generated and delivered to all users of the MPLS email system. This message is not SPAM. Please do not respond to this message since your reply will not be delivered to anyone.
[Mpls] INJUNCTION FILED AGAINST THE MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL BOARD OVER SUPERINTENDENT
Call me a hair-splitter if you must but isn't it the case that injunctions are first "sought" and then granted or denied? Seems to me that this caption is a bit ahead of itself. A filed request for injunction may be granted or not. Let's see whether the court grants it or not. Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] Can anyone confirm/refute this rumor?
Disclaimer: At this point, this is only a rumor, but the source is pretty credible. The rumor is that Rev. Gallmon resigned his leadership post in the Minneapolis NAACP over the weekend. Does anyone know whether this is true? Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] Board duties re: Jennings
Actually, state law requires school boards only to hire (and fire if necessary) superintendents and set the budget. It does not require boards to gather community input. It does not require any "demographic" relationship (similar or dissimilar) between the superintendent and the student body. The superintendent is charged with overseeing the academic and operational activities of the school district. How he/she does this is between the board and the supt. When community members don't like how the board or individual members carry out their responsibilities, those same community members can complain ( but their complaints carry only advisory weight) and they can also run for office next time there is an open seat, file applications for any mid-term vacancies that may arise on the board (whether or not they have ever run for office before, even if they have run before and failed), and, if they win this time, they can do things differently - if they can get a majority of their board colleagues to agree. They can even campaign as individuals for changing the state law on this matter. But unless that happens, when the sun goes down on this debate, the board still has the right to choose whoever they want to run the schools and to make that decision in whatever manner they wish, with or without convening public gatherings for input. For what it's worth, I think the board made a good strategic choice and saved the community and the kids and teachers months of expense, disruption and distraction by choosing Mr. Jennings. Whether you like him or not, you still have the right to expect him to serve all Minneapolis children. There's plenty of work to go around here, and as the late superintendent Richard Green used to ask, "What are you doing to help?" Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] Zoran's Tree Sculpture - Was: Tree Cutting and Carving
State Fair Grand Prize winning sculptor Zoran Mojislov lost an elm on his boulevard about 10 years ago. When it was cut down, he got the city to leave the pieces on his lawn where he debarked them and shaped them into a wonderful sculpture. The work can be seen from the street at 4130 Blaisdell. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Minneapolis Paint Police file Criminal Charges forNegligent Non Pa...
In May 2002 on the advice of the 5th Pct SAFE team, I contacted Inspections for help in dealing with the problem (party) house next door. SAFE suggested that I ask Inspections to check for overoccupancy. So I did. The inspector assigned was not know for his diligence and I observed him drive by, not getting out of his car. He subsequently report no problem. I contacted his supervisor, told him about the slacker inspector, and the supervisor sent the slacker inspector back to reinspect. Well, he did, but not the problem property --- he inspected mine with a diligence that would do credit to a five star hotel! Imagine my surprise when I got a notice for "rot, garage door damage, and porch roofs" , all subject to that 30-day time line. (PS: I don't even have a garage, just a garden shed. ) Rot, indeed! It was hard to get anyone to do work in that timeline, but Handyman Henry agreed to the job. The alledged "rot" was, in fact, mildew on the shady side of the porch. A bleach wash was took care of that. We replaced the shed doors in their entirity although the "damage" was on the corners of the doors. But when we got to the roofs, doggonit if they had not been replaced the previous year. What the [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sometime during these efforts, Inspections returned and they were not satisfied. I got a summons in my Friday mail. Yes, they do mail these out timed to arrive when their offices are closed, preferably for long holiday weekends. When I reached the Inspector General some days later, he told me the matter would be withdrawn from the City Attorney's office, not to be so concerned (but with a clear message to kwitmibichin). Silly girl, I believed him. I was so-o-ooo gullible. About a month later I got home late one...Friday evening, saw a City Attorney envelope in my mail, and, anticipating documentation of the cropped "charges", I opened it. It was a warrant for my arrest for failure to appear in court on the rot/door/roof matter, the very one the Inspector General said was resolved. Since it was Friday, I spent the weekend laying low, aware that even a parking ticket could now land me in the clink. Was I ticked?!?!?! Come Monday morning I reached my CM and the Inspector General who again said not to worry. I asked Inspector General if I needed to come over and walk over to the City Attorney's office with him to get the matter resolved. He was not eager to see me in person and - when pressed - emailed me an assurance that the warrant was a mistake, but I pressed on until I got written confirmation from the City Attorney's office that the matter was dropped. Meanwhile, the problem property next door partied on. Thus this affiant sayeth naught.
[Mpls] GoMemphis reports: Johnson will be new supt.
My Memphis friend reports that Johnson got the job. Read more at: Click here: GoMemphis Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] What Carol Johnson is telling Memphis
In a message dated 7/29/03 8:38:28 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I'd say, don't let the screen door hit you on the way out, Carol. As a Tennessean myself, a Memphian in fact, I assure you that the difference between Nashville and Memphis is a lot greater than just 240 miles along I-40. Nevertheless, I think it is only fair to remind readers that Carol Johnson has served Minneapolis Public Schools faithfully and admirably for over thirty - thirty! - years, most of those years as a classroom teacher. Her commitment to the children of Minneapolis is indisputable. She has served as superintendent now for six years at a time when the average tenure for urban superintendents nationwide is just a little longer than two years. Concern at the prospect of her possible departure is understandable, but impugning her integrity in the process is unwarranted. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Urban Wildlife
In a message dated 7/28/03 9:32:32 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hopefully the city will decide to do something about earth pounding mega bass coming from autos before crackin' down on chicken clucking. AB says: Don't count on it. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Urban Wildlife - Iguana
My family's best urban wildlife adventure took place on Labor Day 1996. We were about to set out on our annual holiday picnic when a neighborhood child came banging on the back door, yelling "Ann, come quick! There's a lizard in the street!" I grabbed my kitty-cat oven mitts for protection and followed her, thinking "salamander". Imagine my surprise to find a 3-1/2 foot iguana vogueing along the curb. Well, I couldn't exactly leave it/him there, so I grabbed him up with the oven mitts and put him in a big aquarium tank left from a previous "wildlife adventure." As I recall, it was election season (isn't it always?) and some wiseacre suggested naming the critter "Larry Sawyer" after a rival school board candidate, but son Andy prevailed, naming him "Felix". Felix lived with us for 6 years, got blessed several times at Basilica of St. Mary's Blessing of the Animals - once as pet-of-the-year, appeared on the front page of the Strib Metro section in a nice color photo (he was green), and went to his eternal rest in PineCone Cemetery (under the big blue spruce in the front yard) last year with flowers and a nice eulogy. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Re: Third Ward is Out of Shape
In a message dated 7/24/03 5:59:29 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Jackie Cherryhomes told me once that one Charter rule was that each ward had to have part of downtown Well, I don't know if Jackie ever actually said that, but if she did, she must have been talking about some other City Charter. How else to account for decades of "outlaw" wards like 10, 11, 12 and 13? I think that's a criterion we can dismiss with confidence. Ann Berget Kingfield( W10, W8, or something like that)
[Mpls] Road closing by the Rose Garden?
A large orange sign announces that the road between the Lake Harriet Rose Garden and the Japanese Garden (Rock Garden) will close July 30. This is the road on the north side of the Rose Garden between the lake and Dupont Avenue. Does anyone know why the road is being closed? For how long? Permanently? Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] Friday Shooting at Nicollet Lake
Friday there was a shooting (murder?) in the Office Max parking lot at Nicollet Lake about 1pm. The place was cordoned off and covered with police. Several bystanders said a man had just been shot in the head. Curiously nothing appears in the Strib about it today. Does anyone know more about it? Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] NRP
List member Barb Lickness probably knows the authoritative answer, but it's my belief that anything not specifically outlawed by NRP statutes is in fact allowed, even shrinks, if that's what the neighborhood residents want. Dunno about meds, though. That could be an ongoing and operating expense, something often declined by the Policy Board. (Who writes those heads, anyway?) Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] NRP Community meetings
In a message dated 6/4/03 7:03:58 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: a proposed change to the City Ordinance that established the NRP will be discussed. What "City Ordinance" is that? NRP was not established by a city ordinance, but rather it was enabled by state legislation and then activated by a joint-powers agreement of city, county, schools, parks and library. Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] FYI: Inspections - Text 011 - How it operates
Here's the deal, friends - and I'm not even a big conspiracy theorist, but they've got me going this time... This is what I have learned about how Inspections operates: First, they "sweep" the area. We're not talking about complaints here. Nope, no brooms either. This "sweep" means they drive by...maybe. They stay in the car and jot down the address of their targets. They enter the target addresses into something that generates form letters which seem to be timed to arrive in citizen mailboxes on Friday afternoons. Before holidays seems to be best. But here's the good part: they don't document anything about the offender's property problem. No notes on some kind of form, no photos. That's right: no notes, no photos. In fact with mine, the inspector said that with 5000 notices going out in that sweep (5000!!!) she couldn't be sure that mine was in fact an offending address; it might be a mistake, but, hey, who's to know. The alleged offence is "NOT APPEALABLE TO THE MINNEAPOLIS HOUSING BOARD OF APPEALS" according to the notice. However, properties that persist in offending will get a visit from the Mpls. All-Star Mowing Enforcers and the bill will be added to the property tax bill for that address. Now I'm not a super-suspicious kinda gal - I'm such a geeky good government booster - but I gotta wonder about this stuff: drive-by inspections, loosey-goosey details, no notes, no photos, no documentation, no appeals BUT the very real (and arbitrary) risk of substantial additions to my property tax bill. And all this when the City is struggling to make ends meet. Maybe I'm just feeling a bit put out, but really! First, my (alleged) 8" grass (blades, I admit) and then MacDonald's over-30" handrail. Come on, City! This is how you're spending property tax dollars? This is like being stoned to death with popcorn. Ms. Berget/Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] List members in the news
In a message dated 5/28/03 8:02:18 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Ann Berget: hunted by city inspectors. Doug Grow is on the case "Outlaw" Berget writes: Silly me! All this time I thought the City was concerned about law enforcement when they were really talking about lawn enforcement. Well, I guess this is what Homeland Security is all about. Honestly, sometimes I'm so slow... AB/Kingfield, Home of the 8-inch Blades
[Mpls] 2003 Property Taxes - What 8% Looks Like
FYI: I got my 2003 property tax statement today and this is what 8% looks like: total 2003 taxes up 16% from $1600 in 2002 to $1867 in 2003, a husky increase IMHO. Yes, I know that part of this increase is the increase in my property valuation - isn't it interesting that the market value of my tatty little Kingfield estate has increased by a convenient 10% ($138,500 to $152,500) - just within the limit of the maximum increase per year? I admit, I have always had my doubts about the assessors. Ah, if only my income kept apace so well! City taxes account for the lion's share of the increase, rising 22.4% (+$133) from $593 in 2002 to $726 in 2003. But both schools (+$57) and county (+$50) show significant increases. Yep, there are some other interesting wrinkles and complexities buried in the statement, but it's clear to me that those public bodies trying to rein in spending are not necessarily the Scrooges of the Common Good. Increases like these - accompanied by substantial service reductions and significant unemployment - break the backs and spirits of communities like ours. We've got to get our means and our expectations aligned for our own good - and quick. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] R.T. et al, please let us 3rd ward residents decide
If I recall correctly, one of the more noxious aspects of the last round of council elections in 2001 was the unwelcome involvement of non-residents (SSB for sure, but quite a few others as well) in many DFL ward conventions. While it certainly is RT's prerogative to do as he pleases in the W3 race, I believe that it is far preferable for the mayor, any mayor, to leave the ward races to the ward residents. Just FYI, although it has merely been a custom, I think the school board practice where sitting board members who are not up for reelection refrain from involvement in other candidates campaigns is a good one. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Save Our Schools
In a message dated 1/23/03 10:41:31 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Here are the key messages our legislators need to hear: 1. They will be held accountable -- We will hold our legislators accountable for funding the "adequate and efficient" public education guaranteed to every child by Article 13 of the Minnesota Constitution. 2. Schools are the state's most important investment - Our public schools are the bedrock of our state's health and success. No other investment is comparable in long-term value to our economy and our quality of life. 3. Support the progress that's being made - There are no easy answers to the challenges of multiple languages, special education, racial and economic disparities and high mobility. But progress is being made. This is no time to give up on our most vulnerable kids, who need our support and commitment. 4. Know the facts about school funding - Many Minnesotans would be surprised to learn that Minnesota does not rank near the top among states in public school per-pupil spending. We're 21st. And while in absolute dollars, funding has usually increased from year to year, costs -- like health insurance -- have risen faster. Schools already have cut administrative costs to the bone, while the state and federal governments continue to mandate new services without paying for them. It is not sufficient to merely demand increased funding. It is imperative that SOS offer proposals for funding these increases. Does SOS support property tax increases, shifts to other revenue streams, if so, what? Other ideas? Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Save Our Schools
In a message dated 1/23/03 10:41:31 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Here are the key messages our legislators need to hear: 1. They will be held accountable -- We will hold our legislators accountable for funding the "adequate and efficient" public education guaranteed to every child by Article 13 of the Minnesota Constitution. 2. Schools are the state's most important investment - Our public schools are the bedrock of our state's health and success. No other investment is comparable in long-term value to our economy and our quality of life. 3. Support the progress that's being made - There are no easy answers to the challenges of multiple languages, special education, racial and economic disparities and high mobility. But progress is being made. This is no time to give up on our most vulnerable kids, who need our support and commitment. 4. Know the facts about school funding - Many Minnesotans would be surprised to learn that Minnesota does not rank near the top among states in public school per-pupil spending. We're 21st. And while in absolute dollars, funding has usually increased from year to year, costs -- like health insurance -- have risen faster. Schools already have cut administrative costs to the bone, while the state and federal governments continue to mandate new services without paying for them.
Re: [Mpls] Samuels/ Moore
In a message dated 1/20/03 12:47:36 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Don Samuels: Martin Sabo is a mainstream DFLer, just like Olin Moore. If you think you can find some "self-made" immigrant who can do Sabo's job better than he has done it, show me. I don't know that much about Olin Moore, but the fact that he has connections that Don Samuels doesnt have has got to be the WEAKEST argument for supporting Don Samuels that I can think. This city needs all the connected it people it can get. You don't wait till you're sick to find a doctor, and you don't wait till you need connections to make sure you have them. A guy who understands the plight of the struggling is not as valuable as a guy who can help ameliorate those struggles. Thousands of people have gotten paying jobs through Sabo's efforts over the years. How many has Don Samuels helped employ? Make any choice you want, but at least think about the choices in a realistic way. With all due respect to Mr. Moore whom I barely know and Mr. Samuels whom I do not know at all - and with the acknowledgment that I am not a W3 resident, I remark: The W3 race should not be a referendum by proxy on affection for Marty Sabo. In a fair race, each candidate stands on his/her own accomplishments and merit, not merit or accomplishment by association. Special elections are usually rift with complications and ripe for criticism anyway. Campaign advocates do well to seek higher ground by promoting their candidates on their earned merit, not on the grounds of one's ethnicity or another's mentor. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Saturday NRP session- Sly Di takes her sawzall to thebudget...
In a message dated 1/13/03 6:07:23 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: City leaders and neighborhood leaders all know the 52 percent must be hit - it's state law. I'd say even if NRP is mortally wounded, the money must be found to meet the housing goal. For information only: The housing % is a target, not a mandate inasmuch as there is no consequence defined for not hitting the target. This is not my opinion, but is actually the formal legal opinion of the city attorney. Concerning hitting the 52% target or not: the legislation that established the housing target did not define what "housing and housing-related expenditures" were - for the purpose of NRP. A working definition of acceptable "housing etc." expenditures was established a couple of years later by the NRP Policy Board. The Policy Board could modify the definition of qualifying expences and the compliance/non-compliance level would change - not that I'm suggesting this. Ann Berget Kingfield (Past Policy Board Chair)
[Mpls] Lawn Sign History tidbit
When I first ran for School Board in 1991, four of us candidates (me, Farmer, Kaari and Harp) went in together on lawn signs. It was still the day of the old 2x4 plywood, paste and paper affairs hung on rebar. Our signs were loud red, white and blue things, hung vertically on 8 ft. lengths of rebar so that all four names were clearly visible. Well, the great Halloween Blizzard of 1991 hit just days before the election and our 4ft tall signs were lost in huge drifts of snow all across town, frozen solid as cement. It would have taken teams of augers to dig the miserable signs out. No one could get them out. We were unable to retrieve them until the spring thaw when they began popping up like crocuses. It was awful. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Minneapolis Turnout
I was Voter #518 in 8-7 at 9:00am. My 18-year old daughter voted for the first time :-) . 8-7 polls in the King Park gym and the layout of the voting process is tortured, with lines of voters and prospective voters crossing paths in the process of picking up their ballots, marking up their ballots and then turning them in. A not-so-neat arrangement in my opinion. Ann Berget Kingfield 8-7
Re: [Mpls] Pay cap affects candidate pool
I don't defend or criticize the Library Board's situation, but I want to point out that this is a significant issue for other jurisdictions as well. The arbitrary salary cap, which does not exist in most other states, makes it difficult for Minnesota to attract candidates from other areas of the country where salaries are MUCH higher. While I agree that salary alone does not insure top performance, the cap does endure that the pool of qualified candidates we attract is smaller than it would be otherwise. This is not necessarily a good thing. The cap also provides a powerful incentive for jurisdictions to seek devious but legal ways to enhance the non-competitive salaries they offer through perks that can strike the citizenry as more noxious than a higher salary might be. This has been a significant issue in the selection of school superintendents for a long time. It doesn't surprise me that it's come up in the Library search. Ann Berget Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Theatre riot/ Should be: A Riot of Theatres
In a message dated 10/16/2002 12:02:43 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Theatre riot Oh, rats! When Terrell wrote Theatre riot, it didn't occur to me that he was referring to illbehaved event patrons. I though he meant that we now have so many theatres that it could be called a virtual riot of theatres. You know, like a murder of crows, a gaggle of geese, a pride of lions. A riot of theatres...I'd like that. Ann Berget Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Garages
Hm-m-mmm...Could this mean that my garage-less estate in 10th/8th Ward with NO possibility of a garage would become utterly unsalable in the future? Or, tee-hee-hee, if it's market value went down to $0, then I would never have to pay property taxes again? Or would my property become a de-facto sub-lot of the Brauer's 3-stall garage spread next door? Ann Berget Garage-less House-hostage in Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Garages/Clarification
Just a clarification: My own garageless situation results from the placement of my circa 1897 house on an alley-less 40' lot with less than enough clearance on either side to allow for a driveway, even if I were so barbaric as to destroy a mature 65' blue spruce (which sheds on the Brauer property to an irritating degree - David is very patient about this.) to pave a path to the back yard where I could construct a car-castle. Over the years - 23 to be exact since I bought the house - I have parked my single car curbside without any significant problem. Based on my current property tax bill - due tomorrow, incidently - it is clear that my property is no longer "low-income". Garage-less-ness is not just a scourge of the low-income. It is an equal opportunity plague. Berget Kingfield Flats
Re: [Mpls] Math Scores: The public doesn't want to know!
In a message dated 10/6/02 12:13:43 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: From my perspective, this "it's the parents" rationalization is how middle-class parents in Minneapolis justify the inequality of outcomes in the public schools. "Things are fine the way they are now because nothing can be done to over come the lack of involvement in THOSE families." Change that to "...very little can be done that will succeed in overcoming the lack of involvement in THOSE families..." and you will have a pretty accurate statement, not always true in all cases, but mostly true in most cases. If kids were a cash crop, wouldn't you expect that the grower who did the best job of nurturing a crop would have the best yield? Why do some folks persist in thinking that teachers alone can outfox the most dysfunctional parent or guardian in bringing up and educating children? It would be great - especially for kids - if this were possible, but it's just not reality. I certainly don't think that schools are so good that they don't need to improve, but I have long believed that improving the care and nurturing of young people outside the school house would probably bring about a lot of academic improvement inside the school house. If we spent as much time debating and promoting more responsible child rearing as we spend on browbeating the organized educational system, we might make community progress on this. Just a thought: How would you describe good child rearing? There's a scary question. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Glass, heating, and new library
With all due regard Sheldon, whom I like and respect, IMHO the proposed new lib has all the warmth and coziness of a large ice cube. Sorry. Also, the timing of the announcement of major proposed service reductions for 2003 does not bode well for the notion of bustling public space. Big, chilly and CLOSED? By the way, does The Ice Cube have any fireplaces in the public space? Now there's a warm and cozy notion. Think I'll put another log on the fire and settle into my favorite wingback chair with a good book. (Just a note in passing: Salman Rushdie was great at The Fitzgerald last night. ) Ann Berget Feeling bookish in Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Library green/sustainability goals
Thank you for this policy piece. Unfortunately this says nothing specific about how effectively the proposed design can realize these principles. When Mr. Pelli presented this proposal to the Implementation Committee, did he provide any written material discussing the operational energy efficiency and maintenance costs that he envisions for the building? Also, how would the "bonus" services at this site - teen center, community space - be impacted by the kinds of cuts that the Lib. Board is currently considering for the system as a whole? Would this building be held harmless from such future reductions if the community steps up with the additional dollars needed to build it? If so, how? Just a note: An earlier turf-rooftop design (Walker Branch Library) was celebrated for its creative design when it was built, but was plagued with serious and expensive leakage problems from the day it opened. Perhaps Carol Becker, our number-wise list member, can provide info on how much money was spent over the years to attempt to remedy the design problem at Walker? Just a note 2: It is interesting that - according to the Strib article - the enthusiastic crowd at Tuesday's unveiling was apparently made up of a majority of non-city residents. Hope this isn't a case of "It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there." Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] New Central Library Design
What is the R-value for the various types of glass that will clad the proposed building? What is the R-value for other more conventional cladding materials? A couple of examples would be great. How do the costs of routine exterior maintenance compare between the all-glass exterior and more conventional materials? Ann Berget Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] New Central Library Design
Harmon...would that be Harmon of the local glass company? Hm-m-m... grin Ann Berget
Re: [Mpls] New Central Library schematic design: web link
How disappointingly predictable: another glass box. Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] FYI: SavetheGuthrie Event
For those of you who may be interested: The Historic Guthrie Preservation Coalition invites you to a fundraiser Wednesday, September 18, 2002 7-9 pm at the home of Dore and Ron Mead 112 East Elmwood Place, Minneapolis Special Guest: Ralph Rapson, Guthrie architect Your hosts are: Sara Bell, Ann Berget, Roger Brooks, Linda Donaldson, Phil Freshman, Rita Goodrich and Tim Fuller, Jane King Hession, Ginny Housum, Duane Kell, Bob Mack, Jack Manley, Dore and Ron Mead, Paul Metsa, Paul and Letty Mindrum Merrill, Jack Reuler, Bob and Sally Roscoe, Charlene Roise, Aaron Reubenstein, Gary Schiff, Carolyn Sundquist, Virginia Sweatt, and Ted Thompson. Members of the Historic Guthrie Preservation Coalition are SavetheGuthrie.org, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Schools from the Outside Looking In
In a message dated Thu, 12 Sep 2002 10:20:01 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The MPS-Ed Minnesota(and predecessors)-School Boards, Admins fought tooth and nail throughout the Carlson years to prevent testing, scoring and publishing the results. The Educational-Industrial-Complex of Metro based Teachers fought a 1812 style fighting retreat to Moscow. They reargaurded every step of the way. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Schools from the Outside Looking In
In a message dated Thu, 12 Sep 2002 10:20:01 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The MPS-Ed Minnesota(and predecessors)-School Boards, Admins fought tooth and nail throughout the Carlson years to prevent testing, scoring and publishing the results. The Educational-Industrial-Complex of Metro based Teachers fought a 1812 style fighting retreat to Moscow. They reargaurded every step of the way. As Jimmy Stewart was famed for saying, Now just a darned minute...! I was on the Minneapolis School Board from 1992 to 2000 and I did NOT oppose testing, nor did most of my colleagues, notably Len Biernat, Judy Farmer, Ann Kaari, and Louis King, nor did Superintendents Peter Hutchinson or Carol Johnson, nor did Minneapolis Teachers Federation President Louise Sundin. Nor did I attempt to conceal test results from the public at any time. Stick to the facts please, and be careful about sweeping and inflammatory generalizations that have little basis in fact. Ann Berget Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Coverup
Given the rash of coyote-ugly building proposals that have come to light around these parts in recent months, it's scary to imagine what we need to be protected from. Is it the stuff of nightmares? Is it too exquisite to be viewed by meer mortals? Hey, come on, this coy game is (deleted). Take off the wraps and let's have a look. Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] FYI: Strib quotes list
Just a word to the wise, gleaned today from experience: Strib columnist Barbara Flanigan quoted me in her Monday column from something I posted to this list some time ago. No biggie, but neither she nor anyone else from the Strib had contacted me about the post prior to its appearance in the paper yesterday. I was surprised when someone at work told me I'd been quoted in Monday's paper. Now, I don't care. I figure that anything I put on the list with my signature is out there in the public domain and the quote was innocuous, but I was still surprised to find my remark quoted and attributed in Flanigan's column yesterday. Given the fevered pitch some recent postings to this list have taken, I just wanted to remind you that "stuff" does get around...in case you want to consider this when you post. Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] RE: Syl Jones, etc.
I only have an observation to offer, not a brickbat or a solution. Although I disagree with Syl Jones at times, I find most of his writing rich and moving. And I am a little (middle aged) white girl from the Deep South. Maybe that's why. Anyhow, it seems to me that the more authentic issue ignored here on center stage is the tragic toll mental illness takes on people, sometimes entire communities. No one seems offended by Jones or the Strib (in earlier pieces) identifying Ms. Donald as probably mentally ill. She probably was, by all accounts, even her family's. And untreated, it sounds like. In this community - as in most across the country - very little can be done to compell a (suspected) mentally ill adult to seek and submit to medical assessment and treatment if he/she doesn't want to. Tragically, many serious mental illnesses impair not only one's judgment about the outside world, but also the ability to correctly assess one's own condition and actions. Sometimes it turns dangerous, even deadly, especially when weapons are at hand. God only knows all the details of what happened that night at Horn Towers, but I think the real issue is what happens when mental illness turns lethal - regardless of the color or station in life of anyone involved. Ann Berget Kingfield (Past Board Member of NAMI - National Alliance for the Mentally Ill)
Re: [Mpls] I'm not meandering, you're just impatient.
In a message dated 7/21/02 7:06:43 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: the next time you are speed-walking around the lakes or rushing back to the office because you tarried too long at the sidewalk cafe, please remember, I might not be meandering. I simply may be not be in a hurry. As a Southern gal whose preferred speed might aptly be described as a slow mosey, I can't imagine speed-walking around the lakes...or for that matter, rushing just about anywhere...but the so called "mall walkers" seem unaware that they are sharing a sidewalk with others at all. It doesn't take an impatient person to get hacked at the dodging and weaving you have to do just not to plow into them. I wonder if they drive the way they walk? Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Re: tubing Minnehaha
Jon Gorder's tongue was firmly in cheek, no doubt, but just in case...surely everyone realizes that even Hizzoner has to rest and reconnect with his family ever so often. And we are probably all better served by public servants who value beautiful places and healthy families (including their own)within our own city. Families of public servants pay a high price for the contributions of their loved ones. Let's not grudge RT et al a little fun together. Ann Berget Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Wildlife
In a message dated 5/21/02 3:08:30 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: . Does anyone know if the foxes are still living in Roberts bird sanctuary? Walked through there last evening. No foxes that I could see, but a deer walked up almost within arm's reach. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Racism and the MPS
In a message dated 5/17/02 8:58:30 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Judging from the responses of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Mann, and the yawning silence from the rest of the list, it is apparent that others don't share my view that in a recent post Mr. Mann was not so subtlely inferring that the MPS has been practicing racist behavior toward its students. Based on the public statements Mr. Mann has made on numerous occassions over several years (until at least January 2000) before the Board of Ed in taped, broadcast and televised meetings, I think it is safe to say that Mr. Mann believes that MPS is a racist organization. Mr. Mann said many times that he believed that the community schools move was an intentional strategy to re-segregate schools and that the community schools system of student assignment should be ended. I don't know Mr. Mann personally, so I don't know if he continues to hold those views, but he certainly did on the many occassions that he spoke before the school board while I served on it. Ann Berget (Former BOE member 1992-1999) Kingfield-in-the-Eighth
Re: [Mpls] Kids Suspended in MPS
Don't be too quick to jump to conclusions: kids in the primary grades HAVE brought loaded guns to school here in Minneapolis. The biggest problem IMHO is that when the kids are suspended and sent home no one is there. The message they get is that seriously bad behavior results in a holiday. I hope you won't get too bogged down in the swamp of victimhood here: many behaviors that result in suspension seriously interfere with the learning environment for whole classrooms full of their fellow students. Think of the learning time lost for ALL students when one student is seriously disruptive. Again I ask: where are the parents? Ann Berget Parent of Four, Former School Board Member Kingfield-in-the-Eighth ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Jelly Fish Alert
Jelly fish, when last I checked, were not indigenous to Minneapolis, to say nothing of asphalt surfaces. Where the devil did these things come from? Or, Steve, are you putting us on? Ann Berget Kingfield - the Riviera of the Eighth ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: Re: [Mpls] Rudeness on the Rise in Minneapolis
Tom Robbins (author) once wrote, A thing is good because it's good. It isn't good because it's natural. It's really no better to die by getting bit by a rattlesnake than shot by a gun. I'm sure some would take issue with that, but I think you get the general idea. Seems to me that the rude behaviors folks are citing would be rude perpetrated by ANYONE. The ethnicity of the perpetrator is almost always irrelevant, unless the *perceived* rudeness is a relection of cultural differences or misunderstanding. Ann Berget Kingfield in the Eighth (A pretty doggone civil place, thank you!) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: RE: [Mpls] The Ace Hardware Houses
As I passed the houses this morning at 8:15am, the first one was already half down and the backhoe was hard at work. By now the house is probably history. So sad. Ann Berget Kingfield in the 8th ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Children's Theatre expansion
Let's hear a mighty round of applause for Linda Mack and her cheeky critique of the proposed Graves monstrocity! (I hope monstrocity is not on the short list of words that will get me banned for inflamatory language.) I speak from experience: my four children, now grown, loved attending Children's Theatre, actually got dressed up to attend most times, and - as far as I can tell - never felt the least put off by the beautiful, sleek facade of CTC/MIA. In fact they actually clambored to prowl the galleries of the MIA, had their own favorite pieces (Hammering Man, The Denial of Peter, the bronze nymphs). Hey, just because we want children to enjoy the place doesn't mean it has to look like it was built with Legos. Young people can learn to appreciate beauty, restraint, elegance...if only we take the time to teach them rather than pandering to them Graves' design promises us yet another desecration of an unusually elegant and beautiful landmark. Folks, what is it about our city that is breeding such a proliferation of really UGLY stuff? Ann Berget Kingfield - Noveau Eighth Warder ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Richard Rose Memorial Service Saturday
In a political culture that seldom favors a gentle person, Richard Rose was a rare and wonderful exception. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] Dairy Queen
At the risk of enrolling in the Slippery Slope School of Anxiety, I am loathe to see the franchising of our parks in any way. When I was a member of CLIC, one of "our" collective civic embarrassments was the distinction of Minneapolis having the only public park with a liquor store on the land. Wasn't that Peavy Park beside the old Mt. Sinai Hospital, later Four Winds Schools? Enterprises like Dairy Queen, Pepsi and other less savory ones love to "brand" sites where kids congregate. Remember the WINSTON sign that used to welcome you to the Metrodome? Let's just stop while we're ahead and say no now before we're in a situation where we have to craft contorted policies that allow DQ in, but everyone else out. I know, I'm a nerd...but jeez, I hate the franchising of America. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] Neighborhood Reps to NRP Policy Board
Just an FYI: The population equator of Minneapolis is somewhere around 34th Street - SOUTH. Hence, it's not surprising or particularly inequitable that there is heavy representation of southside n'hoods in citywide groups. Ann Berget Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Fun with lists
Here are three nominations: 1) Where's winter? 2) Rybak wins! 3) Herrongate Ann Berget Kingfield
[Mpls] Re: Chamber Schools/ Was:Mpls:Chamber's Jennings becomes Mpls schools' COO
The Chamber opposed the first school referendum vigorously in 1990, thus galvanizing support for the issue. So there. In 1996 under new leadership (both schools and Chamber) the Chamber supported the question. A smaller business group CITE (Commercial/Industrail Tax Equity, I think) dragged its heels but eventually came on board. The 1996 renewal of the referendum also had to shift to full market value within the life of the referendum.There was little significant organized opposition in 1996. I believe the Chamber supported the Year 2000 Referendum (#3), but I was no longer on board and don't have details. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] School District COO
At the time I left the BOE, the fastest growing segment of the budget was the cost of health insurance. I dunno if this is still the case - bet it is - but it is a MAJOR problem for virtually all employers, especially public ones. And degradation of health coverage shifts the costs back on to citizens, one way or another, either through increased out-of-pocket costs or through heavier usage of free/public health facilities, or - worst of all - refusal to seek health care when necessary. Not an obvious culprit, but a powerful one. Ann Berget Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Is Reading Taught? Attendance counts.
Friends, I weigh in on this one reluctantly, but feel I must share a thought or two gained from experience: When the "8th Grade Test" results first came in documenting how poorly many Mpls. kids were doeing against these basic reading and math measures, the BOE soon instituted very focused summer school programs to provide the help these students needed to succeed. The programs were in dozens of schools in dozens of neighborhoods, transportation was provided, as was breakfast and lunch. The hours were convenient. At least four messages went out to the families of the children who evidently needed serious help. And ya know what? (As BOE member Ross Taylor remarked) They stayed away in droves. Not just the first year, but the second, the third...I don't think they ever reached 50% attendance! During my BOE years, I never shyed away from criticizing bad teaching practices, but folks, children and their families are at least half of the solution to improving public education. I think it is pretty sad when a kindergarten or first grade teacher is held more accountable for the success of a child than the parent or guardian of that child. Ann Berget Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] What is missing?
Driving (or walking) along Nicollet Avenue (before it was the Mall) on Thanksgiving night, noses pressed to the car windows, to see Dayton's holiday windows. Before the 8th Floor Holiday Show, Dayton's used to deck the windows for Christmas and unveil them on Thanksgiving night. A treasured after-turkey treat. No calories. Kids walking to school all over town. Two-way traffic around the lakes. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] What is missing?
Does anyone remember Karlos Kaufmanis' "Star of Bethlehem" lecture? Ya know, as far as I know, it was never taped! Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
[Mpls] Weatherball jingle - my recollectrion
Red: Warmer weather ahead Green: No change forseen While: Colder weather in sight Blinking: precipitation forecast. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] Property Rights Open Forum
Ann sez: grin Don't believe everything you see or hear about the Property Rights group. For example: Last spring I conversed briefly with one of their members at a candidate event. Imagine my surprise when I later saw my photo on the front of one of their publications identified as "a descendent of Harold Stassen and city council candidate for Ward 6". Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
[Mpls] Straw Poll, Please
Could we have a straw poll of council members-elect and mayor-elect to learn if they will commute the Guthrie's death sentence? Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] Guthrie sell out.
Couple of thoughts about the G - I am sentimental about the G. When I moved - unwillingly - to the urban tundra in 1965, I felt like I was being exiled. Solzynitzysn's book "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch" was still pretty new and I believed it was a pretty fair description of my exile in Minnesota. The dust of the old Metropolitan Building was still settling in downtown Minneapolis, and for me the only redeeming cultural totem was The G. To this day I remember the thrill I experienced the first time I entered the theatre to see "The Skin of Our Teeth." I thought it was pure magic. About ten years later I took a job there making costumes during the last several "Michael Langham" years. I made Dolly Levi's fabulous red dress and I had the incredible privilege of stitching many of the dresses for Christmas Carol. One of the highlights of my Guthrie years was kneeling on the stage pinning hems for the gowns for the Fezziwig Ball while the inimitable Lloyce Houlton choreographed the dance. I am a sap for the Guthrie and to this day it thrills me. It embodies some special kind of magic and I would deeply regret its destruction. Little Catholic girl that I am, I suspect that destroying the G would probably be a very serious cultural sin. But more practically, here's what I wonder: I think the plan is to bulldoze the G and put in an underground parking facility with the expanded Sculpture Garden growing atop the parking ramp. Okay. With the Guthrie and Allianz gone and with it the hundreds of nightly, matinee, and working parkers, who's gonna fill up this ramp? I mean I love the Walker too, but it has never generated that heavy parking use on any regular basis, has it? So what's gonna change? This reminds me of Block E --- with trees. Seriously, folks, the G put Cold Omaha on the cultural map and deserves a better fate than the traditional Minneapolis wrecking ball, don't you think? Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] What IS this School Board election about?
I hesitate to reply lest I set off a firestorm of bad feeling among list members who have been pretty darned civil to one another for the last few weeks. But I think I can overcome my hesitation. Here goes: Those who think we can remedy the problem of poor school performance by continuing to tinker with teachers - and ONLY tinker with teachers - are in for continued disappointment. It is a sad time when teachers are held more accountable for children than their (children's) families. Without improved parenting, far too many children will continue to come to school woefully unprepared to learn and will continue to do poorly throughout their school careers. And that's the kids who actually do attend. As Ross Taylor wrote in a poem he gave me when I left the board, "We can't teach 'em if we can't find 'em." Some time ago I mentioned research done at Johns Hopkins documenting what some of us already knew: families and communities have at least as great an influence on "The Gap" as schools do. Here's what Johns Hopkins did: the entire incoming cohort of kindergartners in Baltimore was assessed for "readiness" when they entered kindergarten. A gap was identified. At the end of the school year the whole cohort was assessed again. The Gap was still there and it was about the same size as it had been in September. Next school year they assessed in September again. The Gap had grown over the summer! Again they plodded along and at the end of the year they assessed, only to find that the size of the gap stayed the same while school was in session and it grew when school was out. They did this for 6 years. Same results. Go figure. Concerning special needs children, MPS is not fully funded to provide all the services mandated by IDEA and that resultes in a HUGE cross-subsidy of funds (more than $20 million several years ago) flowing out of general education funds into special ed. Still this is not enough to provide all mandated services and special ed families often sue, through organizations like - but not limited to - Disability Law Center, who know the district is exposed on this side. Predictably the district often loses such suits and - although MPS cannot levy to make up the funding shortfall to PROVIDE the mandated services - MPS CAN levy to pay the legal costs of settlements. What a system! And of course, none of this assesses whether the special ed mandated services are effective. Further your affiant sayeth naught. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: Minneapolis Issues (Was:[Mpls] Re:Strib poll)
Friends, I've been a list member almost from the beginning of this forum. I am disappointed to see it lately decline from a forum marked by thoughtful and substantive discussion into just another place for a few folks to rant and insult one another. It's getting to the point that I'm having a hard time telling the difference between the junk mail I find in my inbox every day and the rant that is too often becoming standard fare on this list. Maybe it's the late hour or maybe it's a moment of clarity, but I'm dropping off this list for a while. I have grown weary of unnecessarily inflamatory postings and personal attacks. I hope that the general level of civility and substance improves. Minneapolis'issues deserve better. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] NRP-funding
In a message dated 7/6/01 4:48:41 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Organizers from the school board referendum saying that we needed consultants and prior approval of the Charter Commission Was someone else associated with schools speaking at the meeting before I arrived, or DeWayne, did you misunderstand me? I said that Better Schools Referenda 1 2 (with which I was associated) had consultants and I said nothing about Charter Commission approval one way or the other. I understand that feelings are running pretty hot on this issue, but let's keep to the facts - which seem to be in short supply, I might add. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10 Former NRP Policy Board Chair and Better Schools Referenda Co-Chair 1990, 1996
Re: [Mpls] McDonald files for mayor
In a message dated 7/5/01 9:59:29 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: "McDonald urged an outside review of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency's revenue and spending projections over the next decade. She said she doesn't accuse the agency of wrongdoing but wants a review by someone without a stake in the future of city development spending." Hear! Hear! An eminently sensible idea. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
[Mpls] (no subject)
Question to the drafters of the proposed NRP related charter amendment and property tax levy: NRP is currently a joint-powers agreement among the five local taxing jurisdictions, that is, county, city, schools, parks and libraries. Would this current proposal change NRP into a creature of the city alone? If so, what are the implications? Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10 (Past Policy Board chair of NRP)
[Mpls] Proposed NRP referendum and levy
A few thoughts on this proposal: If this is a City Charter amendment and the levy floats under the City banner and flows directly into the City coffers, how would this work? Several times along the way, the only thing that prevented m-a-j-o-r $$$ grabs by the City was the joint powers governance structure of NRP that gives all five partners equal power in such major decisions (ie, the $5m attempted grab in the early 90's). If this becomes just another City "program" or "department" created via a Charter amendment and the revenue stream is created by a City levy, I become concerned. The such referenda are not - and legally CANNOT - become dedicated funds. They flow to the general fund of the body on whose behalf the levy is sought. The only reason the school ref's have remained committed to lowering class size for lo! - these 10 years - is that the individual school board members remained committed to the pledge made to the voters. Do you trust the City Council - any City council on the local horizon for the duration - to remain dedicated to "NRP" uses for "NRP" $$$ voluntarily and indefinitely? (For the moment I will not even mention the impact that increased property taxes have on access to housing for Minneapolitans of all income levels and housing persuasions.) I applaud the intent, but fear the unintended consequences of rash action here. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10 Former NRP Policy Board Chair and 1990/1996 MPS School Referendum Co-chair
[Mpls] Johnson NOT driven by $$$
Greetings. Good EX-board members stay on the sidelines, respectfully quiet, and DON'T second-guess sitting officials, but having said that, I must step forward for a brief moment and state unequivocally: I know Superintendent Carol Johnson very well - probably better than any other member of this list - and I know she is NOT driven by money. I have known Carol Johnson for about 15 years - at least since she was assistant principal at - I think it was - Hall? I worked with her closely as a parent volunteer for years before I worked with her as a board member. I was on the board that hired Carol back from St, Louis Park to serve as superintendent in 1997. I was part of the team that negotiated her original superintendent contract. I know Carol well. Carol Johnson is an educator driven by concern for children, first, last and in-between. She is principled, unselfish, honest. It wouldn't occur to Carol to capitalize on the confusion surrounding the Nashville job offer to advance herself economically. Carol is truly one of those rare souls in public service because she is moved by a desire to advance the Common Good. Realizing that they employ one of the best and most-sought-after superintendents in the country, the school board acted as best they could to retain her - for the good of this entire community. It remains to be seen if Carol even accepts the additional compensation, but if she does, I'll be one of those saying that the city's future - ie, the children - are well worth an additional $30K. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] dropouts/attendance
Just a little factoid: students who attend school 95% or better are overwhelmingly likely to progress and succeed by most measures, students who attend 85% or less are far more likely to fail - regardless of the educational philosophy of the school. Just curious: whose responsibility do you think it is to get children to school each day? Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] Buck Humphrey, Political Superman
Feeling a bit of a contrarian today...Ya know, if Buck indeed WERE wily enough to singlehandedly sabotage SSB's endorsement, he would be one heck of a guy and his diabolical power should be harnessed and used against worthier causes. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Clarity, please (Was: Re: [Mpls] Stonewall Winners, and why...)
In a message dated 5/11/01 11:55:39 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: In my opinion, one of the reasons Dean Kalmbach and others won Stonewall DFL's endorsements is because of their deep understanding and support of gay issues. For example, the gay community is a broad one and some rather diverse groups sometimes get lumped together by run off the mill politicos. Dean distinguished himself from the pack because he understood stuff like the subtle differences between intersex, transgender, and transsexual folk. I don't know whether folks agree with dyna or not, but I'm wondering how much weight most people think such admittedly "subtle" differences should make in a City Council race ( I'm speaking generally - not about Dean or any other specific candidate) where only a few of the issues CM's will face have to do with GLBT gender politics, but many, many issues have to do with complex finance and development choices, land use, environmental concerns, and provision of basic municipal services. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10 10th W City Council Candidate, "Acceptable" to Stonewall with a strong public record on GLBT issues.
[Mpls] Another something special about the Rose Garden Crab Apples
More on the Northern Snow Crab Apples: A friend writes to tell me: the little grove was planted to celebrate the life of her friend's late wife. AB
[Mpls] Now Appearing: Northern Snow Crab Apples
At the foot of the Rose Garden is a small grove of trees - Northern Snow crab apples, Park Commissioner Scott Nieman once told me. Tonight they are abloom, a glorious, fragrant cloud of white, unbelievably beautiful. From the lawn beneath them, you can watch the sun set beyond Lake Harriet as folks pass by on foot, bikes, skates, pushing strollers, embracing. On the lakeshore two young men hopefully cast a fishing line and talk. Released from their winter crates, the fountains splash again. Nearby a killdear nests on an exposed rock at the foot of the rock garden waterfall and children watch her with curiousity. Urban life doesn't get much better than this. Thank you, park commissioners all, for cultivating and protecting one of my favorite places on earth. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] schools/children topics
The Alliance for Children Families has a key rekationship with the Children's Mental Health Collaborative - a group not without their own problems - and the Alliance recently convened a large gathering of educators, service providers and other children's advocates on this subject. I can provide contact information to anyone interested. Also a key player at the state level is Roseville DFL State Representative Mindy Grielling who has been at the forefront of the debate on larger mental health issues. Senator Don Betzold, too - and I can give you a list of others when I can get to another computer...Let me know if you want more. And NAMI-MN - The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Minnesota - has a strong legislative advocacy arm as well as a much needed Family-to-Family outreach to those dealing with bio-brain diseases in their families. Don't overlook Atty General Hatch and his investigative efforts about Blue Cross/Blue Shield's (and others) devious payment practices in matters of mental heal coverage for their subscribers - especially those involving children. When I was on the School Board I was very frustrated at the low level of awareness most policy makers have about mental healt issues - especially in children. Dr. Will Dikel at the U of M is a leading scholar and expert on the relationship between such problems and children's achievement in school - as well as the knotty problem posed by the familial link in some of these illnesses. I could go on and on. This is such an important issue. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: [Mpls] Guthrie Demolition
What a concept! Walker Art Center Demolishes Cultural Icon Guthrie Theatre Building to Increase Parking and Green Space! Citizens say "Whoops!" Don't you hate it when that happens - again - and again - and again... A community that demolishes the very cultural icon that put it on the map (redeveloping it as a combination parking facility and green space) while championing the cliche-ridden Block E plan and an office park for the new riverfront neighbor leaves me almost speechless. All along I thought that the Walker - of all institutions! - recognized the significance of the Guthrie structure and would incorporate it into their expansion plans. PS:Just a thought: When the Guthrie and its thousands of patrons (and any vestige of its memory) is exorcised from Vineland Place, where's the parking stampede going to come from? Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
Re: FW: [Mpls] Micromanaging Identity G roup Screenings
Megan - A couple of questions: 1) Why are Saturday's Stonewall recommendations subject to ratification at a meeting in Northfield since these are local races? 2) How does "Acceptable" status differ from "Endorsed" status in Stonewall parlance? 3) How many Stonewallers participated in Saturday's screenings? 4) Since not all local Stonewallers attending Saturday's screenings screened all candidates, on what basis were screeners assigned to a group? Ie., random, self-selected, assigned? How were chairs/facilitators selected for each group? 5) How were the wards assigned to the groups? 6) Did one set of screeners interview and deliberate on the mayoral candidates? We talk a lot about the desire for "transparency" in government - and I think it's valuable for those interested in the screenings to know what processes supported the outcome. Thanks. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
[Mpls] New 8th Ward candidate?
A very reliable source just told me that Sandra Miller, currently Minneapolis School Board member, has just decided to enter the 8th Ward race. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
[Mpls] Correction: Link to Oberstar e-mail requires 8th CD Zip Code
To access the e-mail message page for Rep.Oberstar, you must use an 8th CD zip code at the prompt. Try "55802". Click here: Congressman James L. Oberstar Sorry to have left that out. Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
