RE: [Mpls] Let's have some GOOD news for a change
Thanks, Dean. That was very helpful. I have no disagreement with your lengthy response (and I, for one, appreciated the detail and have saved it), but I do want to clarify your comment on Ron in your last paragraph and to express Ron's caveat: -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dean Carlson Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 8:34 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Let's have some GOOD news for a change When completed, Heritage Park will be a mixed-use, mixed-income development located 1 short mile from downtown. It will be connected to the City via new roads, park amenities, and bike trails. People of all races, incomes, and backgrounds will be sharing the same space and it will probably be the most integrated neighborhood in all of the City. Critics like Ron Edwards will probably never accept it but I stand by my original post -- This is Good News!! Ron would FULLY accept what you have written and, indeed, your last paragraph echoes the vision Ron shares with you as does Harry Davis in his new book about Minneapolis in his comments on Heritage Park, which I also recommend to everyone to read (Overcoming: The Autobiography of W. Harry Davis). In two of his between Chapter Interludes, Ron notes the good news of progress in Black prosperity and integration in Minneapolis. And he calls it a glass half full so that we remain mindful that he champions those still trying to either get out of ghetto-like conditions and areas or transform them so they are no longer ghetto-like. Surely no one on this list would disagree with that goal. Had you read Ron's chapter (why I urge people to read Ron's book before commenting on it) you could not write that he will probably never accept it. Ron would agree with you that IF (the caveat) what you and Harry and he himself says about what it is supposed to be actually happens it would indeed be good news. His single focus is equal access and opportunity for everyone. He would love to see an integrated city as well as integrated suburbs. He would share your enthusiasm that all of the units will be replaced and when you say it will be completed by October 4 he would celebrate that with you then, and I don't think he would begrudge you a few months if it goes to, say, December. But what if it goes several more years? And Ron would certainly celebrate with you your words that what is to be achieved is All on the site of an acknowledged ghetto with buildings that were sinking into an ancient riverbed. And I'm willing to accept not only your number of 40 families but even more since the original post. Ron doesn't question the concept, nor do I, only whether it will actually be completed. None of what you wrote negates the McKinsey report that, in their words, nearly $1 billion was spent by 400-600 planners in five agencies to develop 52 units leaving the city still short the money to complete the project as well as still being short 8,300 of its affordable housing needs. This $1 billion is significant also in terms of the discussion of the LGA cuts and hopes. And it will be significant if it turns out that the Brown field some say it is requires more clean up. Ron also points out in his book that the map shown to HUD regarding what Heritage Park/Hollman was supposed to be showed less than what Minneapolis was shown on another map of what it would be. The map shown HUD shows a purging of buildings that were to be used by African American organizations. Sadly, Ron discusses in his book how this was achieved by the actions of BOTH White and Black organizations. Ron also questions why so many Blacks made to leave what Dean confirms was a ghetto, who were promised they could move back once it was completed, have since been told they cannot. In his chapter on housing he notes that last year's report from the University's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs discusses how affordable housing has been abandoned for the more profitable market-rate housing, despite the availability of Federal funds through the 1976 Land Use Planning act, which is not being used. In other words, Ron agrees with what Dean is saying should happen but questions whether it will. On pp. 134-5 of his book Ron states The high real estate tax is unfair. Minneapolis needs to engage with the state to set meaningful measurable goals for developing housing policy with fair housing goals, including the kind of tax breaks other developments get, so that developers and others can provide decent, safe, affordable housing at a profit. Ron sees both sides. He just wants to make sure that both sides win. To back up his argument, Ron reports that even the Metropolitan Council admits it is only providing 10% of what they acknowledge is needed. Its continuing to delay will result in the available land being used up so there is no room left for affordable housing. Ron concludes his chapter by reporting that the University of Minnesota
RE: [Mpls] Let's have some GOOD news for a change
Barbara Nelson challenges us to come with some good news. Dean Carlson responds by saying that Heritage Park on Olson Highly (also known as the Hollman Project) now has 40 families, that Phase II will close this summer, and that the part of the project South of Olsen Highway will begin infrastructure work this Spring, and thus despite all of the naysaying, this is good news, a feat other PHAs in the country have not been able to accomplish. I'm confused. My response is: is this really true? If 770 are to be completed by October, with 330 of those in the suburbs, that means only 440 of the 900 that are to be done at Heritage Park would be completed. But is even this true? When I stopped by the project in January, there were only 20 families, and I was told here would be few government subsidized families (the original purpose of the project, which promised homes for 300 public-housing residents and 100 for the elderly poor). I saw a few buildings, most not completed, and acres and acres of dirt mounds. There are several reports that also add to my confusion. The first is the June 2002 McKinsey Report, The McKinsey report: what it means for Downtown and the city (http://www.skywaynews.net/archives/index.inn?loc=detaildoc=/2002/June/21-2 720-news01.txt). , that says that the MCDA, the NRP, and the City Planning Department spent just under $1 Billion on housing resulting in a net gain of only 52 housing units (that's $19 million per unit), that the city is 8,300 units short of its immediate affordable housing needs and that there is no more money available to complete projects like Heritage Park/Hollman. The Journal of The American Planning Association in July 2000 reported that of 258 different projects around the country such cost overruns have been the norm. So, if the money has been spent, and at the site of Heritage Park there is mostly dirt mounts, how can this be good news? One is called The Fight Against Urban Cleansing and Gentrification in Minneapolis, which discusses how the poor and Blacks are being replaced by upper scale Whites, and is at http://educationright.tripod.com/id41.htm. City Pages ran a feature on this in their August 14, 2002 issue also. All of this about Heritage Park (Hollman) is taken from the new book available at book stores, The Ron Edwards Story, Through My Eyes, by Ron Edwards as told to Peter Jessen. You can see the cruel joke chiseled into the wall of the little bridge, Fair Housing. Ron's chapter on Housing is Chapter 8, with the subtitle Housing: Hollman as example of razing Black homes to raise White homes. Ron explains this housing dynamic to us very well, very sadly, with chapter and verse, citing his evidence as he goes. Get the book, read the chapter, and then comment. Ron's understanding of what Heritage Park is supposed to be is the same as expressed by W. Harry Davis in his new book Overcoming. Peter Jessen, Beacon on the Hill Press, publisher of The Minneapolis Story, Through My Eyes, by Ron Edwards 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 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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
[Mpls] Let's have some....
The Strib's metro cover this morning was unrelievedly grim, although I know the editors are eager for stories that provide some kind of antidote to that, especially these days. But if you looked deep inside, there's the news that Minneapolis finally has a library director. It's sort of a gutsy choice because she's not a librarian. Reasonable people can differ about whether that's good or bad. But at least it's not the same-old same-old. Steve Brandt Kingfield TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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] Let's have some....
Well the Strib Metro cover is not as bad as today's USA Today's front page: 1) How the war against Iraq could unfold; 2) FBI charges Fla. professor as terror fundraiser; and 3) Teen has 2nd chance after mismatch forces 2nd transplant. But to be Minneapolis specific, here is something to be thankful for: Chicago Nightclub Evacuates-27 dead; Rhode Island Nightclub Evacuates-39 dead and Minneapolis Nightclub Evacuates-0 dead. Bill Dooley Kenny -Original Message- From: Steve Brandt [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 9:26 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Let's have some The Strib's metro cover this morning was unrelievedly grim, although I know the editors are eager for stories that provide some kind of antidote to that, especially these days. But if you looked deep inside, there's the news that Minneapolis finally has a library director. It's sort of a gutsy choice because she's not a librarian. Reasonable people can differ about whether that's good or bad. But at least it's not the same-old same-old. Steve Brandt Kingfield TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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] Let's have some....
Speaking of Target (which I referenced earlier) and since Target is headquartered in Mpls., I'd like to refer list members to a Strib story in today's business section regarding Target being the first MN company to expense stock options and stock-based compensation on their income statement-- a move that increases the transparency of their financial statements. It's a good move and I congratulate Target management on their decision. The article, written by Mike Blahnik, is concise and offers a good explanation of the pros and cons associated with the move. http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/3666107.html Michael Hohmann Linden Hills TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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] Let's have some GOOD news for a change. Last Night's Good News
Good idea Dean, I have two Good News things great to report. 1. Minneapolis graduated a class of new police officers Last night. I do not know about all the new officers, but I do know of one who is going to be such a great addition to our department. His dream was to become not just any police officer but to serve his community, this community. His dream was to become a Minneapolis Police Officer. I challenged Mayor RT Rybak to help this young man's dream of serving Minneapolis come true. Just as many of us had helped RT's dream of serving Minneapolis come true. I thank RT Rybak and Chief Olson for helping to fulfill that dream. He is a young person of color who grew up in south Minneapolis. One of our own who now serves his community. Todd Kurth is one of my kids who I am incredibly proud of. (They are still my kids even when they are over thirty and have kids of their own). Quality people make for a quality organization and the Minneapolis Police Department is a little better organization tonight. Never let anyone tell you that Minneapolis has to search elsewhere for quality people to be our police officers. Our inner city produces some of the best. They just need a chance. There are already others, from Todd's extended family in South Minneapolis, who are following Todd's example and path to become Minneapolis Police Officers. Some of Todd's extended family attended the graduation; some of the others were busy with the Coalition of Impacted Neighborhoods Meeting on the same evening. The other half will, hopefully, help Todd celebrate at the party on Saturday. Doug Grow might remember Todd as one of those little kid boxers at the old Southside boxing gym. It's a strange world, some of those Southside kids went to jail and some become police officers. Well we saved most, and that is good news. Other Good News, - Last nights COIN meeting 2. Approximately 125 to 150 people came out last night to the Crown Roller Building to start a dialogue about how to end the pattern of discrimination that has existed in Minneapolis for some time. The highlights of the meeting were: A) Randall Bradley's presentation of his Impacted Neighborhoods Overlay District to begin to end the discrimination that has become a pattern in Minneapolis. Bradley's Impacted Neighborhoods Overlay was offered as a beginning to the discussion of how to address fulfilling the spirit if the Hollman Decree. B) Zelle Hofmann Attorneys Adam Gislasen and Chad Snyder gave a presentation on Federal Fair Housing Law and how Minneapolis is violating this law by their efforts to concentrate Supportive Housing. How Minneapolis recognized this problem and attempted to address such patterns of discrimination with its original 1/4 spacing rule. How Minneapolis has systematically misapplied this Federal law to further concentrate such housing in a few neighborhoods rather than to open Fortress Communities so handicapped people could indeed have locational choice in housing. C) Council Members Robert Lillegren, Don Samuels, and Dan Niziolek attended the meeting. As noted earlier quality people make for a quality organization. Minneapolis is lucky to have those people who are interested in their neighborhoods and willing to listen to this important dialogue. I have to commend Dan, even though he might disagree with some of the neighborhood ideas, he still comes and listens. The problem with some other Council people is that they are so smart their glass is full, so there just is no room for any new ideas but their own. Dan always comes with a half empty glass. Audience members noted that the Mayor and some on the Council are presently planning an attempt to repeal the 1/4 mile ordinance. The Mayor and Council possibly recognize that neighborhoods and people will use it as a base for lawsuits if Minneapolis continues to only apply it against poor neighborhoods. In my opinion repealing the ordinance would be an indication that Minneapolis intends to willfully violate Federal Fair Housing. As such they would be subject to large punitive damages from future successful lawsuits. The good news last night was that neighborhoods and residents already recognize this attempt, and are beginning to discuss how to prevent such violations and its subsequent legal costs to Minneapolis taxpayers. Whittier resident Barb Lickness did a great job of providing food for everyone. If you need something catered Barb is your lady. With no offence meant to the vegetarian fair she included, the meat and pasta hot-dish was great. Apparently a lot of other carnivores also thought so because it did a quick disappearing act. Neighborhoods actually called to complain they were not included in the Coalition and to demand they are included. Which we are happily doing. At the meeting one person from a neighborhood without any supportive housing stood and requested that the City site a supportive housing facility in her neighborhood. This is what the
Re: [Mpls] Let's have some....
Steve Brandt wrote: But if you looked deep inside [the Strib], there's the news that Minneapolis finally has a library director. It's sort of a gutsy choice because she's not a librarian. Reasonable people can differ about whether that's good or bad. But at least it's not the same-old same-old. WM: About three years ago, a Japanese delegation came to the MPL. They brought the Library Director of their city and the head of Public Works. When those us us honored to listen to them looked puzzled, they said that in Japan the notion is that managers need to be able to manage more than one enterprise to be sufficient to their tasks qua managers. The advantage of a person not a librarian getting the job as our library director is that not being a librarian she will have to ask bunches of questions about 'how does this work'? Budgets being what they are, MPL will have to learn different ways to deliver service since they are going to be asked to cut another $2 million/yr for at least another two years after this year's $3 million budget cut. This particular predicament can work to the new director's advantage since it will help in creating a cultural change within the library, without which MPL is pretty solidly doomed in terms of pushing into the 21st. Century as a player to be reckoned with (particularly after some of the draconian steps of the Patriot Act which target libraries). My sense of how to react is to put out the welcome mat for her and help her hear the public perspective on how the consequences of impossible budget cuts are affecting delivery of services. When Harriet Tubman Shelter changed directors and hired Bev Duso, many in the field of domestic violence spoke gloom and doom. However, Duso raised $6 million for the necessary shelter once the case was made for the need to shelter women and children from violent men. Previously, walking into Tubman Shelter was an exercise in asking oneself to tolerate madness. When all that pain was stuffed into my house and the house next door with never enough room in which to think or weep or grieve or heal or find a way to survive its a wonder anything was accomplished--though lots was accomplished and may the powers that be bless everyone who was strong enough to accomplish that mountain of work. Now Tubman is completely different and women and children can actually shelter in a more serene atmosphere and reconfigure their lives. This new director and, as a consequence of training, new direction, may be very good for the library. WizardMarks, Central Steve Brandt Kingfield TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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] Let's have some....
I am thrilled that Kit Hadley was named Library Director. I love the library and use it frequently. However, I have felt for a long time that administrative direction would be a good idea. Now in the tough economic times we're facing, plus the new library construction, I think it's vital to the future of the library that we have someone with Kit's administrative skills. Welcome aboard! Like Wizard, I hope we all give her a chance to work her magic. Karen Collier Linden Hills
Re: [Mpls] Let's have some....
Kit Hadley will be a tremendous administrator - and she'll let the librarians do their jobs without interference. Her work at MHFA was sterling. Andy Driscoll Saint Paul ... I am thrilled that Kit Hadley was named Library Director. TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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] Let's have some GOOD news for a change
apologies for long post... There is apparently a lot of confusion surrounding Hollman and Heritage Park. First the Hollman lawsuit was originally about Locational Choice. If you were poor and needed public housing there was basically one place you could live -- the projects in Near North. This was direct result of decisions made by the Minneapolis City Council in the 1950's, decisions made against the recommendations of the Mayor, the City's HRA Director, and against the wishes of housing advocates. The point of the lawsuit was to begin to right that wrong and a key component of the lawsuit was to scatter public housing choices to all areas of the region, including the fast growing suburbs and their large job base. The Hollman Consent Decree basically states that all 770 housing units demolished in poor areas will be replaced. The settlement stated that 480 of the units would go into the suburbs, 200 would go back to the Near Northside at the new redevelopment area now known as Heritage Park and approximately 90 or so be scattered throughout Minneapolis in non-concentrated areas. That plan is being implemented and will be finished by October 04. Mr. Reitman may be right that it would be easier to site public housing in 3rd tier suburbs than in East Harriet but I should point out that of the 88 scattered sites acquired under Hollman, 40 percent were located in SW or Calhoun-Isles, including the neighborhoods of Kingfield, Bryn Mawr, Tangletown, Lynnhurst, Linden Hills, and Fulton. (alas no East Harriet). Another 15 percent were in Northeast. Suburban units are also being located in such third tier cities as Edina, Golden Valley, Columbia Heights, Richfield, Roseville, and Bloomington. Suburban Hollman units can be found in 32 different cities in 6 counties (Dakota County refused to participate). Now that's locational choice!! Heritage Park is a work in progress but when it is completed will include 200 public housing units, 90 affordable rental units, 150 market rate rental units, 55 habitat for humanity homes, 55 affordable for sale homes, and 250 market rate homes. In addition, MPHA will build a 100 unit senior housing for low income seniors, including at least 40 assisted living units. When it is completed, 500 of the 900 (55 percent) new units will be for built for low income or moderate income people. All on the site of an acknowledged ghetto with buildings that were sinking into an ancient riverbed As I stated in my earlier post, 40 families have moved in with new leases signed every week. Yes there are still piles of dirt, but there are also families living there -- low income families, rich folk, blacks, whites, asian, somali, hispanic, sometimes all living in the same building or on the same block and many of whom who lived in those deteriorating buildings 3 short years ago. There may have only been 20 families in January, but at the end of February there are 40, by Easter, it could be up to 60, 80 or more -- that's the way it is with large-scale developments, it doesn't all happen at once. When completed, Heritage Park will be a mixed-use, mixed-income development located 1 short mile from downtown. It will be connected to the City via new roads, park amenities, and bike trails. People of all races, incomes, and backgrounds will be sharing the same space and it will probably be the most integrated neighborhood in all of the City. Critics like Ron Edwards will probably never accept it but I stand by my original post -- This is Good News!! Dean E. Carlson East Harriet, Ward 10 - Original Message - From: Peter Jessen [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm confused. My response is: is this really true? If 770 are to be completed by October, with 330 of those in the suburbs, that means only 440 of the 900 that are to be done at Heritage Park would be completed. But is even this true? When I stopped by the project in January, there were only 20 families, and I was told here would be few government subsidized families (the original purpose of the project, which promised homes for 300 public-housing residents and 100 for the elderly poor). I saw a few buildings, most not completed, and acres and acres of dirt mounds. There are several reports that also add to my confusion. ...snip Keith says; It is not just a little weird that the *M*PHA is messing around in the suburbs to solve Mpls. issues. Rapping off of what I learned at the Coalition of Impacted Neighborhoods meeting this evening, I bet it is easier for the MPHA to site high density subsidized housing for poor people in a third tier suburb then in Dean Carlson's East Harriet Neighborhood. No reflection, of course, on Dean Carlson, but I withhold my Huzzahs. Keith Reitman NearNorth TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post
[Mpls] Let's have some GOOD news for a change
What with cuts in LGA, homelessness, poor economy and everything else, I scoured the newspaper this morning looking for some good news. I challenge the rest of you to post some good stuff to the list over the next couple of days too. First of all, it looks like there are several developers interested in the Sears site on Lake Street and that some of them want to embellish and enhance the original structure rather than tear it down. Nice to see that moving in a positive direction. Secondly, the Metropolitan Sports Commission is funding a study to determine whether or not the site near the Target Center is really capable of supporting a stadium. Whatever is learned, it will be great to have some factual basis for the policy discussion. And lastly, but not leastly, the architect of the Guthrie's new design is coming to town to speak about where that's at and what's happening next. I think it behooves the city to keep a tight rein on the aesthetics of that so-important piece of the riverfront and icon of the midwest's regional theater scene. Its wonderful to see the plans moving forward especially in this time of scare dollars. So, here's an 'atta boy for the unsung civil servants who are moving these three projects ahead. Barbara Nelson Burnsville Once and Future Minneapolitan TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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] Let's have some GOOD news/Just back from COINS gathering
In a message dated 2/20/03 6:10:23 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Despite all the naysaying, MPHA will replace all 770 units demolished by the court-imposed October 04 deadline, including 480 in the suburbs. Feats no other PHA in the country has been able to accomplish. Dean E. Carlson East Harriet, Ward 10 Keith says; It is not just a little weird that the *M*PHA is messing around in the suburbs to solve Mpls. issues. Rapping off of what I learned at the Coalition of Impacted Neighborhoods meeting this evening, I bet it is easier for the MPHA to site high density subsidized housing for poor people in a third tier suburb then in Dean Carlson's East Harriet Neighborhood. No reflection, of course, on Dean Carlson, but I withhold my Huzzahs. Keith Reitman NearNorth TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. 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
[Mpls] Let's have some park, school, and library board chatter!
The DFL convention is just 11 days away, and as a delegate, I still need help choosing who I will support for library, park, and school boards. (By the way, thanks to Gary Schiff for posting the Patrick Peterson school board candidacy stuff here...he is on candidate directory at http://www.e-democracy.org/mpls/2001.htm) This is a plea to all members to contribute what they know about the candidates, recommendations, insights, questions, etc. To try to jumpstart the discussion, I'll throw out one question for candidates on each of the three boards. Candidates: please answer to the list - and please feel free to talk about your other positions as need be. We need to know! (Also, other party candidates are encouraged to answer, too.) For library board candidates: The library implementation task force just announced their plan for the new downtown library. What do you support, or not, in that plan at this point, and why? For park board candidates: The park board has been ripped by infighting and personality conflicts. While you can only do so much to control the behavior of your colleagues, how would you stop this rift? For school board candidates (sorry, this one is parochial): What steps will you support to close the Open Area 38 problem, in which most of Kingfield and E. Harriet lack a community school? For example, do you support building an elementary school in the area, changing an area magnet to a community school, giving parents enhanced preference at other south/southwest schools, changing the attendance boundaries of a current community school, or by some other means? And since we so rarely say so, thanks to all the candidates for running and working hard in public service. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
