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Do You Have Any Questions About St. Paul
Government or Politics? Please Post Them Here.
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The articles about the caves seem to indicate a desire to keep
people out of them. So far that years old policy has caused a few
deaths prior to Tuesday's fatalities. It has not kept kids out of
them. It only creates a situation where death by suffocation is
possible and likely.
Ironically, on Tuesday I went for a run around 11:30. As I came to
the South end of the Wabasha bridge, I was stopped by two visitors
who were trying to find the Wabasha caves. They were looking for
something to do during a conference/convention lunch break.
How did they know about the cave? They had a map of interesting
places that included the Wabasha Caves as a sight to see.
So we market the caves but we don't want people to go in them?
John Birrenbach beat me to the punch yesterday when he suggested we
open up the caves. I think the caves would be an added attraction
to the development of the river flats and Harriet Island.
All entrances should be opened. I think the interior should be
wired for lights and air flow. The city could create historical
venues that depict St. Paul's history. In fact, if the length etc
is too much there could be multiple tours and entry points. Maybe
even a railed ride ala Disney Land to take visitors through the
caves.
Why should we cover up an important part of history? The reason
used now is that kids die in them. Well they wouldn't die in them
if there were controlled access, if all openings weren't closed, and
if their reason to go into the caves was eliminated.
As Public works has said, it will be impossible to keep them out.
So why try. Why not provide another reason to come to St. Paul
Mike Fratto
Payne Phalen.
>>> Tim Erickson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 04/29/2004 12:29:15 PM >>>
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Do You Have Any Questions About St. Paul
Government or Politics? Please Post Them Here.
--------------------------------------------------
I'm a little confused about the discussion going on about the caves
(in the media, not here). You'll note a quotation from Mayor Kelley
(see below) that the city will spend whatever it takes to find and
close up the holes. Then, he goes on to say, that public works will
tell you "if you close the holes one day, they'll be open the
next."
So - - the public policy question appears to be. Do we spend lots
of
money plugging holes, to make us feel as if we've done something,
even if we know that in a few weeks/months/or years they'll just be
open again.
Will we respond to this in a rational way that respects the lessons
that have been learned over generations. Or will will we throw
money
at this problem that our public works experts tell us will
eventually
accomplish nothing.
If we lost three youths in an accident along the Mississippi, would
be make an attempt to block off access to the river? (yes, the
river
is very different from the caves, but at the same time, not so
different).
I'm NOT saying that nothing can or should be done or that some
effort
should be made to restrict access. I don't have the answers.
However,
its frustrating for me to watch as we often throw money at a
problem
- sometimes completely aware that our efforts are highly unlikely
to
succeed, but we do so anyway, just so that we can say that we did.
Comments or ideas about how the city should deal with this
problem?
I'm eager to hear what other folks have to say.
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City grieves deaths, vows to close caves
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/8544737.htm
BY BILL GARDNER
" One day after three adventurous teenagers died in a cave along
the
West Side bluffs, St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly vowed to try to keep
others out of the caves.
"No matter what the cost is, we intend to find any holes today and
close those up," Kelly said Wednesday. "
=================================================
Tim Erickson
Hamline Midway
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
=================================================
Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com
St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722
[EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim
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