Let us talk about absorbing costs for one moment. On the east side there is a sorry old building which the community would like to have removed and the site redeveloped. Because there is a billboard on the building, CC is demanding an extra $150,000. That is a deal breaker. That means the building will not be redeveloped, no new jobs, no improved community. The city receives NO revenue from these billboards, but they sure do cost us. This single example is quietly repeated all across our city year in, year out. And we all pay the price.
Just to set the record right, Falcon Heights bans billboards. Looks like they got their work done on the issue before Clear Channel had a chance to prevent it. Jeanne Weigum, living and working in Merriam Park. Paul Kuettel wrote: > Hi All! > > Recently, based on an isolated action of the City Attorney in settling > with Clear Channel over rebuilding a downed billboard (apparently one > which was suspected of having been vandalized) I posted a GENERAL > comment about how the anti-billboard group Scenic Minnesota had cost the > taxpayers alot of money. > > Am happy to report that I am not alone in this opinion. In today's PP > appears an op-ed by Alyssa Schlander who sayeth: > > "Scenic Minnesota's fruitless quest to destroy outdoor advertising in > St. Paul has cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. The law > changes they speak of are much bigger than their narrow interests. The > Legislature did the right thing in ensuring that property owners are > allowed to take care of their properties" > > I appreciate the passion of the members of SM, but sometimes good intent > foments unintended harm. > > Such, I feel, is what SM has done in it's quest to overturn the 1st > Amendment in favor of being able to enjoy what they feel are "nice views." > > I expect that 1st Amendment reference to be thrown back in my face, so I > will say in advance that it was someone simplistic and hyperbolic, and a > subtle dig at the way extremists employ such oversimplifications to > divide and inflame. > > Keep tilting at windmills. St. Paulites will just have to swallow the > costs of fighting you. > > Cheers! > > PK > Falcon Heights > http://wogsblog.blogspot.com > > _____________________________________________ > To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > _____________________________________________ > NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > > Archive Address: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ -- Jeanne Weigum 651-646-3005 fax 651-646-0142 _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
