[Winona Online Democracy]
Roy, Phil & WOD
I had been hanging on to Roy's post of 5/30 regarding the legislative
session, parties (political and the fun kind) and related matters with an
intent to respond when I had time. Now, along comes the annexation thread.
In some respects, the two subjects seem to merge for me, so I'll tackle both
in one post. Call that efficiency, "do the math".
* Roy, I fully understand your concern with the reduction in legislative
clout that Greater Minnesota seems to be experiencing. I have suggested to
my suburban Metro legislators that (some) Metro suburban and Greater
Minnesota legislators have much in common, and much to gain is a common
strategy versus the "money pit" that the Central Cities have become. I
personally believe that one solution for all the agonizing we hear in the
Metro over growth and congestion resides in the enhancement of opportunity
(and hence economic vitality) in Greater Minnesota. A late 90's survey by
Metro Council demographers found that, given an actual choice (you'll see
that word again below), a sizeable percentage of present Metro residents
would prefer the Greater Minnesota life style. Boy, did that one get buried
quickly! Metro Council planner jobs were at stake. As I have often said of
my 16 years of life in Winona - a great place to live, but a tough place to
make a living. The Governor's JOBZ program is a great start. There needs to
be more.
* Phil Carlson has enlightened us with the principles of "Smart Growth".
While I have but 21 years as professional planner (shortened by a 15 year
sabbatical in the "real" business world), I have become convinced that city
planning exclusively by the numbers ("do the math") fails to address a key
component of life in a democracy - choice. There are cities that continue to
value that concept, and balance their community planning accordingly. I
happen to work for one right now. It may be a WAY stretched analogy, but
central planning strictly "by the numbers" failed miserably for half of one
continent and a good part of another after 70 years of futile effort. Take
choice out of the equation, and city planning on a much smaller scale is
bound to fail as well.
* WOD'ers, you have one of the State's recognized experts on annexation as a
regular contributor. Paul Double served as the Chair of the Minnesota
Municipal Commission (or was it Board?) - the State review/decision body for
annexation issues for many years, until a misguided Governor and legislature
allowed the Commission/Board to sunset a couple of years ago, and handed the
annexation authority to a bunch of State career employees. Paul is the best
source of annexation information/strategies you could ever ask for.
Regards to All
Chuck Dillerud
Champlin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roy Nasstrom" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Winona On-Line Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 2:43 PM
Subject: Re:[Winona] What a Way to End
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
>
>
> Re: "What a Way to End"--Legislative celebrations, lobbying power,
non-metro
> future
>
>
>
> The drinking party for DFL legislators, state employees, and lobbyists as
> the session ended may have been premature, but it is not particularly
> surprising. Republicans at the legislature also celebrate periodically
even
> though, as I'm sure everyone who has attended activities of both parties
> (anywhere) agrees, their celebrations tend to lack the wildness (or, if
you
> wish, exuberance) of Democratic ones.
>
>
>
> The involvement of lobbyists at the event deserves comment, however. In
> Minnesota, as elsewhere in the United States, lobbyists constitute as much
a
> part of the legislative process as the legislators themselves.
Representing
> both public and private groups, they promote and defend their groups'
> interests in numerous ways, including the supplying of expert information
> and the initial drafting of bills. The prominent presence of the lobbyist
> for the City of Minneapolis at the bash reflects the power of metro area
> governments in comparison with those of non-metro areas. The governments
of
> populous areas-cities, school districts, etc-will have their own lobbyists
> to buttress the influence of their legislators. Governments representing
> less populous areas cannot afford lobbyists and must depend on the useful
> but less focused representation of statewide organizations to deal with
> legislation. The consequence is that non-metro governmental bodies-cities,
> school districts, counties-have less clout in determining the distribution
> of state resources, although some areas may have legislators powerful
enough
> to alter the balance of power somewhat for a time. (Both Gene Pelowski and
> Bob Kierlin appear to be sincere, intelligent and fair legislators, but
can
> they exert significant power in relation to local resources? I hope so,
but
> I don't know. Each can point to some accomplishments, but they may be
> fighting against the tide.)
>
>
>
> If the national pattern holds, I suspect that non-metro areas such as
Winona
> will see a continuing decline in influence at the state level as more and
> more population concentrates in the large cities. At one time rural and
> small town interests dominated most state legislatures. The tables have
> turned, although cities themselves will have to battle growing suburban
> interests within the metro areas.
>
>
>
> Roy Nasstrom
>
>
>
>
>
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