[Winona Online Democracy] I cannot let my friend Chuck Dillerud's buried jargon go unchallenged. "Central planning" is of course code for communism, a common complaint against city planning made by free market folks (I was lucky enough to have been called a communist twice in the same week a few months ago, now it's three times in the same year). The difference between a communist state and city planning in the U.S. is that we create a framework of basic land use and building guidelines following an open and democratic process, then let the free market do the rest (developers, builders, realtors).
If choice is the goal, where are the choices for urban, sewered lots at the edge of Winona in sufficient numbers to meet demand? Ask anyone who has tried to buy a house inside Winona in the last 20 years what their choices are. My view - framed by the experiences of many communities around the State - is that carelessly placed large-lot development drastically limits the choices of the community. Let truly rural folks have that lifestyle beyond the ring of reasonable growth boundaries around our cities. There are thousands of choices of where to plunk down a house on acreage in Winona County, only a limited number of places to put urban, sewered lots that extend services in a cost-effective way. And on the subject of the cost of government services - another hot button for anti-communists - the freer the "choice" given to people to put any old development in the way of logical and orderly growth, the higher the cost to extend government services when needed. Also, no successful business would dream of flying without a careful business plan - that's "central planning" in another guise. So, I'm for individual choice, lower cost of government, and good business - I'm a city planner. Phil Carlson, Mpls -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Chuck Dillerud Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 10:07 PM To: Roy Nasstrom; Winona On-Line Democracy Subject: Re: Re:[Winona] What a Way to End [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 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy > All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. > No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. > To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit > http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona > Any problems or suggestions can be directed to > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at > http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
