[Winona Online Democracy] WOD Friends
One more post today - that's two for me (a record for a month, much less a day).I have just finished reading the book, "River of Conflict, River of Dreams" by Biloine Whiting Young (Pogo Press, 2004). What a fascinating piece of work! For all WOD participants that love the river (from whatever perspective), this has to be required reading. Having spent about 15 years of my career as a "river man", and throughout that career being regaled with the river stories of Captain Bob Hohensee (Minnesota City), I thought I knew a lot about the river. Not so any more! The book focuses on the history of the river from the Quad Cities to St. Paul beginning with the arrival of the European Explorers to today. Winona is prominent. I may not personally agree with the negative "spin" the author appears to place as to man's influence on the river on behalf of the Upper Midwest economy, but I can live with that as the price of otherwise great research and writing. If you love your river (and even if you couldn't care less, but know its at your door step - and once may have been in your yard), find the book (mine came from Barnes & Noble), and entertain yourself reading about the natural feature that is the reason for your city to exist. Chuck Dillerud Champlin (also on the Mississippi River) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Online Democracy" <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 4:17 PM Subject: [Winona] Port Authority Funds [Winona Online Democracy] When the legislature approves the establishment of Port Authority's was it their intent to fund such things a Shakespeare Festivals? I think not. Was it to dredge land for retail? I think not. While case law, past practice and the powers of Port Authority's may only be as creative as the human mind can dream up this use seems to slap in the face of the legislative intent. Will such abuse or creativity cause this valuable economic development tool to be controlled to such extent that industrial job creation will be lost in the desire to spend money on any cause that is presented to City Hall? It was public money, an expanded sales tax, which created the newest Port Authority treasure chest. You would think that if a public investment is to be made that it would be for sustainable industrial jobs not a part time tourism attraction. How many start up companies and how many full time jobs would be created by funding "grants" or "gifts" to start up industrial companies? What would 8 - $25,000 grants do to create new startup companies? What are the written criteria for these gifts, can anyone apply? Are they renewable and for how many years? It is one thing for individuals to give such gifts but quite another to use public funds. What is the Port Authority's measure of success? Number of full time jobs? Property Tax Revenues? Residential housing starts as a result of the investment? Is the Thompson Dredge project next? Maybe the legislature needs to address the purpose of a Port Authority again to protect us the abuses of TIF's (Tax Increment Funding) and the creative funding of fast food franchises that killed their appeal. Paul Double _______________________________________________ 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
