Jim Bernstein: I'm not sure what your point was or why you spent time "sleuthing around" but an e-mail or a phone call to me could have quickly informed you that if there was line item in the city budget for compensation and benefits paid to Charter Commissioners it would read "NONE"!
Vicky Heller: I sleuth around because the Minneapolis financial reports fail to disclose where public money is going. My current mission is to identify $192 million of unidentified disbursements shown on the 2005 Truth in Taxation budget. It's evident to me that no one on this List really cares, so rather than waste any more time, I'll take my research to the Legislature now that it's in session. The 2003 T in T budget shows expenditures of $24.4 million for "Other Independent Boards" - not counting Park and Library. That line item disappeared in 2004 and 2005. Let's just say that I have a natural curiosity about omissions. I'm extra curious about people who won't tell you what happened to your money, while asking for more. If the Enron boys had set up shop in Minneapolis, they'd be living happily ever after. Assets dropping like rocks: No Problem! Unintelligible financial reports: No Problem! Spend too much: No Problem, just raise fees and taxes! Can't pay your bills: No problem, cut a deal with the enemy (Minneapolitans seem to regard the State legislature as the enemy). So Mr. Bernstein, if you really are an expert on Minneapolis, what happened to the $24.4 million expenditure for "Other Independent Boards". And if you are elected to the City Council, what will you do to reduce spending, existing debts, future liabilities, and taxes for your constituents? Also, what will you do to clean up the City's bookkeeping - so that your constituents will know where all of their money is actually going? These questions should be asked of ALL candidates. If anyone answers, I will be a first. Vicky Heller North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
