Scott Vreeland writes: > Mr. Coleman, > > I found your article about the DeLaSalle football stadium both nasty and > offensive. I don't think misleading propaganda and insults should be legitimate > content of the Metro section. There is enough conflict and controversy > without going for ad hominem attacks on a whole neighborhood.
Caveat: To mix a metaphor, I have no dog in this spat (especially since we're covering it on an ongoing basis for Skyway News - thanks for the plug, Scott!). Nick is a columnist and a good Catholic boy, so it's no surprise he came out swinging for D. Provoking folks is his job. However, his main argument - "residents are on parkland so DeLaSalle should get its field and bleachers" - misleads on a key point. The residents - or at least their houses - were there before the Park Board acquired the land. The residents aren't allowed to build more housing. DeLaSalle, on the other hand, now wants to be able to build something new and bigger - an expansion I don't think the Park Board has (or would) allow anyone else. Personally, I can see the virtue in building the field. The Park Board opened the door way back when, when they allowed those crummy tennis courts get built on public land. The D plan would essentially combine that space with the school's existing bare-bones field for a more usable playing field. There is definitely some "public value" because the Park Board could use the field when D isn't - but given the history of the "public" tennis courts - which are unmarked as such - citizens expect any D-Park Board sharing to be spelled out in writing. But again, let's be clear: D wants an EXPANSION onto parkland that residents would never get. Also, as Judith Martin notes, the city rarely if ever allows a road to be vacated unless it is only used by one business. (In this case, part of Grove Street that would be vacated to link the tennis courts and D's current field is used by the public, not just D.) Finally, I find it ironic that Nick unblushingly let John Derus of all people criticize island residents for being politically connected. John was at one time the most politically connected individual around - and wasn't shy about using that influence. David Brauer Kingfield Editor, Skyway News and Southwest Journal REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
