I was glad I waited until I had gone through all my e-mail and saw your
apology, Dave, or I might have gotten a bit vitrolic myself. There is one
statement however that I believe needs some correction.
David Hauser
wrote You, Chris and the rest of the Park Board Reformers may have had a
chance at validity if you had actually tried to approach things from an
objective viewpoint. Instead, you squandered your political capital (along
with other peoples' precious cash reserves) by making very spiteful
personal observations of publicly accessible government video archives.
As a northside DFLer in 2001, I had a hand in Jon Olson's endorsement for
the District 2 seat. At that nominating convention we turned down Rochelle
Berry Graves bid for it on the strength of the argument that she could
easily win reelection as an at-large commissioner, which she did, and by
letting Jon run for the district seat we would have to strong voices for the
northside on the board.
After that election I did what I had always done paid only slight attention
to the goings on of the Park Board. I read about the controversy over the
purchase of a new building, the proposed alliance with Isaac Jacobs on a
marina on the northern river--which held more of my attention until Jacobs
backed out.
Then came the disaster that was the Jon Gurban selection as superindendent
and I finally jumped out of bed and started to pay attention. I couldn't
believe that a public institution with a proud history like the Park Board
could find itself in such a morass.
I attended the January 2, 2004, Park Board Annual meeting where things
seemed to go from bad to worse and the 5 - 4 split became firmly entrenched.
After observing this meeting I later asked to listen to the audio tapes of
the December 3, 2003, meeting with the interviews of the two finalists and
the December 17, 2003, meeting where it was officially announced that both
finalists had withdrawn. At that point then-President Bob Fine can be heard
calling on Walt Dziedzic when Annie Young interupts that Walt's light isn't
on and hers is.
Annie then begins a discussion about how the process should go, a discussion
in which she is joined by Berry Graves, Mason and Erwin. Eventually, Walter
says, "Am I right that it only takes 5 votes to elect a superintendent?"
Assured that that is correct, he submits the name of Jon Gurban.
The four commissioners engaged in the process dialogue immediately protest
that they know nothing about this candidate and a 2 page summary of his
background is handed out. Under extreme pressure, Kummer suggests that he
be appointed as a interim superintendent for 1 year and on a 5 - 4 vote
Gurban was selected.
At the January 2 meeting the contract had already been signed. Jon Olson
was elected board president and Erwin became vice president. Committee
assignments were then made which favored the 5 and slighted the 4.
I do not know this because of any "publicly accessible government video
archives" because there weren't any. Through most of 2004 I attended every
meeting that I could, including the January 2nd one, with my trusty video
camera and currently have the tapes. I haven't had time to transcribe them
and turn copies over to the park board for their archives. But since they
did away with the archivist and seem bent on getting rid of park history so
they are free to abuse the system as much as they please I am not sure who I
would turn them over to.
The park board continued to debate for many months whether they should
televise their meetings and only after repeated requests from the public did
they finally start to keep video records of their meetings. Up until then
it was only audio tape. They weren't even taking MINUTES of their own
meetings!
Throughout the last two years I have been very objective and hoped what I
was witnessing was a nightmare from which I would soon awake.
I do not see the Gang of 5 as evil people but I do see them as people who
are very shortsighted who have forsaken their stewardship role and adopted
that falacy which seems to have permeated government at all levels these
days--government can't manage things properly and must turn over as much of
its responsibilities to the private sector.
Those who lacked "an objective viewpoint" as I followed the election season
on the list were the PIPs who did not attend the meetings or keep track of
what was actually happening but jumped in at the end to rescue folks they
considered friends whose elections were in serious trouble. The trouble did
not arise from untruths being told about them but the truth that was finally
coming out.
But not to worry. Park Watch will still be in there looking out for our
parks and our past and trying to preserve as much as possible for the future
EVEN if our efforts are not always appreciated.
Thank you again for your apology and continue to point out any areas you
think we are wrong. We are more than happy to set the record straight and
correct any misinformation floating around.
Steven M Nelson
Proud Charter Member of Park Watch from
Willard Hay
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