Actually, all five of the resolutions are easily implemented if there is a will to do it.
Making the budget available is a very simple step, as is adopting non-divestiture and moratorium policies or resolutions. Choosing to not allow public parkland to be transferred to private or commercial interests requires nothing more than the backbone to say no, letting neighborhoods and citizens have a say on issues that affect them seems like good government to me, and choosing not to go deeper into debt until paying off two big mortgages is not hard to do - if there is a will do take that stand. Long range plans are oftentimes controversial but they do not have to be if there is a concerted effort to achieve consensus on goals and objectives. While I am not a fan of long range plans that reach past 10 years, there are certainly many public agencies and private companies that do engage in that and there is no reason the MPRB cannot do it if they choose to do so. All of the DFL resolutions are quite workable and make a lot of sense to me. I happen to agree with all of them. I have no doubt that if the Reformers had achieved a working majority on the Park Board, all of the DFL resolutions would have been implemented. Jim Bernstein Fulton Former candidate, MPRB District 6 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rick Kuhlmann Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 7:17 PM To: 'mpls forum' Subject: [Mpls] DFL Resolutions Mr. Weinlick wrote: ...five Park Board related resolutions that were adopted at the city convention: Be it resolved, that the Minneapolis Park Board make its budget available to the public at budget hearings and on the Minneapolis Park & Recreation (MPRB) website. Be it resolved that we urge the MPRB develop a long-term plan for the preservation and maintenance of existing parklands and recreation programs as well as the acquisition of additional lands in partnership with all city neighborhood and recreation groups and the public at large; and that this plan be publicly reviewed and updated every 3-5 years. Be it resolved that the Minneapolis DFL oppose any divestiture of parkland via sale or long-term lease until and unless such needs are identified and reviewed as part of the long-term planning process; and be it further resolved that we endorse the League of Women Voters of Minneapolis position that "no park lands should be taken for other purposes unless all feasible alternatives have been exhausted." Be it resolved, that the Minneapolis DFL call for a moratorium on additional privatization efforts until such time as the MPRB of Commissioners, in cooperation with Minneapolis neighborhood organizations and the general public, develops a policy regarding future MPRB privatization and outsourcing. Be it resolved that the Minneapolis DFL oppose the use of parkland for additional commercial purposes; and be it further resolved that we beseech the Park Board to incur no more bond or mortgage debt until the bonds at Neiman Athletic Complex and the mortgage on the headquarters building are paid in full; and be it further resolved that we ask that future Park Board development plans undergo the standard review process of all neighborhoods affected by the development; and be it further resolved that we affirm our support for keeping facilities located on parklands publicly owned and operated, and free or affordable to all city residents. I write: How in the heck are you going to get all that done? You mean to tell me that while the DFL has problems getting everyone to agree on all things political that the MPRB, all neighborhood orgs, all rec orgs, and the public at large should agree on everything? Get a grip. To not be totally negative, I agree with the resolution on budget transparency and the Neiman complex. Fiscal responsibility cannot be that hard to agree on. I am a process person. I want to know the process behind all the ideas. I will always stand behind that. Rick Kuhlmann Hale Page Diamond Lake (HPDL) 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:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.6/179 - Release Date: 11/23/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.6/179 - Release Date: 11/23/2005 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:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
