[Mpls] MPL Roosevelt Library Community Meetings - Unlocked Doors
On this past Saturday and Thursday the Minneapolis Public Library had community meetings on the renovation of Roosevelt Library across from Roosevelt High School in South Minneapolis. The meetings were very well attended and well organized both days. Roosevelt Library's doors were unlocked on a Saturday for the first time in many years. To me there seems to be a certain absurdity to be talking about spending millions of dollars renovating and yet to have Minneapolis inner city libraries closed on Saturday. What good is a library if the doors are locked? Are there any guarantees as to adequate hours of operation once these inner city libraries are renovated? Steve Carter Gratia Countryman Society __ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] MPL Roosevelt Library Community Meetings - Unlocked Doors
Steve Carter wrote [in part]: Roosevelt Library's doors were unlocked on a Saturday for the first time in many years. To me there seems to be a certain absurdity to be talking about spending millions of dollars renovating and yet to have Minneapolis inner city libraries closed on Saturday. What good is a library if the doors are locked? Are there any guarantees as to adequate hours of operation once these inner city libraries are renovated? Good points. I am happy to report that the Franklin Library, which will undergo extensive renovation in 2003 (as plans develop), has now been open on Saturdays for the first time, I'm told, in 30 years. It's my understanding that the closing of the libraries on weekends has been a budget cutting (or saving) measure, but would like to hear from library folks about opening up Saturday and weekend hours. Quick reminder to some: community meetings about the Franklin Library renovations will be on January 24 (7:00 p.m.) and January 26 (1:00 p.m.) at the library. By the way, what's the Gratia Countryman Society? (off-list reply please) Gregory Luce North Phillips (work) North Phillips Press is a publication of Project 504, a housing related neighborhood organization based in the Phillips neighborhood. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Snow
One thing Mpls. could learn from St. Paul about plowing is to let people park where it has been plowed. It is pretty simple and helps relieve congestion and provides at least one rule people could understand. It doesn't cost anything and could be started immediately. Thanks, Scott Vreeland, Seward, working in St. Paul ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] City Budget Cuts
David Brauer recently asked the list what would we cut from the City budget and Mayor Rybak is eliciting budget suggestions from City staff, with a (free?)lunch to the best suggestions. I was wondering is there a budget outline we could peruse so that we knew where the money was spent, and therefore make suggestion? I'm guessing we would need more detail than those pie charts that show where the money is going, but less detail than an office-by-office budget breakdown Dean E. Carlson East Harriet, Ward 10 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] City Budget Cuts
Basic services budgets have been whittled away for several years now. There may be a couple more things to do in those areas, but probably no significant savings. The first place to look for savings would be those areas that had huge increases in budget over the past several years including the City Coordinators Office and the Office Of Cultural Affairs. By far, the biggest savings will probably come from reinventing the delivery of services through the MCDA, Planning NRP programs. But in order for this to be successful, it needs to be done with employees completely involved in the defining of the vision, mission and goals of this new combined department. And employees need to be completely involved in the entire process without management or politicians sweeping out the floor from underneath the process. To mean that means providing leadership, education and dialogue - not edicts. The other area of savings would probably come from reducing the city's role in social services. This is something that traditionally the state and county have provided. With the state reducing aid to cities perhaps the cities should return responsibility of social services to the counties and the state. A management restructuring might get some savings and there should also be a comprehensive look at the cost differential between privatization of some city services and in house costs. Two cents from the peanut gallery... R u s s e l l W. P e t e r s o n Saint Michael, Minnesota [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can only fly if you stretch your wings. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Affordable Housing
A big thank you to Gary Schiff for posting this report. I hope more council members (especially Robert Lilligren) follow suit, and keep us updated on their actions. List member Alan Hooker has debuted a political column at Lavender (it's about time). This is the first time I've read decent political analysis of the local scene in a long time. http://www.lavendermagazine.com/173/173_news_19.html The column talks about how Rybak will use the bully pulpit of his office to aggressively lobby for the city to be able to offer domestic partner benefits. The column also says that none of the Gay city council members seem so enthusiastic: Here's what the column says: For more than nine months, I had supported his opponent in the primary election, Lisa McDonald. What I knew I had learned about him through opposition research and my brief chats with him at events. Therefore, you can imagine my surprise when I discovered him to be more gay on several GLBT issues than actual gay men elected to the city council. To give you some idea of what I mean, when I asked the newly elected council members if they thought an official GLBT advisory panel should be created to give input to the mayor, council, and city departments on issues impacting the GLBT community--much like the city's official Latino advisory panel does--Schiff and Lilligren didn't think it was necessary. Both emphasized that the council will contain three gay members, or, as Lilligren phrased it, Right now we're at three openly gay city representatives on the city council; it [a GLBT advisory panel] is kind of redundant. == EY: This is nonsense. The gay representatives are elected to represent their districts -- not the general gay community. Alan Hooker's column continues: Don't get me wrong. I'm very happy that the council will have three gay men on it. But if these guys think that they can be the representative voice of the GLBT community, they may have forgotten how diverse and multifaceted this 10 percent of society can be. snip On the topic of domestic partner benefits, and what can be done about the state's refusal to let municipalities offer such benefits to their employees, Benson and Schiff are interested in examining cafeteria-style benefit plans, while Lilligren thought it's up to the city to mend some bridges with the state. Tell that to State Representative Tim Pawlenty, as he tries to make denying domestic partner benefits his ticket to the governor's mansion. == During the campaign, Robert was criticizing the former council -- including Herron -- of not doing enough to aggressively lobby the state on that issue. On the Domestic Partner issue and the city -- Tim Pawlenty was interested in the fact that George Bush had signed a bill that allowed DC to offer domestic partner benefits. Personally, I think this issue is one of local control -- and usually Republicans are interested in more direct local control. However I'd like to see Alan Hooker talk to other city council members -- not just the gay city council members. All city council members need to represent their gay and lesbian constituents. Ironically, I do think that the Gay candidates who lost, would have been more aggressive with pushing gay friendly policies through the city council. I would also like to see a future column (preferably before the caucuses) interview the major Republican and Democratic candidates for Governor. I'd also like to encourage folks who would be republican if not for those nutty social issue positions the party takes, to come to Republican caucuses in Minneapolis. The party belongs to those who show up. During the 2000 season, district 61 passed a sodomy repeal resolution, and district 60 passed a resolution to delete platform plank 4 -- which had most of the social nonsense -- though not all. That resolution passed resoundingly in the 60th district -- but didn't pass beyond that. Eva Eva Young Central ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] lavender article
Eva, do you or anyone else on the list know what is meant by cafeteria-style benefit plans? That particular phrase is new to me. Loki Anderson Marshall Terrace [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Eva Young [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On the topic of domestic partner benefits, and what can be done about the state's refusal to let municipalities offer such benefits to their employees, Benson and Schiff are interested in examining cafeteria-style benefit plans, while Lilligren thought it's up to the city to mend some bridges with the state. Tell that to State Representative Tim Pawlenty, as he tries to make denying domestic partner benefits his ticket to the governor's mansion. = Let me tell you how it will be There's one for you, nineteen for me 'Cause I'm the Taxman... -George Harrison __ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] New Airport Security Procedures: Prepare Thyself!
I just returned from a trip to Nevada and had the"pleasure" being one of the firstAmericans across the nationsubjected to thenewly-implemented federal government policy ofinspecting all "checked baggage"--not simply carry-on baggage but all baggage. As mush as I fully support all reasonable measures designed toensure the safety of passengers I draw the line whenprivacy boundaries are insensitively invaded under the guise of protecting the national security interest. Case in point:After collecting my boarding pass, I was escorted to some gigantic machine nearby to have my two checked suitcases scanned for inspection---fine, no big deal. One suitcase had six wrapped gifts that somehow this easily$1,000,000scanner could not see through so baggage inspectors took the suitcase off the conveyor belt and put it on a separate table for manual inspection--still fine, no big deal. What I take issue with is the fact that: 1.) The manual inspection table was clearly inthepublicview so everyone else who was waiting fortheir luggage to be scanned could be entertained watching other people's unmentionables and personables being openly displayed withoutANY care for privacy or sensitivity to the passenger. 2.) If you are a woman, most likely someone of the opposite sex will be inspecting your luggage to include rummaging throughyour unmentionables and exposing other personables for all to seewith the sensitivity of a rock. Same concerns hold true with men. In fact, one fellowbehind me was mortified at the fact a woman was going through his suitcase for the very same reasons. Lucky for me I had a woman inspecting and packing my luggage,but whenanother male security screenerdecided he was going to come over and assist her in packing my personables that's where I drew the line.I politely, but firmlyinformed him thatas a woman I wanted only a woman handling my personables. He looked at me and responded with"But I work here", to which I replied "I don't care. I am a woman, she is a woman. I have unmentionables that I want handled only by a woman, andthatI want my stuff inspected and repacked by a woman, and it is my God-given, American right to make such a request." He nodded and dutify backed off, and allowed the woman inspector to finish packing my bag. Since September 11th, I have been paying attention to matters of privacy.I cannot begin to tell you the feeling I hadthroughout this process.It is an invasive feeling, and I am not usually given to rises like that.I wear the uniform proudly to ensurethe full body of freedom is maintained from all manner of assault, and as much as I want the government to be equipped as much as they can to catch criminals, terrorists, and thugs, I do not want it at the expense of my personal privacy rights no matter how big or small the expense may seem.Feet are made up of inches, and inches can add up to feet. Also,if you think airport delays were bad prior to September 11th, you haven't seen anything yet. After arriving at the airport 2 hours and 45 minutes early to check-in, and spending 30 minutes just having ONE of my checked bags manually inspected I proceeded tothe security gate for my carry-on luggage, my shoes and my person to be checked---no problemo. However, my"red-eye" flight home was delayed 1 hour due to security screeningsthe passengers had to go through at the destination from which the plane had departed. Then it took another45 minutesto refuel, recheck every passenger to include random searches beofre take-off. By the time we were in the air our flight was delayed--by the bureacracy and checks--2 hours and 45 minutes. Ladies and gentlerman,this experience is not an abberation, it will be the rule.So the next time your travel agent says that your flight will beat a certain time, count onit being delayedat least an hour if not more as a standard. I don't see how long the aviation industry will be able to suffer theseimpairments to customer service without itseverely impacting the economics of the industry. If I were Amtrak right now, I would be salivating ways to capitalize on the frustrating experiences noted above. My two cents. Denise Tolbert, East Harriet Farmstead, Ward 10 ___Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:http://e-democracy.org/mplsDo You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail.
[Mpls] Cafeteria Style
Cafeteria Plans allow for companies to allow employees to choose from a variety of coverages. Most benefit plans are designed to give everyone in the group identical coverage, Cafeteria style allows the employee to tailor their program to their specific needs, much like picking out your Jell-O and vegetables to go with your entree in the cafeteria line instead of just getting whatever comes with the special at your seat. It also allows for paying for the benefits with pre-tax dollars. Jonathan Palmer Stevens Square-Loring Heights ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Lavender article
Loki Anderson asked: Eva, do you or anyone else on the list know what is meant by cafeteria-style benefit plans? That particular phrase is new to me. [TB] A cafeteria plan is a plan where each employee is given a sum of money and allowed to spend it on his/her choice of benefits. Each benefit has a price. For example medical insurance may cost $1,800, dental $400, disability $1,000, dependent medical $1,500, child care $4,000. Sometimes even vacation days are included in the mix. Each employee will then decide which of the benefits they want, it gets the name because it is like going down a cafeteria line and picking out what you want to eat. In the Minneapolis case the theory is that it does an end run around the prohibition against offering health insurance to anyone other than a married spouse and children. The plans are generally popular with employees because they can get what is important to them. Maybe they don't have kids and don't particularly care about daycare benefits but they generally have high medical bills and want the best coverage they can get. Terrell Brown Loring Park __ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re: MPHA's screening standards (response to message from Victoria Heller)
What follows is a post from Bill Paterson (who is the Public Information Coordinator for MPHA). It's in response to Victoria's post about MPHA's screening standards. - Sara Dietrich (Kingfield) -- Minneapolis residents and community leaders deserve to have accurate and timely information regarding vital programs such as public housing. The main reason why this is so important is that today, some 19,000 men, women and children have affordable more stable homes, thanks to the public housing and Section 8 programs delivered by the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA). MPHA owns and operates nearly 5,800 public housing units in Minneapolis, housing families, senior citizens and other single adults. The agency also administers 3,700 Section 8 vouchers. MPHA has maintained 99%-100% occupancy of all its available public housing units for 71 consecutive months, and in December, its Section 8 utilization rate also rose to 100%. It does not normally take six months to process an application, it may range from a couple of weeks to a couple of months or more. The longer processing is due to the huge volume of applications we receive, the number of applications that require multi-state background checks, and the necessity to be accurate and thorough in fairness to applicants themselves and to ensure the safety and comfort of our current residents. MPHA is also doing a tremendous amount of work improving and preserving its affordable housing resources for the future by completing $121 million in capital improvements projects since 1992. In addition, MPHA operates two homeownership programs through which more than 120 families have purchased their own homes since 1993. Every single dollar received through the Hollman lawsuit has been channeled into implementing the Consent Decree as agreed to by the lawsuit parties and ordered by the Fourth District Federal Court. To date, commitments have now been secured on all 770 replacement public housing units that must be developed in the city and suburban communities -- completed and occupied units include 231 in suburban communities and 80 in the city of Minneapolis. One hundred fifty-five more units are right now under construction or being acquired, meaning that 61% of all replacement units are completed or currently being completed. The remaining units have all be committed to and negotiations for construction or acquisition are underway. Finally, an exciting new development is the group of collaborations MPHA has established with community partners like RS Eden, Central Community Housing Trust, Alliance Housing, Harriet Tubman Center and others in providing 170 affordable housing units for homeless families in the city. These collaborations are creating 117 new affordable housing units and preserving 53 existing units, ranging from efficiencies to four-bedroom apartments. The first 24 units, Portland Village, will be occupied by the end of this month. Construction of other units begins in coming months. For more information about the affordable housing programs that MPHA provides, please visit the agency's Web site at www.mphaonline.org BILL PATERSON MPHA PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOR ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] City Budget Cuts
Russell's preference for finding savings by restructuring service delivery systems is mine and probably alot of resdients' preference. I'd recommend a neutral third-party analysis of the work processes of those departments most likely to produce savings. I wouldn't be afraid to look at the police, too. An analysis of the work processes in the context of a department's mission would be best. Recommendations should be presented with the minimum, medium, and maximum mix of programs -- minimum being defined as what is statutorily mandated and maximum defined as what the department would like to do. This gives the City Council and Mayor the opportunity to select the priorities for the departments. City government staff may not feel comfortable with that, but it is the City Council's job. The problem is that this type of analysis will be expensive. Brian Hanninen Cedar-Riverside On Wed, 16 January 2002, Russell W Peterson wrote: By far, the biggest savings will probably come from reinventing the delivery of services through the MCDA, Planning NRP programs. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] lavender article
In a message dated 1/16/02 11:40:36 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Eva, do you or anyone else on the list know what is meant by "cafeteria-style" benefit plans? That particular phrase is new to me. Cafeteria plan is when each employee is allocated a certain amount of money. They then get to choose from a list of benefit plans which items they wish to pick for their benefits. For example, one of the items might be child care. If you have a child in day care, you may wish to select that item to use a portion of your money. If you don't have any children in day care, then naturally you would choose something of more benefit to your life style. Karen Collier Linden Hills
re: [Mpls] State agrees in principle to 35W lane-expansion conditions
As a member of the I-35W Access Project Advisory Committee (PAC), I attended the January 11th meeting with MnDOT reported on in this Star Tribune article. The article, titled MnDOT says it can meet neighborhood's wishes on I-35W plan, while accurate, gives an optimistic picture that I wouldn't give it. There's more under the cover here and I'd like to add a couple of points: First, the public should know that MnDOT is moving forward with its long-sought expansion plans on I-35W (adding new HOV lanes from 46th to Downtown) and is doing so by piggy backing on the Access Project. While MnDOT agrees in concept that the HOV plans are separate from the Access Project (i.e., it will require its own environmental review and public input process), it sees the PAC's recent action to accommodate future HOV lanes in the design of new ramps in the Lake Street area as an important community endorsement of its expansion plans. It continues to seek advantage. At Friday's meeting with PAC representatives, MnDOT stated that it wanted to move forward the timeline for building new HOV lanes (originally 2015) and that the only way for MnDOT to commit an additional $75 million to the Access Project (the projected cost of accommodating new lanes now and mitigating the impacts of the these changes) is to package the first phase of the HOV plan as part of the Access Project (2004 to 2008). The PAC representatives at the meeting baulked at such a suggestion as they do not want to portray the PAC's vote to accommodate HOV lanes as a direct endorsement of MnDOT's plans. I was one of three PAC members voting against the recommendation to accommodate HOV lanes as I was fearful about giving MnDOT a green light for expansion. Second, it was the PAC's hope that MnDOT would reciprocate the PAC's vote to accommodate HOV lanes with full funding of its share of the Access Project (the additional $75 million). But, MnDOT has no money, as the Star Tribune article makes clear. It doesn't have funds for the additional cost of a redesigned Crosstown ($80 million), the additional cost to accommodate HOV lanes as part of the Access Project ($75 million), or the future HOV lanes themselves ($200 million). MnDOT wants the Access Project partners to help come up with the additional needed funds. Moreover, MnDOT suggested that it would want to secure funding for all three efforts along the I-35W corridor (Crosstown, HOV lanes and Access Project) before it allocates any funds to the Access Project. PAC representatives flinched again at this suggestion as it was another attempt by MnDOT to tie the Access Project and HOV plans together. It seems that the PAC has little leverage to get what it wants from MnDOT, despite its support to accommodate HOV lanes. For a more detailed account of the issue, go to www.swjournal.com for its recent article Ramping Up Tension and the attached still unpublished opinion piece that Robert Lilligren (8th Ward City Council member) and I wrote for the Star Tribune. Both provide a good history and framing of the issues at hand. Jeanne Massey Ward 10 Mn/DOT is Back with I-35W Expansion Plans in South Minneapolis The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is back with another I-35W expansion plan, trying its luck again at getting a bigger freeway, one that Minneapolitans have already said no to. The Star Tribune (on December 17) backed the plan, urging a group of neighborhood and business representatives who had been working for three years on improving freeway access to support Mn/DOT's last-minute expansion proposal. The group, the I-35W Access Project Advisory Committee (PAC), did just that on December 18. The vote directed Access Project consultants to retrofit existing designs to handle new high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes (one in each direction) in the middle of I-35W between 46th Street and Downtown. Although this vote was not meant as a direct endorsement for the additional lanes, this may be just the message the PAC sent, giving unearned legitimacy to Mn/DOT's expansion plans. Even though Mn/DOT will eventually have to bring its expansion proposal to the community and undertake an environmental review process, its use of the Access Project to advance its expansion goals is unfair and stacks the odds against empowered community decisions regarding new lanes. Reducing gridlock on I-35W is a pressing metropolitan problem, but we don't presuppose that expanding the freeway is the answer. Countless studies show the futility and extraordinary cost of trying to build ourselves out of congestion. The PAC should reconsider its decision to accommodate new lanes on I-35W, and Minneapolis neighborhoods should work with their suburban neighbors to create viable transit solutions that keep Minneapolis and the region a vital place to work and live. The I-35W Access Project was not designed to evaluate expansion. Its goal was to improve access in the Lake Street area. Begun in
[Mpls] NLG Press Conference in Minneapolis
I invite list members to read and forward this post about this press conference taking place in Minneapolis this Monday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. in front of the Federal Courthouse. The issues addressed affect people in Minneapolis, as has been discussed often on this list, as well as in the state and in the country. If you or your organization is interested in joining the signatory list please respond to [EMAIL PROTECTED] We also welcome your support and attendance at the press conference. Thanks for your attention! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 16, 2002 Contact: Caroline Palmer at (612) 978-1936 or Peter Brown at (612) 824-6533 MINNESOTA CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD WILL ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF STATEWIDE COALITION TO ADDRESS CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES VIOLATIONS IN POST-9/11 UNITED STATES AND MINNESOTA Organizations and individuals join Guild in signing action statement asserting that the protection of equal justice is patriotism, and commit to formation of a coalition to protect the core principles of our democracy, civil rights and liberties for all people. . Joint Press Conference in front of Federal Courthouse, 300 South 4th Street, Minneapolis Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. The coalition calls for the following actions, including: Repeal the USA PATRIOT Act Rescind the rule permitting government eavesdropping on attorney-client conversations Rescind the executive order for military tribunals End corporate favors under the guise of national interest Release the identities of all detainees and the reasons for their detention End profiling based on race, ethnicity, religion and national origin Stop Minnesota from adopting the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act (MEPHA) End limitations on the Freedom of Information Act The date has been chosen to honor Dr. King's commitment to a future in which people of all races, creeds, nationalities, and classes live together in a country where equality, justice and peace are the guarantees of freedom. We draw inspiration from that legacy and are challenged to follow in his footsteps. Despite Dr. King's vision of an equal society he was subject to the same sort of investigative techniques that have been recently legalized by our government in the wake of September 11, including illegal surveillance, illegal break-ins, and disinformation campaigns.. We honor Dr. King for his resistance to these tactics and his defense of civil liberties during a time, much like today, when such resistance and defense was unpopular. The following individuals and organizations have committed to the coalition, as of January 16, 2002. For the individuals listed, the organizational information provided by their names is for identification purposes, not to indicate formal organizational adoption. Additional supporters will be announced at the press conference. American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Minnesota Chapter State Senator Ellen Anderson (DFL) Anti-War Committee State Representative Andy Dawkins (DFL) Keith Ellison, Attorney-at-Law Henrietta Faulconer, Northside Neighbors for Justice Sharon Fischlowitz, Minnesota Justice Foundation H.E.R.E. Local 17 Reverend Curtis Herron, Zion Baptist Church Terry Hokenson, Minnesota Friends Meeting Don Irish, Twin Cities Friends Meeting Minnesota AIDS Project Minnesota Civil Liberties Union Minnesota State Bar Association Human Rights Committee National Lawyers Guild, Minnesota Chapter Jamal Omar, Executive Director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center Justice Rosalie Wahl, Retired, Minnesota Supreme Court Lee Pao Xiong, Executive Director of Minneapolis Urban Coalition Dean (Zimmerperson) Zimmermann, Minneapolis City Council, 6th Ward (Green Party) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Can the thermometer be far behind?
Yesterday in the Rotunda at City Hall the Mayor held up a wooden box and implored city workers to stuff it with their budget suggestions. She quoted him as saying you know better than we do what we should be doing to take these actions. Then the Mayor announced that independent councilman Barret Lane would lead his task force on long term financial reform. Presumably Councilman Lane was given the key to the box and one of his duties will be to empty it daily and chortle over the missives. How long will this City Council allow themselves to be a backdrop for the Mayor. Perhaps this is a topic for discussion in their next get-together with the Mayor's handpicked facilitator. The reporter for the Strib actually used 'implore' to characterize the Mayor's calling-to-arms to the 150 city employees attending. Either the editors at the Strib really detest this guy or his performance was mighty dismal. I'm guessing it was some of both. So much for symbols. Tim Connolly Ward 7 __ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Warmer, fuzzier police/Pretty good 20 years
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 9:18 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject:Re: [Mpls] Warmer, fuzzier police/Pretty good 20 years In a message dated 1/15/02 4:40:40 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I think that it would be better for everyone, even the officers themselves, if police could learn to observe ordinary social conventions (especially those regarding violence) when dealing with most of us. .. Mel; I agree with Keith's below statements. I have witnessed the same unbelievable disorder on the south side. Our new Mayor should direct Police Chief Olson to order the rank and file police, who are more than willing, to use decoys, stakeouts, stings etc. If New York can inprove, why can't Mpls? I have also heard that New York has a new program called Operation Clean Sweep. They are rounding up all the street panhandlers, Horizontal Performance Artists, and unlicensed Street Pharmacists and others who cause street disorder. Attention: Mayor and Police Chief; we expect better! Mel Gregerson South Mpls. . Keith says; Believe this. I have stood on the corner at West Broadway and Penn (for years), the alley north and the alley south of West Broadway and Irving (for 2 decades), Adjacent yards to 26th and Penn (also 20 years), night and day, rain and shine, noon and midnight. I have seen mayors come and go (not quick enough) and police chiefs pass through. Remember ' there is no gang problem in Mpls.' ? I have rented to murderers and murderees (and all in between). Come see my bullet hole collection at West Broadway environs, I took the pleasure of saving them when I could since 1982. I was shot once in the chest in a drive-by at 26th and Penn around 1986 (BB gun to my down coat, no damage or pain). But I have rarely seen the Police act anyway but honorably and decently the whole time. Acknowledged that what they do out of my sight I can't vouch for and won't. They have always been calm and polite and cool as I have witnessed. I cannot report otherwise and I would if there were cause, believe me. Folks, you would not believe the things I have witnessed over and over in twenty years in the hood. It is routine; shots fired, fleeing cars, battered and wounded men and women, break-ins. God has blessed me so far and I have had a few minor knocks; but I am just the Landlord. The cops have to approach and touch these BAD, angry, dangerous types everyday, all day. And you and your second cousin couldn't care less. You may just not know, no 'experience' and that is OK. God bless you. But do not make hasty judgment, I have watched and judged for twenty years on that mean street. Over and over again. I just got back from 'today in the hood' and took my shoes off, had a glass of red wine, and started typing for you. I observed 20 drug deals at Bro/Irving TODAY; just our neighborhood youth making a couple bucks. But it is disruptive and occasionally someone is shot on that corner. And sometimes a cop is injured there too. The cops do smile, even at the offenders, and they do not yell. Mostly they just nod their head and glance at their buddies as a way of signaling another human disappointment in front of their noses. They put people in the back of a car and they drive DT. And then they come back. The cop and the offender; I never know which will return first. But the next day or the day after, or sometime later, I will see all familiar faces on the Avenue. And, as time passes, a lot of new ones. Do not be hasty, do not rush to cliche'd judgment. I haven't, but I will be out on West Broadway tomorrow, Wednesday. Dealing with the issues as they arise, shmoozing. Doing my job and being part of the rhythm of the street. Watching again the cops patrolling and doing their job. And doing it with calm, decency, and a very professional attitude. Keith, every day counts as two in the hood-believe me, NearNorth ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Redistricting Commission
Well, I thought you all might be interested in the following information from the Park Board this evening. We held a Special Meeting in order to submit two names to the Charter Commission for the Park Board appointees. Apparently there is a process whereby City Council reps are replaced with Park Board reps somewhere in the process when it is time to redistrict the Park Districts. Anyway, Walter made a motion to accept Tony Scallon and Scott Neiman as our two reps. Needless, to say this raised the rancor of some members. Rochelle proceeded to submit the names of Naomi Loper and Patty Hillmeyer. In the discussion it was pointed out that the Charter Commission has some rulings that state that former elected officials cannot serve for at least two years of their time in office. When this came up it was pointed out that this does not hold true for Park Board appointees. So I proceeded to state that we don't have to do things just because we can but why not follow the same rules that apply to everyone else. And there was a motion to lay on the table the action to next week in order to allow for checking in with possible nominees, finding out if people want to serve and give us some choices in a pool of people we would like to put forward. This motion although not debatable managed to be pulled after Walter agreed to pull his motion and vote next week on these appointments. Now we have a week to come up with names and bios and the persons agreeing to serve if chosen. Any input, suggestions or comments on or off line would be appreciated. A little Park Board intrigue during the January blahs. Annie Young Citywide Park Commissioner East Phillips ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
