[Mpls] Some background on Stephen Porter and his 3rd Street homies...
it's 3 am and the local pimps and prostitutes are still open for business on my corner (Ontime Delivery truck 204 was the last customer) I sent that message a week before Mr. Porter and his homies were busted. I'm quite familiar with Mr. Porter's criminal proclivities, and immediately recognized his picture splashed about the media. The same Mr. Porter who claims to have been sexually assaulted had no qualms about selling drugs and promoting prostitution in front of children. It was he and his homies that kept me up past 3 am that night with their dealing and pandering in the 2500 block of 3rd Street North. Over last weekend I overheard Mr. Porter's homies talking about the neighborhood getting too hot, and they seemed to be getting nervous. The criminal activity tapered off over that weekend. Probably Mr. Porter and his homies suspected a bust was imminent and cleaned house, partly explaining why police found less drugs than expected. This is a different neighborhood since Mr. Porter and his homies were busted. Neighbors are out doing yard work, and children are free to play again. Hey, if this keeps up I'll have no excuse to leave Minneapolis, and the two empty houses next to Mr. Porter's drug house will finally sell to new families. Hopefully Mr. Porter will be more quickly sentenced to serve out his most recent felony conviction at a proper locked facility, and his homies will move on. Failing that, I'd suggest that CUAPB and Mr. Porter's other enablers keep him off our streets lest he commit further felonies whilst his allegations are properly disposed of. enjoying another quiet night in Hawthorne, Dyna Sluyter 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. 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
[Mpls] Re: Jennings
[super! more about jennings! - a.n.] well i'm disappointed. steve, i thought as a Green you might have a more open mind on this issue. you say: Now that he was forced to resign it is really sad for the children and parents of the Minneapolis School System. Sad due to the fact of having a person that could have really made some much needed changes in the district... what makes you think that mpls, with a little effort and public input, could not have found someone equal, or better (more likely) than Jennings for the children and parents of the Mpls. School system? in my opinion, its probably more likely given the political baggage (whether its warranted or not) that Jennings has. why do you think that Jennings is the only one who can really made some much needed changes in the district and step in and really [make a] positive difference? its is more likely that there are others who can achieve this outcome as well. you also write: ...[Jennings] is forced out by a group that has only one agenda, one that is not founded in the best interests of the school system... now that's just hyperbole, steve. which you ALWAYS use and I NEVER do. (i think you get the idea). as a Green, I am in shock and awe by your comments (which is not entirely unusual for me). but, now one has to wonder if you were going for Green the endorsement (for school board) for political opportunistic reasons or if you are really on solid ground with your values (i.e. the principles upon which the Green Values are based such as fairness, equality, human dignity, integrity, etc.) aaron neumann holland Steve Sumner writes: As a person that has been very active working within the Minneapolis Schools as a parent for many years, I questioned the hiring of David Jennings as the Super of the district at first. I questioned if he had the qualifications to do the job, but after the endorsement by former Super Johnson those questions faded and I supported the decision. Now that he was forced to resign it is really sad for the children and parents of the Minneapolis School System. Sad due to the fact of having a person that could have really made some much needed changes in the district is forced out by a group that has only one agenda, one that is not founded in the best interests of the school system. The school board may be able to find someone else that can do the job, but not someone that could step in and really make the kind of positive difference that Mr. Jennings would have made. When looking at the sorry state of the Minneapolis School System, just remember to place some of the blame on people like Randy Stanton and Spike Moss. Steve Sumner Waite Park 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. 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 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. 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
[Mpls] Re: Some background on Stephen Porter and his 3rd Street homies...
dear dyna, reminder #2: 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. i will try to respect the list rules...and i realize that your frustrated with the situatiuon in your neigborhood - but we're all homies - i mean human...um...you get the idea. its not cool to degrade others...even if you feel its justified. by the way...why do you think he was released with NO charges? aaron neumann holland Dyna writes: it's 3 am and the local pimps and prostitutes are still open for business on my corner (Ontime Delivery truck 204 was the last customer) I sent that message a week before Mr. Porter and his homies were busted. I'm quite familiar with Mr. Porter's criminal proclivities, and immediately recognized his picture splashed about the media. The same Mr. Porter who claims to have been sexually assaulted had no qualms about selling drugs and promoting prostitution in front of children. It was he and his homies that kept me up past 3 am that night with their dealing and pandering in the 2500 block of 3rd Street North. Over last weekend I overheard Mr. Porter's homies talking about the neighborhood getting too hot, and they seemed to be getting nervous. The criminal activity tapered off over that weekend. Probably Mr. Porter and his homies suspected a bust was imminent and cleaned house, partly explaining why police found less drugs than expected. This is a different neighborhood since Mr. Porter and his homies were busted. Neighbors are out doing yard work, and children are free to play again. Hey, if this keeps up I'll have no excuse to leave Minneapolis, and the two empty houses next to Mr. Porter's drug house will finally sell to new families. Hopefully Mr. Porter will be more quickly sentenced to serve out his most recent felony conviction at a proper locked facility, and his homies will move on. Failing that, I'd suggest that CUAPB and Mr. Porter's other enablers keep him off our streets lest he commit further felonies whilst his allegations are properly disposed of. enjoying another quiet night in Hawthorne, Dyna Sluyter 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. 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 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. 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
[Mpls] Media reports that Stephen Porter was Police Informer
Alleged victim was police informer David Chanen and Paul McEnroe, Star Tribune Published October 17, 2003 The man accusing a Minneapolis police officer of sexually assaulting him during a drug raid was a confidential informant for the officer, sources with knowledge of the case said Thursday. It was unclear Thursday whether the alleged victim, Stephen Porter, was still informing for accused officer Jeffrey Jindra or other officers at the time of the raid in a north Minneapolis apartment Monday. It also was unclear whether his informant status played any role in the drug raid or allegations that Jindra used a toilet plunger handle to assault Porter, 25, in the raid. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4159341.html Posted on Fri, Oct. 17, 2003 MINNEAPOLIS: Brutality case rattles department BY AMY MAYRON Pioneer Press Allegations that Minneapolis police sodomized a narcotics suspect this week have shaken a department already struggling with perceptions of how officers treat people of color. The claim by Stephen Porter, a black man, that he was assaulted with a toilet plunger handle by white officers threw officials into a tailspin, and the FBI was quickly asked to investigate. Community leaders were calling emergency meetings, and city officials were meeting with officers. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/7033463.htm Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- __ Sign-up for your own personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup CareerBuilder.com has over 400,000 jobs. Be smarter about your job search http://corp.mail.com/careers 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. 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
[Mpls] City Pages Article: Jennings steps aside, and fingers are pointing
NEWS . VOL 24 #1193 . PUBLISHED 10/15/03 Jennings steps aside, and fingers are pointing by Britt Robson Last week's decision by David Jennings to renounce his appointment as superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools left no one connected to the fiasco unscathed. Jennings, the school board members who appointed him, and the coalition of predominantly African American organizations that opposed him all bear responsibility for an embarrassing situation that can't help but hinder the quality of education for the tens of thousands of students in the district. http://www.citypages.com/databank/24/1193/article11581.asp Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- __ Sign-up for your own personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup CareerBuilder.com has over 400,000 jobs. Be smarter about your job search http://corp.mail.com/careers 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. 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
[Mpls] Police NOT cleared in alleged abuse
This is not the same as clearing Jindra or showing the allegations to be false. This simply says that the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section of the USDOJ (of which the FBI is the investigatory arm) did not find enough to make the case prosecutable under the particular federal civil rights statutes they prosecute under (the ones the Feds used in the Rodney King case). We've done some research on prosecutions under this set of statutes, including speaking with attorneys in the department about their guidelines, and the standards for prosecution are pretty high. Most run of the mill police brutality cases would have difficulty meeting these standards. One of the standards, for example, is that the case has to have national significance. The DOJ seems to only take on a limited number of these cases a year. As appalling as the case involving Titi's son is, it probably was not able to rise to the national significance standard. For more information on this section of the DOJ see http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/crim/crimhome.html The information on the kinds of cases they handle is fascinating. Michelle Gross Bryn Mawr At 07:53 AM 10/16/03 -0700, Mark Wilde wrote: Sources told WCCO Officer Jindra recently received a letter from the FBI saying it had finished investigating allegations against Jindra and concluded that evidence does not establish a prosecutable violation of the federal criminal civil rights statutes. (snip) Allegations are often proven false. Sometimes they do turn out to be true, and if so, the officers should be punished appropriately, but sometime they are not true. 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. 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
[Mpls] Healing
If the internet had existed in 1967, the conversation on this list would have echoed the conversation in Detroit preceding the riots: anger, denial, contempt for the accusers and their defenders. Thank you Don Samuels for interjecting your words of healing. I have not been actively participating in this discussion because I don't have access to Twin Cities TV and haven't been able to see video clips. I would, however, like to say a word about the word alleged. We use it when we suits us and ignore it when we it doesn't suit our needs. There's also a tendency, in the Twin Cities and perhaps beyond, to say I can't say it happened if I wasn't there. Following that reasoning, the Holocaust didn't exist because we didn't see it, and Bill and Monica didn't do anything because we weren't in the White House. Susan Maricle formerly of Folwell Bruno MN __ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com 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. 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
[Mpls] Mayor Rybak and the Stadium
I remember the Mayor saying he would not support a publicly funded stadium. And I remember that, in a debate with Lisa McDonald, he used that answer. As to putting his butt on the line. Even if he is not re-elected, he will have curried favor with the rich and connected.A win situation no matter what. Another politician, another spin, another sell out. Margaret Hastings-Mpls-Kingfield
Re: [Mpls] Re: FBI to probe claims of felony assault by Minneapolis officers
Porter was not charged because he could not be physical connected with the cocaine found in the house. In other words, it had to be on his person or within his reach when the officers first saw him. Instead, the drugs were found in the toilet. A better question might be why his bail wasn't revoked and his sentencing hearing moved up? Even if the drugs found couldn't be pinned on him, his was either himself engaged in criminal activity or hanging with people engaged in such. This would be a violaton of most conditions of bail, probation and parole. Anne McCandless 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. 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
[Mpls] RE: PORTER
See: http://info.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer/Inmate.asp?OID=202961 I imagine hanging around a crack house would be a violation of supervised release. No charges necessary to go back to prison. JCBrand SW Mpls 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. 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
Re: [Mpls] Mayor Rybak and the Stadium
Another sell out, agreed. All too common, probably more common than serving the people. Every betrayal, every promise broken, degrades the community. When they betray us, we have to kick them out. So, NOW, who is going to step forward to RUN AGAINST RYBEK??? --David Shove Roseville On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I remember the Mayor saying he would not support a publicly funded stadium. And I remember that, in a debate with Lisa McDonald, he used that answer. As to putting his butt on the line. Even if he is not re-elected, he will have curried favor with the rich and connected. A win situation no matter what. Another politician, another spin, another sell out. Margaret Hastings-Mpls-Kingfield 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. 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
RE: [Mpls] Mayor Rybak and the Stadium
Maybe Lisa could come to our rescue here and run again. She would have my vote. Rybak wont be getting my vote. I hope he reads this post, and I know he reads some, and posts when it suits his purpose. Ron Leurquin Nokomis East -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of David Shove Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 10:10 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Mayor Rybak and the Stadium Another sell out, agreed. All too common, probably more common than serving the people. Every betrayal, every promise broken, degrades the community. When they betray us, we have to kick them out. So, NOW, who is going to step forward to RUN AGAINST RYBEK??? --David Shove Roseville 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. 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
[Mpls] mistaken identity
i've made a mistake (how rare!) i believe (i don't have my sent records here) that i sent a post to steve sumner about the jennings ordeal late last evening. for some reason, i thought steve sumner was michael sumner, a green who ran for the park board, NOT the school board - so i was a little curious as to the comments which were supportive of the jennings appointment (and the manner in which it was conducted). upon further reflection, i've realized my case of mistaken identity. a word to the wise: avoid posting at two a.m. when your really, really tired. perceptions and judgment can come into question in that state. aaron neumann holland 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. 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
[Mpls] Re: FBI to probe claims of felony assault by Minneapolis officers
Anne McCandless writes: A better question might be why his bail wasn't revoked and his sentencing hearing moved up? aaron neumann asks: do you think this may have to do with his informant status? aaron neumann holland 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. 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
[Mpls] Did anyone else notice the proposed Sears giveaway?
From Steve Brandt's Strib article on Wednesday... A Minneapolis City Council committee Tuesday endorsed a team headed by Ryan Companies as the preferred developer of the Sears complex on Lake Street. Ryan has offered $2.2 million for the site. Hm.$2.2 million for 1.2 million square feet of space on several city blocks? Real estate values in Minneapolis must have crashed. Using these figures, the average home in Minneapolis would be worth about $5,000. Not long ago, former Council Member Steve Minn stated in a Southwest Journal article that land values in Minneapolis were $20 to $27 per square foot. He must be jealous - since he paid $2 million for the land underneath Stone Arch Apartments -- or so he claims in MCDA documents. In several condemnation cases, Minneapolis has paid more than $50 per square foot for land. This makes me wonder if Rebecca Yanisch (former MCDA Director) went back to work for Ryan. Heck, maybe Ryan offered everyone at the MCDA lifetime employment. It would be a public service if the StarTribune would tally up the total taxpayer dollars lost so far on this debacle. How much did the MCDA pay for the Sears site nine years ago. How many millions in uncollected property taxes have we sacrificed over that period? Why did the MCDA pay Ray Harris almost $1 million to walk away from the deal a few years ago? How much has the MCDA spent to maintain this white elephant? This proposal is either corrupt or the worst example of incompetence that I've ever seen. If the City sells the Sears site for $2.2 million - I'll be the first person to call the U. S. Attorney's office to investigate. In the meantime, I'll petition the Tax Court to reduce my Minneapolis property taxes since my properties must be worth about $5 each. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4154871.html Vicky Heller North Oaks 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. 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
[Mpls] Re: FBI to probe claims of felony assault by Minneapolis officers
If what Porter has accused the officers of doing really happened, I think it's safe to say his status as an informant had ended. Anne McCandless Jordan Anne McCandless writes: A better question might be why his bail wasn't revoked and his sentencing hearing moved up? aaron neumann asks: do you think this may have to do with his informant status? aaron neumann holland 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. 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
[Mpls] Stephen Porter and his 3rd Street homies... Are back in business!
On Friday, October 17, 2003, at 12:28 AM, Dyna wrote: This is a different neighborhood since Mr. Porter and his homies were busted. Neighbors are out doing yard work, and children are free to play again. I spoke too soon. An hour or so later I was awoken by the same Rastaman wannabe in his white Jetta with neither muffler or front license plate that's been haunting our 'hood for months. The fact that this rolling probable cause has evaded our impound lot for so long is testimony that racial profiling is nonexistant in Minneapolis.. Two dudes hopped out and headed in the direction of Mr.Porter's drug house. A moment later they returned and lit up there crack pipes right there in the car. This morning I scared off a couple more crackheads in a red cheapy Accura just as they were firing up. Mr. Porter's homegirls with the white Explorer are parked out front at the moment, and they don't seem to be moving out. Meanwhile, we have new revelations that Mr.Porter is an informant. Combine that with the fact that Mr.Porter has put on more than a bit of weight and has a reputation for putting things up his rearmost body cavity and we can see why Mr. Porter is probably quite desperate to cop a lie to stay out of prison. With his homies none too happy with him and CUAPB distancing themselves, Mr. Porter's sole defenders are Ron Edwards et al. Methinks even Mr. Edwards will soon tire of Mr. Porter's company, and Mr. Porter will appear at our county jail, begging to be readmitted for his own safety. hangin' on in Hawthorne, Dyna Sluyter 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. 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
[Mpls] School Superintendents - Pat Harvey
But is that enough, Andy? Shouldn't they also require any new superintendents to also swear under oath that they are not now and have never been members of any Chamber of Commerce? Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson, (apparently back in McCarthy's USA) The Board should dismiss her forthwith, in my view. . . . Andy Driscoll Saint Paul 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. 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
Re: [Mpls] School Superintendents - Pat Harvey
On Fri, 17 Oct 2003, Tim Bonham wrote: But is that enough, Andy? Shouldn't they also require any new superintendents to also swear under oath that they are not now and have never been members of any Chamber of Commerce? It would be a step in the right direction. --David Shove Roseville 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. 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
RE: [Mpls] Mayor Rybak and the Stadium
I recall a somewhat different perspective from Mayor (then candidate)Rybak) at two public forums that I attended. Both times he said that he would not support a publicly funded stadium using bonds or levies or revenue derived primarily from Minneapolis residents but that if the State of Minnesota wished to commit public monies for a stadium then he hoped that it would be built in Minneapolis. He also stated that he thought the ideal or preferred way for stadiums to be built is through private investment but that if the State of Minnesota decided to move ahead with a publicly funded stadium, he repeated his preference that the stadium be built in Minneapolis. It needs to be said that I am a strong supporter of using the state's bonding authority to underwrite the cost of a stadium or using a statewide funding mechanism to build a stadium for the Twins and Vikings. I suspect that a good number of people in the Minneapolis Issues Forum do not share my enthusiasm for publicly funded stadiums however. Perhaps I heard what I wanted to hear from candidate Rybak, but I do recall at the time that his comments seemed pretty well received by those in attendance (most of whom did not support publicly funded stadiums I gathered) and that those of us who are/were stadium proponents (clearly a minority it seemed) were cheered by the fact that he did not dismiss STATEWIDE public financing of stadiums. Jim Bernstein Fulton -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David Shove Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 10:10 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Mayor Rybak and the Stadium Another sell out, agreed All too common, probably more common than serving the people. Every betrayal, every promise broken, degrades the community. When they betray us, we have to kick them out. So, NOW, who is going to step forward to RUN AGAINST RYBEK??? --David Shove Roseville On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I remember the Mayor saying he would not support a publicly funded stadium. And I remember that, in a debate with Lisa McDonald, he used that answer. As to putting his butt on the line. Even if he is not re-elected, he will have curried favor with the rich and connected. A win situation no matter what. Another politician, another spin, another sell out. Margaret Hastings-Mpls-Kingfield 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. 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 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. 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
[Mpls] spin control on Jennings withdrawal
The coalition of groups and individuals that came together in opposition to the appointment of David Jennings is calling for ...a more open process that includes input from the community... [Jennings Withdraws, Insight News, October 15, 2003] The School Board welcomes public input like the devil welcomes holy water. The board has thus far refused to commit itself to an open, competitive bidding process with opportunities for public input. They still have the option of hiring Jennings, and fighting it out in court, if Jennings changes his mind. Some of us who opposed the appointment of Jennings also opposed the appointment of Carol Johnson because there was no open bidding process; no opportunities for public input. And some of us don't like the way that the schools are being run. In the Sunday, October 12 Star-Tribune, editor Jim Boyd complained about reverse racism as a factor in motivating opposition to the Jennings appointment. For some it was a factor, if not THE factor, but the Star-Tribune never complained about reverse racism when it served to stifle dissent and paralyze opposition to the status quo. City Pages education beat reporter, Britt Robson, also made race THE issue in his article white meat. -- Give that man a job at the Strib! -- Robson writes, Why did lawyers filing an injunction against Jennings's appointment claim that the school board didn't follow affirmative-action guidelines in making its decision? And note that Bill English, Staten's colleague on the church coalition, told MPS officials at the community forum where Jennings was roasted, When you start looking for a permanent superintendent, you've got to look for an educator, preferably, and let me be very clear, a black educator. -- White Meat, by Britt Robson http://www.citypages.com/databank/24/1193/article11581.asp Good points, Britt. And I should note that Affirmative action guidelines usually call for a competitive search process. Bill English supported the appointment of Carol Johnson without a competitive search process or opportunities for *public* input. However, Bill English and Randy Staten are not the opposition, nor are their views necessarily consistent with those of a majority of people who oppose the Jennings appointment. -Doug Mann 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. 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
[Mpls] NAACP withdraws from Hollman lawsuit?
NAACP Withdraws from Minneapolis Housing Case (full text at) http://www.naacp.org/news/releases/MinnHousingCase101703.shtml [Press release] Dennis Courtland Hayes, NAACP General Counsel, announced today that the Minneapolis Branch NAACP has withdrawn as a plaintiff in the housing case Hollman v. Martinez... [Doug Mann] This is news to most of the branch membership, and possibly to the Court. To date a motion to dismiss the NAACP as a party to the Hollman lawsuit has not been filed in the Court's Hollman docket (file). However, Attorney Thomas White filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for the NAACP on October, 1, 2003 [docket #233]. That motion was granted on October 14, 2003. The NAACP was still a party to the Hollman lawsuit as of October 17, 2003. There was a hearing on October 17, 2003 to consider a motion by the City seeking an additional $7.3 million from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The NAACP and Legal Aid supported the City. -- MEMORANDUM by class plaintiffs in support of MPHA's motion for order to enforce decree, docket #242, dated 10 / 9 / 03 The constitution and bylaws for branches of the NAACP give branch executive committees authority To decide matters of Branch policy subject to endorsement by the Branch and in accordance with National policy. (article IV, section 2, paragraph f). However, the branch never endorsed the executive committee's decision to support the City in Court. The branch executive committee blocked the formation of a housing committee in September (see Don't give them shelter, pulse of the twin cities), ignored several requests for special meetings to address this issue, and the branch president prevented the September membership meeting from being convened. The branch membership was ordered to vacate the site of the meeting (Urban League building) or face arrest by Minneapolis Police. It's not hard to figure out why the Minneapolis NAACP branch executive committee did not want any input and direction from the branch membership. A majority of branch members who regularly branch attend meetings can't be trusted to vote the way the executive committee wants them to. [Press release] Hayes said: We feel it more important that the efforts of the plaintiffs, as well as the community at large, not be hindered by the ongoing distractions within the local branch. With the recent withdrawal of attorney Thomas J. White, yet the third local attorney to withdraw from the case, we have been unable to retain adequate substitute counsel. Therefore, notwithstanding Branch President Brett Buckner's desire to persevere, we must accept the reality that internal matters should be resolved before the branch could be an effective voice in this case or other civil rights initiatives. Accordingly, a pending internal misconduct complaint against some branch members and a civil suit concerning a branch election currently under adjudication are serving as distractions from the overall goals of the Hollman litigation. [Doug Mann] Spoken like a true lawyer -Doug Mann, King Field Mann for School Board web site: http://educationright.tripod.com (no more popup ads) - 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. 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
Re: [Mpls] Mayor Rybak and the Stadium
I'd like to see RT Rybak explain how he has not sold us out, here on this list. From what I read in the paper, his statements are vague enough that such an argument could be made. I'm willing to give hime one chance to do it. Otherwise, without a compelling and timely defense, I'll assume he has indeed sold us out. I voted for Lisa McDonald in the primary and had a large yard sign for her on my hillside yard facing a busy street. When it came down to Rybak versus Sayles-Belton, well, it was clear we didn't need more of the same good old boys club and downtown developer pocket lining, so up went the sign for Rybak and this household voted for him. Lisa was the only major candidate who had a vision for the city. Lisa would have my vote if she ran again, too, but I'm guessing that she probably no longer has the necessary fire in the belly to go through the immense amount of effort and trouble to do so. Chris Johnson Fulton Leurquin, Ronald wrote: Maybe Lisa could come to our rescue here and run again. She would have my vote. Rybak wont be getting my vote. I hope he reads this post, and I know he reads some, and posts when it suits his purpose. Ron Leurquin Nokomis East -Original Message- Another sell out, agreed. All too common, probably more common than serving the people. Every betrayal, every promise broken, degrades the community. When they betray us, we have to kick them out. So, NOW, who is going to step forward to RUN AGAINST RYBEK??? --David Shove Roseville 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. 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
Re: [Mpls] Did anyone else notice the proposed Sears giveaway?
Victoria Heller wrote: From Steve Brandt's Strib article on Wednesday... A Minneapolis City Council committee Tuesday endorsed a team headed by Ryan Companies as the preferred developer of the Sears complex on Lake Street. Ryan has offered $2.2 million for the site. Hm.$2.2 million for 1.2 million square feet of space on several city blocks? Real estate values in Minneapolis must have crashed. Using these figures, the average home in Minneapolis would be worth about $5,000. Not long ago, former Council Member Steve Minn stated in a Southwest Journal article that land values in Minneapolis were $20 to $27 per square foot. He must be jealous - since he paid $2 million for the land underneath Stone Arch Apartments -- or so he claims in MCDA documents. In several condemnation cases, Minneapolis has paid more than $50 per square foot for land. This makes me wonder if Rebecca Yanisch (former MCDA Director) went back to work for Ryan. Heck, maybe Ryan offered everyone at the MCDA lifetime employment. It would be a public service if the StarTribune would tally up the total taxpayer dollars lost so far on this debacle. How much did the MCDA pay for the Sears site nine years ago. How many millions in uncollected property taxes have we sacrificed over that period? Why did the MCDA pay Ray Harris almost $1 million to walk away from the deal a few years ago? How much has the MCDA spent to maintain this white elephant? This proposal is either corrupt or the worst example of incompetence that I've ever seen. If the City sells the Sears site for $2.2 million - I'll be the first person to call the U. S. Attorney's office to investigate. In the meantime, I'll petition the Tax Court to reduce my Minneapolis property taxes since my properties must be worth about $5 each. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4154871.html Vicky Heller North Oaks Why is it that in the vast majority of proven or alleged cases of this kind of incompetence or corruption, the MCDA is fat square in the middle of the deal? Sounds to me like MCDA is rotten to the core. I say fire the top 20 or 30 executives and managers at the MCDA and clean house. I, for another, am tired of being taken to the cleaners by the tax man to pay for the MCDA's conniving schemes to enrich wealthy developers. Not guilty? Prove it. Answer Vicky's questions completely and in detail. Disgusted and Angry in Fulton, Chris Johnson 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. 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
[Mpls] Stadum;
Rybak and Stadium Jim Berstein is dead right that most taxpayers in Minneapolis are on record against publicly funded stadiums. If Jim remembers, the referendum on spending city money was 70-30 to require the voter's OK on such levies. That really rankled the suburbanites, but at that point, MOST of us didn't care. As to Rybak's preference to build it in Minneapolis, that is not Rybak reflecting the sentiments of the residents of this city. If he doubts that, let him take a referendum on THAT. Porter One wishes that correspondents wouldn't be so hasty to draw their conclusions. The prejudices just get too EASY to see and not at all pleasing to behold. By the way, can I assume that Anne McCandless' POV comes from past and/or present service in the police? When the papers were writing about Jordan, they mentioned that. She is pretty consistently behind the police no matter what they do, so she doesnt judge their behavior from arms-length. Being neither an abuse victim NOR an ex-cop, I tend to see all sides of these issues. If I have a bias at all, it is the anti-secrecy bias. Jim Mork Cooper Neighborhood Crimes against Peace: namely, planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression, or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances, or participation in a Common Plan or Conspiracy for the accomplishment of any of the foregoing; -- Nuremberg War Tribunal _ Express yourself with MSN Messenger 6.0 -- download now! http://www.msnmessenger-download.com/tracking/reach_general 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. 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
Re: [Mpls] Stadum;
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe there is something on the books that limits the City Council to a $10M appropriation cap for stadium spending without voter approval. Barb Lickness Whittier = Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead __ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com 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. 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
[Mpls] Southwest Journal election-suit coverage other stories
Reporter Scott Russell has a story on the two Minneapolis election suits winding their way through the courts, and I wrote an editorial. Since this has been a hot list topic in the past, I thought some members might be interested: Story: http://www.swjournal.com/display/inn_news/news04.txt Editorial: http://www.swjournal.com/display/inn_opinion/opinion01.txt (I apologize for not having the plaintiff's settlement map online - it's in the paper - and will try to remedy next week.) Police-citizen interactions have also sparked tons of discussion, but we have a perspective you don't often get: from a 16-year-old South High student and Linden Hills resident who is, by her own description, an au courant racial mélange. Her piece can be found at: http://www.swjournal.com/display/inn_opinion/opinion03.txt Is Southwest Minneapolis a monoculture? Jocelyn Hale muses at http://www.swjournal.com/display/inn_opinion/opinion02.txt (We've already received letters about this one). News highlights: The state's biggest unionizing drive is at Walker Methodist Health Center. The workers - many immigrants - say it's about fairness and respect, not money. The company says the legislature left little room to bargain and have appeals to the federal National Labor Relations Board. The nursing home has 550 workers. http://www.swjournal.com/display/inn_news/news01.txt You don't often hear Minneapolis politicians wanting to emulate St. Paul, but City Councilmember Dan Niziolek is floating the idea of making alley maintenance a private, not city responsibility, to focus spending on city streets. A capital idea? See: http://www.swjournal.com/display/inn_news/news02.txt David Brauer Kingfield Editor, SW Journal and Skyway News 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. 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
[Mpls] Re: spin control on Jennings withdrawal
Right -- lets take the low bidder for our next Schools Superintendent! That's just bound to get us the most qualified person, right? Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson The board has thus far refused to commit itself to an open, competitive bidding process ... -Doug Mann 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. 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
Re: [Mpls] Stadum;
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe there is something on the books that limits the City Council to a $10M appropriation cap for stadium spending without voter approval. Barb Lickness Whittier That didn't stop them from building the HHH Metrodome. They just don't ever go before the City Council for funding. Instead they run it thru MCDA, which they claim is not restricted by this voter-passed Charter Amendment spending limit on the City Council. To argue that MCDA is just the City Council in another name (same 13 people on the board), you will have to have the money and lawyers to fight the city in court. In the Metrodome case, they got a friendly judge to order that the challengers had to put up a multi-million dollar bond to cover the claimed additional construction costs that would be caused by delaying construction for a court trial. Since they couldn't do that, their challenge was dismissed and never heard in court. Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson 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. 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
