[Mpls] Re: Transit and company cars
Jim Bernstein writes: The fact is that having a fleet of vehicles costs a lot of money and it is a better investment to have people use their own vehicles and be reimbursed for mileage. (Sam Adams writes:) This is another case of socializing costs and not benefits. The result of such a decision is that the employee has no choice but to maintain a private vehicle (I need it for work), even if they wouldn't need one otherwise. The Ramsey and Hennepin County government centers and the State Capitol are among the easiest places to get to by bus in the Twin Cities. Once you're stuck making car payments, insurance payments, etc., it's much easier to fall into the trap of just driving everywhere. Since you're already shelling out so much money just to keep that vehicle running and legal, you might as well drive it. And we all wind up paying for that. Wasn't there some talk under the Ventura administration of creating a sort of pay as you go insurance plan? The problem with mandated no-fault insurance is that it's a completely regressive fixed expense which encourages car owners to drive more. Sam Adams East Phillips Car-free for 12 years now 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. 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 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] Re: Transit and company cars
City government, Park Board, Hennepin County do have fleets for things like inspectors, maintenance Park District supervisors as examples. It's not quite the same thing as needing a vehicle to get to a meeting every other week. On the other hand what about the articles I've seen about 8-10 people or households all sharing a vehicle ( a hybrid electric at that). That's another transit option. So are skateboards and inline skates. It's just we have to get it all connected so that everyone can get easily, safely and comfortably to where they have to go wether it is work, living or play. My $.02 worth, Annie Young an auto addict who used to take the bus back when I was very, very poor (lots poorer than I am now). I just refuse to pay very much for a car when people appear to be reusing and recycling them all the time. If I ever break down and get a new thing I would get a hybrid. In my dreams. At 01:02 AM 2/5/04 -0600, sadams wrote: Jim Bernstein writes: The fact is that having a fleet of vehicles costs a lot of money and it is a better investment to have people use their own vehicles and be reimbursed for mileage. (Sam Adams writes:) This is another case of socializing costs and not benefits. The result of such a decision is that the employee has no choice but to maintain a private vehicle (I need it for work), even if they wouldn't need one otherwise. The Ramsey and Hennepin County government centers and the State Capitol are among the easiest places to get to by bus in the Twin Cities. Once you're stuck making car payments, insurance payments, etc., it's much easier to fall into the trap of just driving everywhere. Since you're already shelling out so much money just to keep that vehicle running and legal, you might as well drive it. And we all wind up paying for that. Wasn't there some talk under the Ventura administration of creating a sort of pay as you go insurance plan? The problem with mandated no-fault insurance is that it's a completely regressive fixed expense which encourages car owners to drive more. Sam Adams East Phillips Car-free for 12 years now 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. 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 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. 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 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] Re: Transit and company cars
I believe the program Annie is thinking of is hOurCar - which is a car-sharing program coming soon to the Twin Cities - http://www.hourcar.org/ This program will be open to both individuals and businesses that cannot afford or do not want the hassle of maintaining their own fleets. That might serve as a good way to solve the dilemma that Sam wrote about. Mark Snyder Windom Park On 2/5/04 1:31 AM, Annie Young [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: City government, Park Board, Hennepin County do have fleets for things like inspectors, maintenance Park District supervisors as examples. It's not quite the same thing as needing a vehicle to get to a meeting every other week. On the other hand what about the articles I've seen about 8-10 people or households all sharing a vehicle ( a hybrid electric at that). That's another transit option. So are skateboards and inline skates. It's just we have to get it all connected so that everyone can get easily, safely and comfortably to where they have to go wether it is work, living or play. My $.02 worth, Annie Young At 01:02 AM 2/5/04 -0600, sadams wrote: Jim Bernstein writes: The fact is that having a fleet of vehicles costs a lot of money and it is a better investment to have people use their own vehicles and be reimbursed for mileage. (Sam Adams writes:) This is another case of socializing costs and not benefits. The result of such a decision is that the employee has no choice but to maintain a private vehicle (I need it for work), even if they wouldn't need one otherwise. The Ramsey and Hennepin County government centers and the State Capitol are among the easiest places to get to by bus in the Twin Cities. Sam Adams East Phillips Car-free for 12 years now 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Eric Eskola and Journalists Open Huge Advantage In Bus Riding Poll (Add Your Name)
Hello Minneapolis Folks, Journalists Open Huge Advantage It appears that Eric Eskola has many peers that also use transit, 8 out of 22 (including myself) people responding to the poll are journalists. 2 city employees. Dean Zimmerman is our lone Council Member. Although he is bikes more often then uses the bus. The remainder of the list is completed with 11 beautiful busing people. I was reminded yesterday that journalists and other leaders are also WORKING STIFFS. Barb was correct we are all working stiffs, journalists, city leaders, and the rest of us, holding hands, and riding the bus in mutual transit. 1) Aaron Neumann, Holland 2) Constance Nompelis, Ventura Village, I'm neither a journalist nor an elected official, but I ride the bus! (And I'm a Republican too, how about that!) 3) Bruce Gaarder 4) Roberta M. Beach, Minneapolis Ward 7, Precinct 5 I ride the bus twice a day during the workweek, and, depending on where I need to go, may or may not use it on weekends. 5) Niels Stranskov, AE Editor, The Minnesota Daily, Stevens Square/Loring Heights 6) Jim McGuire, Como 7) Andy Isaacson 8) Dean Zimmerman and his brother, Minneapolis City Council Ward 6, Bikes and Buses 9) Jennifer Pederson, Powderhorn Park 10) Nathan Hunstad, CARAG 11) Tom Meersman, Star Tribune 12) Steve Brandt, Star Tribune 13) David Brauer, Skyway News 14) Chris Allison, The Pulse 15) Beth Elliot, City of Minneapolis 16) Scott McGerik and his wife, North Minneapolis 17) Randall Cutting, Seward 18) 18) Brian Lamb Commissioner, Administration, State of Minnesota 19) Natalie Collins, Policy Aide to Council Member Dean Zimmermann, 6th Ward 20 ) Rick Fuentes, Reporter WCCO-TV 21) Dean Linberg, South Side Pride, occasional bus rider __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online. http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Hints for living in the Hood: (was Re: [Mpls] Riding the Bus)
On Wednesday, February 4, 2004, at 11:51 AM, Scott McGerik wrote: Where I live in the Hawthorne neighborhood, I neither need to run nor carry firearms when walking to/from the bus stop. The number 22 bus comes frequently enough on weekdays and weekends that I just walk to Lyndale Ave whenever it is convenient. During the daytime around the areas with some traffic like Broadway and Lyndale it's OK. However, at other hours and at the more secluded corners muggings are a common occurance. You may call it the 'hood, but I call that pejorative. It doesn't take much observation to figure out that Hawthorne, Jordan, and the other affected neighborhoods are being used as overflow by the criminal justice system. On a summer day this 'hood has the look and feel of a prison yard, and violence is frequent. To survive here you have to stay inside a lot, lock up anything of value, and keep your vehicles off the street and inside a tall fence if not a garage. Many new home owners in Hawthorne for good reason make fencing their first home improvement. hanging 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: Hints for living in the Hood: (was Re: [Mpls] Riding the Bus)
Dyna wrote: It doesn't take much observation to figure out that Hawthorne, Jordan, and the other affected neighborhoods are being used as overflow by the criminal justice system. On a summer day this 'hood has the look and feel of a prison yard, and violence is frequent. To survive here you have to stay inside a lot, lock up anything of value, and keep your vehicles off the street and inside a tall fence if not a garage. Many new home owners in Hawthorne for good reason make fencing their first home improvement. Dennis Responds: While I'd agree that the northside experiences more than its fair share of social problems, I'd like to add that because we're all individuals, we all interpret and react to situations in different ways. Dyna's way, of staying inside a lot and building fences is indeed one method of coping with the issues that's been tried by numerous residents, without much success I might add. There are many success stories on the northside. The Jordan neighborhood has recently hired a new executive director, Jonathan Palmer, whose rolled-up his sleeves and really gone to work for the residents in Jordan, on issues that most felt were unsolvable. He's getting results and residents are starting to become more involved again. It's very refreshing. I suspect Dyna, it's time to get out this spring and meet some of your new neighbors on your block. No, you don't live in an affluent neighborhood, and yes, we have a lot of solvable problems left to deal with on the northside. But, sitting inside and wishing it were like it used to be isn't going to improve your position. I mean this respectfully. Dennis Plante Jordan _ High-speed usersbe more efficient online with the new MSN Premium Internet Software. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-uspage=byoa/premST=1 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Intentional Bussing, Triking, Carsharing
I am encouraged to read accounts of bus riding and biking. Sadly, car-sharing (hOurcar) struggles to find miniscule funding compared to road maintenance or roadbuilding projects. If we citizens push for the funding to launch hOurcar, it can very easily be found through private foundations, with perhaps some help from the state. I occasionally take the bus, but do almost all of my work and personal errands on a tricycle. Trikes are so stable, even on snow and ice. I've ridden -- with planning -- through the recent snow emergencies -- as well as the rest of the winter so far. One day I was feeling sick, so cancelled my jobs for the day to rest -- but because of a need to rest, not because riding was impossible. I find that -- after about 4 years of relying on a tricycle (pedicabs and cargo trikes) -- that I have learned more about myself, my relationship to the earth and to others, and about our cityscape than through any other single experience. I recently ran across a quote from Wittgenstein that puts it well: The aspects of things that are most important for us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity. (One is unable to notice something -- because it is always before one's eyes.) The real foundations of (one's) inquiry do not strike a person at all. -- And this means: we fail to be struck by what, once seen, is most striking and powerful. (The above from Philosophical Investigations #129, as quotedby Susan Neiman in Evil In Modern Thought published in 2002 by Princeton university Press -- worth reading!) I notice increasingly, while riding, that the violence (and evil) of our world is rooted in the mundane violence of our day to day lives. Ridding the world -- or even the city --of evil and of evil-doers requires a new way of seeing ourselves and of living our lives. This intentional awareness and action is at the heart of being human as well of being a citizen. Evil is diffuse and knit into our daily lives in countless ways. The toxic machine-gun of the internal combustion engine, the inhumane speed at which we rountinely pass small children or slice through space as though our journey is a nuisance and only our chosen destinations are important -- these are examples of the foundations of violence in our world. We do not see or hear the most striking aspects and impacts of our lives, and in fact a certain intentional ignorance is required for us to believe that we can carry on as we are for an indefinite amount of time. Time will tell, of course, but underneath a veneer of civility we too often hope that we can cheat the simplest principles of nature. We are seduced by our apparent success and manipulated by fear into beleiving that we cannot intentionally design our lives to be less violent without giving up some luxury or sense of security. Check out this article online about how the Pentagon is planning for the future: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0202-02.htm and then ask questions like this: Why is the scenario the Pentagon contemplates here so probable? Is there any connection between the variety of evils -- global warming, global dimming, radical and abrupt changes in ecosystems, extreme violence directed at the USA from many millions of poor people forced to abandon flooded homes, and the like -- connected to my daily choices and to the way we design our cityscape and urban lives? I believe that it is vital for us as citizens to provide our political leadership with the support and clear mandate to plan our infrastructure in the most sustainable ways possible. This is not a matter of choosing between flavors of urban lifestyles, but is a matter of life and death, good and evil, now and in the near future. I observe my children and their friends, and i realize that living a life of peace and designing an infrastructure of peace is the only way to provide them with a secure, prosperous, and peaceful future. Intentional awareness and action for peace and justice is the only path to a peaceful and just future. -- pedaling for peace and justice -- Gary Hoover (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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: Hints for living in the Hood: (was Re: [Mpls] Riding the Bus)
On Thursday, February 5, 2004, at 11:34 AM, Dennis Plante wrote: While I'd agree that the northside experiences more than its fair share of social problems, I'd like to add that because we're all individuals, we all interpret and react to situations in different ways. Dyna's way, of staying inside a lot and building fences is indeed one method of coping with the issues that's been tried by numerous residents, without much success I might add. Dennis, there's no point in sugar coating it- our neighborhoods are de facto crime containment zones. Was not your own garage broken into and thousands of dollars in tools taken? Was not a toddler shot and near killed in your 'hood last summer? On my block alone we still have one very active drug house and another drug house in foreclosure and often used by squatting dealers and hookers. There are many success stories on the northside. The Jordan neighborhood has recently hired a new executive director, Jonathan Palmer, whose rolled-up his sleeves and really gone to work for the residents in Jordan, on issues that most felt were unsolvable. He's getting results and residents are starting to become more involved again. It's very refreshing. Jonathan is a great guy and I wish him luck, but the problems here in the criminal containment zones are pretty much intractable. We are under attack from all sides from a criminal justice system that sees us as an easy dumping ground for there overflow. From corporations that have redlined us. And from a city that harasses us with criminal charges for peeling paint... I suspect Dyna, it's time to get out this spring and meet some of your new neighbors on your block. No, you don't live in an affluent neighborhood, and yes, we have a lot of solvable problems left to deal with on the northside. But, sitting inside and wishing it were like it used to be isn't going to improve your position. About as safe as going for a stroll in the prison yard without a guard in sight. I have a few neighbors I can trust, but most have left. Sadly, this is probably the future trend for the impacted neighborhoods- a relief valve for overcrowded prisons and jails with little legal business activity remaining. I mean this respectfully. thanks, Dyna Sluyter, hunkered down in Hawthorne 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Deaf Politic Forum ( yahoogroup)
After scrambling around, Deaf members trying to obtain information about politic and accessibitilies. At the same time, members of politic communites trying to help out. The main thing is no one knew exactly where to look. So I decided to set up a sort of clearinghouse information where anyone can look up and join the yahoogroups. This way, vaulable information won't get lost somewhere in archive department. Let's try this and see what happen next. Hope this help. Let me know what you think. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Deafpolitic Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ellie Kidder [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: Hints for living in the Hood: (was Re: [Mpls] Riding the Bus)
Dyna Writes: Dennis, there's no point in sugar coating it- our neighborhoods are de facto crime containment zones. Was not your own garage broken into and thousands of dollars in tools taken? Was not a toddler shot and near killed in your 'hood last summer? On my block alone we still have one very active drug house and another drug house in foreclosure and often used by squatting dealers and hookers. Dennis Responds: Dyna, if I'm not mistaken the average city block contains twenty-six houses. You mentioned that you have two problem houses on your block. What about the neighbors living in the other twenty-three houses? What have you done to change your immediate situation? Have you called on the trespassers at the foreclosed property? Do you actively watch and call on the other drug house? Dyna writes: Jonathan is a great guy and I wish him luck, but the problems here in the criminal containment zones are pretty much intractable. We are under attack from all sides from a criminal justice system that sees us as an easy dumping ground for there overflow. From corporations that have redlined us. And from a city that harasses us with criminal charges for peeling paint... Dennis responds: Two things. First, I've found that when I actually take the time and effort to find-out how best to deal with a problem that immediately impacts me, the officials (servants), whether they be city, county, or state employees have all met, or exceeded my expectations. Second, I want the city to come down hard on housing violations. I and many of my neighbors have invested heavily of ourselves in the form of both our money and our time in this neighborhood. We are trying dilligently to rid ourselves of uncaring slumlords, renters AND homeowners. As you're well aware Dyna, being a homeowner saddles an individual with home maintenance costs, regardless of where you live. I would be very sympathetic to your peeling paint issue if I felt that the City were singling you out unfairly. It seems to me however that your complaint is more tied to the fact that you don't think it matters (whether or not you paint your trim) because of the other problems facing your immediate neighborhood. Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe a crimminal-type feels more comfortable causing trouble in a neighborhood where all the houses have peeling paint? Usually, if something looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck. The City, County, or State can't solve these problems for you Dyna. You have to play an active part. Dyna writes: About as safe as going for a stroll in the prison yard without a guard in sight. I have a few neighbors I can trust, but most have left. Sadly, this is probably the future trend for the impacted neighborhoods- a relief valve for overcrowded prisons and jails with little legal business activity remaining. Dennis Responds: I greatly take exception to this stereo-typing. In a prison yard, with the exception of the very few that have been wrongly accused, tried, convicted and sentenced, you're dealing w/ crimminals. In north Minneapolis, the OVERWHELMING majority of the citizens are both law-abiding and pose no threat to other individuals. You more so than most Dyna should understand and be senstive to the fact that North Minneapolis is dealing with an extremely dynamic cultural change. We need to afford different cultures AND different lifestyles the right to exist. We are no longer an Ozzie Harriet society. Dennis Plante Jordan _ High-speed usersbe more efficient online with the new MSN Premium Internet Software. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-uspage=byoa/premST=1 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: Hints for living in the Hood: (was Re: [Mpls] Riding the Bus)
Dyna Sluyter wrote: While I'd agree that the northside experiences more than its fair share of social problems, I'd like to add that because we're all individuals, we all interpret and react to situations in different ways. Dyna's way, of staying inside a lot and building fences is indeed one method of coping with the issues that's been tried by numerous residents, without much success I might add. WM: I think in neighborhoods under control by hoodlums, people need to do a lot of work, both individually and collectively. Fences are good, to cut down the number of easy trails through yards, cutting down the opportunistic crimes and easy points of escape. (Hey, they left the basement light on. Let's see what they got..) A good relationship with CCP/SAFE is invaluable, and a good relationship with the police is a major plus. Dogged commitment and mule stubbornness, not to mention persistence, are helpful--along with a phone and e-mail. Dennis, there's no point in sugar coating it- our neighborhoods are de facto crime containment zones. Was not your own garage broken into and thousands of dollars in tools taken? Was not a toddler shot and near killed in your 'hood last summer? On my block alone we still have one very active drug house and another drug house in foreclosure and often used by squatting dealers and hookers. WM: You've been complaining about this for a year, Dyna, and there has been no movement. When my block and the two adjacent blocks had six drug houses (one of which was serving as home base for the Rolling 30s Bloods) and three houses of prostitution, with cooperative CCP/SAFE, cops, and neighbors, we got rid of all of that but for one house of prostitution (which was down for a year). Subsequent attempted incursions by persons of ill behavior are being dealt with as they arise. They arise much less frequently. ... but the problems here in the criminal containment zones are pretty much intractable. WM: They are not. They are persistent, but change is achievable. No one wants the folks who are maniacal anywhere around them, whether they're level 3 sex offenders, or auto thieves and yeggs. They're just no fun at all as neighbors. The police do understand that. We are under attack from all sides from a criminal justice system that sees us as an easy dumping ground for there overflow. From corporations that have redlined us. And from a city that harasses us with criminal charges for peeling paint... WM: You are the place of least resistance, so any detritus can easily weasel its way into the house next door, for example. Here are some combat positions which could help: I know of one example of a guy in Phillips who went out and swept the sidewalk every day. The let's make a drug deal was hot and heavy in the 4-plex next door. He kept sweeping. Then one day the polices came and swept the whole building into their paddy wagon and off they went. The house came down (before it fell down). A block in my neighborhood was cleaned up by a sixty year old nun who walked her dog every day around a couple of blocks. She had a really sharp memory. When she went home, she wrote in her diary about all the car makes and models and license plates, and colors, and where they were parked. About as safe as going for a stroll in the prison yard without a guard in sight. I have a few neighbors I can trust, but most have left. Sadly, this is probably the future trend for the impacted neighborhoods- a relief valve for overcrowded prisons and jails with little legal business activity remaining. WM: Were it me, I wouldn't step out wearing a sandwich board either. But what you hear and observe and can document in some form or another is very helpful. If you do the routine outside every day. Emphasis on routine. Soon enough they forget to watch you do the routine and you disappear from their consciousness. Kewl, huh? Whole parts of Phillips are cleaning up. Neighbors are squeezing misbehavers out one by one. Central is coming back together bit by bit. Whittier and Lyndale have made strides. Did work done over South push more misbehavers over North? Maybe, if you're the path of least resistance. WizardMarks, Central 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at:
[Mpls] Re: Hints for living in the Hood
WizardMarks wrote: WM: You are the place of least resistance, so any detritus can easily weasel its way into the house next door, for example. Here are some combat positions which could help: I know of one example of a guy in Phillips who went out and swept the sidewalk every day. The let's make a drug deal was hot and heavy in the 4-plex next door. He kept sweeping. Then one day the polices came and swept the whole building into their paddy wagon and off they went. The house came down (before it fell down). A block in my neighborhood was cleaned up by a sixty year old nun who walked her dog every day around a couple of blocks. She had a really sharp memory. When she went home, she wrote in her diary about all the car makes and models and license plates, and colors, and where they were parked. When I first moved in, users of illegal drugs would park on the street in front of my house to shoot up, smoke up, or do whatever they did with the drugs. They liked the location because it behind a retaining wall which had a concealing row of shrubs on it. After I cut the shrubs down, the number of cars parked out front dropped dramatically. I also make a point of picking up the trash that blows into the neighborhood. On more than one occasion, I have seen people slowdown and pull towards the curb, only to notice me picking up the trash or working in my yard. They then quickly pull away from the curb and drive off. I have even been so bold as to talk to some of these people. I usually start of the conversation by asking them What's up? You lost? Are you looking for someone? Most often, they mumble something about waiting to meet someone. At that point, I tell them I hope you are not doing anything illegal, because if you are, I would appreciate your going elsewhere to do it. Most then respond with a No problem and then drive off. I don't take that approach all that often, but it has worked to keep certain repeat visitors from returning. Scott McGerik Hawthorne Minneapolis 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. 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 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] the Dennis/Dyna dynamic dialog
I'm not sure if this is post #2 or 3 today. I'm sure David will let me know :-) Ed, if drugs were really the problem on the northside, what would all of the people that are currently selling drugs (that are causing the problems in your estimation) do, if drugs were legalized? Become law-abiding and magically get jobs? I'm sorry, but it's not that simple. Dennis Plante Jordan _ Learn how to choose, serve, and enjoy wine at Wine @ MSN. http://wine.msn.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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Park Board Meeting: Oh What a Circus
As I always enjoy a bit of political theater, I decided to attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting yesterday. They did not disappoint with theatrics. There were two reporters there - that I saw. Scott Russell from SW Journal - and an MPR reporter. The Action Item that brought the theater was this: Excursion Boat: That the Board Authorize Staff to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Skipperliner to operate an excursion Boat and a Charter Boat on the Mississippi River. Park Staff gave a power point presentation suggesting this was the best thing after the Paddleford fell through. A Jim Grabek from the public raised some questions about this proposal. Marie Hauser let him speak - but kept on interupting him when he raised questions. Annie Young testily remarked after Grabek's testimony that this is why we have open time. During the discussion of the motion, Board President Jon Olson said he was miffed at Grabek because he had talked with Grabek - and had according to Olson - Olson answered all the questions. Grabek will be sending a written list of questions to the Park Board - and Superintendent Jon Gurban. He has agreed to send me a copy of this - so when he does, I'll post it here. The Admin and Finance committee moved this to full board - but the full board will discuss this item at the next meeting. Staff will continue to negotiate with Skipperliners. Annie Young raised the issue that Baylor's townhouse ad - Riverview Homes - advertises that these townhomes are close to a Planned Marina. She said this was offensive to her - since the Marina is not a done deal. The Park Board passed a resolution supporting the Wirth Weekend - this summer - and directed Park Staff to work with the Wirth Legacy association to work on the events. Superintendent Gurban's former employer has a lease at the Wirth House - so they will need to work with the Legacy society to make this event a success. As the showtune in Evita says: Oh What a Circus - Oh What a Show! Eva Young Near North Minneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Blog is up: http://lloydletta.blogspot.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. 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 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] Park Board Meeting: Oh What a Circus
Well, it is interesting that Eva thought this meeting was such a show because most of us Board members felt it was the most civil meeting we have had in months. Nothing like getting a spanking from the citizens to get the child back to order. Sorry Eva, the fireworks have blown their fuse and seem to just be moving on with business as usual. Most of the dynamics in fact are at other times during the week or social times not authorized by anyone. But even if we are on our best behavior that does not mean YOU ALL don't need to keep watching us to make sure we behave. Thanks for coming Eva and other citizens who were there. Annie Young citywide Park Commissioner At 05:08 PM 2/5/04 -0600, Eva Young wrote: As I always enjoy a bit of political theater, I decided to attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting yesterday. They did not disappoint with theatrics. There were two reporters there - that I saw. Scott Russell from SW Journal - and an MPR reporter. The Action Item that brought the theater was this: Excursion Boat: That the Board Authorize Staff to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Skipperliner to operate an excursion Boat and a Charter Boat on the Mississippi River. Park Staff gave a power point presentation suggesting this was the best thing after the Paddleford fell through. A Jim Grabek from the public raised some questions about this proposal. Marie Hauser let him speak - but kept on interupting him when he raised questions. Annie Young testily remarked after Grabek's testimony that this is why we have open time. During the discussion of the motion, Board President Jon Olson said he was miffed at Grabek because he had talked with Grabek - and had according to Olson - Olson answered all the questions. Grabek will be sending a written list of questions to the Park Board - and Superintendent Jon Gurban. He has agreed to send me a copy of this - so when he does, I'll post it here. The Admin and Finance committee moved this to full board - but the full board will discuss this item at the next meeting. Staff will continue to negotiate with Skipperliners. Annie Young raised the issue that Baylor's townhouse ad - Riverview Homes - advertises that these townhomes are close to a Planned Marina. She said this was offensive to her - since the Marina is not a done deal. The Park Board passed a resolution supporting the Wirth Weekend - this summer - and directed Park Staff to work with the Wirth Legacy association to work on the events. Superintendent Gurban's former employer has a lease at the Wirth House - so they will need to work with the Legacy society to make this event a success. As the showtune in Evita says: Oh What a Circus - Oh What a Show! Eva Young Near North Minneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Blog is up: http://lloydletta.blogspot.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. 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 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Above Beyond the Call of Duty THANK YOU
While making dinner tonight, I saw a city snow plow out the window coming to do the alleys. Before heading down the alley behind our house, the driver took two quick swipes at the 4-5 foot snowbank that had blocked one of our cars in the driveway. We had planned on tackling the mess over the weekend when we had hopefully recuperated from the flu that has had a couple members of our family in bed this week. With our shovels it would have been an easy half hour or more job for a couple of people. With the big city plow, he took one quick swipe and the whole mountain of snow was gone! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to the city employee who was so thoughtful of the backbreaking work he could easily have ignored but went the extra mile instead! Wendy Introwitz Pareene South Minneapolis 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. 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 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] ballparks and planetariums
There's been a lot of discussion about the places to hold high-priced stars (the ballparks) but nothing about the place to hold the priceless stars (the planetarium). Hearty thanks to Sen. Higgins and Rep. Anderson-Kelliher for leading the way on this project in the Legislature. Without a new Planetarium, the State of Minnesota will be *last* among all the states in terms of having a large, modern planetarium. Although I'm delighted that the City and Library support this project, only the vagaries of state politics make this a Minneapolis issue. It's really to be a statewide facility in terms of both outreach programs and serving visitors. If you've read this far, you might want to visit the new web site for the Planetarium (this is a temporary address only) http://www.3tiermedia.com/private/planetarium and you might even want to come hear astronomer/author Ken Croswell talk about Magnificent Mars! at 7pm on Tuesday night, Feb. 10, Univ. of Minnesota, Physics Room 150, 116 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, free and open, sponsored by the Minnesota Planetarium Society. Lawrence Rudnick Fulton, Minneapolis, MN, USA, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Group, Virgo Supercluster, Universe and Board Member, Minnesota Planetarium Society 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[MPLS] Park Board and SkipperLiner
After using up my two posts yesterday while demonstrating my technological incompetence I just wanted to add a bit to Eva's post about the MPRB and their impending deal with SkipperLiner. The figures that Ass't Superintendent Siggelkow used when ASSUMING they will make approx. $1 million over the next 10 years was based on the highest amount ever received during a single year with Padelford ($36,278). The average of the five years they were on Boom Island was $6,000 less and the lowest year was $11,000 dollars less. I also noticed he didn't mention the gangway at Bohemien Flats which will run the MPRB $50,000 and that much again if they open a landing at the Mill Ruins Site. I guess he uses the same math they do in the White House (yes, I know it's not in Minneapolis). Eva also mentioned the Wirth While Weekend being sponsored by the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society on June 18th, 19th and 20th. I hope that the MPRB and the MRPA will be as cooperative as they can in helping make it an event that honors the man who made the Minneapolis Parks the standard to meet. It was an honor for me to meet Ted Wirth the grandson of Theodore Wirth at the Board meeting and I hope to meet more of the Wirth decendants when the are here from around the world in June. Liz Wielinski Columbia 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Jennings: School system is broken
http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4349498.html The school system serves the needs of some students very well, but is failing the large majority. I agree with Jennings on that point. I also agree that the problem is systemic. However, in my view, Jennings is blind to the mistakes that have been made, and could be corrected by the board and school administration. For example, a lot of money has been spent on an attendance policy which reportedly boosted average test scores, but the boost in test scores appears to be more an effect of pushing out the poor performing students than improving the performance of poor performing students, which in turn contributed to a decline in enrollment and revenues. On the other hand, funding was cut, not increased for the Arts for Academic Achievement program, which helped to close the learning gap to a significant degree without doing harm to the high performing students, and certainly without contributing to a decline in enrollment and loss of revenue. The board went forward with a class size reduction program in the early 1990s, and ignored concerns raised by the NAACP that inexperienced teachers would be concentrated in some schools unless the board worked out an agreement with the teachers union to fill the new positions with new teachers instead of simply creating a huge number of opportunities for teachers to bid into and out of schools. In my opinion, the widening of the academic achievement gap in the Minneapolis Public Schools during the early 1990s was due in large part to the segregation of new teachers in schools serving poor neighborhoods (and the restructuring of the curriculum for the children in those schools). When school reform after school reform makes a quality education less and less accessible to a majority of students, you have to consider the possibility that the education reformers and their principle financial backers are actually trying to widen, and not close the academic achievement gap. Jennings represents a constituency (employers / chamber of commerce) that benefits from the kind of stratified educational system that we now have in Minneapolis: An educational system that mirrors and reinforces a class and color-based caste system which benefits that filthy rich most of all. -Doug Mann, King Field http://educationright.tripod.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. 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 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] Above Beyond the Call of Duty THANK YOU
Wendy Introwitz wrote: While making dinner tonight, I saw a city snow plow out the window coming to do the alleys. Before heading down the alley behind our house, the driver took two quick swipes at the 4-5 foot snowbank that had blocked one of our cars in the driveway. We had planned on tackling the mess over the weekend when we had hopefully recuperated from the flu that has had a couple members of our family in bed this week. With our shovels it would have been an easy half hour or more job for a couple of people. With the big city plow, he took one quick swipe and the whole mountain of snow was gone! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to the city employee who was so thoughtful of the backbreaking work he could easily have ignored but went the extra mile instead! I'd like to say a big thank you to the city snowplow crews, too. Contrary to the ridiculous recent assertion by some guy who lives in *Plymouth* in a letter to the Star Tribune editor, Minneapolitans are not taking pot shots at MnDOT's plowing job on the highways because we are all DFL, and are ignoring the problems in our own backyard. On Sunday during the snowfall, I had a meeting on the north side of town to attend to and I live in southwest. No problem. All of the snow emergency routes and parkways had been plowed, making the trip there and back easy. The city then declared a snow emergency on Monday and followed their normal schedule. But then they came back with crews and bobcats to clear corners and even did the sidewalks along the snow emergency route, because they had plowed them under with the heavy snow. Residents did not have to shovel them out twice, especially the second wave of heavy stuff from the street. And I also saw those crews do a few favors for elderly people in my neighborhood, clearing their paths to the street. It may not be perfect, but I think our snow removal crews do a pretty good job. Chris Johnson Fulton 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. 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 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: Hints for living in the Hood
In response to Dyna's viewpoint on living in the hood: I understand Dyna's point of view, It can be easy to feel that way sometimes.But something can be done about it! The solution is to get to know your neighbors and form a successful block club. I lived in Hawthorn for 12 years on 21st and Aldrich No. We had 5 crack houses and a safe house for the Vice Lords all on one block! We had drive-bys,shots fired into houses and some of my neighbors (including myself) received threats of physical violence. I am a firm beliver in controlling your environment rather than having it control you. I put together a 7 step block club organizing program called Project Peace, and organized my neighbors. Within 3 months we had a going away party for the drug dealers. (all 6 were gone,) When I moved to Phillips, my friends used to tell me that I moved out of the worst neighborhood in Minneapolis just to move into one that was even worse. Well as Dennis Plante so wisely said: I'd like to add that because we're all individuals, we all interpret and react to situations in different ways. Our block started having major drug dealing that culminated in shots fired into a neighbors house. Again, I implimented my program and in a few short months, we had our neighborhood back again. There are problems everywhere. Yes, they tend to be more concentrated in some neighborhoods and the term containment zones is fairly accurate. BUT it is fixable. There is a lot of power in organized groups. The key is to remain positive and not come at it from the viewpoint that you hate the criminal elements. Understanding and communication is the key and in the process you will find that many individuals that were behaving badly are now willing to change. I am currently refining my program for the city of Buffalo NY...so it has been on my mind and I wanted to share this information after reading Dyna's upset with her neighborhood. Things can change for the better! Sincerely, Reverend Carly Swirtz Midtown Phillips 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. 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 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] Re: Hints for living in the Hood
Great dialogue and a great discussion. And though I do appreciate the Kudos from Dennis, I have to put the reason for the success I've had in Jordan right back on the residents as well as the people who work with us. All of it comes down to team efforts. And while the Hood may be utilized as containment zones they are not hostage zones, the way to change them is by taking a stand and working to make a difference. We had an incident recently where one of the residents in Jordan noticed drug activity at a specific house and passed that along to me along with license plates. I've spoken with Inspections, the 4th Precinct, Probations and even the Hennepin County Attorney's office who's dealt with the problem owner before, and each part of the team is watching and doing their part to make certain if this person even sneezes wrong that they are shut down. Every situation doesn't work like this, but the point is that this started from one resident taking a stand and saying this will not happen here. Jordan, Hawthorne, Phillips and others are not Eagan or Edina, they have a lot of challenges, but they have even more people who make these neighborhoods their home and who make the effort to get involved everyday and make a change. Dennis Plante who fearlessly watches out for activity and calls the cops or walks up to the people himself and tells them that it's unacceptable activity is joined by Dennis Wagner who takes down license plates on his walk and at least once a month writes to the Governor to dramatize the situation in Jordan, who is joined by Dottie Titus, who brings in neighborhood kids and teaches them how to bake cookies, allowing them to take the fruits of their labor home as she logs licenses and descriptions, who is joined by James Kpoto who has one of the most active Block clubs in the city and knows all his neighbors. And in conjunction, we've got great people working in Inspections, Probations, the City Attorney's Office, and the 4th Precinct who are brought together by Council Member Barb Johnson at the Fourth Ward Care Task Force to address problems on all fronts. We've got Don Samuels who lives in the heart of this and confronts the problems on a policy levl in office and on a personal level at home. We've got Reps Mullery and Ellison and Senator Higgins working to address laws that make the legal changes to the process. Every one of these people is part of the team and everyone refuses to stand idly by when they can make a difference. With apologies to Billy Joel, we didn't start the fire, but we're the ones to put it out. Should we have the problems? I think no on many levels. Should we have to put it out? Yes. That's what responsible civic engagement is about. Being involved, taking a stand and doing whatever you can and whatever needs to be done to get the job done. Yes it may seem like an uphill battle, but I and many other people from Jordan and other neighborhoods refuse to be held hostage in our communities, and that's what makes the difference and the change. Change is never easy, but if you really want it, it's possible, you just have to be willing to do what you need to do to make it happen. Jonathan Palmer working in Jordan, living in Victory Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they are yours. ~Richard Bach, Illusions 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. 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
