Re: [Mpls] Another Transportation Union votes unanimously to REDUCE LABOR COSTS
On 3/15/04 9:41 PM, "Michael Atherton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Why can someone evaluate the worth of a CEO and yet not be permitted > to evaluate the value of bus driving? Forgive me if I feel that > it's unfair for school teachers to have to finance their own college > educations and then accept jobs that often pay less than > these drivers make. If anyone would like to take a stab at justifying 8-figure CEO salaries, I look forward to reading it. But I think Michael's conclusion that a bus driver is overpaid because teachers get paid peanuts after having to finance their college educations is not the only logical conclusion that could be reached. One could just as easily conclude instead that teachers are underpaid, couldn't they? > Besides the fact that I've worked at jobs as a high school dropout > that many of you would not consider accepting in the worst of > circumstances. Jobs from which I escaped to drive trucks for > five years; two of those years driving tractor/trailers hauling > LTL all over the L.A. Metro. I think that I can claim to know > something about driving in the big city (without an automatic > transmission). And to tell the truth, I never made anywhere > close to what these drivers currently make, even though I knew > how to load flatbed trailers with forklifts and tie down loads > with chains and binders. Again, this does not necessarily result in the conclusion that bus drivers are overpaid. But don't just take my word for it. Here's a quote from Cecile Cloutier, clerical worker for Metro Transit and founder of the City Pages transit strike blog. "I know that our bus driving job is the farthest thing from a job that "anyone can do". We have had people with years of over-the-road experience walk out after a few days. But the people who are good at it have an incredible skill and a real gift for taking care of people. We also have bus drivers from every walk of life: students trying to get money for college or vo-tech, professionals wanting more contact with people, retirees looking for extra money. For many drivers, this isn't their only job, so they're hardly sitting around not taking responsibility for their own lives. In terms of betterment, Transit offers training and usually promotes for Transportation management from within. As for going to graduate school, I know plenty of people with M.A.s making coffee for a living. Would you call that reaching your full potential if you don't want to be there?" (from comments section - re: "From the Mailbag" - http://babelogue.citypages.com:8080/strikeblog/2004/03/09 I'll share my own story: I financed my college education at the U of MN through scholarships, student loans and several years of working. Because I also had to take care of my mother who was suffering from kidney failure, it took me 6.5 years to graduate with a BS in chemistry and minor in philosophy. During my senior year, I had an internship that paid $14.50 per hour. I was hoping to get hired by that company after graduating, but downsizing hit just as I was scheduled to graduate, which killed that idea. So my first job after graduating was as an environmental "consultant" for a couple of neighborhood organizations through a federal environmental justice grant. It paid about $12 an hour. After doing that for almost a year and struggling to keep up on rent and student loans, I moved on to my present position as a state employee, which started at $13.25 an hour. After six years, a professional certification and much added responsibilities, I'm up to about $19 an hour and doing pretty well. However, I don't resent bus drivers who are paid more than I am. While I work hard, I don't have to breathe diesel fumes for 8-10 hours a day or deal with many of the other drawbacks that Wizard detailed vividly in her description of what bus drivers often put up with. > The question here is how do we determine the value of labor. > I don't think that most of you would be willing to let it > be dictated completely by market forces. I don't believe > that it should be dictated completely by which types of > employment are most sensitive to walkouts. I guess I don't believe that any wages are dictated completely by market forces. The whole concept of "market forces" is merely an idealized myth to me. Contrary to what David Strom and his ilk would have people believe, there is not one industry or even one business that exists wholly without government subsidy of some kind or other. None. But as far as sensitivity to walkouts goes, that's something that "market forces" has wrought. We have unions today because management in some industries and some companies exploited workers. > I think that people deserve a fair wage and that the transit > workers currently have one. The More, More, More cycle of > the Seventies is not good for the General Welfare it leaves > the poor standing by the side of the road. Which I think is > an apt metaphor for the current situati
[Mpls] Rules on posting events
A couple of members have asked about our rules on publicizing events on the list, especially as the presidential campaigns heat up. It's okay to post your event notice here IF the event happens in Minneapolis. The event DOES NOT have to be Minneapolis-specific. But if the event's topic isn't city-specific, don't debate the topic. Essentially, we treat these event notices as announcements, nothing more. I know this creates some confusion. The concept is that in our role as a Minneapolis civic forum, we can be a calendar of civic events happening in Minneapolis. Not every event subject is debatable here, though - the standard city-specific or city-centered list topic rules still apply. Hope this helps. David Brauer List manager 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] Minneapolis, St. Cloud Mayors testify for statewide airport strategy
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak testified with St. Cloud Mayor John Ellenbecker yesterday at the State Legislature on a bill to create a statewide airport strategy. The bill (SF 2709) would direct the Minnesota Department of Transportation to develop a statewide Airport Advisory Board to review and make recommendations on a State Aviation System Plan update. Both Mayors testified on behalf of the coalition of Mayors supporting this strategy, including the Mayors of Rochester, Duluth and Mankato. "The current situation is the worst of both worlds - it's bad for the economy and the environment. MSP is projected to be close to capacity and there are too many planes flying over impacted neighborhoods," Mayor Rybak said. "A statewide airport strategy would allow more air traffic into the state, while at the same time lessen pollution for our neighborhoods." The Senate Transportation and Finance Committee approved the bill, and it will be heard next by the Local Government Committee. Sen. Jane Ranum, Senate author of the bill, also testified. The companion in the House was introduced by Rep. Paul Thissen, and it has not been scheduled for a hearing at this point. The next Senate hearing is in the Senate Local Government Committee next Wednesday, March 24, at 12:30 p.m. in Room 123 of the Capitol. Laura Sether Office of Mayor Rybak 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. 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:Johns on northside web-site/ East Lake St. Prostitution
Check out 4thwardcaretaskforce.org for the posting of "johns" on a Minneapolis web-site. You might find a few other things of interest while you are there. Roberta Englund Folwell Neighborhood Association -Original Message- Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 8:15 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] East Lake St. Prostitution Interesting story in today's Star Tribune regarding East Lake Street prostitution. It looks like the MPD will start a john website this spring and post the mug shots of johns arrested for solicitation similar to St. Paul. What got the police going was a website promoting East Lake Street between 35W and Hiawatha as an easy place to find prostitutes. MPD just ran a sting operation at 19th and Lake arresting a number of men aged 23-81. Here is the link: http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4666044.html Bill Dooley Kenny 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] Voting Issues: Meet Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer Thursday evening
You are invited to the monthly MPRAC meeting which will welcome Minnesota's Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and State Representative Bill Hilty (DFL/08A) as guests. MPRAC is the Minneapolis Property Rights Action Committee which works to defend property rights in general. Both Kiffmeyer and Hilty will address various voting issues, including electronic voting which is now being considered by the Legislature. Rep. Hilty will also address proposed legislation involving the government's use of eminent domain to take private property for the "public good." Please join us on Thursday, March 18th at 7:00 pm in the Aragon Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Metrodome in Seven Corners, 1500 Washington Ave. S., which is adjacent to the University of Minnesota's West Bank Campus. Tomorrow's program, as usual, will have a question-and-answer format so that everyone may ask questions and make comments to the guests. The MPRAC meetings are videotaped and transmitted on Time Warner Cable channels 6 and 17. One-hour programs are scheduled on channel 6 every Friday at 10:00 am and 4:30 pm, and on channel 17 every Saturday at 6:30 pm. Additionally, there are several random, non-scheduled program repeats each week. Our meetings are held regularly at this location on the third Thursday of each month. Submitted by Vicky Heller North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside 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] Planetarium, Library Cuts but Let's Fund two Stadiums
On Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at 12:29 PM, Eva Young wrote: As far as Pawlenty's claim that if the stadiums aren't here (paid for by the taxpayers) people wouldn't have anything to do. That's ludicrous and suggests the Governor has very little imagination. There are many parks to visit, theaters and concerts to attend, sports leagues to participate in. And heck - I can't go to my local library Pierre Bottineau on a Saturday any more - but Mayor Rybak wants to give a government subsidy to a Twins stadium? I know it all sounds like alphabet soup, but the LGA (local government aid) cuts that forced shorter hours at Bottineau library are not the same as TIF dollars (tax increment financing) or state bonding funds for capital projects. It just isn't possible to take capital dollars and use them for operating expenses. Laura Southeast Minneapolis (and in fair disclosure - the Mayor's appointee to the Mpls Library Board). Laura Waterman Wittstock MIGIZI Communications, Inc. 3123 East Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55406 612.721.6631 ext 219 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.migizi.org 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] Planetarium, Library Cuts but Let's Fund two Stadiums
Posted a bit too quickly. I realize Eva is not saying Rybak isn't speaking out on the Planetarium, but that he shouldn't be supporting the stadium. I stand behind my point about Rybak and media coverage, but it's not on-point addressing Eva's observation. Sorry. David Brauer Kingfield Who works in print because you have time to edit what you write On Mar 17, 2004, at 12:51 PM, David Brauer wrote: On Mar 17, 2004, at 12:29 PM, Eva Young wrote: I'm glad the Mayor posted about the Planetarium. The talking points on the subject are valuable. I still wonder about his priorities though since he gets quoted in the Strib supporting Pawlenty's stadium boondoggle. Speaking as a professional, I don't think this is Rybak's fault. The press focuses FAR more on the stadium than the Planetarium. It may not be that the Mayor is speaking out less, but that the reporters are reporting it less. From a pure news judgment perspective, more people care about the stadium and the governor and sports columnists keep it hot. Sadly, there are no astronomy correspondents in town, and no one to threaten to move Mars to another solar system if Minnesotans won't pony up. David Brauer Kingfield Editor, Skyway News and SW Journal (who report on the Planetarium and the stadium about equally) 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] Planetarium, Library Cuts but Let's Fund two Stadiums
On Mar 17, 2004, at 12:29 PM, Eva Young wrote: I'm glad the Mayor posted about the Planetarium. The talking points on the subject are valuable. I still wonder about his priorities though since he gets quoted in the Strib supporting Pawlenty's stadium boondoggle. Speaking as a professional, I don't think this is Rybak's fault. The press focuses FAR more on the stadium than the Planetarium. It may not be that the Mayor is speaking out less, but that the reporters are reporting it less. From a pure news judgment perspective, more people care about the stadium and the governor and sports columnists keep it hot. Sadly, there are no astronomy correspondents in town, and no one to threaten to move Mars to another solar system if Minnesotans won't pony up. David Brauer Kingfield Editor, Skyway News and SW Journal (who report on the Planetarium and the stadium about equally) 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] Planetarium, Library Cuts but Let's Fund two Stadiums
I'm glad the Mayor posted about the Planetarium. The talking points on the subject are valuable. I still wonder about his priorities though since he gets quoted in the Strib supporting Pawlenty's stadium boondoggle. At 09:32 AM 3/17/2004, Rybak, R.T. wrote: Eva Young posted about the importance of the Plaetarium. I agree, which is why I've testified twice in the past few weeks about it at the Legislature. I told them, and the Governor, that is Minneapolis' number one bonding proposal, and I was happy to deliver the Governor a letter saying that all Minneapolis Senators and Representatives are now in full supportWe also have a wide colletion of cosponsors, including many Republicans from around the suburbs and Greater Minnesota. I also also trying to recruit private contributors to raise the private dollars necessary to make this work. Ok - but why not also say this is higher priority than a state and locally subsidized Stadium - and criticize the Governor for misplaced priorities? Mayor Rybak, when you ran for office you criticized your opponents for supporting stadium subsidies. Many of your supporters supported you over Incumbent Sharon Sayles Belton for that reason. Why are you now getting quoted in the press supporting a stadium plan that uses a TIF financing mechanism? That's not what TIF financing is designed for. Saying this is no new taxes is disingenuous at best - since other property taxpayers will pay more to subsidize some billionaires not paying their fair share. Wouldn't it be nice for all of us to be able to earmark any sales taxes we pay to go towards our mortgages. As far as Pawlenty's claim that if the stadiums aren't here (paid for by the taxpayers) people wouldn't have anything to do. That's ludicrous and suggests the Governor has very little imagination. There are many parks to visit, theaters and concerts to attend, sports leagues to participate in. And heck - I can't go to my local library Pierre Bottineau on a Saturday any more - but Mayor Rybak wants to give a government subsidy to a Twins stadium? Meanwhile there is one easy cut to the Governor's bonding proposal. Cut the proposed funding for Urban Ventures Leadership Foundations Colin Powell Youth Center. 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] Skyway News Cover Story on Crown Hydro
Annie, The Mississippi River is a Federal waterway and is controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers as far as flows are concerned. For past commissioners to think flow rate over the falls is something they could control is ridiculous. Several things factor into flow rate over the falls, the amount of water being released at Coon Rapids,the draw through Excels hydro plant, the resevoir management upstream, the amount of lockages at Upper lock and Mother Nature. J. Gaspardo White Bear Lake From: Annie Young <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "md" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Skyway News Cover Story on Crown Hydro Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 00:00:43 -0600 Madeline, one thing the Hydro plant will not do is ruin their view. Depending on your interpretation of their view. Since the plant is down under, in already existing 3 and 4 story basement's still in existence from the old mills this hardly detracts. The lowering of the water over the falls is a different matter. I have been studying this project for years, like crazy as of late and over the years I have come to believe the water flows different over the falls every minute of every day and I can't for the life of me figure out the past Board's attachment to the 2,000cfs. I have even called former Commissioners to see what they were thinking and I am not getting a very clear picture for an answer. So the verdict is still out. However, I still have other unanswered questions that still leave me not clear of my vote yet. And for all those who are concerned about returning the area back to an Industrial use - hey, boys and girls - industry on that river built this City. The river is a very useful creature in and of itself - we are all here because of it - historically speaking! Annie _ MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page FREE download! http://clk.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/ 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] Strom says hardly anyone was taking the bus
The big issue here is that David Strom says taxpayers shouldn't be being forced to subsidize transit. To me, this inevitably evokes the response, "why should I subsidize highways tearing my city apart for the sake of single-rider SUV's?" The amount of taxpayer subsidies going into driving are so much higher than anyone realizes. First of all, we have to consider tax breaks for the oil companies, to the tune of billions of dollars (I apologize, I'm away from home and don't have all the necessary numbers). Then there is I believe $20 billion spent annually on maintenance for our nation's highways. Some $80 in environmental remediation, not even taking into account all the effects of suburban sprawl. And, another $80 billion for "free" parking. Think of all those people who can drive to work and have free parking provided by their employers. Well, each spot is valued at an average of $1000 a year. It seems like no big deal, because the employers are still paying for it, right? But guess what? They get a TAX WRITEOFF for employee parking. Fact is, all the gas tax pays for is new construction. But, it doesn't even cover all of our construction. These means two things: taxpayer money going toward construction, but more importantly, all NON-HIGHWAY roads (read: city streets) have to be covered by cities' general funds. The irony here is that David Strom doesn't want taxpayer subsidies. He believes that we should be responsible for paying for what we use. BUT--he's opposed to raising the gas tax!!! So what does he want? The answer-he wants to be antagonistic. --Jeff Rosenberg Cedar/Riverside --Spending the week in New York and enjoying GOOD TRANSIT! 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] Skyway News Cover Story on Crown Hydro
On Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at 12:00 AM, Annie Young wrote: And for all those who are concerned about returning the area back to an Industrial use - hey, boys and girls - industry on that river built this City. The river is a very useful creature in and of itself - we are all here because of it - historically speaking! Annie Annie, Annie, Annie - The Dakota people were on the river when the French came. Trails had been cleared. Commerce was going up and down the river to St. Louis and on to New Orleans. They just were not called by those names. Europeans seldom came into wild areas and made anything. They usurped and built on existing areas made tenable by Native people. When we forget that, we forget what not to do in the future. Thanks, Laura Southeast Minneapolis Laura Waterman Wittstock MIGIZI Communications, Inc. 3123 East Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55406 612.721.6631 ext 219 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.migizi.org 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] East Lake St. Prostitution
MJ Mueller wrote: I read this story in the Trib and I thought to myself: one good thing that could come out of this transit strike is that East Lake, Bloomington Ave, Cedar Ave etc should be easier to clean up these days as there really is no reason for anyone to be loitering at bus stops. It should be obvious to the cops that the people hanging at the bus stops are probably breaking the law in some fashion or another and these streets should be easy to clean up. So far I have noticed no diminishing of activity on Bloomington Ave. where I see the same players day after day on my way to work. What's up with that? Dennis Plante responds: Actually, Pawlenty, Bell and Strom should probably rethink their positions on the transit strike. There's an old saying "be careful of what you ask for, it may come true". In the case of the transit strike, many of Minneapolis' most blighted neighborhoods have and are seeing a down-turn in livability crimes like prostitution and petty drug-dealing. The reason why is obvious - quite a few of the chronic offenders can no longer get from where they live (the 'burbs) to where they "work" (Minneapolis). On the 26th Av N corridor since the strike, the "players" have dwindled to the few that actually live here. Those that didn't live here have seemed to dissappear recently. Maybe we should all write Pawlenty, Bell & Strom a thank-you letter, and offer to hire-out (for a fee-of course) Minneapolis' expertise in dealing with the problem that THEY now face. Dennis Plante Jordan _ All the action. All the drama. Get NCAA hoops coverage at MSN Sports by ESPN. http://msn.espn.go.com/index.html?partnersite=espn 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] East Lake St. Prostitution
Bill Dooley wrote: Interesting story in today's Star Tribune regarding East Lake Street prostitution. It looks like the MPD will start a john website this spring and post the mug shots of johns arrested for solicitation similar to St. Paul. What got the police going was a website promoting East Lake Street between 35W and Hiawatha as an easy place to find prostitutes. MPD just ran a sting operation at 19th and Lake arresting a number of men aged 23-81. Here is the link: http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4666044.html I read this story in the Trib and I thought to myself: one good thing that could come out of this transit strike is that East Lake, Bloomington Ave, Cedar Ave etc should be easier to clean up these days as there really is no reason for anyone to be loitering at bus stops. It should be obvious to the cops that the people hanging at the bus stops are probably breaking the law in some fashion or another and these streets should be easy to clean up. So far I have noticed no diminishing of activity on Bloomington Ave. where I see the same players day after day on my way to work. What's up with that? MJ Mueller Seward - home Phillips - work 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 _ MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page FREE download! http://clk.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/ 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] Planetarium
Eva Young posted about the importance of the Plaetarium. I agree, which is why I've testified twice in the past few weeks about it at the Legislature. I told them, and the Governor, that is Minneapolis' number one bonding proposal, and I was happy to deliver the Governor a letter saying that all Minneapolis Senators and Representatives are now in full supportWe also have a wide colletion of cosponsors, including many Republicans from around the suburbs and Greater Minnesota. I also also trying to recruit private contributors to raise the private dollars necessary to make this work. We have the best chance in years to get this, thanks to many people (esp. Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher!)so anything people can to do encourage non Minneapolis legislators would be great Remind them of a couple points: @ 90% of the visits to the Planetarium were from outside of Minneapolis. @ the Planetarium has a history of inspiring children from around Minnesota to understand space. One example is a young 12 year old from Willmar whose trip to the Minneapolis Planetarium inspired him to learn about out the skies. His name is Pinky Nelson. This history will continue as it is incorporated into a partnership with the six planetariums around the state. @ building this now can save the state significant resources because it is being incorporated into the Central Library. This means the Planetarium does not have to absorb land costs, constructing building systems (heating/air/elevators/etc), parking costs...All they have to do is build out the shell and do programming. This should not only cut cost of construction but also operating. A call would be very helpful to legislators from outside of Minneapolis and whoever your Minneapolis rep. is, thank that person because they are all on board. R.T. Rybak 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] Nader 4 prez meeting, Thursday, March 18 - 7PM
By my count, 15 attended the Nader 2004 meet Up last Thursday. A majority are Minneapolis residents, most are Green Party members. We constituted ourselves as Nader 2004 MN and will meet on a weekly basis. Next meeting: Thursday, March 18 7 PM 2nd Moon Coffee House 2223 East Franklin Ave Minneapolis Agenda will include plans for the March 20 antiwar demo at the capitol. A flyer for March 20 has been designed, Vote Nader 2004 buttons are ready, and other things have been accomplished since last week's meeting. -Doug Mann, King Field 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] Strib on Crown Hydro
Linda Mack reports some board members still uncertain on Mill Ruins-area power plant: http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4668431.html Public hearing is tonight, 5 p.m., 2117 West River Road North (Park Board HQ). David Brauer List manager 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 selling Parade Ice Garden?
From Reusse article... THE WILD has been holding its non-Xcel Center practices at Parade Ice Garden through its four-season history. The team and the facility's owner, the Minneapolis Park Board, had informal conversations in the past about the possibility of selling the arena to the Wild. There was also some Park Board land on Hwy. 55 behind the airport that the Wild was considering as a location for a new practice facility. Now, Bob Naegele III (son of the owner) is building a skateboarding and BMX-type bike facility on that leased land. That could renew conversations about Parade Ice Garden. "We might be interested [in selling]," said the Park Board's Walt Dziedzic. Please note Walter said that - that does not mean it is a done deal. I still believe it takes 6 votes to sell land...now a long term lease - that might be a different story, Annie Young, citywide Park Commissioner At 10:10 PM 3/16/04 -0600, Chris Johnson wrote: This Patrick Reusse column talks about the Minnesota Wild possibly buying the Parade Ice Garden from the Park Board: http://www.startribune.com/stories/503/4665953.html It appears our Park Board have mostly forgotten their mission to "permanently preserve, protect, maintain, improve and enhance the City's parkland" and are instead engaged in a bunch of speculative real estate, development and business deals. Don't forget the sure entertainment and fireworks of tomorrow night's Park Board meeting. http://www.mplsparkwatch.org/ 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 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
