Re: [Mpls] Rules for Endorsement at Ward 2 DFL Convention
REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Ward 2 rules
I completely agree with Steve Cross and Greg Abbott. The proposed rules for Ward 2 are designed to thwart endorsement. In my first campaign a six ballot limit was enough to stop the endorsement which I missed by two votes. The DFL Standard rules are fine and we accepted them without even setting up a rules committee in Ward 3. Hopefully the full convention of delegates will decide that their purpose is to endorse and will reject those rules. Phyllis Kahn District 59 B REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Vigil Sunday for N Mpls murders
On 3/6/05 2:39 PM, "gemgram" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > So let's say you hire fifty "new" street cops at 3 million per year. Then > assign fifty seasoned Minneapolis police officers to a task force to > directly attack gangs and street crime. Would that make a difference if > they came to work each night with the sole purpose of hunting drug gangs and > street criminals? Would fifty additional "eager seeker" cops hunting > criminals in a small area like that "two square miles" that Dennis talks > about make a difference? I bet it not only would, but if the police then > moved to stay with the crime wherever it next appeared, we might actually > drive these criminals out of our City. How much economic development would > such a responsible investment by our "leaders" generate? We know that > property values for both commercial and residential property is degraded by > the perception of that area as dangerous and crime ridden. The additional > tax revenues would probably pay for the investment directly. Maybe try Tax > Increment Financing. Have the increased tax revenue pay for "Public Safety" > like they pay for real estate development. I read the Skyway News article about Chief McManus and the 150 additional cops he wanted. He said with that number, he could add 20 cops to each precinct and have 50 more for "special gang or narcotics units or other special patrols." That sounds pretty good to me. However, Jim Graham's proposal for paying for these cops seems a bit optimistic. Given that most of the city does not really fit the description of being "degraded by the perception of that area as dangerous and crime ridden," how much of an increase in property tax revenues can we expect from the areas that are? And until we erase those perceptions, how do we pay for those cops in the meantime? The absolute last thing we want to do is return to the charge card mentality of the previous administration since that's a big part of why we're now in the financial mess we face. > As Dennis says we can find 150 million for a new library (and I don't know > how much for Elm trees), but can't find 3 million for additional (still not > adequate) policing? Something is just wrong with this picture. Our City > leaders remind me of someone reviewing architectural plans and paying a > contractor to build a three-season porch onto a house that is on fire. And > when questioned about it saying it is alright because the credit cards are > overdue and your pay was cut. I think it is time to cut the bull! I think > the "leader" should show a little of that "Executive" responsibility and put > out Minneapolis' fires first. If they do not have at least that level of > responsibility then we should simply "hire" new executives that do > understand their jobs and responsibilities. I think what's partly wrong with this picture is the continuing inability for folks to recognize that the city's budget is not one single pot where we can take money from parks or libraries to spend on cops. How did we "find" the money for a new library? Answer: a bunch of folks worked to get a referendum together and then worked even more to get voters to approve it. That's an oversimplification, but essentially that's what happened. So perhaps folks desiring more cops could learn from that model. Get together (this forum is a good way to advertise!), decide on an approach for how you want to pay for additional cops and then work to get it approved. Personally, I like the half-cent sales tax idea. If I recall correctly it would raise about $25 million a year, enough to add back the 150 cops that Chief McManus wants, plus it should bolster the Fire Department enough to fully staff each rig when it goes out on a call. I think there might even be a little left over that could hopefully be used towards paying off the mistakes of the previous administration when they were doing stupid stuff like bonding for police cruisers and other equipment. Another benefit to this approach is that it spreads the burden a little more than property taxes could. I think I remember reading somewhere that something like 200,000 people come in to Minneapolis daily from surrounding communities. Since they all presumably expect police protection while they work or play in our city, I don't think it's unreasonable for them to help a little to pay for that. And I really don't think that many people would suddenly start avoiding Minneapolis to save a whole penny on every $2 purchase. Maybe some of the members of the Tax Evaders League would do that, but I think most people are smart enough to figure out that they'll spend way more on gas by going out of their way than they'll save. > Michael Thompson asks for a definition of non-essential services and > contends that "services" are some how equal. Michael, "essential service" > are those that are mandated by law. I am sorry to be self centered, but > stopping my neighborhood kids from being offered drugs and
[Mpls] nuisance houses
I read with concern Barb Lickness's concerns about neighborhood safety; I share them. I live in a pretty decent section of Whittier on a block of families and nice folks, where there is also a house owned by a guy who has thrown after hours parties where he charges (you can see him taking money at a table through the window at 230 a.m.) and where people emerge hours later much the worse for wear--so it's likely drugs. There is a group of young ladies who cycle through the place, as well, and let's just say the neighbors have their theories about what's going on there. This has been happening for YEARS. We formed a block club, we've talked to several SAFE officers, we've held meetings, we call 911 sometimes 2-3 times a week. Rarely do the police arrive in time to witness what we witness: drunks sleeping it off on our lawns, people copulating against car doors, fistfights, screaming, etc. One SAFE officer told us the house was classified as a nuisance or trouble house, others have said no it's not. Sometimes 911 seems to understand that it is, sometimes not. Is there a way to know if this has happened? Is there a way to make this happen? Is this even something we should pursue? It doesn't seem like the police are a solution; has anyone handled a problem neighbor like this and succeeded? If there is something mere citizens can do, then let's spread the word so more of us can do it. Pam Nettleton REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] North Mpls Sex offender on the loose neighborhood notnoteified
Booker and ALL others In Hawthorne we have a Level Three Offender Housed in a Church. On a corner across from a PARK, kitty corner from a School. Yes I said housed in the church! The Minister calls himself a community advocate when it suites him, yet he keeps moving this offender from place to place. I hope people who attend this church are aware of this. I know that at our church people feel children are safer and allow them more freedom. Joan Thom Hawthorne - Original Message - From: Booker Hodges To: Minneapolis Issues Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 10:10 PM Subject: [Mpls] North Mpls Sex offender on the loose neighborhood notnoteified In September of 2004 I wrote an article about sex offenders and today a relative of the sex offender on my block told me that James Vanwyhe is a fugitive from justice because he committed another sex offense and went on the run. I just don't understand why these people get to rome free in my neighborhood unchecked and unsupervised. I have attached a copy of the article that I wrote and a link to the wanted poster for James. I am sick of this she#to. Every crappy thing you can think of is dumped in North Minneapolis. Tomorrow I will flyer my block so my neighbors at least have some ideal of what is going on. To all my northside residents its time that we say enough is a enough. http://www.spokesman-recorder.com/News/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=48726&sID=16 http://www.doc.state.mn.us/level3/OffenderDetail.asp?OID=200436 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] North Mpls Sex offender on the loose neighborhood notnoteified
With all due respect, Mr. Hodges, I see you working here. Many people across the country share your sentiments about where SOs are housed. As somebody who has spent much of his career working with SOs, I can tell you that, for the most part, your proposals about distances from day cares and youth centers, etc. mean well, but don't do a whole lot of practical good. Most of the men who I've seen reoffend will travel to where they need to be to get what they want. Not living next to a day care or school won't make a bit of difference. Most SOs are prohibited from being in those areas anyway. The fact is, if they want to reoffend, they will. I don't like telling you that anymore than you like hearing it, but those are the facts. With all the restrictions you proposed, and drawing 1000 foot circles around every one of those places, I wonder how much square footage would be left in the city to house any of these people. Iowa recently passed an ordinance similar to what you are proposing. It effectively eliminated many small Iowa towns from housing any released SOs because the radii from all the places they were prohibited from living 2000 feet from covered the entire town and more. City folk, of course, didn't like that, because the SOs were de facto concentrated in particular areas of particular cities. It's NIMBY everywhere. I assume rents are cheap in North Minneapolis or minority neighborhoods and that's where released men with little money can get housing. I'm sincerely sorry about that, especially with all the other stuff going up there. There is talk in the legislature of funding for transitional housing for released SOs, but I can assure you that no municipality is going to volunteer to be the first test case of that sort of housing. It's an extremely complicated issue, and one that I feel for you on. Michael Thompson Windom - Original Message - From: "Booker Hodges" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Minneapolis Issues" Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 10:10 PM Subject: [Mpls] North Mpls Sex offender on the loose neighborhood notnoteified > In September of 2004 I wrote an article about sex offenders and today a relative of the sex offender on my block told me that James Vanwyhe is a fugitive from justice because he committed another sex offense and went on the run. I just don't understand why these people get to rome free in my neighborhood unchecked and unsupervised. I have attached a copy of the article that I wrote and a link to the wanted poster for James. I am sick of this she#to. Every crappy thing you can think of is dumped in North Minneapolis. Tomorrow I will flyer my block so my neighbors at least have some ideal of what is going on. To all my northside residents its time that we say enough is a enough. > > http://www.spokesman-recorder.com/News/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=48726&sID=16 > > > http://www.doc.state.mn.us/level3/OffenderDetail.asp?OID=200436 > REMINDERS: > 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. > > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > > For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html > For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract > > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls > > REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Smoking Ban
Terrell Brown wrote: > [TB] Now you're comparing smoking bans to the behavior of > the Nazis? Get real. I think that I am being very real. I guess I've just studied too much psychology to not see a difference in the degree of intolerance, i.e., people who do not recognize the rights of others on small things are no more likely to recognize them when there is more on the line. > The behavior (smoking) does affect others. Breathing smoke, > be it "second hand" or inhaled is a known health hazard. > There is no way to safely smoke. Also I know that there was no way to scuba dive without a risk of a fatal accident, but I dove anyway. I know that there is a risk of a fatal accident while snow skiing and I skied anyway. But, I also know that it is possible for me to sit in a bar, smoke and have no effect on your health: just don't come through the door. > For years it has been public policy in this country (a good > policy in my opinion) to promote safe work places. Auto body > shops have special rooms for painting to protect workers from > inhaling dangerous fumes. Workers wear ear protection to avoid > injury to their hearing. AND, there are special rooms to protect non-smokers and employees from second-hand smoke and they are effective. > The smoking ban is merely an extension of this good public > policy in an area that has been ignored for many years. Dictating my diet would be an advantageous extension of good public health policy, but please please don't. > Then there is another way that smoking by others affects us. > Economically. When people insist on smoking, I am forced to > spend money to clean the stuff out of my clothing. Only if you voluntarily go to places where people smoke. I can think of not one business or government office that I am forced to frequent where I would legally be exposed to secondhand smoke. > Probably instead of the mere smoking ban that we've passed, > we should put tobacco in the same class as other drugs such > as cocaine and heroin. I just don't understand how anti-smoking activists can be so worried about the questionable effects of secondhand smoke 20 or 30 years in the future, but seems unconcerned about the far more immediate risks of irresponsible driving. Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Minneapolis Inspections
On 3/7/05 6:09 PM, "steven meldahl" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I bought another single family rehab project last October in North > Minneapolis. I pulled my rehab permits and began the needed work immediately. > When I finished the remodeling work in mid January, I put the house up for > rent and registered the house to get my rental license and received my rental > license. My new tenants moved in in late February. I just received a $400 > bill for not registering the house as a vacant building during the time my > subcontractors were working on it. So now I have to set up a hearing to fight > them on this ridiculous charge. I did everything by the book, but the City > needs the money, so I will have to fight them, again taking up my time and > time of the City employees who will have to appear at the Hearing. Sorry, but unless you can show that there's no actual ordinance regarding registering a vacant building, it would appear that you did not do everything by the book. I'm guessing that will be difficult, since it took me all of about two minutes to search the ordinances online and find: 249.80. Vacant building registration. (a) The owner of a residential building or building located in a residentially zoned area shall register the building with the director of inspections within five (5) days after it becomes a vacant building. In this section, a "vacant building" is one that is: (1) Condemned; (2) Unoccupied and unsecured for five (5) days or more; (3) Unoccupied and secured by means other than those normally used in the design of the building for thirty (30) days or more; (4) Unoccupied and has multiple housing maintenance, fire or building code violations existing for thirty (30) days or more; (5) Unoccupied for a period of time over three hundred sixty-five (365) days and during which time an order has been issued to correct a nuisance condition pursuant to section 227.90. (b) The registration shall be submitted on forms provided by the director of inspections and shall include the following information supplied by the owner: (1) A description of the premises; (2) The names and addresses of the owner or owners; (3) The names and addresses of all known lienholders and all other parties with an ownership interest in the building; (4) The period of time the building is expected to remain vacant; and a plan and timetable for returning the building to appropriate occupancy or for demolition of the building. (c) The owner shall submit a plan and timetable that must comply with the guidelines adopted by the director of inspections. The guidelines are adopted for purposes of preventing nuisance conditions and maintaining compliance with this code. These guidelines shall be made available to building owners. The plan shall be submitted at the time of registration, or within a reasonable period of time thereafter to be determined by the director of inspections. (d) The owner shall comply with all applicable laws and codes. The owner shall notify the director of inspections of any changes in information supplied as part of the vacant building registration within thirty (30) days of the change. If the plan or timetable for the vacant building is revised in any way, the revisions must meet the approval of the director of inspections. (e) The owner and the subsequent owners shall keep the building secured and safe and the building and grounds properly maintained until the rehabilitation or demolition has been completed. (f) Failure of the owner or any subsequent owner to maintain the building and premises that result in abatement completed by the city shall be grounds for revocation of the approved plan and shall be subject to any applicable penalties provided by law. (g) The new owner(s) shall register or re-register the vacant building with the director of inspections within thirty (30) days of any transfer of an ownership interest in a vacant building. The new owner(s) shall comply with the approved plan and timetable submitted by the previous owner until any proposed changes are submitted and meet the approval of the director of inspections. (h) The director of inspections shall include in the file any property-specific written statements from community organizations, other interested parties or citizens regarding the history, problems, status or blighting influence of a vacant building. (i)Vacant building fees: (1) The owner of a vacant building shall pay an annual fee of four hundred dollars ($400.00). The fee is imposed to defray the administrative costs for registering and processing the vacant building registration form and for the costs of the city in monitoring the vacant building site. (2) The first annual fee shall be paid no later than five (5) days after the building becomes vacant. Subsequent annual fees shall be due on the anniversary da
Re: [Mpls] Smoking Ban
Yep---cigarettes and heroin. Class I drugs. That's the ticket. Remember, if that happens, the politicos withdrawal from the addiction to tobacco tax revenue will rival a heroin addict's withdrawal from smack. If cigs are so bad, let's get them banned. Today. Forever. So we can move on to other bans, like leaf blowers and what college professors can say and who can marry who. Nobody has a "right" to be in a bar where there is smoke and demand that others stop for their personal convenience. Workers who don't like smoke at bars can find another job. It all ain't that tough. If the promotion of safe work places is really the issue, why doesn't the Minneapolis city council limit noise levels at First Avenue or the Fine Line or whereever it is that music is played in this town? That certainly is a work safety issue. Will somebody who cares about worker safety please get on that? Mike Thompson Windom - Original Message - From: "Terrell Brown" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 3:36 PM Subject: RE: [Mpls] Smoking Ban > > > -Original Message- > >From Michael Atherton > Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 2:48 PM > > > The problem here is when it is acceptable to limit others' choices. > The Nazis (and many others) thought it was acceptable to limit the > choices of Jews by restricting them to ghettos. The Puritans > limited all kinds of "acceptable" behaviors. > > My position is that when someone else's behavior has no effect on > you, then you have no right to restrict their choices. > > [TB] Now you're comparing smoking bans to the behavior of the Nazis? Get > real. > > The behavior (smoking) does affect others. Breathing smoke, be it "second > hand" or inhaled is a known health hazard. There is no way to safely smoke. > > For years it has been public policy in this country (a good policy in my > opinion) to promote safe work places. Auto body shops have special rooms > for painting to protect workers from inhaling dangerous fumes. Workers wear > ear protection to avoid injury to their hearing. > > The smoking ban is merely an extension of this good public policy in an area > that has been ignored for many years. > > Then there is another way that smoking by others affects us. Economically. > When people insist on smoking, I am forced to spend money to clean the stuff > out of my clothing. > > Probably instead of the mere smoking ban that we've passed, we should put > tobacco in the same class as other drugs such as cocaine and heroin. > > > > Terrell Brown > Loring Park > > > REMINDERS: > 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. > > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > > For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html > For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract > > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls > > REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] North Mpls Sex offender on the loose neighborhood not noteified
In September of 2004 I wrote an article about sex offenders and today a relative of the sex offender on my block told me that James Vanwyhe is a fugitive from justice because he committed another sex offense and went on the run. I just don't understand why these people get to rome free in my neighborhood unchecked and unsupervised. I have attached a copy of the article that I wrote and a link to the wanted poster for James. I am sick of this she#to. Every crappy thing you can think of is dumped in North Minneapolis. Tomorrow I will flyer my block so my neighbors at least have some ideal of what is going on. To all my northside residents its time that we say enough is a enough. http://www.spokesman-recorder.com/News/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=48726&sID=16 http://www.doc.state.mn.us/level3/OffenderDetail.asp?OID=200436 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Hood Stores
As one from the southside who lives in a neighborhood that has been inundated with "hood" stores I will describe what life is like to live by one that is 3 houses from where I live... I moved here in 1991. Since that time there have 13 owners of the local "hood" store. Many tried to make a go of the store but soon realized they could not make a profit by operating within the law so they left. The ones that stayed realized they couldn't make a profit legally so they engaged in illegal activities to boost the bottom line. Those illegal behaviors included: Selling stolen goods out of the store Selling outdated food products Keeping cooler temperatures at lower than required temperatures Selling drugs Running prostitution Selling guns Gouging the tax payer by charging exorbitant amounts for baby formula and other products listed on the WIC coupons Hiding criminals from the police during drug busts Taking EBT cards in payment for beer and cigarettes Taking EBT cards in exchange for cash not products Selling cigarettes or alcohol to minors The reason it is so hard to make a profit legally is that there are too many stores in certain areas. In 1991 there were 14 stores within 1 square mile. I haven't counted lately but I think it's even worse now. The profit margin is very narrow which is why people resort to selling drug paraphernalia (of course they don't call it that) which is legal and digress into the illegal behaviors I listed above. During my time with the store by my house it has been robbed at least 5 times. There has been gunfire there at least 3 times. The last owner lost their license for selling cigarettes to minors and for various inspection violations including illegal bedrooms in the basement. (Gee, I wonder what that was for) The store also harbored the thugs during a drug bust last summer of the house from hell kitty korner from the store. (The tenants from that house are gone and it's been heavenly since that time) We know they were selling drugs out of the store because the drug dealers from across the street hung out in there all day long. It was coming in and out in basmati rice bags. The kids all knew it and the cops knew it but they could never bust them for that. The current owners are from Texas. The police say they are on the up and up. I think they really got suckered. No one told them that a new gas station with a convenience store and ice cream parlor was opening only 2 short blocks away. Their ability to be profitable is nil and I know it won't be long before they close their doors. Our best hope is that someone would buy the dump, tear it down and build town houses there. The owner of the property is a slumlord and has invested just enough to keep the city off his back. The outside actually doesn't look too bad right now. They finally painted over the god awful pink paint that was on it last summer. They fenced in the dumpster and actually did some landscaping. The inside is quite another story. It needs a total rehab. One the landlord won't pay for. We had a chance to get rid of the store as a use there a couple years ago. The owner lobbied CM Zimmermann to help them get the necessary CUP's and what not to keep it a store so the thugs that lost their license last fall could keep operating. Now we are stuck with the place as a "hood" store into ad nauseam. Remember, this is just one store. There are many many many more of these in inner-city neighborhoods with the same stories to tell. Barb Lickness Whittier "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] First Time Home Buyer Housing Tour
Looking to buy your first home? Join Real Estate and Mortgage Professionals for a First-Time Home Buyer Housing Tour. This informational seminar with a twist offers no-obligation buyer information help pre-pare and inform. After a group tour of homes currently on the market sponsored by Denny Hecker and Holmers Real Estate, join Barb Graham, first-time homebuyer specialist from US Bank, for a mortgage discussion and free pizza lunch. **Volunteers leading this event also volunteer their time teaching first-time home-buyer workshops for Community Action Suburban Hennepin County and other organizations dedicated to housing education and assistance.** Learn more about down-payment assistance and grants programs including Minneapolis' City Living. Pick up neighborhood/city packets with homes currently for sale and data on recent average sales price. When: Saturday, March 12th 8:30am - 9am: Registration and coffee 9am - 11am: House Tour 11am - 12pm: Pizza Lunch & Finance Discussion Where: 10159 Wayzata Blvd. S. Minnetonka, MN 55305 Next Steps: Pre-register by phone at 952-960-4017 Or Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Even with the city inspectors and rising taxes - Minneapolis and its surrounding suburbs offer houses for almost every price range and the opportunity to build wealth. -Jennifer Rubenzer, REALTOR Denny Hecker and Holmers Real Estate 952-960-4017 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rules for Endorsement at Ward 2 DFL Convention
I'm an outsider with respect to Ward 2, but as former chair of the city DFL, and a long-time believer in the endorsement process, I have to concur with Mr. Cross. The actual substance of the proposed rules will result in no endorsement, especially in a convention with more than two viable candidates. I cannot speak to the intent of the proposers, but the outcome is pretty obvious. In a multi-candidate field it frequently takes several ballots just to get to the last two candidates. Once the field is winnowed to two candidates, an endorsement can be reached very quickly. Two proposed rule changes I view as particularly problematic: the two-thirds quorum and the lack of a drop-off rule. I have never heard of a two-thirds quorum rule, ever. The reason for this is obvious - it would be nearly impossible to maintain a quorum with such a high threshold. This would permit a candidate (or a combination of candidates) with as little as 33 percent of the vote to block an endorsement by having his or her supporters leave the convention -- effectively raising the number of votes needed to obtain an endorsement from 60 to 67 percent. Talk about thwarting the will of the majority!! And the drop-off rule is integral to the endorsing process. Without a drop-off rule, the DFL convention becomes a very small primary. It doesn't help DFL primary voters to know that 40 percent of convention delegates preferred Candidate X, 25 percent Candidate Y, and so on. In contrast, it does help DFL voters to know that 60 percent of convention delegates think the party should unify behind Candidate Z. The point of the drop-off rule is to test the convictions of the delegates - if they truly think only their candidate is worthy of endorsement they can vote "no endorsement." (A vote for no endorsement is always available). Without a drop-off rule, delegates are never forced to choose between no endorsement and endorsement of a competing candidate. If the problem you're trying to solve is overly long conventions, the solution is a stricter drop-off rule, not a weaker one. Speed up the arrival of the point where the delegates have to make a final choice - postponing it only extends the convention needlessly (and thereby makes an endorsement less likely). The party is stronger if it unifies behind one candidate. It happens occasionally that the convention gets it wrong, and primary voters go in a different direction. But the convention should be given an opportunity to take that chance, and not have the choice effectively taken away by the rules committee. With rules like these, what's the point of having the convention? Greg Abbott Linden Hills REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] NAACP Parent Information Centers 2004 year end report
Below is the text of a letter from PIC board chair Beverly Propes to project manager Marceline Dubois (MN department of Education), dated January 31, 2005. -- January 31, 2005 Marceline Dubose Office of Choice and Innovation 1500 Highway #36 West Roseville, MN 55113 Dear Ms. Dubose: RE: Minneapolis NAACP Parent Information Centers 2004 Year end report In the third quarter report, the Parent Information Steering Committee reported plans for spinning off from the Minneapolis Branch NAACP and establishing the Minneapolis Parent Information Centers Inc. As you are aware since the resignation of Ms. LaRue Fields, in June 2004, the Steering Committee determined the critical need for clarification of the role, responsibility and relationship between the Minneapolis Branch and the PIC. In August, the PIC Steering Committee held a retreat, met with Mr. Carl Breeding, National NAACP administrator, and you to clarify a direction for the PIC that would foster the mutual goal to provide school choice for Minneapolis families. At the August Minneapolis NAACP executive committee meeting, a report was presented to the executive committee members that the PIC was exploring establishing 501C3 status. Though there were several questions raised, there was also encouragement expressed and agreement that the NAACP advocated for civil rights not social services. In September, the PIC committee work commenced to establish 501C3 status, and to develop a new proposal for 2005 state funding as the Minneapolis Parent Information Centers', Inc. In October a new governing structure for the PIC was approved and Development, Program/Evaluation and Personnel committees were formed to facilitate and advance the work for development of the new entity. Mr. Carl L. Breeding, Administrator was briefed weekly of PIC activities and written activity reports were provided to the executive committee at their monthly meetings in September and October. On October 22, 2004, the state approved the 501C3 application for the Minneapolis Parent Information Centers' Inc. By November 30, 2004 a new program plan and budget was submitted to the Office of Choice and Innovation. On December 9, 2004 at the Minneapolis NAACP executive committee meeting a resolution to spin off the PIC from the Minneapolis Branch was presented and accepted. Revisions recommended by the committee were made and the final resolution was presented as part of the 2005 NAACP officer installation on December 10, 2004. The resolution was approved pending two actions: 1) Provide a copy of the 2003-2004 Minneapolis NAACP Parent Information Centers' audit. 2) Conduct a Parent Information Centers' meeting with the state, and the PIC committee. A copy of the audit was provided and as you are aware there have been several attempts to schedule an informational meeting. I understand that there will now be a meeting with your Office, Minneapolis branch President Reed, and Mr. Overton, Minneapolis branch Treasurer. Effective February 1, 2005, the Minneapolis Parent Information Centers, Inc. will vacant the Sabathani Office suite #136. Our phones will roll over to the north side office until we find suitable space in south Minneapolis. Attached find, December 31, 2004 expense and budget statements and inventory of equipment for both PIC offices. If I can be of additional assistance, please advise. Sincerely, Beverly P. Propes, Chair Minneapolis Parent Information Centers', Inc. -- -Doug Mann, King Field Member-at-large, Minneapolis NAACP executive committee www.educationright.com REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Hood Stores
Call me stupid but first off what is a "Hood Store" and what do they sell thats so offensive? David Brady Downtown REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Rules for Endorsement at Ward 2 DFL Convention
Elizabeth McCann said (with my own tart responses in parenthesis)"
"On behalf of Dan and his supporters, I would like to clarify a few
things regarding the rules for endorsement in Ward 2."
("Clarify" -- that's a great term here. The problem is NOT lack of clarity on what Dan's campaign wants to do. The problem is that
it's very clear that Dan's campaign wants to escape from the Ward Convention without having to pay up on the promise to respect
the endorsement.)
"1) We would like to see an endorsement come out of the ward convention
and Dan will abide by the endorsement."
(Yeah, I heard those words mouthed at the Rules Committee as well. However, there's also the matter of actions speaking louder
than words. The list of changes that I outlined earlier is taken directly from the proposal by Dan's official representatives at
the Rules Committee meeting. Those rules are clearly designed to make an endorsement unlikely, at best, and impossible, at worst.
It is a consistent pattern of frustrating progress by feigning openness on consideration combined with hard limits on when it
has to end. When Dan's supporters start to show action in line with the words they mouth, I'll come off my conviction that Dan
doesn't want any endorsement and has set out to ensure that it won't happen.)
"2) We believe that the convention should be inclusive of
underrepresented communities and respect the value of citizens' time. We
feel that a convention should be a forum for all of the delegates to
select the best candidate, not a war of attrition."
(The meaning of "war of attrition" is apparently what happens at every DFL convention. That's because what Dan's supporters are
proposing to amend, is the "Standard Rules for Ward Conventions" published by the DFL. And, while I'm wondering about definitions,
I might ask what "underrepresented communities" is referring to. Whoever it is, apparently they have no patience with meetings and
the democratic process but feel the necessity to get an important job done quickly and then get out to do something else. Who are
these "underrepresented communities" and what do they already have on their calendars for the afternoon of April 9th?)
3) We look forward to outlining a set of rules for the convention on
which all of the candidates and their supporters can agree. We will be
reaching out to representatives of the other campaigns to ensure that
this is the case.
(The problem here is that there have ALREADY been meetings between the several campaigns and, while Bill Svrluga's people and
Cara Litofsky's people agreed, Dan's people apparently said it was "my way or the highway." At the Rules Committee meeting, they
presented their rules that were clearly designed to make the convention meaningless and wouldn't take anything less. This is NOT
a case of the campaigns getting together in the future for the first time and cutting a deal. It's a matter of Dan's people
having already refused to deal.)
4) We encourage anyone with any opinions regarding the rules of the Ward
2 convention to contact the campaign at (612) 875-0771 or
www.danmiller2005.org.
(That's fine. And I'll ask one right now. The rules were called the "Standard
Rules." Since they are the standard, why does
Dan's campaign want to butcher that "standard?"
Steve Cross
Prospect Park
(Who supports Bill Svrluga but who wrote this, and my prior message, on my own and not as a shill for anyone.)
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[Mpls] Hood Stores
Many people have told me that they want to do something about the Hood Stores. On March 21 at 6:00pm at the Minneapolis Urban League I will be convening a meeting of the Get Right Committee. The purpose of this committee will be to organize and rid our neighborhoods of these stores or make them stop selling poisonous items. I sent out a letter to about 50 churches today asking for their support. We will be sending the owners of these stores a list of items that will no longer be acceptable to sell in our neighborhood and a date in which these items must no longer be in their store. If these stores fail to stop selling these items we will converge of them like lions of a zebra. We have also drafted a letter to the head of Regulatory Services for the city of Minneapolis asking for better inspections of these stores and informing them on what things they should be looking for. I will also be introducing a resolution at the next membership meeting of the Mpls NAACP denouncing the actions of these store. We have just finished our investigation of the Southside Hood Stores and they are far worse than the Northside stores. We can't afford to start another summer with these stores continuing to operate in the manor in which they have been. I have received over 1500 correspondences regarding these stores. If you want to help rid our neighborhood of these stores please attend this meeting. If your church or organization would like to be a part of this effort please contact me and I will get you the information. I can be reached at 612-827-4021. We will be successful. I would like to publicly thank council member Barb Johnson for blocking the saturation of Hood Stores on the Northside. Again if you care about this issue please attend this meeting. We will organize and rid our city of these stores. Booker T Hodges IV Near North REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Rules for Endorsement at Ward 2 DFL Convention
On behalf of Dan and his supporters, I would like to clarify a few things regarding the rules for endorsement in Ward 2. 1) We would like to see an endorsement come out of the ward convention and Dan will abide by the endorsement. 2) We believe that the convention should be inclusive of underrepresented communities and respect the value of citizens' time. We feel that a convention should be a forum for all of the delegates to select the best candidate, not a war of attrition. 3) We look forward to outlining a set of rules for the convention on which all of the candidates and their supporters can agree. We will be reaching out to representatives of the other campaigns to ensure that this is the case. 4) We encourage anyone with any opinions regarding the rules of the Ward 2 convention to contact the campaign at (612) 875-0771 or www.danmiller2005.org. Sincerely, Elizabeth McCann, Campaign Manager Dan Miller for City Council REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] choices
It does appear that choices are only allowed if the correct people approve. The extemists of the ruling party have deemed smoking unacceptable so its out. Target was deemed acceptable so homeless are out and the store is in. Oh wait these same folks support homeless but they did need that store downtown and with so many supporters working for Target corp. lets build them an new office space. Well the former mayor lost to many affordable housing units but there is Target. Now they are screaming for a smoking ban and have it. Many of us will go to other bars in the cities we will be fine but mpls will suffer from the loss of both bars and tax base. I predict those who have given us this ban will be out next election just like the old mayor. As an aside, a recent science magazine article stated that there is more evidence showing damage caused by violent video games than the harm from second hand smoke.Humm could they be next? Dain Lyngstad phillips/edina __ Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web http://birthday.yahoo.com/netrospective/ REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Smoking Ban
-Original Message- >From Michael Atherton Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 2:48 PM The problem here is when it is acceptable to limit others' choices. The Nazis (and many others) thought it was acceptable to limit the choices of Jews by restricting them to ghettos. The Puritans limited all kinds of "acceptable" behaviors. My position is that when someone else's behavior has no effect on you, then you have no right to restrict their choices. [TB] Now you're comparing smoking bans to the behavior of the Nazis? Get real. The behavior (smoking) does affect others. Breathing smoke, be it "second hand" or inhaled is a known health hazard. There is no way to safely smoke. For years it has been public policy in this country (a good policy in my opinion) to promote safe work places. Auto body shops have special rooms for painting to protect workers from inhaling dangerous fumes. Workers wear ear protection to avoid injury to their hearing. The smoking ban is merely an extension of this good public policy in an area that has been ignored for many years. Then there is another way that smoking by others affects us. Economically. When people insist on smoking, I am forced to spend money to clean the stuff out of my clothing. Probably instead of the mere smoking ban that we've passed, we should put tobacco in the same class as other drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Terrell Brown Loring Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Crime and Safety on the North Side
Paul Weir: Alas,the editors and reporters need to learn some history, master a few facts, talk to some knowledgeable people, and only then pronounce ex cathedra on issues of crime and safety. Brandt: While all due respect to Paul's points, reporters don't write editorials. That's why so many editorials are based on a theoretical construct of the world, which often bears little relation to street conditions. Those who write them do need to get out more, and see the real world. Steve Brandt Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Smoking Ban
Jim Bernstein wrote: > Who said anything about casino gambling and commercial sex? It is > really a simple point: smoking cigarettes is like a host of other > activities - it is not something you get to do whenever and > wherever you want! Well actually you did. You said, "Like drinking, gambling, sex and other necessary bodily functions) the public does put some limits on where and when you can engage in these activities but they are not banned outright." I would assume, not unreasonably, that when you said "gambling" and "sex" that the general terms would include casino gambling and commercial sex, which to my knowledge are both banned. > As to the notion that "limiting choices is making life unfair",. well > that is quite simply absurd! In order to live with other people in a > somewhat orderly social system everyone's "choices" may be limited. The problem here is when it is acceptable to limit others' choices. The Nazis (and many others) thought it was acceptable to limit the choices of Jews by restricting them to ghettos. The Puritans limited all kinds of "acceptable" behaviors. My position is that when someone else's behavior has no effect on you, then you have no right to restrict their choices. I think that it's perfectly acceptable for me to want to open a bar where people are allowed to smoke. No one is requiring you to enter my establishment. To expect to able to come in and demand that everyone stop smoking because you find it offensive, is in my opinion, extremely arrogant and officious. There are lots of things that I find offensive in American society, but unless they put me or my family at risk I don't believe it's within my rights to restrict the choices of others, but I guess you do. Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Smoking Ban
Who said anything about casino gambling and commercial sex? It is really a simple point: smoking cigarettes is like a host of other activities - it is not something you get to do whenever and wherever you want! As to the notion that "limiting choices is making life unfair",. well that is quite simply absurd! In order to live with other people in a somewhat orderly social system everyone's "choices" may be limited. Jim Bernstein Fulton -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael Atherton Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 3:44 PM To: mpls@mnforum.org Subject: RE: [Mpls] Smoking Ban Jim Bernstein wrote: > The Minneapolis restrictions on smoking do not ban that > activity. Like drinking, gambling, sex (and other necessary > bodily functions) the public does put some limits on where > and when you can engage in these activities but they are not > banned outright. Funny, I thought that commercial sex and casino gambling are banned in Minneapolis. > Indeed, life may be unfair but people ought not to quit > working to make it less unfair. It seems to me that it is YOU who is making life more unfair. You are not increasing my choices you are limiting them. Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.6.4 - Release Date: 3/7/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.6.4 - Release Date: 3/7/2005 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Dyna replies to Tim Bonham and Dennis Plante
Dyna Writes: My fellow habitant of the 'hood Dennis Plante suggests that criminal prosecution is needed to force citizens to maintain there property. Our city tried that strategy and it failed In safe and stable communities a homeowner's investment in their property is rewarded with decades of continued use of their home or a decent return on their investment when they sell. In neighborhoods like the Northside where property values are falling and peaceful citizens are increasingly murdered major investments in property are increasingly risky and are rewarded by higher taxes and insurance costs in neighborhoods that are increasingly too unsafe to live in. Even the most fervent city prosecution of property poor 'hood homeowners cannot change those negative economics and force investment in dying neighborhoods. In fact such prosecution will only expedite the abandonment as owners flee to more friendly municipalities. Dennis Responds: Actually Dyna, As a last resort, I am in favor of prosecuting neighbors that refuse to maintain their property. In a safer and more stable community, the city officials AND neighbors would have acted much more agggresively and expediently to remedy the eyesore you're causing. Your property value has not fallen over the last 10-year period. You and I (along with everyone else) knows that. Is there currently a "glut" of housing for sale on the northside? Yes. It is related more to both an economic trend and crime than it is to peeling paint and home disrepair. So, if prosecuting a homeowner that continually and purposefully chooses to ignore city ordinances regarding the upkeep of their home does nothing but cause "upstanding" homeowners to "flee", what do you propose as a solution? Asking them pretty please in a nice tone of voice to paint their trim? Allow homeowners the right to ignore city ordinance until their neighborhood is crime-free? What I am hearing is very similar to when I confront young neighborhood children I am familiar with when I see them litter. Undoubtedly, a percentage of them always say - why can't I do it? everyone else is? Your house trim needs painting Dyna. Paint-it and be done with it. If you can afford to own a house, you can afford to keep the trim painted. You're incredibly intelligent, a valuable asset to the neighborhood AND could add a lot of very valuable input towards solving the problems in the 'hood, if you would direct your energies towards meaningfull pursuits. dennis plante jordan REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Dyna replies to Tim Bonham and Dennis Plante
Statistics geek extraordinaire Tim Bonham was nice enough to drag out the ballot totals from past conventions that he has been kind enough to safe keep. Thank you, but I was referring to blocks of delegates who attended the convention but manipulated or outright blocked an endorsement. For example in the 1993 Minneapolis "convention from hell" the heavily contested mayoral endorsement went to several ballots. After Representative Jefferson was dropped some of his supporters in defiance of his stated request admittedly voted in such a way as to prevent an endorsement. Just to show their power they even threw their block(s) of votes different ways with each ballot. That small block of delegates probably blocked an endorsement for ultimate mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton. In the 2001 Mayoral endorsement a rumored block of Stenglein supporters from the city's far Northside and Northeast precincts may have prevented an endorsement for RT. The St>Paul race that year saw similar manipulations which I had the pleasure of observing from the Long campaign's "war room". Candidate Kelly was dropped early, but we saw his supporters manipulating their block of votes in such a way as to ultimately prevent an endorsement. I am of course suggesting that 'hood delegates use their votes to endorse a candidate committed to our agenda of peace, justice, and jobs rather than blocking an endorsement. My fellow habitant of the 'hood Dennis Plante suggests that criminal prosecution is needed to force citizens to maintain there property. Our city tried that strategy and it failed In safe and stable communities a homeowner's investment in their property is rewarded with decades of continued use of their home or a decent return on their investment when they sell. In neighborhoods like the Northside where property values are falling and peaceful citizens are increasingly murdered major investments in property are increasingly risky and are rewarded by higher taxes and insurance costs in neighborhoods that are increasingly too unsafe to live in. Even the most fervent city prosecution of property poor 'hood homeowners cannot change those negative economics and force investment in dying neighborhoods. In fact such prosecution will only expedite the abandonment as owners flee to more friendly municipalities. Committed to Peace and Justice in Hawthorne, Dyna Sluyter REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Gangs,Police, Priorities
The Mayor and the city council spent more than they had budgeted to bring in the new Police Chief, William McManus. They and others said more needed to be done for the police to improve community relations, reduce police brutality, and other such things. Resources and bodies have been shuffled around for those. It should be no surprise with those priorities along with the cities lack of ability to make tough spending choices that things in the north part of town are getting worse. The community voted on it's priorities. And, unfortunately, it's the residents of North Minneapolis that bear the highest burdens in dealing with them. Allen Graetz Lowry Hill REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] A Story of Courage and Service
For Vanessa, No, I'm not running for office. I was not trying to single her out as someone with super human abilities. I was filled with admiration for her and how she is handling this tragedy, and I wanted both to put a human face on the tragedy and, hopefully, light a bit of a fire under some who talk about what others should do to solve the problem. As you said, she has been active in the community and been the kind of neighbor we all would like to have. She is committed to her community. I believe we all need to be inspired by stories like hers. I apologize, Vanessa, if I somehow offended you in writing this. I did indeed ask her permission to tell the part of her story that I told. She agreed. Dottie On Mar 8, 2005, at 10:22 AM, V.L. Freeman wrote: Hello List! Dottie Titus says: I've found a new friend in my community, someone who is awesome in her courage and commitment. And I can't help asking the question: If this woman, in the midst of her grief, can still want to give back to her community, aren't there others out there who can give just a little more of yourself, of your time, of your resources, to help those in need. Vanessa says: First of all does this mother, whom Ive known for quite some time know that you have done a report about your visit? (Are you running for office too?) Secondly, This mother has been active in the community for many years. Doing what others did not want to, taking care of others children, when they did not take care of their own children. Oh, yes, and as far as Im concerned, this mother is not new to community, the community is new to knowing and finding out about what those of us that do know her has already known for a long time, a very sweet lady, willing to give her all. Innovation, everyday entrepreneurship, and creativity are the aims of collaboration." Vanessa L. Freeman~Hawthorne REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Editorial: North Side gangs/City needs a crackdown
Here is a fair question (I feel) to pose. Whereas discussing livability conditions within the different Minneapolis neighborhoods seems to be a very subjective issue and there are numerous thoughts on what should be done, or even whose responsibility it is to get it done. I'd be interested to find-out what the different thoughts are if any other of the five police precincts: Had experienced over 50% of the citywide total homicides last year. Had already experienced roughly 80% of the citywide homicides in the first 2-months of the year. Was statistically on-track to have what? 54 homicides for the year. Tying the number the ENTIRE city had last year. Although probably not entirely accurate, I believe the 4th precicnt polices about the same population base as a city the size of St Cloud, give or take several thousand. What would the state legislative reaction be if St Cloud were on-track to experience 50+ homicides this year? Would our fine Governor have any hesitations about immediately offering any assistance at his disposal to remedy the problem? Anyone? Why the two sets of standards? Anyone? dennis plante jordan REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Stepped up Police Presence
I hear JSK about his concerns that we will become a police state. Is it better to become a gang state? It may sound excessive to have police checking in with people who seem to be doing innocuous things, but I remember the police reports from two summers ago when they began patrolling on bicycles and stopping bicyclists. It was unbelievable how many RIFLES, including some very high powered ones, they confiscated from bicyclists in our neighborhoods. While we tend to think of gangs as local, that is no longer the truth. I took a one-day training course on gangs last fall and learned some interesting things. Gangs today are national and they are organized like corporations with boards of directors and a very structured organization chart. Some gangs, including one active in Minnesota, has more than 35,000 members nationwide. This is why criminals who commit serious crimes here in Minneapolis are often found in Los Angeles or Chicago where some of the major gangs are headquartered. My point is that we are not up against a group of local kids who have decided to do bad things. In many cases, we are up against strong organizations who funnel money and guns into the local group and who provide protection and transportation to get people away when things get too hot. I'm also mindful of how neighbors can help. Invite younger kids in to do activities with you. Be sure their parents know and give permission. I have a big bunch of Legos at my house, and kids come in and alternate between playing with the Legos and making cookies to take them home to the family. When you reach the younger ones, you also reach the parents. Let's get walking clubs going. There are dealers and prostitutes out until 9 or 10 a.m. during warm weather. How about groups of elders who want some exercise getting together in groups of 4 to 6 to walk and, at the same time, keep an eye on their neighborhoods and provide an added level of protection for the kids waiting for the school bus. Do the same in the afternoon when the kids come home. The drug dealers show up about the time school lets out. Form neighborhood patrols. Did you know that if you walk with an official neighborhood patrol, you have extra protection by law. Assaulting a person who is identifiable as a neighborhood patrol (we wear bright red vests in Jordan) is treated the same as assaulting a police officer. Pay attention to what happens in your neighborhood. Get license numbers and call them in to your neighborhood association or, if you see them acting in a criminal manner, to 911. The other night, I could hear a car engine running outside. It was parked in front of the vacant house next door. I got my binoculars (a MUST for every homeowner here) and checked it out. I got the license number. As I watched, I eventually was able to pick up more identifying information about the car and the person inside. I didn't hide the fact that I was watching. After about 15 minutes, the car decided to leave. He may have been there legitimately (at 1 a.m.?), but if anything should come up later about something happening that night, I have the identifying information that might help. The kind of things that you are willing to do will depend on your fears, your family situation (I'm an almost-60 single woman, so I have less to lose than some), and so on. Find the level that stretches you just a bit. We build courage by challenging our fears. That doesn't mean confronting dangerous people, but it might mean looking out the window to get a description of someone or calling 911 when dealers are working on your street. If all of us stretch beyond our comfort zones, we can accomplish much. Dottie REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Bus Rapid Transit and Parking
Since LRT has 3 times the cost of BRT, I think they'll be able to afford fixing up the Lake Street stop. And next time you're stuck on 35W or traffic elsewhere, keep in mind with the money that was spent to run a train from downtown to Bloomington, a couple of BRT lines could've been built. Allen Graetz Lowry Hill -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael Jensvold Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 10:16 AM To: mpls@mnforum.org Subject: [Mpls] Bus Rapid Transit and Parking I challenge BRT proponents to try catching the bus at Lake Street and I35. It is a spiritually degrading experience, staring down the traffic speeding by at 60+ miles per hour. I don't think anyone that catches the bus there would do so if they didn't have to. What will future BRT look like? I do not see I35 ever becoming a shining example of a multi-modal "corridor". It is, after all a freeway designed for "interstate" automobile traffic. Its fate has been determined and will not be altered significantly. Freeways never should have been carved through the city in the first place, but now we are stuck with them. The next best thing we can do with 35, is try to get people to make the "intermodal shift" from their cars to transit in their daily commute. This requires accepting the necessary evil of signficant amounts of parking near transit nodes. In an auto-dependent environment we have to accomodate cars to work with transit or it won't work at all. I don't mean to endorse anything in particular just trying to debunk some wishful thinking. Mike Jensvold Ward 10 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Crime & Public Safety
I've been seeing a lot on the issues list about the need for more police and how to pay for them. I think we simply need to 1) make this a priority and 2) figure out how to pay for it. I think challenging our leaders with how to pay for it is productive to a point, but what is the other alternative? Keep cutting cops? I know several police officers and hear how overextended they are, and I just don't see that as an option, regardless. One of the biggest differences between the mayoral candidates is that Rybak says (60th SD debate) that his budget calls for decreasing police and fire over then next 5 years -- and McLaughlin has committed to no further reductions. Couldn't that pension relief that the city turned down from the state have freed up other funds to pay for more police? I also remember hearing about a proposal from Park Commissioner Jon Olson about a business-funded plan to hire new police officers to respond to business calls that would free up other officers to tackle high-crime areas or otherwise refocus. Does anyone know anything about this proposal? It made a lot of sense to me but I thought the city was not excited about it. Nikki Carlson Linden Hills REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Crime and Safety on the North Side
Well, well. After almost two decades of evasion, denial, half-truths, and outright lying, the Strib has managed to bring itself to admit that, yes, an unacceptable disparity exists between the levels of safety provided by Minneapolis to its poor neighborhoods and its affluent ones (editorial, March 8). It concedes that the current plague of violence and disorder on the North Side isn't home grown--that much of it is imported from places like Chicago, Detroit, Gary, and East St. Louis. And--Mirabile Dictu!--it even goes so far as to urge North Siders to assist the cops by learning to distinguish between human error and genuine police misbehavior and to tolerate the former while rejecting the latter. But... The paper goes on to make this claim: "With heroic work by corporate, community and state leaders, Minneapolis remade the once-notorious Phillips neighborhood over the last decade." Now, how many inaccuracies, how many distortions, how much misinformation can you, dear reader, detect in that single sentence? The fact that Phillips is no longer a neighborhood and hasn't been for years is only the merest indication of how wildly askew the Strib's perceptions remain. Alas, the editors and reporters need to learn some history, master a few facts, talk to some knowledgeable people, and only then pronounce ex cathedra on issues of crime and safety. Paul Weir Midtown Phillips REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] A Story of Courage and Service
Hello List! BL. States: We head into yet another summer with no plans to address crime in "impacted" "inner-city" neighborhoods and no talk of developing a concerted plan to address it except to demand we add more police to arrest more people who won't go to Jail or treatment. VF: There is no plan. Because any plan that would have to take effect would included some discomfort, and the so-called leaders that speak for the community will not allow that. Its time for fresh leadership. True leadership. Not those who are looking for fat checks, or huge grants . Dottie Titus says: I've found a new friend in my community, someone who is awesome in her courage and commitment. And I can't help asking the question: If this woman, in the midst of her grief, can still want to give back to her community, aren't there others out there who can give just a little more of yourself, of your time, of your resources, to help those in need. Vanessa says: First of all does this mother, whom Ive known for quite some time know that you have done a report about your visit? (Are you running for office too?) Secondly, This mother has been active in the community for many years. Doing what others did not want to, taking care of others children, when they did not take care of their own children. Oh, yes, and as far as Im concerned, this mother is not new to community, the community is new to knowing and finding out about what those of us that do know her has already known for a long time, a very sweet lady, willing to give her all. Innovation, everyday entrepreneurship, and creativity are the aims of collaboration." Vanessa L. Freeman~Hawthorne Peter Keen REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Tax relfied for Guard members
Michael Atherton asks: I was wondering if there exists or is any discussion of providing Minneapolis property tax relief for Guard members serving in Iraq? Brandt: Assuming that Michael was serious, and not just throwing in a Minneapolis reference to justify a posting on this topic, here are several observations. 1) Any property tax relief would have to be granted by the Legislature, and it would not grant such relief only to Minneapolis service people. 2) Why just the Guard? There are plenty of reservists serving. 3) Why just Iraq? There are plenty of Guard members/ reservists serving in Afghanistan. Others have been mobilized to support people in combat zones but are doing so from Germany, or even North Carolina. 4) Although there are Guard and reservists serving who can match me grey hair for grey hair, the vast majority of the people I see in my son's Marine reserve unit are in their late teens or early 20s, and don't own property. Granting them property tax relief through their landlords might be administratively more difficult. Steve Brandt Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Bus Rapid Transit and Parking
I challenge BRT proponents to try catching the bus at Lake Street and I35. It is a spiritually degrading experience, staring down the traffic speeding by at 60+ miles per hour. I don't think anyone that catches the bus there would do so if they didn't have to. What will future BRT look like? I do not see I35 ever becoming a shining example of a multi-modal "corridor". It is, after all a freeway designed for "interstate" automobile traffic. Its fate has been determined and will not be altered significantly. Freeways never should have been carved through the city in the first place, but now we are stuck with them. The next best thing we can do with 35, is try to get people to make the "intermodal shift" from their cars to transit in their daily commute. This requires accepting the necessary evil of signficant amounts of parking near transit nodes. In an auto-dependent environment we have to accomodate cars to work with transit or it won't work at all. I don't mean to endorse anything in particular just trying to debunk some wishful thinking. Mike Jensvold Ward 10 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rules May Prevent Endorsement in 2nd Ward DFL Convention
This is the kind of "game playing" that not only frustrates the new people brought into the process but is also a bit of whining that the "youngsters" have figures out the game and are now using it in their favor to "win" against the establishment. I do not have a favorite in this race and am more concerned about parking issues the attendees might face at the Coyle Center on the day of the convention. No one likes to have a primary battle as it costs money, but even if someone earns the DFL endorsement (as Diane Loeffler did in 59A last year) that does not ensure that they will not face a primary challenge ( she did ). So have as many meetings as you need, but if you keep whining about the rules amongst yourselves you will be giving the well known "green" candidate plenty of punchlines for his campaign speeches. Liz Wielinski Columbia Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Jeff Hayden's position on 35W Access Project
I wanted to clarify some information in the Spokesman Recorder's March 2 article about the Eighth Ward candidate forum on transportation. The article incorrectly reported that Jeff Hayden is a representative of the Midtown Greenway and Powderhorn Park. Jeff did not serve on the Midtown Greenway Coalition but oversaw some of its development as a City Council aide from 2002 to 2004. Jeff chaired the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association from 1999 to 2001 but now serves as vice-chair of the Bryant Neighborhood Association. The article also incorrectly describes Jeff's position on the I-35W Access Project. Jeff Hayden is firmly opposed to this $170 million ramp construction project at Lake Street because it does not address the long-term transit needs in the corridor. He is committed to alleviating traffic on I-35W through light-rail transit or bus-rapid transit. Jeff urges people to join his campaign as he works to reduce air pollution from a freeway that disproportionately affects the poor and people of color. There are better ways to move people around at far less cost and he hopes to convince the Minneapolis City Council of the same once he is elected. Sean Wherley Campaign Manager Jeff Hayden for City Council REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Editorial: North Side gangs/City needs a crackdown
Next Strib excerpt: The police also need more information from neighbors and more intolerance -- not toward the police but toward criminals and their drug-buying customers. -- JSK - this might be easy to say, but not practical to carry out. The typical result of this attitude is the conclusion by police that everyone in the neighborhood is a criminal until proven otherwise. -- CMB - not to mention the risk to the neighbors who make those calls. My dog was murdered after I reported a shooting a few years ago and I've been harassed many times since then even when I *don't* call the police. I'm not tolerating I'm scared. And while I don't want to live in a police state either, I'm not sure what else can be done at this point. I hate the helicopter -- I hate the thought of being pulled over and searched without PC .. but I also hate that bullets fly in front of my house and police don't respond. I hate that thugs are taking over my once peaceful and pleasant community. I hate that my dog gets killed because I report a crime. I hate picking up other people's trash and condoms and bullet casings. I hate when my windows rattle when a boom car passes by. I've about reached my limits and I'm getting close to preferring uniformed armed protection on every street. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Connie Beckers - Folwell REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Stormwater Utility Fee
In general, the change to charging for storm water runoff is a good idea but I'm guessing something is wrong someplace. But Scott, I'd love to here from the people who actually provided these estimates. > Scott Vreeland: > ... What does this mean to the average single-family residential home in > Minneapolis? An average single-family residential property > will pay $8.72 per month > in stormwater utility fee and see little or no change in > their current > monthly bill. My small Seward duplex is getting hit with about $25 per month stormwater utility fee. . Sheldon Mains Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Minnesota REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Minneapolis Inspections
As a person that has received the traing to be a housing inspector, as well as building inspector, we are taught to follow the codes and ordinances. We are also taught to work with the clients being inspected to help them understand the issue. We are also told by our instructors that we will probably be overworked and under pressure to get more done in less time. I chose not go into public inspections because it looked like to much bureaucracy and politics. Ron Leurquin Nokomis East Allan wrote: Just out of curiosity, has anyone that's dealt with city inspectors made them point out the regulations regarding the changes + dbl checked that they're being properly interpreted? I'm asking this because my impression of inspectors is that they tend to do what they think is right but that doesn't always coincide with ordinances nor with when they can be applied. I'm not being cynical, there are a lot of things to keep track of. And of course there are some that find it easier just to make some up. This was the experience that my parents had when doing their own general contracting when building a home. Mom would play dumb and have the inspector point out the ordinance "so her husband could understand what needs to be done because she can't explain this stuff well". It might help to avoid having to do some work in these cases. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Minneapolis Inspections
Just out of curiosity, has anyone that's dealt with city inspectors made them point out the regulations regarding the changes + dbl checked that they're being properly interpreted? I'm asking this because my impression of inspectors is that they tend to do what they think is right but that doesn't always coincide with ordinances nor with when they can be applied. I'm not being cynical, there are a lot of things to keep track of. And of course there are some that find it easier just to make some up. This was the experience that my parents had when doing their own general contracting when building a home. Mom would play dumb and have the inspector point out the ordinance "so her husband could understand what needs to be done because she can't explain this stuff well". It might help to avoid having to do some work in these cases. Allen Graetz Lowry Hill -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jane Strauss Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 7:04 AM To: mpls@mnforum.org Subject: [Mpls] Minneapolis Inspections I agree that Inspections has not changed all that much. When I purchased my home, the brick and stucco (ie not wood frame) "mother in law" cottage in the rear was rented, as it had been for decades. In fact it was built before the main house. I continued to rent it. At some point, some unidentified person reported that I had "people living in my garage." You got it. I have a garage tucked under the house (large enough for a beetle or model A) but no garage on the alley, only a one bedroom house with full basement. Suddenly it was open season. I was in process of painting so they could not get me for that. Instead I was subject to full inspection, including the demand that I replace several glass block windows with crank out openings in the middle (which we suspected were structural) with windows, and a large number ofother things. Result? Our tenants now have to pay more for their hot water because the only way we could comply with orders in any cost effective manner was to replace an almost new gas hot water heater with an electric one, the wall is now less stable, because we had to replace the structural glass block with windows which now only have headers, and my equity in the house has been substantially diminished by the significant loans I had to take out. Oh yes, and my tenant is much less happy ecause she felt safer with the glass block than with the casement windows which were all I could find that had sufficient openings for Inspections and would approximate fitting in the existing openings. The clincher for all of this is that I have been trying to keep that property at below market rent to add to the stock of truly affordable housing, but I'll probably have to raise the rent to market rate just to cover the added loans if I don't get a substantial increase in pay soon (unlikely, as I am currently in my 50s and looking for work, having been downsized by a nonprofit due to our current wonderful economic situation in this state!). Jane Strauss Longfellow REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Editorial: North Side gangs/City needs a crackdown
Star Tribune Editorial Excerpt: Proactive policing means that cops will question loiterers and jaywalkers, stop cars for minor violations and get into the faces of more people. It's a proven tactic: Stopping petty offenses also stops major ones. But it also requires the cooperation and understanding of neighbors. They should expect cops to be reasonable and respectful. But they should also expect them to be aggressive and to make an occasional human mistake. JSK - It is ashame that powerful interests continually advocate creating police state conditions and sacraficing civil liberties under the guise of making people more safe. This is a repeat of the "CODEFOR" practices of the late 1990s which resulted in extremely disproportionate stops, searches, arrests and other intrusions on people of color. Most searches and arrests under such conditions are baseless, and results in many people being searched by police and frequently going to jail without having broken any laws. Even if the police find drugs, the cases are likely to thrown out of court because there was no probable cause for the searches. This all means that if one lives or works in a poor neighborhood, the Bill of Rights does not apply. Why can't the Strib be creative enough to propose aggressive and legitimate crime prevention and law enforcement techniques that do not trash freedom? Hopefully, McManus and company can do better. -- Next Strib excerpt: The police also need more information from neighbors and more intolerance -- not toward the police but toward criminals and their drug-buying customers. -- JSK - this might be easy to say, but not practical to carry out. The typical result of this attitude is the conclusion by police that everyone in the neighborhood is a criminal until proven otherwise. - Next Strib excerpt: Mayor R.T. Rybak is right when he says that every suburban party boy with drugs in his pocket is aiding the cause of killers. The North Side gets the bodies and the fear, but the whole regional drug market is culpable. - JSK - Ok, so lets see the Strib propose such aggressive policing techniques in Edina, Golden Valley, Minnetonka, etc. to get at all the druggies who are creating a market that leads to organized crime in Minneapolis? Its not going to happen. Police could not politically get away with suspending the Bill of Rights in the suburbs. Other than in the central city, the police actually work for the people who live in their towns. People would not put up with living in police state conditions in the name of stopping crime. The central city should demand no less. Jordan Kushner Golden Valley former resident of West Bank, Stevens Square and Powderhorn REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Rules May Prevent Endorsement in 2nd Ward DFL Convention
The Rules Committee for the Second Ward met last night. Its members were selected on the basis of two delegates per precinct rather than a proportion of the size of the delegation from each precinct. And it appears that Dan Miller's people rushed to fill the two slots in as many precincts as possible. As a result, it appears that his people are a slim majority on the Rules Committee. And, it now appears, Dan Miller's people have been instructed to adopt rules that will essentially prevent any endorsement of a candidate at the DFL Convention. While he has personally pledged to support the endorsed candidate, he has apparently determined that he wants to frustrate any convention endorsement and take his chances at the primary election. The rules that Miller's people have proposed (with my comments in parenthesis) are as follows: ** Requiring a quorum of two-thirds rather than a majority. (Resulting in automatic adjournment of the convention if a little over one-third of the delegates, somehow, leave early.) ** Keeping a candidate with less than 10% support on the ballot through three ballots rather than just one. (Resulting in a "nuisance candidate" staying viable through three ballots.) ** Preventing ANY forced drop-off of lowest vote-getters instead of forcing the drop-off of the lowest vote-getter after the fourth ballot. (Resulting in no movement of votes from less popular candidates to more popular candidates.) ** Allowing a motion of "No Endorsement" after just two ballots rather than the standard of three. (Encouraging an early switch to "No Endorsement.") ** Limiting the number of endorsement ballots to just five rather than the standard of an unlimited number. (In a three-way race and combined with the other rules, making a successful compromise at 60% very unlikely.) ** Limiting the length of the convention to just three hours rather than the standard of being open until business is done. (Resulting in a failure of endorsement just because time runs out.) Dan Miller's people on the Rules Committee mouth platitudes of wanting an endorsement but their proposals speak louder than their words. He clearly wants no endorsement coming out of the 2nd Ward convention. There will be another meeting of the Ward's Rules Committee on Saturday, March 26th, to continue the debate on the rules. We'll see whether Dan Miller's instructed Rules Committee members prevail. However, even if they do, there is still the matter of how their support of rules clearly designed to make the whole convention a fruitless exercise will sit with all the Ward's delegates. Steve Cross Prospect Park (Rules Committee, Precinct 6 and supporter of Bill Svrluga) REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Tax Relief for Guard Members?
There's an article in the NYT today, "State Taxpayers Providing Relief to Military Families." http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/08/national/08tax.html I was wondering if there exists or is any discussion of providing Minneapolis property tax relief for Guard members serving in Iraq? Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] What to do about all the crime
Dorothy Titus makes a pretty strong point about being an entire shift short of officers. I know the cops are currently expected to do way more with less. They have taken on responsibility to start the investigation at the time of the police call. That adds time to each crime. I know non-violent crimes get little attention at all. Hell, even violent ones don't go far. When my son got whacked in the head I didn't get a call from an investigator on that crime for 3 1/2 months and that was to tell me without further evidence the case was closed. If a white kid in Eagan got whacked by some stranger and took 9 staples in his head, every t.v. channel and newspaper reporter in town would have been hovering and Tim Pawlenty would have been on T.V. screaming for justice. But, because it happened to a black inner-city kid, it drew not even a bat of an eye. I think the "impacted" crime ridden neighborhoods probably already get more attention from the police than anywhere else in the city. Adding more police would certainly allow there to be more arrests. We could arrest the same criminal element twice as much as we are arresting them now. So instead of having 100 arrests on their rap sheet and still being on the street they could have 200 arrests. If we are not placing any of them in jail or mandatory long term treatment than what does it matter how many times the police arrest them? The fact that they are continually allowed to get away with a variety of crimes and placed right back on the same streets they commit them on is the problem. Show me one gangbanger that commits a murder with no previous arrests for anything. Show me one! Yesterday, well-meaning citizens and the politicians held yet one more candle in a vigil. They grabbed one more media moment proselytizing. (although I have to say I liked what Natalie Johnson Lee had to say) For two hours the group found comfort knowing there are others like them that feel scared and unsafe in their homes but don't know how it can possibly change. People cried and yelled and screamed. But what change will come from this vigil? What change came from the last 100 vigils? We head into yet another summer with no plans to address crime in "impacted" "inner-city" neighborhoods and no talk of developing a concerted plan to address it except to demand we add more police to arrest more people who won't go to jail or treatment. There are fractionalized groups unwilling to work together to develop a plan for fear that credit for the work will be ripped from them. There are elected officials running in every direction trying to take credit from the actual people doing the work because this is the year the public gives them their performance review. There are others trying to become elected officials giving good sound bite about adding more police because that is what good law abiding citizens want to hear. According to professional election pundits you have 7 seconds to reach a citizen on political mail to constituents before they pitch it in the garbage. ADD MORE POLICE! and VOTE FOR ME! and a smiling mug takes about 7 seconds. Again, as in previous posts I mention that we have a group called the CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COMMITTEE of the city and county that is supposed to be coordinating crime issues. The committee membership is made up of the police chief, the sheriff, judges, parole and probation officers, the mayor, county attorneys, county commissioners, city attorneys and city council members. I thought I had discovered gold when I heard about this committee that had supposedly been in operation for over 10 years. That was 5 years ago now. Oddly enough, the council member representatives on this committee represent wards that have very little of the violent crime that occurs on the northside or in parts of the southside. Why is that? For that matter the majority of membership on the CJCC committee sleep in communities where you can hear a pin drop at night. The fear of a stray bullet piercing their house is as foreign an idea to them as a bomb from Iraq. I know that this committee has a l ot of power in it's membership and I have a hard time believing this committee cannot be used in a more productive way to coordinate meaningful efforts. This could and should be the nucleus for coordinating a plan to bring about real change in how the city and county manages crime. It needs citizen membership, it needs the council members from high crime areas and it needs someone besides me talking about it. It also appears to need a good kick in the. How about adding more long term treatment and transitional housing facilities NOT located a 1/2 block from the place they were dealing or doing drugs? Ya know MADDADS is doing great work but V.J. Smith and his cadre of people need more money and more help. How about more jail cells but making jail a place where the criminals can get an education or develo
[Mpls] Minneapolis Inspections
I agree that Inspections has not changed all that much. When I purchased my home, the brick and stucco (ie not wood frame) "mother in law" cottage in the rear was rented, as it had been for decades. In fact it was built before the main house. I continued to rent it. At some point, some unidentified person reported that I had "people living in my garage." You got it. I have a garage tucked under the house (large enough for a beetle or model A) but no garage on the alley, only a one bedroom house with full basement. Suddenly it was open season. I was in process of painting so they could not get me for that. Instead I was subject to full inspection, including the demand that I replace several glass block windows with crank out openings in the middle (which we suspected were structural) with windows, and a large number ofother things. Result? Our tenants now have to pay more for their hot water because the only way we could comply with orders in any cost effective manner was to replace an almost new gas hot water heater with an electric one, the wall is now less stable, because we had to replace the structural glass block with windows which now only have headers, and my equity in the house has been substantially diminished by the significant loans I had to take out. Oh yes, and my tenant is much less happy ecause she felt safer with the glass block than with the casement windows which were all I could find that had sufficient openings for Inspections and would approximate fitting in the existing openings. The clincher for all of this is that I have been trying to keep that property at below market rent to add to the stock of truly affordable housing, but I'll probably have to raise the rent to market rate just to cover the added loans if I don't get a substantial increase in pay soon (unlikely, as I am currently in my 50s and looking for work, having been downsized by a nonprofit due to our current wonderful economic situation in this state!). Jane Strauss Longfellow REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Editorial: North Side gangs/City needs a crackdown
Without question, some areas in North Minneapolis needs some help-NOW New voices and new leaders need to be tapped into not the same old people. ___ What to do? Vigils, flowers and prayers aren't enough. Minneapolis needs a police crackdown. Chief Bill McManus says he'll soon deliver one by returning proactive policing to the hottest crime zones. It's high time. For months, the north neighborhoods have been calling for more aggressive law enforcement, to no avail. They deserve better service from their Police Department. Proactive policing means that cops will question loiterers and jaywalkers, stop cars for minor violations and get into the faces of more people. It's a proven tactic: Stopping petty offenses also stops major ones. But it also requires the cooperation and understanding of neighbors. They should expect cops to be reasonable and respectful. But they should also expect them to be aggressive and to make an occasional human mistake. The police also need more information from neighbors and more intolerance -- not toward the police but toward criminals and their drug-buying customers. Mayor R.T. Rybak is right when he says that every suburban party boy with drugs in his pocket is aiding the cause of killers. The North Side gets the bodies and the fear, but the whole regional drug market is culpable. So are the Bush and Pawlenty administrations for their drastic cuts in local government aid. Those cuts have cost Minneapolis 120 police officers and numerous jobs programs that might have deterred youngsters from taking up the gangster life. Crime's greatest ally is a kid who lacks hope. Neglectful parents hurt, too. City Council Member Natalie Johnson Lee was right to scold them: "Mom, if you don't know where your kids are, find out; Dad, if you're not taking care of your kids, take care of them." With heroic work by corporate, community and state leaders, Minneapolis remade the once-notorious Phillips neighborhood over the last decade. Now that energy must turn northward. Criminal gangs have been a part of the American scene for 150 years. But that's no excuse for tolerating gangland violence in north Minneapolis, or anywhere in Minnesota. It's time for a crackdown -- from police, from the neighborhood, from the wider community. http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/5278748.html Shawn Lewis, former resident of the Field Neighborhood -- ___ Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com http://promo.mail.com/adsfreejump.htm REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
