[Mpls] This Week in The Minneapolis Observer

[Craig Cox]

CONVENTION CENTER WORKERS ALLEGE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Two African American workers at the Minneapolis Convention Center 
have filed complaints with the city's Human Rights Department 
alleging a pattern of racial discrimination by Convention Center 
management.

CALHOUN SQUARE RENOVATION MAY CLAIM NEARBY HOMES
The developer in charge of the dramatic makeover of Calhoun Square 
may be expanding the project's reach a bit farther than Uptown 
neighbors had imagined.

WHOLE FOODS COMING DOWNTOWN?
For years, downtown residents have been waiting for a full-service 
grocery store. Soon they may have three.

For these stories and more, visit 
--
Craig Cox
Founder/Editor
The Minneapolis Observer
www.mplsobserver.com
612/721-0285
Support the independent media! Pick up your neighborhood newspaper!
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[mpls] Ward 2 DFL Candidate Forum

[Elizabeth Wielinski]

  Senate District 59 cordially invites you to a public question and 
answer forum for DFL candidates seeking the DFL endorsement to the Ward 
2 City Council seat.  Departing Councilman Paul Zerby will act as 
moderator for this forum be held on Tuesday March 22nd at 7:00pm at the 
Van Cleve Recreation Center, 901 15th AV SE Minneapolis.  For more 
information contact Harrison Nelson at 612-378-5877.

Liz Wielinski
Columbia Park
Treasurer SD59 DFL
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Re: [Mpls] Strib Reader's Rep says " I don't get many calls from readers in North Mpls

[Barbara Lickness]

I find Kate Parry's questions genuine. I just find them misinformed. Steve 
Brandt did a terrific job covering neighborhood news for a long time. Then all 
of a sudden he got put on school reporting and it appears no one was 
specifically assigned to cover neighborhood news. Maybe Steve can clarify what 
happened here. Maybe there is actually someone at the strib who is supposed to 
be doing that.
 
It's a shame because I agree the strib and the mainline news media do nothing 
more than drive by journalism. O.K. the strib and PP are a little more in 
depth. And it is always focused on the neighborhoods worst moments. 
 
Light a candle, throw a vigil, call Spike and the cameras are there. Shoot 
someone, rob a store and they come running. Amelia and Dennis have another 
important news story to tell. The stories that keep everyone believing the 
inner-city is a place and should be avoided.
 
What about stories about kids who aren't doing anything wrong?  They are doing 
well in school, not getting in trouble and making their parents proud. What 
about the parents that are raising good kids and working their rears off just 
to make it by? What about the everyday people who just live there? Who may have 
lived there for years and years.  Yes, they live in the inner-city and there 
are a lot of them. But, you wouldn't know that because the only ones you hear 
about are shooting someone, robbing someone or selling drugs. Occasionally 
there is a story about the one who did all that and is now in recovery. But, 
where are the stories about the people who never do any of that. The ones who 
just struggle to get by every day and try to keep from getting caught in the 
cross fire. 
 
What about the businesses starting to pop up on the northside? The Best Steak 
House, the coffee shop, the fact that Target got replaced by a Cub. Is a 
renaissance happening on Broadway? I hear there is but we don't find out about 
that in the strib or on the mainline news.
 
Yes the strib needs to assign a neighborhood reporter again. Maybe there is one 
and I am just missing the boat here. Don't know but I am willing to admit I am 
wrong if I am. If there is I would like to see stories about something other 
than the crime that happens in these neighborhoods or forget it. Who needs that 
kind of attention? They don't. 
 
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
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Re: [Mpls] Programming Note - Colin Powell Center to be discussed on KFAI

[Eva Young]

At 08:19 PM 3/19/2005, dain lyngstad wrote:
A discussion implies that both sides will be present
and respected for their differing views. I must
believe
based on what has been stated here that the discussion
will in truth be a diatribe against, the subject
without opposing views ever being heard. Dain Lyngstad
edina/Phillips
Neva Walker and Trish Campbell will also be guests on the show.  I'd also 
be very happy to be on the show opposite Art Erickson to discuss this.

Colin Powell and Urban Ventures names have been removed from the Midwest 
Family Website's prayer call.  I've got an archived copy of that, and will 
be posting the archived copy to my blog.

http://www.midwestchaplains.org/images/mncall.htm
Midwest Chaplains needs to do more than just remove this from their Prayer 
Call - they need to acknowledge the mistake on their main page:

http://www.midwestchaplains.org/
Are the other groups that are listed also misrepresented?
Eva Young

--- Eva Young <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I'll be a guest on Matthea Little Smith's program on
> KFAI - the womanist
> power authority.
>
> http://www.kfai.org/programs/l_p_a.htm
>
> The issue:  discussing some of the issues related to
> the bonding funding
> proposal for the Colin Powell Youth Center.
>
> This is tomorrow at 9-10:30 PM on 90.3 FM - KFAI.
>
> I'd like to thank Matthea for providing this forum
> to discuss this
> important issue.
>
>
> Eva Young
> Near North
> Minneapolis
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> http://lloydletta.blogspot.com
>
> "You do not have the right to never be offended.
> This country is based on
> freedom, and that means freedom for everyone - not
> just you!  You may leave
> the room, turn the channel, express a different
> opinion, etc., but the
> world is full of idiots, and probably always will
> be."  --Article II of the
> Bill of Non-Rights.
>
>
> REMINDERS:
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>
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>
> For state and national discussions see:
> http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html
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> 
>
> Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused
> Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy
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Eva Young
Near North
Minneapolis
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://lloydletta.blogspot.com
"You do not have the right to never be offended.  This country is based on 
freedom, and that means freedom for everyone - not just you!  You may leave 
the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the
world is full of idiots, and probably always will be."  --Article II of the 
Bill of Non-Rights. 

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Re: [Mpls] Strib takes the low road

[Elizabeth Wielinski]

What galls me most about this situation, as with many that the MPRB 
enters into, is that the cost to the MPRB always ends up greater and 
the benefits derived are never spelled out adequately.  Look at the 
boathouse plan with the U of M.  The U of M gets to build on Park Board 
land and in turn will provide rowing lessons, cheerleading camps 
and some other such drivel.  John Erwin, who has offered up the best 
ideas I've seen on the board during the past 2 years was trying to 
negotiate for staff from the U of M's horticulture department for the 
MPRB.  This would have been a tangible, measurable trade but the drivel 
is what the MPRB voted to accept.  The deal at Fort Snelling where the 
MPRB would get profit from the indoor skatepark and equipment for the 
skateparks in the neighborhoods has now ended in a lawsuit. The MPRB 
will most likely pay out $2.5 million in mechanics leins and who knows 
how much to the lawfirm of Rice- Michaels.The original contract had 
no protections ( and this was pointed out during a committee meeting by 
Bob Fine ) and was approved anyway (even by Fine).  Look at the 
Fujiya...Rice-Michael's is over at the legislature racking up lobbying 
hours trying to keep some of the money from the sale of land that the 
state (who paid for the land) is now seeking.  The "business" deals 
that come out of the MPRB are pitiful and I'm sure the folks at 
Rice-Michaels will be getting more billable hours when this Nicollet 
Island deal ends up in court.

Liz Wielinski
Columbia Park
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[Mpls] Strib Reader's Rep says " I don't get many calls from readers in North Mpls

[Shawn Lewis]

Is this true
___
Kate Parry: There's more to tell about the North Side 
Kate Parry  
Star Tribune Reader's Representative  
Published March 20, 2005  

"I don't get many calls from readers in north Minneapolis."
"My challenge to north Minneapolis residents is to call the 
newspaper when we get it right and when we get it wrong. 
Let us know if we're missing a story."

"I hear each day from readers in just about every other 
part of the metro area. I'd like to make sure the newsroom 
hears opinions and story ideas from north Minneapolis just as clearly."

http://www.startribune.com/stories/161/5301221.html
Contact Kate:
By Phone: 612-673-4450
By e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Posted by Shawn Lewis, former Field Neighborhood Resident

-- 
___
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RE: [Mpls] Strib takes the low road

[David Brauer]

Scott Vreeland writes:

> Mr. Coleman,
> 
> I found your article about the DeLaSalle football stadium both nasty  and
> offensive. I don't think misleading propaganda and insults should be
legitimate
> content of the Metro section. There is enough conflict and  controversy
> without going for ad hominem attacks on a whole neighborhood.

Caveat: To mix a metaphor, I have no dog in this spat (especially since
we're covering it on an ongoing basis for Skyway News - thanks for the plug,
Scott!).

Nick is a columnist and a good Catholic boy, so it's no surprise he came out
swinging for D. Provoking folks is his job.

However, his main argument - "residents are on parkland so DeLaSalle should
get its field and bleachers" - misleads on a key point.

The residents - or at least their houses - were there before the Park Board
acquired the land. The residents aren't allowed to build more housing.

DeLaSalle, on the other hand, now wants to be able to build something new
and bigger - an expansion I don't think the Park Board has (or would) allow
anyone else.

Personally, I can see the virtue in building the field. The Park Board
opened the door way back when, when they allowed those crummy tennis courts
get built on public land. The D plan would essentially combine that space
with the school's existing bare-bones field for a more usable playing field.

There is definitely some "public value" because the Park Board could use the
field when D isn't - but given the history of the "public" tennis courts -
which are unmarked as such - citizens expect any D-Park Board sharing to be
spelled out in writing.

But again, let's be clear: D wants an EXPANSION onto parkland that residents
would never get. 

Also, as Judith Martin notes, the city rarely if ever allows a road to be
vacated unless it is only used by one business. (In this case, part of Grove
Street that would be vacated to link the tennis courts and D's current field
is used by the public, not just D.)

Finally, I find it ironic that Nick unblushingly let John Derus of all
people criticize island residents for being politically connected. John was
at one time the most politically connected individual around - and wasn't
shy about using that influence.

David Brauer
Kingfield
Editor, Skyway News and Southwest Journal

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[Mpls] Strib takes the low road

[Svattheriver]

RE:Nick Coleman's article today
Nicollet Islanders don't want to share
 _http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5301636.html_ 
(http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5301636.html) 
 
Invoking racist motives to those who disagree with the expansion of  
DeLaSalle onto parkland is only part of the specious propaganda in today's 
metro  
section.
 
I have written the following to the  Star Tribune reader's  representative 
and to Coleman.
 
Thanks,
Scott Vreeland  Seward
 
   
Mr. Coleman,
 
I found your article about the DeLaSalle football stadium both nasty  and 
offensive. I don't think misleading propaganda and insults should be  
legitimate 
content of the Metro section. There is enough conflict and  controversy 
without going for ad hominem attacks on a whole neighborhood.
 
I don't live on the Island. I have carefully listened to all the testimony  
and debate about this issue. It is a lot more complicated and interesting  
question than your characterization. You should read Scott Russell's recent  
article _http://www.skywaynews.net/articles/2005/03/17/news/news01.txt_ 
(http://www.skywaynews.net/articles/2005/03/17/news/news01.txt)to help you 
understand 
the complexity and ambiguity of the historical  designation of this parkland.
 
This is not an Island spat. Setting aside the question of the best public  
use of public land which is an important issue for regional park issues, there  
is another issue that you have completely excluded.
 
The issue is the loss of green space and taking of Parkland without  adequate 
compensation. Sure DeLaSalle has done good work, but have they offered  to 
pay for the fair market cost of the land?
Just because they have political clout and a hoard of eloquent letter  
jacketed lobbyists doesn't mean they should be given a free ride.
 
Let's negotiate in good faith. I think the DeLaSalle stadium advocates  would 
be more successful if they put more on the table rather than  pounding on it.
 
Thanks,
Scott Vreeland
Candidate for MPRB District # 3 Commissioner
 
Many years ago, I performed in the Circle of Water Circus in the beautiful  
amphitheater on Nicollet Island. Now, such a wonderful show could not be booked 
 there because the parking has now been assigned to the privately run 
Nicollet  Island Pavilion.

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Re:[Mpls] I-35W Corridor

[fmarkus]

I can think of several examples where citizens' advisory committee/task
forces get into troubled waters. Regarding proposed changes to the site plan
review chapter of the zoning code: "...several complex technical issues
involved..." from the CPED director of planning, with reference elsewhere in
this very proper email to a neighborhood informational meeting held by CPED
staff on March 14 to which all official neighborhood groups were invited by
letter.

I've been to a few of these "sudden death" informational meetings. They fall
short for some big reasons. One is that the planning staff are a precious
few and another is that John and Jane Q. Citizen typically don't have
high-octane juice in their tank that would give them a fighting chance in
these quarter-mile bureaucratic sprints. This is not lost on heavy-duty
players like Mn/DOT, the Phillips Partnership, Smith Parker and the like who
have self-interests that aren't necessarily that enlightened and the time,
depth of staff, and money to advantage their case.

Stacking task forces and running the clock are standard fare - there's a
terrific burn rate for the citizen volunteer members and even presumably
crackerjack city-level staff and elected officials. Jeanne Massey also puts
her finger on another challenge, that of ensuring a neutral project
facilitator that the interested parties can live with and who can stay the
course.

The Nicollet Island scenario is another case in point, so also the Upper
River Corridor planning process, the evolution of Milwaukee Road Depot area,
and the never-ending niceties of federal regulation. These are pulled from
my own portfolio over the years. Small wonder that only a few of us
"citizens" with iron constitutions get much benefit from the occasional
official forays from CPED and other municipal agencies into the maelstrom of
neighborhood-level civic involvement.

My best wishes go out to the current crop of candidates for Minneapolis' top
jobs - this is no walk in the park. We need long-range coherent
transportation planning without deliberately hostile meddling by parochial
legislative leadership. We need focused checks and balances between public
and private sectors. We need trust levels that may be the rarest ingredient
of all in this mix. Kudos to CM Lilligren for having the stamina to have
been a serious player in the I-35W venue heretofor and now for wading into
the current mess right here on Minneapolis Issues where we all keep score.

Fred Markus, Phillips West, Ward 6 



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