Re: [Mpls] Booker Hodges & Don Samuels

[David Shove]

On Mon, 23 May 2005, Tim Bonham wrote:

>  1. So why were you, Tamir, as a "Green Partsian", attending a
> Convention intended for DFL Party members?  Just wanted to see a Convention
> that was 4,900% bigger than the Green Party Convention?

The DFL is vulnerable because BOTH of its candidates for mayor
have chosen multi-billionaire Carl Pohlad over the citizens. The deal
stinks. It is just the most flagrant example of the DFL siding with big
money than with principles or campaign promises.

And the Green Party is running a candidate for mayor who is AGAINST giving
greedhead Pohlad another billion dollars. Progessives now have a choice,
and DFL hacks don't like that.

It has been AGES since a spate of snotty comments from scared DFLers have
graced this forum.

They don't argue, they impugn and belittle. Just as they smeared Ralph
Nader on ad hominem grounds - can't beat him on the issues, so say
something snotty.

Next you can bet the DFL will be saying, Eveyone KNOWS trhe Green Party is
too small, so a vote for Farheen is a wasted vote. So we have to vote for
Pohlad patsy #1 or Pohlad patsy # 2.

In this calculated campaign the DFL is beneath comtempt.

Time to scare the daylights out of the arrogant DFL hacks! Vote Green!
Roll the rock back over the DFL!

--David Shove
Roseville
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[Mpls] Connectivity versus Congestion, MNDOT Expansion

[Mike Jensvold]

We've been trying to minimize congestion for a long time.  And it keeps 
getting worse.


BRT and Light Rail folks are right to criticize attempts to build our way 
out of congestion.  But they are almost as wrong as the highwaymen to sell 
BRT/LRT as a congestion relieving panacea.  Why?  Because (I'll bet) fewer 
drivers than ever as a percentage (on 35, 394, 94, etc) are following the 
traditional downtown commuting pattern.


I would politely suggest that traffic engineers, politicians, and transit 
advocates focus their attention on connectivity, rather than congestion 
mitigation.


Connectivity analysis might expose the folly of funneling so much 
automobile traffic on a few major "arterials", and might make the case for 
transit corridors, be they bicycle, bus, streetcar, subway; building more 
cross streets over the "arterials", maybe even burying the freeways and 
reclaiming the land like in Boston's big dig.


All forms of transportation generate dependence, but I believe the 
automobile dependence created by attempting to minimize freeway congestion 
is more pernicious.


Transportation money could be better spent than on the current MNDOT sceme 
for Minneapolis.


Mike Jensvold
Ward 10

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Re: [Mpls] MN PASS VS SANE LANE, WHO BENEFITS?

[Tom Madden]

As a "reverse commuter", I now have an additional 10 minutes on my
previously 14 minute drive.  The benefits of reverse commuting have just
been wiped out on 394.  This will also drive additional traffic to Hwy 55
which increases that commute even more due to the numerous traffic lights.

Thank you MNDOT.

Tom Madden
Lowry Hill

On 5/23/05 2:34 PM, "Steve Nelson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Submitted for the readers of the the Star Tribune but if anyone here has an
> answer...
> 
> MN PASS VS SANE LANE, WHO BENEFITS?
> 
> Now class, let's do the math.
> 
> Under the old Sane Lane system eastbound I-394 was a 3-lane freeway for 21
> hours per day except from 6 AM to 9 AM. Westbound was also a 3-lane freeway
> for 21 hours with the exception of 3 PM to 6 PM. Therefore, I-394 was a 6-lane
> freeway 18 hours per day both ways.
> 
> However, congestion was such a problem that it was decided to open up the Sane
> Lane to single passenger vehicles under a toll system and so MNPass was
> created.
> 
> The result?
> 
> Now we have an I-394 that is 2 lanes eastbound all day long and 2 lanes
> westbound all day long which gives us a 4 lane freeway for 24 hours per day-1
> lane less than the Sane Lane system during rush hours and 2 lanes less for the
> rest of the day.
> 
> Maybe someone can explain how this adds up to a boon for the average driver
> instead of another perk for the wealthy.
> 
> Steven M Nelson
> Willard Hay
> http://citizenshipchronicles.blogspot.com/
> http://minutemenworldwide.blogspot.com/
> Get UP! Get OUT! & GET INVOLVED!!!
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Re: [Mpls] Tracking city debt

[Laura and lloyd]

On Monday, May 23, 2005, at 05:09  PM, David Brauer wrote:



The data is from the city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports. 
It's a bit wonky, but worth plowing through to understand the major 
fiscal constraints governing political promises and policy.


--

And, David, it cuts through the rhetoric like a hot knife through 
butter. Great work.


Best wishes,

Laura


Laura Waterman Wittstock
Candidate for Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees
DFL and Labor endorsed
Minneapolis, MN
612-387-4915
www.laurawatermanwittstock.com
http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/
Wittstock for Library Committee
913 19th Avenue SE, Mpls, 55414

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[Mpls] I give a damn

[Samantha Smart]

"Will anyone in Minneapolis really give a damn?"

I was very moved by Gary Hoover's appeal and my answer is
NO - we must each refuse to accept the horror, and
YES - I give a damn and a whole lot more, and have long dedicated my life to 
these struggles - the essence of the struggle for open, free and 
programmatically rich libraries is just what you evoke - the knowledge of these 
crimes against the universe is accessible to everyone, free, at the libraries 
and only there - it is not taught in the schools (except at schools like 
Southside Family), it is rarely taught within the family, it is hardly present 
in churches, and it is buried alive in our own consciousness with layer upon 
layer of illusions and lies nailing down the coffin.  The oppressed and 
exploited HAVE to have access to libraries, and it is really a matter of 
survival that people with financial resources who can easily buy books, etc. 
seldom understand.  I feel that the only sad thing about ads is that it is seen 
as necessary to advertise what is an unparalleled treasure - our door to truth 
and the transforming power of knowldege!

forward ever, Samanths Smart
Candidate for the Mpls Library Board


Samantha Smart
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Smart libraries are OPEN libraries!
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Re: [Mpls] Political Parties. (Was Booker Hodges & Don Samuels)

[Tamir Nolley]

Another person asked me the same question off list, and it had more or less the 
same tone, so let me apologize to Tim and to all of the DFL delegates who are 
offended that non-DFLers would want to hear from one of two candidates who have 
a good likelyhood of becoming the next Mayor.  
 
Many have made it clear that the DFL is no place for someone who wants to 
change the "perfectly well run" system of Minneapolis government or believes 
different views should be expressed.  The Minneapolis DFL apparently is also no 
place for someone who simply wants to see how the largest political party in 
Minneapolis works, and maybe learn a thing or two.  Some of you have certainly 
made it clear that it is no place for me.
 
I apologize for daring to attend your convention.  I see that I was wrong and I 
will make sure that I tell people that the Minneapolis DFL is not an open tent, 
regardless of whether or not you share certain views with some of the 
candidates.  I will not attend another DFL convention and will urge my freinds 
to do the same.   Fortunately for me, there is a sharp, confident Green Mayoral 
candidate in Farheen Hakim.  I hope some good IP candidates also step forward.
 
At least those parties get to hear from their council and park board candidates.
 
Tamir Nolley
Holland 
Ward of the Almighty President!

Tim Bonham <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

1. So why were you, Tamir, as a "Green Partsian", attending a 
Convention intended for DFL Party members? Just wanted to see a Convention 
that was 4,900% bigger than the Green Party Convention? And why do you 
care how the other party runs its' Convention, anyway?



-
Do You Yahoo!?
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Re: [Mpls] Booker Hodges & Don Samuels

[Eva Young]

--- Tim Bonham <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> >Few candidates are even mentioning the reality
> that, for the first time I 
> >can remember (and I've lived here my whole life)
> Minneapolis has had air 
> >quality alert days where people were advised to
> stay inside.and we're 
> >talking about a dictatorially run DFL convention (I
> saw the man who was 
> >shouted down for pointing out how dictatorially it
> was run) who the DFL 
> >candidates are, how much support they have, how
> nasty the campaigns are, 
> >and generally feeding in to a bunch of self
> important egos as our air gets 
> >worse, and water gets worse and our green space
> begins to disappear more 
> >and more in favor of concentrated housing
> development.
> >
>  1. So why were you, Tamir, as a "Green
> Partsian", attending a 
> Convention intended for DFL Party members?  Just
> wanted to see a Convention 
> that was 4,900% bigger than the Green Party
> Convention?  And why do you 
> care how the other party runs its' Convention,
> anyway?
> 
Statements like this sound like a desire from some
DFLers to avoid any accountability.  

I'm not a DFLer, and I go to these conventions to
watch the circus.  This one showed me again why it's a
real problem for Minneapolis being a one party town. 
Many who are involved in the DFL in Minneapolis are
only in the DFL because that's the only avenue to have
an impact on city politicians.  

I'd still like to see an effort to Draft Lisa McDonald
to run for Mayor.  The city really needs someone of
her caliber.  The two DFL choices don't seem to offer
any real choice for those concerned about fiscal
responsibility in the city.  

When Greg Gray went to observe the Republican
convention in St Paul a few years back, he had every
right to do so.  I told him I was disappointed that
Republican hacks decided to boot him.  

The DFL built up some good cred during the state
elections last fall.  The challenge for them will be
not to blow that cred in city elections this year.  

Eva Young
Minneapolis

Eva Young
Near North 
Minneapolis
Blogs: 
http://lloydletta.blogspot.com
http://www.outletradio.com
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[Mpls] Who's going to set the agenda for transit on I-35W?

[Jeanne Massey]

Date: 1998
"The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) withdrew support for a 
two-year pilot project which would have introduced congestion pricing on 
I-394 in Minneapolis. ..It was scheduled for implementation in November. 
MnDOT Commissioner James Denn announced the decision after considerable 
public opposition was voiced in the media and witnessed at a recent public 
hearing. He indicated that MnDOT is not abandoning the concept but that the 
MnDOT and the Metropolitan Council effort must be redirected toward 
educating the public." Source:  http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/janpr/along.htm

Date:  2005
"On May 16, the Minnesota DOT opened its first HOT lanes on a 10-mi. section 
of I-394 from the western suburbs into Minneapolis. Single-occupant vehicles 
are now allowed on the entire section, which previously had been mostly HOV. 
It's an important test case for Minnesota's future, which may include a lot 
more lanes like this." Source: 
http://www.cegltd.com/story.asp?story=5680&headline=Toll%20Roads%20Becoming%20%E2%80%98HOT%E2%80%99%20Funding%20Topic

MnDOT has a way of getting what it wants.  The idea of toll roads has been 
building momentum for more than a decade, and it is now becoming a reality.

Back in the early 90s MnDOT abandoned hopes of adding lanes to I-35W through 
Minneapolis in the face of strong and organized public opposition.  Today, 
it's back with the plan, but not directly - that would again provoke public 
opposition.

Thanks to Liz McLemore and the Minneapolis Observer for bringing to our 
attention MnDOT's vision for the freeway corridor through Minneapolis.  Liz 
reports to the List on May 18th:  Yesterday, I attended City Council's 
Transportation and Public Works (TPW) Committee meeting, only to discover 
that MnDOT is planning an expansion of the Downtown Commons Area (I-35W, 
I-94 and I-394). The presentation by MnDOT's Metro Division Area Manager Tom 
O'Keefe, made one thing very clear: MnDOT still intends to build us out of 
traffic congestion without explicitly planning for BRT or LRT.  Toll roads 
and HOV lanes will be "considered".

Council Member Lilligren's op ed piece in the Southwest Journal regarding 
I-35W "improvements" is aptly titled Connect the MnDOTs.  There are many 
dots to connect and the least of them for MnDOT is the transit dot. I agree 
with Liz's bottom line assessment that MnDOT puts transit on the back burner 
when it considers its highway priorities.  It continues to press for I-35W 
expansion over transit, and toll lanes are the new means of accomplishing 
that goal.

MnDOT's new experiment on I-394, known as MnPass, creates toll roads by 
converting the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes into High Occupancy 
Traffic (HOT) lanes, turning the idea of high occupancy (HO) from vehicle to 
traffic. In short, it's a conversion of transit lanes into all purpose 
lanes, but at a fee for the single occupancy driver.

The experiment defies the agreement (I'm not sure how formal or legal) 
between MnDOT and the communities surrounding I-394 to limit the number of 
lanes that were built in order to curb cars, noise and pollution on the 
segment of the highway passing through neighborhoods. HOT lanes - which have 
the expressed goal of increasing traffic - are counter to that 
understanding.

The same is slated to happen on I-35W, where MnDOT wants to convert existing 
HOV lanes and designate new lanes on I-35W as toll lanes.  It's not 
surprising that Liz McLemore left the May 17th presentation feeling uneasy 
about MnDOT's agenda for I-35W.

>From 
http://www.cegltd.com/story.asp?story=5680&headline=Toll%20Roads%20Becoming%20%E2%80%98HOT%E2%80%99%20Funding%20Topic
"MNDOT has a grand vision. It has conducted a systems study, with Cambridge 
Systematics as consultant, on deploying a system of toll lanes around the 
Twin Cities metropolitan area, with the corridors usually being existing 
interstates.  "We came up with a recommended system of these lanes, which 
would have the largest potential of contributing to the relief of 
congestion," Stehr said. "The toll lanes would all be capacity additions to 
existing highways in the form of new construction of additional lanes rather 
than new alignments. We expect revenue from toll lanes to cover 25 percent 
to 50 percent of the capital costs of adding the lanes." One of the routes 
would be I-35W, which already has an HOV lane. In this case, the lane would 
become an HOT lane because it would now also allow solo drivers who would 
pay a fee."

This suggests why MnDOT opposes the idea of a Bus Rapid Transit lane only or 
Light Rail Line on I-35W, and why it wants to add a new HOV lane north of 
46th street that could be conveniently converted to an HOT lane. 
Alternatively, an existing lane north of 46th Street could be converted to 
an HOV lane, resulting in a contiguous set of same number of lanes north and 
south of 46th (at the completion of the Crosstown reconstruction). MnDOT 
doesn't like a contai

Re: [Mpls] Booker Hodges & Don Samuels

[Tim Bonham]

Few candidates are even mentioning the reality that, for the first time I 
can remember (and I've lived here my whole life) Minneapolis has had air 
quality alert days where people were advised to stay inside.and we're 
talking about a dictatorially run DFL convention (I saw the man who was 
shouted down for pointing out how dictatorially it was run) who the DFL 
candidates are, how much support they have, how nasty the campaigns are, 
and generally feeding in to a bunch of self important egos as our air gets 
worse, and water gets worse and our green space begins to disappear more 
and more in favor of concentrated housing development.


1. So why were you, Tamir, as a "Green Partsian", attending a 
Convention intended for DFL Party members?  Just wanted to see a Convention 
that was 4,900% bigger than the Green Party Convention?  And why do you 
care how the other party runs its' Convention, anyway?


2. "man who was shouted down" -- shouted down implies that it was the other 
delegates who disputed with him, not the Chair.  That isn't 
dictatorial.  It could be more properly called "mob rule" (or even just 
'democracy').
As for "dictatorially run"; any delegate can always appeal the 
decision of the Chair.  And that did happen during the Convention, several 
times.  But every time, the delegates voted (democratically) to uphold the 
Chair.  So apparently the majority agreed with the way it was being 
run.  And 74% were still there 13 hours later; they must not have been all 
that upset with the way it was run.


3.  The garbage incinerator is an extremely minor part of air pollution in 
Minneapolis; the biggest contributor is the thousands of cars driving there 
every day (as Gary Hoover posts about frequently).
I can remember when every house in Minneapolis had their own 
"burning barrel" in the backyard, where much of their trash was burned in 
slow, smoky, dirty fires.  That put a whole lot more pollution into the air 
than the garbage incinerator does now.  But of course there weren't any 
'air quality alert days' -- nobody had even invented that yet.  Though some 
blocks did have "neighborly agreements" that they wouldn't burn their 
barrels on weekends, when neighborhood children were playing.


Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson


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[Mpls] Grammy award winning singer does benifit for Indian Elders facility

[gemgram]

Bill Miller won a Grammy this last year.  For those who have not heard him 
play at the "Fine Line" or some other concert, Bill plays a guitar better 
than Johnny Be Good.  He also plays a flute that tugs on the heart strings, 
and sings great Blues.  He came to the Ventura Village Neighborhood in the 
Phillips Community to use his talent to help our community.  His performance 
today was more like a friendly get together for lunch than a concert.  Bill 
sat and told stories about the songs he sang and his growing up intermixed 
with great music and singing.  His story of a daughter with spinal-biffeta 
being the inspiration for one song was indeed personal and even more 
stirring when the song he had written was sung. He spent that personal time 
with us and then he was off for a flight back to a recording studio and 
Nashville. It was as if a good friend had stopped by to help a little and 
spend some time with you before going on to work. What an incredible giving 
person.


Bill came up from Nashville and performed a private concert for the benefit 
of Indian Community Elders in the Phillips Community and the Ventura Village 
Neighborhood today.  The event kicked off a fund raising effort to create an 
"Elder House" drop-in center for our community's elders.  In addition to a 
silent auction for some framed art, Bill Miller donated a flute that he had 
used to perform his Grammy award winning album.  The flute, and an included 
signed album, will be auctioned on Ebay for the benefit of the "Elders 
House" center.


Some others might also want to contribute to that effort.  If you or your 
organization or church would like to contribute please call 813-1610 and ask 
to talk to who ever is handling the Elders House contributions.


Bill Miller will be back soon for a concert at the Target Center with a 
bunch of other stars.  The purpose is a benefit for Red Lake and their 
unfortunate sorrow. Yes, even when we have trouble in the "hood" we also 
have some shining moments.  Bill Miller spent some of his youth in 
Minneapolis and went to high school in Minneapolis for a time.  He says he 
has not forgotten that time. We thank him for his time spent with us today.


Jim Graham,
Ventura Village

"The highest reward for a man's toil is not what he gets for it but what he 
becomes by it." 


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Re: [Mpls] Airport Casino - PLEASE END THREAD

[gemgram]

David says we have to end the airport casino, s---.  How about a Mpls 
specific casino?  Put it in the new Twins stadium.  So it does not compete 
with Indian casinos, make it sport betting, and telecast horse and dog 
racing bets only.  To really attract the gamblers make it a free smoke zone, 
so the smokers could smoke and gamble at the same time while having a beer 
and watching the Twins.


Watch the Twins and bet on them to, and more importantly don't charge 
Minneapolis and Hennepin County people who do not like baseball a tax to 
support it.


Maybe use the casino proceeds to buy the team from Carl.  Heck, I might 
support the stadium if you had a team that was Minneapolis "public" owned. 
Rep Kahn has a good idea about buying the team.  The team costs less than a 
stadium.  If we want to insure the Twins can't leave town, then just buy the 
team.


Hey, how about a stadium casino that buys the team and also sets a million 
or two a year aside to provide, if not adequate police officers, at least 50 
or 60 more police officers?


Let's see now stadium, casino, sport betting, smoking at an entertainment 
venue, addressing the budget problem and more police on the street.  Why 
heck, we might address a whole lot of Minneapolis issues in just one little 
casino stadium at that.


Just having fun in a neighborhood where there were two murders on one block 
just last week.  5th and Franklin, and on the other side of the block at 
Portland and Franklin.  Anyone hear about our Council Members running any 
vigils like Don Samuels does?  Our council members may not care as much as 
Don I guess.


Hey, what happened to that STOP team?  I would think since I bugged the 
Mayor about implementing this idea for three or four years, and McManus from 
his day one in office we would get to see the team in action to clean up 
this small block or two area that is being fought over as lucrative drug 
business locations.  Well, I guess we will have to wait and see.


Jim Graham,
just sittin, ruminating, on the porch steps in Ventura Village

" Anything you can't laugh at you can't take serious. Especially religion 
or yourself" - Mama Graham 


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[Mpls] City Will Draft Newsletter Guidelines

[Craig Cox]

City Will Draft Newsletter Guidelines
Nearly six months after Mayor R.T. Rybak distributed a controversial 
newsletter that generated a rebuke from the state auditor, city staff 
have been officially directed to suggest guidelines for such 
publications to the City Council.


Go to 
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Craig Cox
Founder/Editor
The Minneapolis Observer
www.mplsobserver.com
612/721-0285

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[Mpls] Tracking city debt

[David Brauer]

Several days ago, I made a point about the current crew at City Hall 
reducing city debt despite being handed a big bag of debt racked up by 
their predecessors in "good times."


A couple of thoughtful list members asked me offlist for specific 
figures. Fair request.


The data is from the city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports. 
It's a bit wonky, but worth plowing through to understand the major 
fiscal constraints governing political promises and policy.


The first figures are for city general obligation debt (the big 
measure). The figures below do not include the new Central Library 
(it's a voter-approved measure that didn't kick in until 2002, and it 
wouldn't be fair to include it when comparing the current group to the 
past group). I also backed out pension debt — also new since 2002, 
because of a generation of underfunding and a bad stock market that is 
also not the result of current policy.


Here's the remaining debt arc, in millions.

1996: $767
1997: $804
1998: $858
1999: $969
2000: $1,164
2001: $1,174.2 (peak)
2002: $1,073.9
2003: $1,091.5
2004: $1,087.7

A quick note: the Sayles Belton/Cherryhomes group approved the 2002 
budget  — in December '01, just before leaving office, so they didn't 
have to live under it. The current Council/Mayor cut the 2002 budget 
more after various financial hits.


As you can see, this debt ballooned in the SSB/CH years. Even if you 
don't credit the current group with 2002's drop, city debt has stayed 
flat despite the 2002-04 economic slump and state aid cuts.


The second figures represent the city's Internal Services fund deficit 
— basically, approved department spending with no revenues to pay for 
it. It's "charging up the credit card" for operating expenses — a 
really bad way to govern. Here's that arc (figures represent the 
aggregate cash position of the city's 6 internal funds):


1996: $1.6 million in the hole
1997: $13.2 million in the black
1998: $5.3 million in the hole
1999: $15.6 million in the hole (note a $29 million drop in two years)
2000: $31.6 million in the hole (another $16 million of red ink)
2001: $33.9 million in the hole (peak debt)
2002: $$27.3 million in the hole
2003: $19.3 million in the hole
2004: $15.8 million in the hole (unaudited)

Again, the SSB/Cherryhomes years saw $33.9 million placed on the credit 
card. Despite state-aid cuts, etc. , the current crew reduced that 
figure by $12 million to $18 million, depending on who you credit 2002 
to.


It's easy to criticize the current regime for not spending enough on 
police, fire and public works. But you have to acknowledge their hands 
were greatly tied by the ballooning debt bequeathed to them.


I'm not saying it's wrong to demand more be spent on vital public 
services in 2005. However, it is wrong to give opponents a "blank 
check" on promises without asking how they can pull off the necessary 
spending given the financial constraints.


One way is to raise property taxes above the 8 percent overall annual 
hike that's now city policy — tough, since homeowners are seeing bigger 
hikes thanks to the state's shifting rates away from businesses. You 
can also cut other spending  — tough since police, fire and public 
works are most of city spending. You can promise more revenues: more 
state aid  — but who wants to count on that? — or pension accounting 
changes that don't produce enough annual cash to offset most cuts... 
and do nothing to fill underfunding, other than give the stock market 
more time... and who wants to count on that?


The final option: run up the credit card again.

And that's what my tale is designed to avoid, since credit-card 
spending is the easiest one to get away with in the short term — 
precisely because tracking it requires lengthy explanations like the 
one above.


I think being responsible means paying our civic bills — at the state 
level AND at the city level. So if we need more of something — employee 
wages, neighborhood-controlled spending, roads, whatever — the person 
who wants our vote must explain how it's paid for. I hope you demand 
it, and I hope this helps inform the discussion.


David Brauer
Kingfield




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Re: [Mpls] Booker Hodges & Don Samuels

[Dennis Plante]

Tamir writes:
I do not condone what Booker Hodges said on MTN.  It was irresponsible and, 
I believe, destructive to both Don Samuels and Natalie Johnson-Lees 
campaigns, and as someone who is involved with MTN, I support the decision 
to suspend that show, but I'm very much an NJL partisan and here's my take 
on this thread so far.


Dennis responds:
Tamir, without getting too far-off on a tangent, how can you believe on the 
one-hand that Booker's actions were "irresponsible", yet CM Samuels choosing 
to run against NLJ in the upcoming elelction as the cause of in-figthing 
between "community leaders"?  This just doesn't make sense if you're looking 
at it objectively.



Tamir Writes:
Don Samuels arguably started the community infighting with his decision to 
challenge a great incumbent council member, after promising he would not do 
so during his 3rd ward campaign for office and publicly praising Natalie 
Johnson-Lee as a good and effective council member.


Samuels had previously said, both to me personally through members of his 
campaign, and in print media that he was "inclined to move in to the new 3rd 
ward" rather than challenge NJL.  Therefore, his decision (unlike Robert 
Lilligren, who made it clear that he would run in whatever ward he ended up) 
is dishonest.


Dennis Responds:
Tamir, I am asking that you clarify these statements.  How exactly is CM 
Samuels starting the in-fighting by running for public office?  He and his 
family have made the decision to stay on the northside and are very 
committed to helping facilitate positive change in their ward.  Should they 
just make the decision to not run against NLJ, because of this personal 
choice?  I would like to know when he promised to not run against NLJ in 
2005?  When was this statement made and by whom?


In fact, I remember distinctly when the question was posed to him on 
numerous occaissions, that he stated it was not a question that need be 
answered at that time.



Tamor Writes:
I believe he knew he would challenge her and told people like me what we 
wanted to hear in order to gain our support.  In retrospect, I regret 
supporting Don Samuels, I regret voting for Don Samuels and I apologize to 
everyone in the 5th Ward who now must endure this bitter nasty campaign.


Dennis Responds:
In fact, I know this to not be true.  Having been intimately involved with 
CM Samuels campaign in 2002/03,  This subject came-up numerous times.  CM 
Samuels AND his staff decided against answering it until CM Samuels AND his 
family made a decision.


Your regret is based more in the decision that you now face than the one you 
faced during the Ward 3 special election.  Your candidate of choice, Shane 
Price, lost in the primary and you were faced with either supporting CM 
Samuels, the DFL endorsed candidate - Moore, or refraining from 
participating.  You chose to support CM Samuels.  You now face the very real 
dilemma of having to choose between him, and the candidate of your party - 
NLJ.  Your choice is understandable.


dennis plante
lind-bohanon


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[Mpls] In Ballot Box: Natalie Johnson Lee on the Booker Hodges incident

[Craig Cox]

In Ballot Box: Natalie Johnson Lee on the Booker Hodges incident

Go to:  and click on Ballot Box
--
Craig Cox
Founder/Editor
The Minneapolis Observer
www.mplsobserver.com
612/721-0285

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[Mpls] This Week in the Minneapolis Observer

[Craig Cox]

THIS WEEK IN THE OBSERVER:
* Historic Maternity Hospital to Get Grant, TV Exposure
* MnDOT Planning Expansion of I-94 Commons
* Controversial Stormwater Utility Billing System Will Get Further Study
* East Lake Plans Marketing Campaign
* City Bans Evening Buses on Nicollet Mall
* Former Mayor Arthur Naftalin Dies at 87
* United Nations Leader to Speak Here June 1
* Grand Opening Celebration of Greenway's Second Phase Set For June 25
* Car-Sharing Service Now Accepting Members
Plus: Trials of an urban tailor, remembering the Marigold Ballroom, 
splitting up the DFL, and hopes for a civil dialogue in the 5th Ward


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The Minneapolis Observer
www.mplsobserver.com
612/721-0285

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RE: [Mpls] Library campaign source of controversy

[Krueger, Rodney]

I do remember reading about the Madonna "Sex" picture book, it was a pretty 
controversial issue at the time (back in 1992 - before I was on the board). 
Minneapolis was one of only a couple of libraries in Minnesota that purchased 
the book.  

The book was a little pricey (limited edition book, stainless-steel-covered, 
and wire-bound) and there was some concern that the book might not be returned 
if allowed to circulate.  It is my understanding that the library purchased a 
couple of copies back then, but today only has one copy in reference. 

Thanks,

Rod Krueger
Library Board / 12th Ward

-Original Message-
From: wmmarks [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 11:15 AM
To: mpls@mnforum.org
Cc: Krueger, Rodney
Subject: Re: [Mpls] Library campaign source of controversy


Krueger, Rodney wrote:

>In the most politically charged ads, MPL, which is predicated on free speech, 
>tolerance and the open exchange of ideas, ..."
>  
>
Not quite. There was a coffee table fluff book by the "singer" Madonna. 
MPL ordered only ONE copy, which copy was kept behind the desk and 
patrons had to ask to use it.

>WizardMarks, Central
>
>
>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
>
>  
>

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Re: [Mpls] 2nd suit against smoking ban filed

[Dan]

> I went to a Minneapolis Club last night for the first
> time since the smoking ban was imposed and what a
> pleasure it was. I could breath freely, listen to the
> music without sitting in a hazy cloud of smoke. The
> club was absolutely packed. I don't see how the ban
> effected them.

Business owners are pragmatic people by nature. If the smoking ban were good
for business, they would be inclined to support it.

> I hadn't been to a club in years, due to the smoke,
> and will now continue to go. I am part of the new
> revenues smoke free clubs will see.

You should have been enjoying smoke-free air at one of the 50 or so bars in
the city that were voluntarily smoke free before the ban. I wonder if any of
them have seen a loss of revenue now that their niche has been removed.

> It's a shame a few bars still think that their profits
> are more important than their employees and the
> publics health. I also highly doubt these bars
> figures. Why is Jax comparing its sales to a year ago?
> Why is the comparision, not to the month BEFORE THE
> BAN?

Your prior statement suggests that the smoking ban is not hurting business
in the first place. To what would you ascribe the motives of bar owners
fudging their sales figures?

Dan McGrath
Longfellow
http://www.subversivepictures.com
http://www.smokeoutgary.org
Boycott the ACS http://www.nycclash.com/ACSBoycott.html


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[Mpls] MN PASS VS SANE LANE, WHO BENEFITS?

[Steve Nelson]

Submitted for the readers of the the Star Tribune but if anyone here has an 
answer...

MN PASS VS SANE LANE, WHO BENEFITS?

Now class, let's do the math.

Under the old Sane Lane system eastbound I-394 was a 3-lane freeway for 21 
hours per day except from 6 AM to 9 AM. Westbound was also a 3-lane freeway for 
21 hours with the exception of 3 PM to 6 PM. Therefore, I-394 was a 6-lane 
freeway 18 hours per day both ways. 

However, congestion was such a problem that it was decided to open up the Sane 
Lane to single passenger vehicles under a toll system and so MNPass was created.

The result?

Now we have an I-394 that is 2 lanes eastbound all day long and 2 lanes 
westbound all day long which gives us a 4 lane freeway for 24 hours per day-1 
lane less than the Sane Lane system during rush hours and 2 lanes less for the 
rest of the day.

Maybe someone can explain how this adds up to a boon for the average driver 
instead of another perk for the wealthy.

Steven M Nelson
Willard Hay
http://citizenshipchronicles.blogspot.com/
http://minutemenworldwide.blogspot.com/
Get UP! Get OUT! & GET INVOLVED!!!
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Re: [Mpls] Library campaign source of controversy

[Gary Hoover]

On one level, this is merely a PR teapot tempest.  All involved will benefit 
from the controversy.  I don't see any real risk for the library or PR firm 
other than a flood of letters and e-mails.  What is the chance of 
litigation?  Who would be litigated against, by whom, and on what grounds?


On a deeper and more significant level, I find the ads to reflect our brutal 
culture, which is obsessed with death-dealing power.


We currently spend more than the rest of the world combined to kill, 
imprison, and torture people.  We have a history of massacre behind us 
(beginning with Native Americans and continuing through direct interventions 
or via proxies throughout the world.)  J. Edgar Hoover presided over 
COINTELPRO, if my memory is correct, along with other brutal and repressive 
programs definitely in violation of law and Constitution.


How do we appropriate these images?  How do we remember these people and 
their ideas in context?


My guess is that most people will see this as a clever joke, and go on about 
their business.  Meanwhile, someone if molding primitive prosthetic limbs 
for another child maimed this week from cluster-bomb bomblets dropped 
illegally over 40 years ago in Cambodia.  Someone in Baghdad is screaming 
raw rage at a brutal empire that killed son, daughter, brother, sister for 
the power over Iraq's oilfields.


And meanwhile, politicians and media in Minneapolis, Minnesota bow down 
before the notion that we deserve life to go on unchanged for us until the 
planted is exhausted and polluted beyond its ability to support human life.


Will we continue to accept never-ending brutal warfare to support life in 
our comfort bubble, until we choke on our own industrial excrement?


Will we continue to design urban infrastructure that absolutely demands war 
and planet-rape to supply it with enough energy to run?


These are the questions that the library campaign brings to mind. And one 
more. Will anyone in Minneapolis really give a damn?


-- pedaling for peace and ecojustice from Lynnhurst -- Gary Hoover 


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Re: [Mpls] Library campaign source of controversy

[wmmarks]

Krueger, Rodney wrote:


In the most politically charged ads, MPL, which is predicated on free speech, 
tolerance and the open exchange of ideas, ..."
 

Not quite. There was a coffee table fluff book by the "singer" Madonna. 
MPL ordered only ONE copy, which copy was kept behind the desk and 
patrons had to ask to use it.



WizardMarks, Central


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[Mpls] Fwd: Executive Director

[Barbara Lickness]

--- Barbara Inman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Subject:  Longfellow Community Council Seeks New
Executive Director
 
The Longfellow Community Council (LCC) is seeking a
new Executive Director. > The Executive Director Job
description is both attached and pasted into this
e-mail below.  Please forward to anyone you think
might be interested and might be an appropriate
candidate for the position.
 
Cover letter and resume are due by 4 p.m. on
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 to
Beverly Conerton: Longfellow Community Council, 2727
26th Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN. 55406 or email to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]  If you have questions, 
contact Barbara Inman at the LCC office at (612)
722-4529.
 
Longfellow Community Council
Executive Director Job Description
 
Organizational Overview
The Longfellow Community Council (LCC) is a
nonprofit, neighborhood organization located in South
Minneapolis.  The LCC seeks to improve the livability
of four urban neighborhoods by giving residents and
business owners the knowledge and skills necessary to
participate effectively in their community.
  
The Longfellow community is the largest Minneapolis
community with a population of over 22,000.  The LCC's
primary funding source is the Minneapolis Neighborhood
Revitalization Program.  The funds have been used to
implement initiatives in five areas: Housing,
Community
Development, Neighborhood Safety, Environment and
Transportation, and Youth and Families.
 
The LCC is supported by its members, including
homeowners, renters and business and property owners. 
A twenty-one person Board of Directors governs the 
LCC, which is drawn from the membership base and
reflects the various interests within the community.
 
Executive Director Job Description
The LCC Executive Director will assist the
Longfellow Community in developing and implementing
projects/initiatives as defined by the community and
the LCC board. The Executive Director reports to the
LCC Board of Directors and works collaboratively with
other LCC staff.
 
The LCC Executive Director will lead the organization
in the education, discussion, development,
implementation, and maintenance in the following
areas:
 
1) Organizational structure and processes
o   Insure the organization's structure and processes
to enable LCC to most effectively meet its goals and
needs. This includes leading the organization in 
the education, discussion, continuous development,
implementation, and maintenance of an organizational
structure and processes.

o   Oversee implementation of the Neighborhood
Revitalization Program Action Plan.

o   Work with the LCC Board of Directors to achieve
its goals and to develop a strategic plan for
continued growth.

o   Evaluate LCC programs for efficiency and
effectiveness.

o   Build relationships with residents, elected
officials, city and county government, schools,
churches, businesses, and other nonprofit
organizations
in the community. 

o   Responsible for community relations, including
monthly newspaper column, press releases, quarterly
newsletter, and promotional brochures; and

o   Help plan and implement candidate debates,
educational forums, festivals and other activities
that build interest in and capacity of LCC.
 
2) Organization's Human Capacity
o   Insure the continued increase in the capacity of
staff, board, and community. This includes:
 - facilitating board development
 - increasing volunteer involvement and capacity
 - staff structure and development
 - insures the board receives relevant information in
   a timely manner
 
3) Organization's Financial Capacity
o   Insure the development of the financial
 resources necessary for all organizational expenses,
including administrative, project, and program 
expenses. 

 This includes:
 - fundraising and grant writing in partnership with
   the resource development coordinator
 - building relationships with financial and funding
   institutions
 - developing and implementing strategies for
   organizational self-sufficiency, developing of 
  overall budget in collaboration with the
bookkeeper and LCC's Board of Directors
 o   Oversee the financial record keeping of all LCC
 funds including, city, state, federal, and  
foundation money.
 o   Work with bookkeeper to prepare monthly
financial statements for presentation at the Finance
Committee and Board of Directors meetings.
 o   Prepare and submit monthly expense reports to
NRP and other funders.
 o   Develop and monitor general operating and program
budgets.
 o   Present and justify all budget requests to the
LCC Board of Directors and the Minneapolis
Neighborhood Revitalization Program; and 
 o   Coordinate LCC's annual audit with NRP and
Minnesota State Auditor's Office.
 
4) Partnerships and Networks
 o   Insure strong partnerships and networks with
other neighborhood community associations, business
associations, government agencies, and other relevant
organizations.
 
5) Personnel Management
 o   Provide day-to-day supervision of two full-time
a

[Mpls] Graffiti Tagger Alert - Looking for "CHAS"

[Barbara Lickness]

-Original Message-
From: SAFE Precinct 5, Sector 1
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Waisanen,
Jennifer
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 11:47 AM
To: SAFE Precinct 5, Sector 1
Subject: SAFE 5.1: Graffiti Tagger Alert

We need your help. Sgt. Donna Olson, who investigates
and prosecutes graffiti crimes, is looking for a
graffiti tagger. His tag is “CHAS”.  He lives with
large groups of similarly dressed (Gothic style)
people who squat in different locations.  

He is a WM, 5-10, thin build, baggy clothes and pink
hair. He could have cut or dyed his hair a different
color, possibly black. The house he was living in was
trashed and had about twenty bikes parked around it. 
When they were evicted, the bikes disappeared. 

We are trying to identify where they might have moved
to. Sgt. Olson thinks they may be in the area bordered
by Franklin Ave to Lake St. between Nicollet Ave and
Bloomington Ave.   They are probably younger Caucasian
people with lots of bicycles in the yard and around
the house.  They could possibly have their hair dyed,
have tattoo’s and carry backpacks. 

If you have any information please let me know, or
Contact Sgt. Donna Olson at 673 - 5722. We need an
address where they might be living.

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] Library campaign source of controversy

[Eric Hinsdale]

Although I have mixed feelings on the content of the ads, I'm going to weigh 
in on the "there's no such thing as bad publicity" side of the argument.  If 
the add campaign ends up generating a few more dollars in contributions--and 
I'm betting it wil generate a significant amountl--then I think it's worth 
the controversy.


Eric

Eric Hinsdale
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.erichinsdale.com


From: "Krueger, Rodney" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Subject: [Mpls] Library campaign source of controversy
Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 09:07:48 -0500

Gotta refrain from comment on this one, as you'll see from the story:



David Brauer
List manager



Andrews/Birt Ad Firm Launches Pro Bono Ad Campaign for The Friends

The public library is a widely used and greatly loved institution, but many 
people in our community know only a small part of its story. With the 
release of a new ad series, The Friends are hoping to deepen public 
awareness about the quality of our library collection (the 3rd largest per 
capita of any major American city) and to champion the library's role in a 
free and open democracy.


In the four ads (links below), an image of the new Minneapolis Central 
Library is positioned beside images of Casanova, J. Edgar Hoover, Batgirl 
and Chairman Mao.


In the most politically charged ads, MPL, which is predicated on free 
speech, tolerance and the open exchange of ideas, is contrasted with Mao 
and Hoover, who both worked in libraries early in their lives but pursued 
policies antithetical to an open society (to put it mildly).


In the Casanova version, we tap into the notion that so many people use the 
word "love" to describe their feelings for libraries.


The Batgirl ad is a reminder that librarians are heroes, and that our 
collection ranges from esoteric historical documents to popular 
publications.


The ads were created on a pro bono basis by local ad firm Andrews/Birt. The 
ads will appear in local media that have volunteered to contribute free ad 
space, including The Rake and Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine.



Another article on the ad campaign:
"Downtown library asks the tough - and amusing - questions"
by Jeremy Stratton - Skyway News (4/25/05) 
http://www.skywaynews.net/articles/2005/04/25/news/news03.txt


- Information on Andrews/Birt:  www.abagency.com

- The Friends of MPL "Be Part of the Story": 
www.friendsofmpl.org/Campaign_home



View the Ads:

MAO: www.friendsofmpl.org/images/BAT.pdf

XOX: www.friendsofmpl.org/images/LUV.pdf

FBI: www.friendsofmpl.org/images/FBI.pdf

BAT: www.friendsofmpl.org/images/BAT.pdf


Thank you,

Rod Krueger
Library Board / Nokomis East

www.rodkrueger.org
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[Mpls] Library campaign source of controversy

[Krueger, Rodney]

Gotta refrain from comment on this one, as you'll see from the story:



David Brauer
List manager



Andrews/Birt Ad Firm Launches Pro Bono Ad Campaign for The Friends

The public library is a widely used and greatly loved institution, but many 
people in our community know only a small part of its story. With the release 
of a new ad series, The Friends are hoping to deepen public awareness about the 
quality of our library collection (the 3rd largest per capita of any major 
American city) and to champion the library's role in a free and open democracy.

In the four ads (links below), an image of the new Minneapolis Central Library 
is positioned beside images of Casanova, J. Edgar Hoover, Batgirl and Chairman 
Mao. 

In the most politically charged ads, MPL, which is predicated on free speech, 
tolerance and the open exchange of ideas, is contrasted with Mao and Hoover, 
who both worked in libraries early in their lives but pursued policies 
antithetical to an open society (to put it mildly).

In the Casanova version, we tap into the notion that so many people use the 
word "love" to describe their feelings for libraries. 

The Batgirl ad is a reminder that librarians are heroes, and that our 
collection ranges from esoteric historical documents to popular publications.

The ads were created on a pro bono basis by local ad firm Andrews/Birt. The ads 
will appear in local media that have volunteered to contribute free ad space, 
including The Rake and Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine.


Another article on the ad campaign:
"Downtown library asks the tough - and amusing - questions" 
by Jeremy Stratton - Skyway News (4/25/05) 
http://www.skywaynews.net/articles/2005/04/25/news/news03.txt

- Information on Andrews/Birt:  www.abagency.com

- The Friends of MPL "Be Part of the Story": www.friendsofmpl.org/Campaign_home 


View the Ads:

MAO: www.friendsofmpl.org/images/BAT.pdf 
 
XOX: www.friendsofmpl.org/images/LUV.pdf

FBI: www.friendsofmpl.org/images/FBI.pdf 

BAT: www.friendsofmpl.org/images/BAT.pdf


Thank you,

Rod Krueger
Library Board / Nokomis East

www.rodkrueger.org
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[Mpls] DFL Chair Vote

[Randall Kindley]

Tim,

So, about 2/3rds of Betty's supporters switched to Brian and about 1/3 went
to Josh.

How do you cast half a vote?

Randall Kindley Ward 12  Nokomis East

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Re: [Mpls] Our Beautiful Parkways

[Randall G Cutting]

 Connie Beckers wrote, in part:
> The speed limit on our city's parkways is 25 miles
> per hour and do you know that as I kept that pace, I was tailgated and
> passed ... illegally, I think ... and not once or twice but by four
> different vehicles! I was at the speed limit, not over and not under.

Connie, be careful what you complain about, and certainly don't complain
to the city.  A business owner here in Seward called the city to complain
about the cars that continually rolling through the stop sign in front of
their business.  The drivers' failure to stop was making it difficult and
dangerous for the businesses vehicles to enter and exit their driveway.

The business owner wisely, or so he thought, called the city to request
police enforce the law for a day or so and maybe prevent an accident
before it happens.  The city, in its finite wisdom, had a different idea -
they removed the stop sign.  No sign - no moving violations.

So, be careful what you say to the city or we'll end up with 50 MPH speed
limits on our parkways.

Randall Cutting
Dodging traffic in Seward




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[Mpls] Our Beautiful Parkways

[Connie Beckers]

It's a beautiful drive around dusk along the River Parkway from Broadway
North all the way to South Mpls. The sights are luscious and the pace is
leisurely ... sometimes. The speed limit on our city's parkways is 25 miles
per hour and do you know that as I kept that pace, I was tailgated and
passed ... illegally, I think ... and not once or twice but by four
different vehicles! I was at the speed limit, not over and not under. This
happens over here on Victory Memorial Parkway as well, but I've never had
anyone actually pass me.

I think that if folks are interested in a quick commute from one place to
another, they oughta avoid the parkways and use the main thoroughfares with
the 30 mph or higher speed limits. Personally, I choose the parkways for the
slower pace coupled with some nice scenery.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Connie Beckers - Folwell


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RE: [Mpls] Airport Casino - PLEASE END THREAD

[List Manager]

Folks - and this means reps as well as the rest of us - this isn't an issue
that has unique Minneapolis impacts, so the debate must end here.

The charge was thrown, answered, and that's it. Further discussion will
merit warnings, which can lead to suspension of posting privileges.

> Without getting into the issue of whether this is a Mpls specific issue
> or not, I would just like to explain the bill. I will start with saying
> that I have been opposed to the State getting into more gambling  in

David Brauer
List manager

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Re: [Mpls] Booker Hodges & Don Samuels

[Tamir Nolley]

I do not condone what Booker Hodges said on MTN.  It was irresponsible and, I 
believe, destructive to both Don Samuels and Natalie Johnson-Lees campaigns, 
and as someone who is involved with MTN, I support the decision to suspend that 
show, but I'm very much an NJL partisan and here's my take on this thread so 
far.
 
First of all, Natalie Johnson-Lee has been a the very voice of calm and reason 
the Dennis attributes to Don Samuels.  I wonder of there are any on the list 
who remember the police federation being in an uproar when NJL asked her 
constituents to pray for the families of BOTH Martha Donald, who killed a 
police officer, and for the officer who was killed.  Both died and NJL asked us 
all to remember that BOTH were human beings and the families of both deserved 
our prayers.  The police federation immediately demanded NJL's resignation, but 
she stuck to her convictions.
 
Don Samuels arguably started the community infighting with his decision to 
challenge a great incumbent council member, after promising he would not do so 
during his 3rd ward campaign for office and publicly praising Natalie 
Johnson-Lee as a good and effective council member.  
 
Samuels had previously said, both to me personally through members of his 
campaign, and in print media that he was "inclined to move in to the new 3rd 
ward" rather than challenge NJL.  Therefore, his decision (unlike Robert 
Lilligren, who made it clear that he would run in whatever ward he ended up) is 
dishonest.  
 
I believe he knew he would challenge her and told people like me what we wanted 
to hear in order to gain our support.  In retrospect, I regret supporting Don 
Samuels, I regret voting for Don Samuels and I apologize to everyone in the 5th 
Ward who now must endure this bitter nasty campaign.
 
As a result of this redistricting, I don't live in either the 5th or 3rd wards, 
and feel as though I have little influence in this election, but here's 
something to think about.
 
The themes in the city races, including the mayoral race seem to be education 
and public safety.  The undercurrent question seems to be should Minneapolis 
have a more centralized system, but most of these can only be decided by a 
charter amendment or the school board.  There are far more important and 
effective issues for mayoral and council candidates to tackle.
 
Only Natalie Johnson-Lee (and to a slightly lesser extent Dean Zimmermann and 
second ward challenger Cam Gordon) is talking about our poor air quality from 
the garbage incinerator that the SSB/Cherryhomes crowd shoved up our lungs, or 
about our poor water quality.  
 
Few candidates are even mentioning the reality that, for the first time I can 
remember (and I've lived here my whole life) Minneapolis has had air quality 
alert days where people were advised to stay inside.and we're talking about 
a dictatorially run DFL convention (I saw the man who was shouted down for 
pointing out how dictatorially it was run) who the DFL candidates are, how much 
support they have, how nasty the campaigns are, and generally feeding in to a 
bunch of self important egos as our air gets worse, and water gets worse and 
our green space begins to disappear more and more in favor of concentrated 
housing development. 
 
Who cares whether our municipal government has a few extra people in it when 
the air we breath and the water we drink are getting progressively worse.
 
On the issues that are most frequently raised, let's not forget where we were 
at the time of the 2001 election.  We had the LSGI fiasco, downtown development 
run amok, the garbage incinerator, the Kondirator deal that we ended up having 
to pay for, and police department with cops who regularly beat heads in, shot 
several people who were mentally ill, and harassed anyone who didn't look like 
a white, clean cut yuppie.  
 
That was Minneapolis during the SSB/Cherryhomes days.
 
There seem to be many, especially within the McLaughlin campaign (although I'm 
not faulting McLaughlin himself for this, still the company you keep..) who 
want to return to those days, and you also have candidates like Robert 
Lilligren, who demanded that we hire and MPD insider as police chief, and who 
seem to refuse to acknowledge that there is such a thing as police misconduct 
in Minneapolis. What short memories we have.
 
Don Samuels promised that he would try to find a middle ground between those 
who completely distrusted police, because of past experiences, and those who 
wanted a more aggressive police presence.  He failed.  He holds grandstanding 
vigils and that is about as much as he's achieved. The crime rate has not been 
affected and no one's talking to each other.
 
Natalie Johnson-Lee tends to see things more in a "big-picture" sense,  
improving public safety by encouraging home ownership and addressing economic 
issues, generally working to improve the lives of her constituents as a way of 
reducing crime. That is the proven method.
 

Re: [Mpls] BOOM-cars upset you?; Try this...?

[Laura and lloyd]

On Sunday, May 22, 2005, at 11:27  PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:




While driving east on Lowry between Penn and Lyndale, I encountered the
terrible sounds of a large SUV BOOM-car next to me, on my right in 
traffic.


Here is what I did at that red light. I leaned on my car horn in a 
continuous

fashion; one loud, long and unabated hok.



 Far from perfect, It may possibly be the most
effective, and only tool in our neighborhood tool box to deal with 
this type of

goof; and grand nuisance.


---


The Star Tribune reported in 1997 that a Minneapolis City Council noise 
ordinance targets noise from almost any source, with some exemptions 
such as for aircraft in flight.


Fines for violating the ordinance are $200 for the first offense, $500 
for the second offense, and $700 for the third. The ordinance 
stipulates that a noise violation occurs if someone makes a noise 10 
decibels above the accepted noise level between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., or 
5 decibels above the accepted noise level between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.


This could indicate both the horn honking and the loud car stereo are 
in violation.


Best wishes,

Laura


Laura Waterman Wittstock
Candidate for Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees
DFL and Labor endorsed
Minneapolis, MN
612-387-4915
www.laurawatermanwittstock.com
http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/
Wittstock for Library Committee
913 19th Avenue SE, Mpls, 55414
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