[mpls] MPRB 9-07-05 highlights part 3
Petitions and Communications Commissioner Dziedzic mentions the debut of the MPRB song by Charlie McGuire at the Lake Harriet Bandshell and that the next evening is the first official meeting of the DeLaSalle CAC. This leads to a discussion of the CAC and how it will be run, who gets to vote etc... Commissioner Hauser reports she doesn't understand why everyone thinks she wants to sell land and that she was approached by a developer and never heard from them again regarding the GasWorks Bluff site. She is glad the neighbors came up with the plan and hopes the staff can work out any pollution, maintenance and labor issues ( what labor issues??? are the unions against Americorp volunteers helping these folks build their park???) Commissioner Erwin will be looking into the charge of the DeLaSalle CAC Commissioner Fine has a patron wondering if the parking passes are transferable (from old car to newly purchased) He has also been getting many calls regarding the Gas Works Bluff site and since it isn't even on the radar why are folks getting so concerned (HINT: Ask the Nicollet Island Residents about the heads up they received regarding the football stadium for DeLaSalle) Regular Meeting Adjourns at 7:45 Admin and Finance Committee Discussion of Fertilizer ( for the fall season to fill in so less weeds in spring per GM Schmidt) Administrative Tickets ( motion passes to pursue without report on agenda for the next meeting) 2006 Budget Schedule presented by GM Sigglekow Commissioners choose to follow previous year's pattern and rank their priorities on a survey ( though the survey is compiled by staff so whose priorities are these really???) Adjourned 8:00 Liz Wielinski Columbia Park next meeting TONIGHT 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] Re: Felien on Zimmermann
Again, I will ask the same question I asked last time. Dean Zimmermann is alleged to have accepted a bribe from the developer of the project at 24th and Chicago to vote to approve more retail businesses on the first floor of the project. But Zimmermann voted against approving additional retail on the first floor of the project. How can you be guilty of accepting a bribe to do something if you didn't do it? Where is the bribe and what is the crime? Robert Halfhill Loring Park http://halfhillblog.blogspot.com http://halfhillviews.greatnow.com http://www.thepen.us -- Michael Atherton [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Doug Mann wrote: The FBI was poised to go to a grand jury when they raided Zimmermann's house, then backed off. They evidently didn't have the critical hard evidence of a quid pro quo before or after the raid. And now that the FBI has blown the cover on its sting operation, it is unlikely to catch its prey with any new traps. Not to keep harping on this, but rather to show the irrationality of Mr. Mann's line of thinking: The fact that the FBI hasn't moved on an indictment says almost nothing about the guilt or innocence of Councilmember Zimmermann. In fact, the apparent lack of activity may be indicative of Mr. Zimmermann's cooperation. I guess Mr. Mann doesn't watch The Sopranos. ;-) 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 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] 9-07-05 MPRB HIghlights part 2
Planning committee Presentation of the West River Road Plan from the Plymouth Av Bridge to the BNSF RR Bridge http://www.minneapolisparks.org/documents/design/AboveFalls.pdf ( the .pdf is 25 pages and is very detailed) is presented by Mike Kimble ( formerly of planning now head of community and governmental relations for the MPRB). He describes the planning process including a CAC that met over a 1 year long process with staff and the consultants. He also stated that the plan had been approved by AFCAC (Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee) and that the Met Council had approved the park part. There were many speakers following Mr. Kimble as part of the public hearing including Meg Fourney who was chair of the CAC and Tim Baylor the developer of the Riverview Towers ( just North of the Taj Ma headquarters) and many other residents. Their concerns included a turn around prior to their building ( to keep traffic to a minimum) and moving the restroom shelter to a less secluded area, mainly nearer where the River Rats perform for safety reasons and of course loss of street parking with the parkway redesign. Total estimated cost... $10 million, money so far $3,000,000 from the Mississippi Watershed Organization. There was also some concern about drug use nearer the secluded area of the RR bridge and Commissioner Dziedzic stated that with the park police so close that will end, to which the audience gave a resounding NO. Commissioner Hauser asked if the raingarden that was for the Riverview Tiwers was being paid for by the MPRB to which Mr. Baylor replied that it was funded by Riverview's developers. passes OPEN TIME- Rosemary Knutson, past president of the West Bank Community Coalition, said it appears to the WBCC Bluff Street Park Task Force that the park board would like to sell the 8 acre derelict piece of land next to her building. She said she had spoken before the park board in August 2000 on the same issue. Then-commissioner Dean Zimmerman opposed the sale. The WBCC formed the task force last fall to encourage the park board to preserve the bluff as native open space rather than sell the parkland for real estate development. The neighborhood was “virtually unanimous” in support of the $45,000 park plan as designed by a consulting landscape design firm, the least expensive of three proposed designs Four issues: 1) This is the only significant amount of flat park land on this stretch of river bluff. 2) Does this organization [the park board] work with residents to protect the environment? 3) Does this organization [another rhetorical question … I think it was broader, like does the park board work with citizens at all?] 4]Cedar-Riverside is densely populated … and id interrupted as she has gone over her 3 minutes per President Olson. - Ann Forsyth, director of the Metropolitan Design Center at the University of Minnesota said the task force had asked her for free technical assistance in developing a park plan. There were steps taken 1) task force; 2) a stakeholders survey, held at neighborhood organization’s annual meeting; 3) Three options, least expensive chosen. To learn more about free help, go to www.designcenter.umn.edu and click on “design assistance.” - Karen Swenson of Groundwork Minneapolis said her organization works to turn blighted sites into open space parkland. The Gas Works Bluff site had been included on a list of feasible sites they developed some time ago (BF Nelson was another site on their list). They helped arrange for AmeriCorps crew to be available to work on Bluff Street Park next spring, and found funds for materials. - Elizabeth Hopwood asked commissioners to keep the property as park rather than condos. Most residents are Somalian refugees who take their kids out to play in the evenings and increased traffic from further real estate development would endanger them. She wants “open space for people from the Seven Corners area to utilize.” - Arthur Renander of Riverview Towers, thanked the board for the opportunity to speak, then said “This is a [park] board in crisis,” well on its way to selling off valuable park land. He called the current commissioner whose district includes the Gas Works Bluff site [Comm. Marie Hauser] a “closet supporter” of selling the land to condo developers, whose support was a cover for the rest of the board to approve the sale. He said the rumored sale price was far below the land’s value. “An election can’t come soon enough!” he said. “Our plan is incredibly simple.” - Bob Johnson, said he lived at Riverview Towers for 24 years, 1979–2003. He cited the great improvements to the area brought by the construction of West River Parkway, but said Gas Works Bluff was the site of a coal gas tank, and a 100-foot diameter concrete slab is still there. He said five years ago there began a movement for creating a park there, which he said would be a “great misuse” [of either
[mpls] 9-07-05 MPRB HIghlights Part 2 1/2
Back to reports of Officers... Jon Oyanagi River District Manager, Thanks to corp. sponsors of the Safe Streets Program, General Mills, Target, Cub and the Minneapolis Foundation. Spoke about the reverse groundbreaking at Folwell (?) Park where the tennis courts are coming out and a soccer field is going . Working on reviving ice hockey on the Northside. Minnehaha District: Doing a big housecleaning of the Rec Centers and has partnered with the Midtown Latino Organizing Project to sponsor a family night and have already rounded up 4 soccer teams in the effort. The board moves onto consent business and discusses funding another hour of cable time through the end of the year. Commissioner Fine points out the extra expense and the commissioners vote to pay for the additional hours ( $40/hour for 7 more meetings this year for an expense of $280 ) During which they will run the newly produce park commercials... what political theater. NRP funding for air conditioning at Folwell Park is approved. Unfinished Business: Commissioner Young reports that the Water Quality Task Force is developing indicators for sustainability. New Business: Superintendent Gurban speaks of the 9/11 tribute at Lake Harriet and mentions the Salvation Army wishing to collect for hurricane Katrina victims through the sale of vigil candles ( the MPRB forgoes their usual cut) New Business: Commissioner Fine suggests delaying any planning around Lake Calhoun until their can be a review of past CAC information etc.. and suggests avoiding any piecemeal planning. It is suggested that money to do planning for this be put into the 2006 budget ( gosh really... just who was it pushing all those projects who is now backpedaling before the fall elections) Commissioner Dziedzic claims there are a lot of election year rumors flying around ( not rumors sir, just not flattering information for some majority incumbents) End Part 2 1/2 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
RE: [Mpls] Re: Felien on Zimmermann
Robert Halfhill wrote: Again, I will ask the same question I asked last time. Dean Zimmermann is alleged to have accepted a bribe from the developer of the project at 24th and Chicago to vote to approve more retail businesses on the first floor of the project. But Zimmermann voted against approving additional retail on the first floor of the project. How can you be guilty of accepting a bribe to do something if you didn't do it? Where is the bribe and what is the crime? My primary concern here is not Dean Zimmermann, it's a system that allows and, in many ways, benefits selfishness over the general welfare. To that extent, criminal culpability is secondary and ethical values primary. If Mr. Zimmermann were to deny the events detailed in the affidavit, I would back off, but until he does so I'm assume they are accurate. In my view, those events show a clear lack of judgment and a lack of ethical values. Come on! Greens are suppose to be opposed to the evil influences of corporations and business on government and the environment. We're talking about the undue influences of cash campaign donations on the political process here. Whether Mr. Zimmermann was an effective instrument of those influences is irrelevant to me: according to the affidavit he took the money. Besides, while I'm not a lawyer, I suspect that Mr. Zimmermann could still be charged with conspiracy and bribery even if he never effectively completed his end of the alleged quid pro quo. The key here is whether he accepted the money in exchange for influence. And personally, even if he had intended all along to do exactly the same, accepting cash with the implication that it would affect an outcome is just as unethical. However, if I were a supporter of Mr. Zimmermann's and he were to publicly deny the events in the affidavit, he would still have my vote. He has a right to be assumed innocent. That would be my strategy, come out strong and portray myself as a fighter for a just society and a victim of cooperate America...but you've gotta have the capital to do that, because if you don't you're going to look like one giant sleaze ball. 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] MPRB 9-07-05 highlights part 2
Planning committee Presentation of the West River Road Plan from the Plymouth Av Bridge to the BNSF RR Bridge http://www.minneapolisparks.org/documents/design/AboveFalls.pdf ( the .pdf is 25 pages and is very detailed) is presented by Mike Kimble ( formerly of planning now head of community and governmental relations for the MPRB). He describes the planning process including a CAC that met over a 1 year long process with staff and the consultants. He also stated that the plan had been approved by AFCAC (Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee) and that the Met Council had approved the park part. There were many speakers following Mr. Kimble as part of the public hearing including Meg Fourney who was chair of the CAC and Tim Baylor the developer of the Riverview Towers ( just North of the Taj Ma headquarters) and many other residents. Their concerns included a turn around prior to their building ( to keep traffic to a minimum) and moving the restroom shelter to a less secluded area, mainly nearer where the River Rats perform for safety reasons and of course loss of street parking with the parkway redesign. Total estimated cost... $10 million, money so far $3,000,000 from the Mississippi Watershed Organization. There was also some concern about drug use nearer the secluded area of the RR bridge and Commissioner Dziedzic stated that with the park police so close that will end, to which the audience gave a resounding NO. Commissioner Hauser asked if the raingarden that was for the Riverview Tiwers was being paid for by the MPRB to which Mr. Baylor replied that it was funded by Riverview's developers. passes OPEN TIME- Rosemary Knutson, past president of the West Bank Community Coalition, said it appears to the WBCC Bluff Street Park Task Force that the park board would like to sell the 8 acre derelict piece of land next to her building. She said she had spoken before the park board in August 2000 on the same issue. Then-commissioner Dean Zimmerman opposed the sale. The WBCC formed the task force last fall to encourage the park board to preserve the bluff as native open space rather than sell the parkland for real estate development. The neighborhood was “virtually unanimous” in support of the $45,000 park plan as designed by a consulting landscape design firm, the least expensive of three proposed designs Four issues: 1) This is the only significant amount of flat park land on this stretch of river bluff. 2) Does this organization [the park board] work with residents to protect the environment? 3) Does this organization [another rhetorical question … I think it was broader, like does the park board work with citizens at all?] 4]Cedar-Riverside is densely populated … and id interrupted as she has gone over her 3 minutes per President Olson. - Ann Forsyth, director of the Metropolitan Design Center at the University of Minnesota said the task force had asked her for free technical assistance in developing a park plan. There were steps taken 1) task force; 2) a stakeholders survey, held at neighborhood organization’s annual meeting; 3) Three options, least expensive chosen. To learn more about free help, go to www.designcenter.umn.edu and click on “design assistance.” - Karen Swenson of Groundwork Minneapolis said her organization works to turn blighted sites into open space parkland. The Gas Works Bluff site had been included on a list of feasible sites they developed some time ago (BF Nelson was another site on their list). They helped arrange for AmeriCorps crew to be available to work on Bluff Street Park next spring, and found funds for materials. - Elizabeth Hopwood asked commissioners to keep the property as park rather than condos. Most residents are Somalian refugees who take their kids out to play in the evenings and increased traffic from further real estate development would endanger them. She wants “open space for people from the Seven Corners area to utilize.” - Arthur Renander of Riverview Towers, thanked the board for the opportunity to speak, then said “This is a [park] board in crisis,” well on its way to selling off valuable park land. He called the current commissioner whose district includes the Gas Works Bluff site [Comm. Marie Hauser] a “closet supporter” of selling the land to condo developers, whose support was a cover for the rest of the board to approve the sale. He said the rumored sale price was far below the land’s value. “An election can’t come soon enough!” he said. “Our plan is incredibly simple.” - Bob Johnson, said he lived at Riverview Towers for 24 years, 1979–2003. He cited the great improvements to the area brought by the construction of West River Parkway, but said Gas Works Bluff was the site of a coal gas tank, and a 100-foot diameter concrete slab is still there. He said five years ago there began a movement for creating a park there, which he said would be a “great misuse” [of either
RE: [Mpls] Re: Felien on Zimmermann
I want to make it clear that the only difference I believe there is between Mr. Zimmermann and other members of the council is that Mr. Zimmermann was not properly briefed on the proper syntax for accepting contributions. Really, we're talking about the difference here in a few verbs and adjectives. Say it right and you're reelected, say it wrong and you're in court. The DFL has so much more experience in these matters. The smart DFLers know the difference between an NRP home improvement loan and a little bit of free plumbing. I'll not forget my impression of Joe Biernat hand in the cookie jar attitude, Why me? Why can't I end up with a great cooperate job after I leave office? 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] Latest Vikings Stadium Proposal
A little known fact: Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington was paid for and built by the City of Minneapolis in the early 1960's in an effort to get a major league baseball team for the Minneapolis side of the river when both Minneapolis and St. Paul were working on getting a team. (I am not sure of the funding structure but I think it was municipal bonds paid for by stadium income) (I have always questioned whether we really got a major league team.) ;-} sheldon . Sheldon Mains Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Minnesota How long were the Vikings in Bloomington before coming to Minneapolis? snip. Chris Johnson Fulton 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] Park Board Meeting Tonight, 5:00pm
Please attend tonight's Park Board meeting, Wednesday, September 21. When: 5:00pm Where: 2117 West River Road (just north of the Broadway intersection). Agenda: As is typical, the agenda is sparse. But one never knows what may actually be discussed. The official agenda documents in Adobe Acrobat PDF format can be found at this link: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=37calid=314 Agenda Items of note: * Approval of the Schematic Design for Phase 1, West Bank, Above the Falls -- a Master Plan for the upper river in Minneapolis, Plymouth Avenue to the BNSF railroad bridge. * Introduction of Dawn Sommers, the pricey new PR person, busily putting positive spin on the controlling faction incumbents achievements to help their election campaigns. Oh wait, she's presumably working for the Park Board and hence that taxpayer. It's just a coincidence that a bunch of recent PR and advertising items directly address items the controlling faction promoted, and for which the board has been roundly criticized. Don't miss the fun and excitement as your tax dollars are spent on somebody else's budget priorities. Chris Johnson Fulton -- http://MplsParkWatch.org/ We deserve a better Park Board. 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] Wireless Minneapolis
More on the wireless proposal. I've mostly spared the List my missives, but I thought this one might be of some interest. Becca Vargo Daggett Seward Why We Need a Democratic Information Network in Minneapolis Reason #5: To Renew Citizens’ Confidence in Minneapolis’ Decision Making Process Minneapolis is moving toward approving a privately owned citywide broadband network without having done its homework. Despite having spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, no information is available that explains to its households and businesses why that decision was made and what types of alternative ownership structures are available. Compare this non-transparent and information-scarce decision-making process with that used by Saint Louis Park. In May, the City Council contracted with Virchow, Krause Company to study the technical and financial feasibility of a new network, and examine options to ensure reasonably priced access. The consultant has been instructed to examine several potential operational models, including private, public, and non-profit partners. This same consultant did the Moorhead Public Services' feasibility study for a publicly owned wireless network, which MPS subsequently built. In July, Saint Louis Park held a Town Hall meeting, where attendees heard the results of informal citizen surveys conducted in April, and a telephone survey conducted in June. The wireless study plan was discussed at the meeting. In mid-September a summary of the consultant's final report was posted on the city’s web site, along with a staff report. The City Council has scheduled a study session for the report on September 26. Minneapolis, on the other hand, has not held a single public meeting on its citywide wireless proposal. It included only institutional stakeholders in its “community stakeholder meetings” (board members from Minneapolis parks, libraries, schools, etc.). Oddly, no one from MTN was included in the wireless meetings, even though one role of MTN’s board is to advise the City on telecommunications issues. None of the consultant’s reports are publicly available. The staff report on which the City Council based its decision to authorize the department of Business Information Services is a PowerPoint presentation containing no data or discussion of possible ownership models. The differences between the decision making process in Saint Louis Park and Minneapolis are stark. One city is considering all its options; the other dismissed public ownership a priori. One city is including citizens in its process; the other is not. The differences are even more startling when one considers that Minneapolis' project will be a much larger undertaking, both because it has a larger population and because it expects to obtain many city services through the proposed network. Renewing citizens’ confidence in Minneapolis’ decision-making process – one more reason we need a democratic information network in Minneapolis. To read more on Why We Need a Democratic Information Network in Minneapolis, visit www.newrules.org/info/minneapolis Saint Louis Park Telephone survey of residents and businesses Publicly available information: Staff Report: Wireless Study, http://www.stlouispark.org/Publications/StaffWireless.pdf Consultant's Feasibility Study, http://www.stlouispark.org/Publications/ConsultantWireless.pdf Town Hall Meeting on wireless study plan Council will decide based on study evaluating private, public, and non-profit ownership, as well as technical, market and financial feasibility. Amount paid to Virchow Krause Company for a wireless Internet service feasibility study: $58,750 Minneapolis Representatives of city boards and offices surveyed on communications needs Publicly available information: Staff Report: Wireless Broadband Internet Services Report, http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2004-meetings/20041105/docs/ 23_Wireless-Broadband-Inertnet-Services.pdf Staff Report: Bridging the Digital Divide http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2004-meetings/20041105/docs/ 23b_Wireless-Bridging-the-Digital-Divide.pdf No public meetings Council approved City staff's recommendation of private ownership. Limited documentation of decision making process – no documented discussion of ownership Amount of contract with rClient to advise the Business Information Services department on several information projects, including the 311, 911, and wireless technology initiatives: $425,000 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
Re: [Mpls] A Sustainable Minneapolis
Aaron N. wrote, in part: We must make these steps now and lay the groundwork for the post-petroleum Minneapolis economy while becoming sustainable. This is what our campaign means by making Your Vote Count For...A Sustainable Minneapolis. Peace is possible! I agree, Aaron. Thanks to you for actually talking about the real world we live in. The Oz-like spin world of manipulation and seduction from the big public relations firms hired to shape our mental and emotional landscape is about to collide once again with Mom Nature in the Gulf of Mexico. The price of natural gas is between $12.83/MMbtu and $15.43/MMbtu right now. Wholesale gas is at $2.09/gal again. Electricity and home heating costs are likely to double or more this winter. Our lives in Minneapolis relate to oil and natural gas production much as fish relate to water. Katrina and Rita are the result of the fever we've given Mother Earth. These storms will hit Minneapolis in may ways. We will appreciate energy and materials we have previously taken for granted. The poor will be hit especially hard. Homelessness may very well increase this winter. We Minneapolitans are awash in energy and materials from oil and natural gas. The GOM production may be largely shut in for considerable time -- weeks or months. Hurricane season is not over. Next year's hurricane season may hit hard as well. Minneapolis, like the rest of the nation, is tied to this fossil fuel production like a junkie in full-blown denial. We are about to see the costs of our favorite high rise significantly. Rita looks bigger than Katrina: check out this image from the weather underground: http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200518_sat.html Bloomberg has a good article about the potential effects of Rita. Note that they look to Matthew Simmons, founder and CEO of Simmons Company International, for evaluation. I recommend that Minneapolis edemocracy list members check out the Powerpoint presentations available on Simmons' website with regard to the implications of peak oil as well. Katrina and Rita give us a sample of what is coming in the next 3 years or so. Here's the Bloomberg article. http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=1006sid=aJ9tOCCKhd9Erefer=home We are like a family facing some difficult times. Sustainable development is not optional. Learn all you can about sustainable living. Demand that sustainability be the first priority at every level of government. Vote Green. Most importantly, live Green. If we are fortunate, Rita will meander southward and disorganize -- not likely. No matter Rita's path, our path should be clear by now. Local energy, food, and water self reliance, sustainable over time. -- pedaling for peace and ecojustice from Lynnhurst -- Gary Hoover 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] Re: Felien on Zimmermann
How can you be guilty of accepting a bribe to do something if you didn't do it? Where is the bribe and what is the crime? Robert Halfhill Loring Park The crime is accepting a bribe. Even if an official is dishonest enough to double-cross the briber, and not deliver the goods, it was still a crime to accept the bribe. Also, the concealing of this bribe money, by leaving it off the campaign finance reports, is another crime that is alleged. Mr. Felien's claim that Zimmerman was 'just holding the cash, because he thought it was fishy, and intended to return it later', even if true, would be another violation of the law. Candidate Committees are required to deposit contributions into their bank account 'promptly', and specifically within 10 days of receiving them. Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson 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] Re: Felien on Zimmermann
Tim Bonham wrote: Also, the concealing of this bribe money, by leaving it off the campaign finance reports, is another crime that is alleged. I think the operative word here is alleged. The affidavit the FBI presented to a judge for the warrant to seize Zimmermann's computer and campaign records asserts that Cooperating Witness Gary Carlson wore a wire and a camera for the first time on June 6 (affidavit Item #7). I interviewed Zimmermann and his wife today. Zimmermann and Jenny Heiser (Mrs. Zimmermann) both agree that Dean Zimmermann could have met Carlson on June 6th, as the affidavit claims, but that there were over 100 people in the room with Zimmermann and Carlson at the time because it was Zimmermann's birthday party. The Zimmermann's also agree that Zimmermann said, money, money, money. They further claim that his saying so was in answer to the shouted question from one attendee, What do you want for your birthday, Dean? The FBI affidavit does not include any mention that there were over 100 people who heard Zimmermann say, money, money, money or what prompted the remark or in what setting the remark was made. Readers of the affidavit are led, through this omission, to believe that the meeting on June 6 was just between Zimmermann and FBI cooperating witness Gary Carlson. This FBI omission in Item #7 seriously compromises the integrity of the entire affidavit. The intended audience for the affidavit is a judge who can issue a warrant. I have no idea whether Zimmermann took or or did not take a bribe, I don't really know the man. However, an answer directed at 100 people to a question asked by one of them does not, in my mind, equate to requesting a bribe. It would be very difficult for Zimmermann to assert that 100 people heard his 'money, money, money' statement unless it was true. My question is: who stands to gain? Mr. Felien's claim that Zimmerman was 'just holding the cash, because he thought it was fishy, and intended to return it later', even if true, would be another violation of the law. Yes it would, but this particular law is honored in the breech as often as it is followed to the letter and is commonly corrected in the following report or by amending the original report at a later date after discovering the omission. I do not believe it is considered a hanging offense to have omitted a donation, so long as it is corrected at a later date. 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 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
