Posting Flyers
The utility companies might have some suggestions about their poles being used for all these notices . . . One thought that might serve as a useful notion: How about a "mini-kiosk"? Sort of a triangular plywood affair, maybe 3 feet high, 2 feet per side, mounted on the pole with the flat side parallel to the street? Problem with those sharp points jutting into the pedestrian area, I suppose. Just a thought on how to let neighborhood members express themselves to their own neighbors. Dave Porter 13th Ward YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
Re: Flyers are Blight!
Well you have to consider the delicate sensibilities of Uptown and Lyn-Lake business patrons. Gods forbid that anyone should step out of St. Sabrina's and see something as disturbing as a Selby Tigers flyer. Rosalind Nelson Bancroft Britt Robson: > I don't want my visual landscape > dictated by businesses > catering to customers who are afraid for their safety is > they see a Selby > Tigers flyer on a telephone pole.
Re: Gore, Nader, Bush, and what the hey...
This past week I attended a conference of the Great City Schools, an oprganization made up of the largest school districts in the country. It was very informative. The session I found most eye-opening was the one presented by a member of the States Commission on Education. This organization's role is to help formulate and advise states and the Federal Dept of Education on education policy. The basis of the recommendations centered around loosely veiled vouchers, privitization of education and union busting. This organization is Republican controlled because it's members are appointed by governors. Since 37 states have Rep. Govs, hence it's republican agenda. Let me enlighten the list about one aspect of privitization. Our district is currently paying out about $3+ million per year in un reimbursed medicaid costs for children with special needs. The Federal Govt. has made billing a very complex process. Schools Districts were not prepared to do this and needed to either embark on a training program or turn to 3rd party billing. The MPS is doing the first option and is now in a position to start reclaiming this money. However, many school districts had neither the time or money to invest in this new form of financial management. They instead turned to for profit 3rd party billing entities. These entities are charging up to 25% of the reimbursements. (Some were offering jobs in this area for 6 figures.) So at the loss to children and districts who scramble to cover their costs, these companies are lining their pockets. We here in MPS may be affected by the back lash of unscrupulous companies that were engaging in medicaid fraud when the Fed. decides to tighten up those requirements and make it harder for school districts to collect. Certain large districts such as Houston, were up and running and were offering their services to smaller districts at about 5% of reimbursment cost, a considerable savings. When districts in Ohio attempted to do this, they were blocked by the Feds. Coincidentally, the 3rd party billing companies stood to lose a lot of business in Ohio. Makes one ask, who is really excerting the most influences at the fed level? Vouchers--while the Supreme Court has not really ruled on them specifically, they are one vote short of allowing them outright. This bothers me as a Board Member and a resident of an urban district because for 26 years, the Feds have mandated certain things and then after promising to fund them at 40%, is now funding at 9% here in MPS. The system of education block grants, which were started under Reagan, began the tremendous ebbing of Federal funds from local school districts. Under this system of funding, the mandated spending went from about 18% to 9%. The feds never really got close to the promised 40%, but the biggest slide occurred under Reagan. This directly affects our students, as you may remember in our budget we have cross subsidies for Federal and States mandates at about $27 million. This is money that comes out of our general budget to fund what the Feds and the State require (as they should, it's services for special needs children) but do not fund. The State is far ahead of the Fed on paying up but there is still a lot of ground to cover. The Supreme Court is allows funds to flow through private citizens to religious and private schools, it just can not directly go to those schools. The MPS end up paying costs to charter schools on excess special education costs that charter schools bill back to the district. The district also pays for transportation, up to 1,000 per student in charter and private schools and it reimbursed at about $250 per student. I am not advocating for anyone, I am just letting you all know a little bit about what is going on behind the 30 sec. sound bites. I urge the Federal Govt. to actually fund those mandates at 25-40% for 5-7 years before embarking on a punitive actions that allows companies and private schools to profit while the neediest children are left behind! If they do what they said they were going to 26 years ago, instead of cutting funding while increasing reporting and mandates, give public school systems time to do the work, less hindered. After 5-7 years, look again at student achievement, then we can take up the debate on vouchers and privitization if there is no significant changes nationally. the Republican Agenda on Education, as laid forth by this commission will bring about a knock out punch to public education and leave our needist students very far behind. Audrey Johnson, MPS Board Member 10th Ward
Reopened S. Nicollet Ave., with housing?
Will the Old Urbanist blockage of Nicollet at Lake St. be unblocked by New Urbanism? The first trial balloons float -- affordable housing on the Greenway, a relocated Kmart off to one side: Check out the details at: http://www2.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=82840023 Comments? David Brauer List manager, Mpls-issues
Re: Neighborhood Boundaries
--2387F28E3E98D31AFBB1A955 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I have not one shred of evidence to support the following notion on this issue: Could this boundary issue be rising to accomodate a division of Phillips neighborhood? It is already divided de facto but it could become an official, Official way of changing Phillips. Wizard Marks, Central David Brauer wrote: > I'm kind of interested in this question, too -- how coercive will the city > be about making boundary changes? > > For example, the document I received from the city planning says the > "optimal size of a neighborhood may be one-quarter to one-third of a mile > center to edge...". King Field -- whose only natural boundary is 35W to the > east -- is almost twice that big, from 36th to 46th Sts. S. > > Does this mean the city will re-do our boundaries -- and by this, I mean > split us up -- or will something happen only if we ask for a change? (The > idea of a split or redraw has been contemplated over the years, but since we > are in the middle of our NRP disbursements, I don't think anyone here is > pushing this right now.) > > Anyone in a position to know, please let me or the list know. We're supposed > to be discussing this at our neighborhood board meeting on Wednesday. > > Best, > David Brauer > King Field - Ward 10 > > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Dave Stack > Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2000 9:36 AM > To: Multiple recipients of list > Subject: Re: Neighborhood Boundaries > > > From: David Fey > > >> a "virtual boundary" that has no physical marker. In fact, this > virtual boundary now runs right through the middle of one of the new > industrial buildings in the Seward Place industrial park. I hope we will be > able to work with the Longfellow neighborhood to realign this boundary > >> > > About a year ago Bryn Mawr and Harrison had an interesting > negotiating meeting to clean up a border that was ill-defined in some > locations - running through lots and buildings, etc. Most of the new line > was decided upon in one meeting by three resident representatives from Bryn > Mawr and three from Harrison, and facilitated by a staff person from the > city planning department. Everyone seemed to have a little different idea. I > was pushing for the use of Bassett Creek as the border as much as possible. > First we completed the easy sections where all agreed on the creek. Then > thru compromise we finally worked it all out. The final line uses a street, > RR tracks, creek, and property line. Although part of the subsequently > published property line section on the east end was a surprise to all six > Harrison and Bryn Mawr participants. > > I had heard that this Harrison / Bryn Mawr border was the last ill-defined > boundary to be digitized into the new GIS mapping system, but now it sounds > like this was not the case. Southwest Journal did an article on the Bryn > Mawr / Harrison border redraw (if this link does not work, search 'archived > publications' with somelthing like "harrison border") > http://www.swjournal.com/swjournal/myarticles.asp?H=1&S=212&P=47135&PubID=12 > 20 > > Dave Stack > Harrison > (where Bassett Creek is the border for most, but not all, of the line with > Bryn Mawr) --2387F28E3E98D31AFBB1A955 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I have not one shred of evidence to support the following notion on this issue: Could this boundary issue be rising to accomodate a division of Phillips neighborhood? It is already divided de facto but it could become an official, Official way of changing Phillips. Wizard Marks, Central David Brauer wrote: I'm kind of interested in this question, too -- how coercive will the city be about making boundary changes? For example, the document I received from the city planning says the "optimal size of a neighborhood may be one-quarter to one-third of a mile center to edge...". King Field -- whose only natural boundary is 35W to the east -- is almost twice that big, from 36th to 46th Sts. S. Does this mean the city will re-do our boundaries -- and by this, I mean split us up -- or will something happen only if we ask for a change? (The idea of a split or redraw has been contemplated over the years, but since we are in the middle of our NRP disbursements, I don't think anyone here is pushing this right now.) Anyone in a position to know, please let me or the list know. We're supposed to be discussing this at our neighborhood board meeting on Wednesday. Best, David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]">mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Dave Stack Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2000 9:36 AM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Neighborhood Boundaries > From: David Fey > >> a "virtual boundary" that has no physi
Re: Library Referendum
I am interested in the idea of a mixed use development on one block as proposed by Lisa McDonalds. Could Lisa or someone post more detailed information as to the configuration of such a development. I am picturing something like: - retail shops on the ground and skyway levels, - library on levels 3 thru 10, - office and or residential on levels 11 thru 30. All done in very interesting and tasteful architecture of course, and probably called something like "The Library Building". I can understand the desire to want a stand-alone landmark monument, but as long it provides all the services, I, for one, am ok with a mixed use building. Anyone have any rough guesstimate of the financial difference between the two different concepts? --- Dave Stack, Harrison > From: McDonald, Lisa >> you need to have TIF for a downtown libary. The issue is whether it is one, two or four blocks. Given the state of our general fund it sould be on the same block as the library. So it's self-contained. The unfortunate thing is that everyone wants a stand alone civic Carnagie Mellon kind of library. Unfortunately we can't afford that in terms of the cost to our general fund. Every dollar that's in a TIF ditrict doesn't see the light of day in the general fund for at least 15-20 years. It behooves us to make this district as tight as possible in order to protect our general fund and I for one will fight to keep it on the same block as the library, whether it is additional office or housing. I believe you can make mixed use work with good architecture and we just don't have the luxury right now of tying up more than one block in a district.
Re: Flyers are Blight!
i said this before about graffiti and i will say it again about flyers: just because flyers "undermine the efforts of neighborhood businesses in attracting and retaining customers" as mr mclaughlin says, does not make them a blight. business owners, politicans looking for an issue, and people who attend nrp meetings are not the only people who make up a neighborhood. i would support any kind of kiosks in my neighborhood, as a way of building community and giving a voice to people who deserve one. I don't want Stadium Village, Hennepin Ave and other areas mr. mclaughlin mentioned to look like the mall of america. i think billboards advertising cigarettes are more of a blight actually. mark wilde windom park __ Do You Yahoo!? >From homework help to love advice, Yahoo! Experts has your answer. http://experts.yahoo.com/
Gore = Airplane Noise
The Clinton/Gore administration has been trying to get Europe to accept Northwest Airlines' noisy old planes. Doesn't bode well for Gore in fighting noise pollution from airplanes in Minneapolis. As an activist and real environmentalist, I have more confidence in Ralph Nadar actually getting something done on this issue for Minneapolis. Russ Peterson Ward 9 R U S S E L L P E T E R S O N D E S I G N "You can only fly if you stretch your wings." Russell W. Peterson, RA, CID Founder 3857 23rd Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55407 612-724-2331 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Brown Field Clean Up
I know for a fact that both Hennepin County and MCDA are playing a very active role in the brown field clean-up at least for three sites that I know of. They are working with the folks in Whittier and the Soo Line Garden people to deal with the garden site which has been identified as a brown field. There are also two sites in Phillips they are working on. I have not been involved with the Phillips sites other than to connect MCDA to the appropriate people in the two regions those lots are located in. In my own neighborhood of Whittier, I have attended meetings where both the county and the MCDA were very helpful in working with the garden people at Soo Line and the South Whittier people. I will remind you that these sites are identified with potential pollution NOT confirmed. The first phase of the project is to do a Phase I environmental assessment to determine whether pollution does exist and whether or not further testing and soil remediation should be done. Both the MCDA and the County are very knowledgable and very helpful. They have taken great care to ensure that all potential stake holders of the site have been notified and have an opportunity to participate. If you are a Soo Line Gardener do not push the panic button. Because the gardens are done in raised beds, the produce you are growing is most likely very safe. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact the Soo Line Garden people. Barb Lickness Whittier Ward 6 __ Do You Yahoo!? >From homework help to love advice, Yahoo! Experts has your answer. http://experts.yahoo.com/
brownfield cleanup
John Rocker wrote: > > Richard Chandler may be right about the lack of progress on Superfund reform > on the national level (I don't know), but brownfields are getting > redeveloped locally. There was a ground-breaking ceremony today in St. Louis > Park for new apartments on the old Mill City Lumber property (Hwy 7 and > Louisiana) and I believe the City of St. Louis Park helped pay for the clean > up and a state program limited the liability. I am unable to recall the exact details off of the top of my head, but I remember the MCDA becoming involved in environmental cleanup so as to free up the land for redevelopment. Hopefully, someone more familiar with the project will comment. Scott McGerik Hawthorne Ward 3 Minneapolis http://www.visi.com/~scottlm/ [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Al Gore and urban policies
About a year ago I was shocked when I went to the US Census website and downloaded the "Landview" software with the associated files for Hennepin county. One of the icons that could be turned on and off was Superfund sites. I was shocked! Previous to this I was completely unaware that there were bunches of these sites right here inside Minneapolis proper. So...why hasn't Gore tried to shepherd a bill through the Republican controlled congress already? Rich Chandler - Ward 9 > -Original Message- > From: John Rocker > Richard Chandler may be right about the lack of progress on Superfund > reform on the national level (I don't know), but brownfields are getting > redeveloped locally. There was a ground-breaking ceremony today in St. > Louis Park for new apartments on the old Mill City Lumber property (Hwy 7 > and Louisiana) and I believe the City of St. Louis Park helped pay for the > clean up and a state program limited the liability. > > I'm sure someone on this list can provide much better information on the > local and state programs for cleaning up brownfields. My point is that > Superfund reform may increase funds for clean up and limit liability, but > it is still going to take local government to consolidate land, clean it > up, and make the tough redevelopment sites as attractive as green fields > in Woodbury. > > Re Gore and Nader and Shrub: Gore still seems like the only candidate that > understands urban issues, wants environmental reform AND has a chance of > getting a bill through a Republican controlled Congress. > > John Rocker - CARAG
Re: Al Gore and urban policies
Richard Chandler may be right about the lack of progress on Superfund reform on the national level (I don't know), but brownfields are getting redeveloped locally. There was a ground-breaking ceremony today in St. Louis Park for new apartments on the old Mill City Lumber property (Hwy 7 and Louisiana) and I believe the City of St. Louis Park helped pay for the clean up and a state program limited the liability. I'm sure someone on this list can provide much better information on the local and state programs for cleaning up brownfields. My point is that Superfund reform may increase funds for clean up and limit liability, but it is still going to take local government to consolidate land, clean it up, and make the tough redevelopment sites as attractive as green fields in Woodbury. Re Gore and Nader and Shrub: Gore still seems like the only candidate that understands urban issues, wants environmental reform AND has a chance of getting a bill through a Republican controlled Congress. John Rocker CARAG
Library referendum
A friend who works at the downtown library sent me her opinion of the referendum: >I am an employee of the Minneapolis Public Library. I am firmly opposed to the referendum on next week's ballot. I know, better than most people how badly we need a new building. But the current plan has grave problems. >Do you currently use the downtown library on a regular basis? If the referendum passes, that building would be closed for at least two years. Some services would be relocated, downtown or elsewhere. But up to 80% of the books would be in storage, inaccessible, for 2 years, or however long it takes. If you wanted the latest John Grisham, you could get it. But if you are trying to find older or more obscure material, you'd be out of luck. The reasoning is, well, Seattle did it, and St. Paul is doing it, so it must be okay. I use to try that kind of logic on my mom as a teenager - everybody's doin' it - and she didn't buy it. The people of Minneapolis shouldn't buy it either. >By the way, members of the Library Board have attended 2 meetings of AFSCME #99, trying to get the union to support the referendum. We won't. The staff, the people who actually do the work, don't support the referendum. >Finally, the reason they gave for rebuilding on the current site, rather than using the old Nicollet Hotel site directly north of the current building is: but if we build there, we'll be at the end of the skyway system. There are vague plans for the site to the north, that supposedly would take foot traffic throught the new building. Personally, I don't think that's a very good reason. It would be nice for the new library to be on the skyway system, but I don't think that should be the prime consideration. >The prime consideration should be serving the public - and I don't think the current referendum would do that. Rosalind Nelson Bancroft
RE: Al Gore and urban policies
The amazing thing is that Al says these things, but then doesn't take the opportunity he had in the last eight years to propose Superfund reform. How much land along the Hiawatha corridor is lying unused? The way the enviro laws are now it will stay that way. Any business in their right mind will avoid an old former industrial area like this because they would be responsible to clean up any nastiness found after they buy the plot and start construction. So they go out to the burbs and beyond to find a piece of land that was never anything but a woodlot or a farm. Reforming Superfund - no action Cleaning up brownfields - no action Voting for Gore - no action Rich Chandler - Ward 9 > -Original Message- > From: John Rocker > Contrary to what Nader supporters say, Gore and Bush are not the same when > it comes to urban policies that will effect Minneapolis. Following is an > excerpt from Gore's speech to the Brookings Institution that demonstrates > Gore's grasp of issues facing Minneapolis. The complete text can be found > at http://www.algore.com/speeches/sprawl.html. If Gore or Bush had a clear > lead, I would urge Nader supporters to vote for Nader and get the Green > Party $12 million. But, the biggest positive impact Nader can have this > election is to get out the vote for Gore. Who knows, maybe Gore will > appoint him head of the EPA. > > Here's part of what Gore said: > > "In the last fifty years, we've built flat, not tall: because land is > cheaper the further out it lies, new office buildings, roads, and malls go > up farther and farther out, lengthening commutes and adding to pollution. > This outward stretch leaves a vacuum in the cities and suburbs which sucks > away jobs, businesses, homes, and hope; as people stop walking in downtown > areas, the vacuum is filled up fast with crime, drugs, and danger... > > "How, then, can the federal government encourage and strengthen smarter, > more livable, sustainable growth? Again, smart growth is about local and > community decisions, and we don't want to tell anyone where to live, or > where to locate a business. But I believe there is nevertheless an > important role for federal support for local energies. > > "We in the federal government can start by getting our own house in order, > and making it look good. We should start paying closer attention to > livability in the building and planning we provide to taxpayers-such as > where we locate new post offices, new libraries, new federal buildings and > so on, and whether we should fix up old beautiful old buildings in > historic areas before rushing to build bland new ones farther out. > > "Secondly, we can get our own house in order by reexamining federal > policies that may have been well-intentioned, but have encouraged and > subsidized the wrong kind of growth and runaway sprawl. For example, in > some cases, federal subsidies actually gave handsome financial rewards to > communities to extend sewage lines far out into undeveloped areas, rather > than spending those funds for needed improvements and expansions in places > where families already relied on them. And until we changed the policy, > the federal government gave employers big subsidies to offer parking > spaces to their employees, but much less help if they wanted to help cover > their employees' mass transit costs. We need a national dialogue on the > kinds of policies that actually subsidize and encourage the wrong kind of > development. > > "Third, we can provide carefully targeted incentives to encourage smarter > growth-such as support for mass transit and light rail systems-not to > restrict growth in any way, but to reward growth that strengthens > family-friendly communities. > > "Fourth, we can play an enormously positive role as a partner with cities, > suburbs, and rural areas, as we have already started to do through our > empowerment initiative and through out work with the U.S. Conference of > Mayors and the National Association of County Organizations on their > brand-new Joint Center for Sustainable Communities. That way, whole > regions can create a vision and build together for their common future." > > John Rocker - CARAG
H.O.N.K. if You Love Libraries this Thursday, Nov 2
Citizens for Minneapolis Public Libraries invites everyone to H.O.N.K. (Help Our Neighbors Know) if You Love Libraries Libraries are for everyone -- it's one issue Democrats, Republicans, and Greens all agree on. Thursday, November 2, 4:30 pm - 6 pm Washburn Community Library 5244 Lyndale Avenue South and ELECTION EVE! Monday, November 6th, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Hennepin & 4th Avenues (outside Central Library) Rally alongside writer Judith Guest (Ordinary People) and library lovers en masse in support of a new downtown Minneapolis Public Library and improvements to our 14 neighborhood branches, on ballots November 7th. We supply the signs, you provide the enthusiasm, Minneapolis voters supply the honks. Call (612)63-6174 for questions or directions. Katy Beem Linden Hills
Al Gore and urban policies
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --=_NextPart_000_0062_01C04348.E81265C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Contrary to what Nader supporters say, Gore and Bush are not the same = when it comes to urban policies that will effect Minneapolis. Following = is an excerpt from Gore's speech to the Brookings Institution that = demonstrates Gore's grasp of issues facing Minneapolis. The complete = text can be found at http://www.algore.com/speeches/sprawl.html. If Gore = or Bush had a clear lead, I would urge Nader supporters to vote for = Nader and get the Green Party $12 million. But, the biggest positive = impact Nader can have this election is to get out the vote for Gore. Who = knows, maybe Gore will appoint him head of the EPA. Here's part of what Gore said: "In the last fifty years, we've built flat, not tall: because land is = cheaper the further out it lies, new office buildings, roads, and malls = go up farther and farther out, lengthening commutes and adding to = pollution. This outward stretch leaves a vacuum in the cities and = suburbs which sucks away jobs, businesses, homes, and hope; as people = stop walking in downtown areas, the vacuum is filled up fast with crime, = drugs, and danger... "How, then, can the federal government encourage and strengthen smarter, = more livable, sustainable growth? Again, smart growth is about local and = community decisions, and we don't want to tell anyone where to live, or = where to locate a business. But I believe there is nevertheless an = important role for federal support for local energies. "We in the federal government can start by getting our own house in = order, and making it look good. We should start paying closer attention = to livability in the building and planning we provide to taxpayers-such = as where we locate new post offices, new libraries, new federal = buildings and so on, and whether we should fix up old beautiful old = buildings in historic areas before rushing to build bland new ones = farther out. "Secondly, we can get our own house in order by reexamining federal = policies that may have been well-intentioned, but have encouraged and = subsidized the wrong kind of growth and runaway sprawl. For example, in = some cases, federal subsidies actually gave handsome financial rewards = to communities to extend sewage lines far out into undeveloped areas, = rather than spending those funds for needed improvements and expansions = in places where families already relied on them. And until we changed = the policy, the federal government gave employers big subsidies to offer = parking spaces to their employees, but much less help if they wanted to = help cover their employees' mass transit costs. We need a national = dialogue on the kinds of policies that actually subsidize and encourage = the wrong kind of development. "Third, we can provide carefully targeted incentives to encourage = smarter growth-such as support for mass transit and light rail = systems-not to restrict growth in any way, but to reward growth that = strengthens family-friendly communities. "Fourth, we can play an enormously positive role as a partner with = cities, suburbs, and rural areas, as we have already started to do = through our empowerment initiative and through out work with the U.S. = Conference of Mayors and the National Association of County = Organizations on their brand-new Joint Center for Sustainable = Communities. That way, whole regions can create a vision and build = together for their common future." John Rocker CARAG --=_NextPart_000_0062_01C04348.E81265C0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Contrary to what Nader supporters say, = Gore and Bush=20 are not the same when it comes to urban policies that will effect = Minneapolis.=20 Following is an excerpt from Gore's speech to the Brookings Institution = that=20 demonstrates Gore's grasp of issues facing Minneapolis. The complete = text can be=20 found at http://www.algore.com/speeches/sprawl.html">http://www.algore.com/speeches/sprawl.html. If Gore or Bush had a clear lead, I would urge = Nader=20 supporters to vote for Nader and get the Green Party $12 million. But, = the=20 biggest positive impact Nader can have this election is to get out the = vote for=20 Gore. Who knows, maybe Gore will appoint him head of the=20 EPA. Here's part of what Gore said: "In the last fifty years, we've built flat, not tall: because land is = cheaper=20 the further out it lies, new office buildings, roads, and malls go up = farther=20 and farther out, lengthening commutes and adding to pollution. This = outward=20 stretch leaves a vacuum in the cities and suburbs which sucks away jobs, = businesses, homes, and hope; as people stop walking in downtown areas, = the=20 vacuum is filled up fast with crime, drugs, and danger... "How, then, can the federal gover
No Subject
mr. oprfield speaks of keeping the forum open and yet in his editorial on sunday he in effect called for cloture when he stated that the nader people had made their point and everyone was listening but that now it was time to close ranks around gore. you cannot have it both ways mr. orfield. i agree with our moderator when he suggests we cool our jets. will november 7th never get here! tim connolly ward 7 __ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Messenger - Talk while you surf! It's FREE. http://im.yahoo.com/
Presidential discussion rules - further clarification
Myron Orfield says: > We are playing by the rules. They [Nader folks] are not at all. We > are happy to respect whatever rules that you set down, but they should > be enforced for everyone. We will not just yield the forum. You see why I hate this discussion topic? Sorry to wade in with further public list management, but some clarifications are obviously in order: 1. Based on the rallies this summer, a Presidential candidate appearance in Minneapolis IS considered fodder for the list. I admit this seems like an exception to the "please link to a Mpls issue" dictum, so I apologize for not reminding everyone. But when a nominee comes to our city, announcing the appearance is, briefly, a "Minneapolis issue." There is no favoritism in letting Nader folks do that -- Gore people can do it too, as can any other campaign. When something actually occurs within our borders, it's appropriate here. (However, note to Nader partisans: we only need ONE post about the event. You don't all have to flood the forum with repeats. WE GET that he's coming, already!) 2. If you have a complaint about list management, PLEASE bring it to me first. This, by the way, is a list rule (please, please, you fervant fanatics, re-read the list rules at http://www.e-democracy.org/mpls-issues). Why should you come to me privately first? Two reasons. First, I might be able to explain what the rules and my interpretation is in a way that satisfies you. This keeps us from clogging inboxes with posts NOT about the issues, but about housekeeping. The list wasn't set up to debate the list. I know there are a lot of passions about, but please everyone COOL YOUR JETS. I've tried to be fair in my two-plus years moderating the list, and almost everyone has done a great job of following the rules that keep it that way. Show me a little respect and ask me what I'm up to first. My address is [EMAIL PROTECTED] Also, let's show a little respect for each other and try to stick to the issues, and keep "his piece is bigger than my piece" arguments out of list members' inboxes whereever possible. If this doesn't happen, EVERYONE will have to yield the forum. I mean it. David Brauer List manager, Mpls-issues
Regional government
To those on the minneapolis issues list who care about what happens to the core of our region. I recently found out about a committee task force type hearing to discuss the future of the metropolitan council with respect to local govt and metropolitan affairs. The agenda reads : "A public meeting to take testimony on metropolitan governance; operations, and performance of the metropolitan council and its agencies". For some reason, the planning group (coordinated by legislator Mary Liz Holberg, of Lakeville) scheduled all of the commission meetings in outlying suburbs...many in the third and fourth rings. I asked unnamed people I know at the Met Council why this was done, and one response was "well, it is an election year". Mrs. Holberg told me one reason she didnt want to hold a meeting like this in minneapolis was because she didnt want to inconvenience people by "forcing them to park in downtown minneapolis and having to pay". I wanted to tell her i appreciate her taking advantage of the subsidy my tax dollars appropriate for her to park for free all over the metro area, but i bit my tongue. Id love to know what Myron Orfield thinks of this, and the rest of you as well. If the met council wants to be a regional institution it should get regional input. If state legislators want to take control of regional governance, they should make at least a half hearted attempt to involve the region. In short, I URGE YOU ALL to show up at the meeting and comment on a possible discourse that likely will affect you. The event takes place at the Plymouth Creek center (14800 34th avenue north off of highway 55) on Wednesday, November 1 at 7 pm. You can get directions from the Plymouth City Hall (sorry i dont have the number here). Robb Clarksen SE Minneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Orfield
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --=_NextPart_000_002C_01C04339.36164580 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable My email to the list was specific to the list and its rules. I added an = op ed about other issues (not an advertisment) as an attachment for = anyone who wanted more information about other issues. The Nader people = are using this list as general campaign advertising. They are = advertising events on here. Nader is largely an anti-corporate, = consumer oriented activist. He has never been involved in urban policy = or cities. They have said nothing about his urban policy -- whatever it = might be. The last post was about labor issues and wage disparity. They = are just advertising events. I think that we then need to be able to = respond to this. We are playing by the rules. They are not at all. We = are happy to respect whatever rules that you set down, but they should = be enforced for everyone. We will not just yield the forum.=20 --=_NextPart_000_002C_01C04339.36164580 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable My email to the list was specific to = the list and=20 its rules. I added an op ed about other issues (not = an advertisment) =20 as an attachment for anyone who wanted more information about other=20 issues. The Nader people are = using this=20 list as general campaign advertising. They are advertising = events on=20 here. Nader is largely an anti-corporate, consumer oriented=20 activist. He has never been involved in urban policy or = cities. They=20 have said nothing about his urban policy -- whatever it might be. The = last=20 post was about labor issues and wage disparity. They are just advertising = events. I think that we then need to be able = to respond to=20 this. We are playing by the rules. They are not=20 at all. We are happy to respect whatever rules that you = set=20 down, but they should be enforced for everyone. We will not just = yield the=20 forum. --=_NextPart_000_002C_01C04339.36164580--
election info
Well, now what??? Where does Hennepin County election information go? Minneapolis is in Hennepin County after all. And this is the most interesting and informational piece of election materials I have been forwarded. It is about land use, urban sprawl and many of the environmental concerns many on this list have mentioned recently. I hope the list manager chooses to let this one pass on. In avance thanks for reading below, Annie Young >Delivered-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], > Dana M Blumenthal <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED], > [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], > [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], > Emily K Green <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED], > Karin E Matchett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, > Karin E Matchett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED], > [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], > [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] >From: "Melinda Hooker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: election info >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 00:41:24 >X-Tick-Nemesis: Chairface Chippendale > >Dear Hennepin County Voter; > >On November 7th you will be exercising your right to vote. We will all do >our best to be informed and will vote for many positions at both the >federal and local level. I would like to give you some information on a >position you may not even be aware will be on your ballot. > >The Hennepin Conservation District Board of Supervisors will have two >positions on the ballot. I am familiar with the work of the district and >have met these two candidates who are both incumbents. The districts >mission is to "facilitate the conservation of our water, soil, and related >natural resources through education, technical assistance, and >implementation of sound land use practices, in the most cost-effective >manner, for the benefit of current and future generations." The board >oversees the work of the district. > >I encourgae you to vote for Greg Chock and Jean Coleman. > >Jean Coleman, from the Minneapolis district, is running unopposed for her >position. She is supportive of the mission of the district, aware of the >issues and dedicated to seeing that the district does its work well. The >other position is contested and I want to encourage you to vote for Gregory >Chock, from Maple Plain. In his tenure on the board he has overseen and >supported some very positive steps by the district. As former manager of >the district, he understands the issues and the process for positive land >and water conservation in Hennepin County. As a retired farmer and >long-time resident Hennepin County he is aware of the land use issues in >the county. He is dedicated to seeing that the district is successful in >its mission. > >Visit the district's website for more information about the district. >www.hcd.hennepin.mn.us >Feel free to share this email with other hennepin county residents--all >county residents vote for both positions. > >Thank you, >Tim Reese, Minneapolis resident. > > > > > > > > First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, And then we win! -Mohandas Gandhi
RE: Commentary: It ought to go to Gore
Clark Griffith asks: >To the list manager, is Mr. Orfield's reprint of an election ad >appropriate to this forum? Myron's post is a good illustration of how to discuss the presidential race here -- and how not to. (His post came in just before I laid down the conditions for discussing the race, so he couldn't tailor his response accordingly...but now that you've been forewarned, everyone must.) Linking the presidential race to urban sprawl, land use, and mass transit-versus-highways clearly has particular city aspects. So that's a perfect illustration of HOW to link the presidential contest in an appropriate list posting. However, Myron's more general op-ed -- which was about bigger dynamics than just city issues -- is the type of thing that shouldn't be included in future presidential posts. The bottom line is, link your opinion to an issue, and make sure it is a Minneapolis issue. Also, explicitly explain the connection in your message. Again, the same goes for partisans of other presidential nominees. Thanks, David Brauer List manager, Mpls-issues
Re: Commentary: It ought to go to Gore
To the list manager, is Mr. Orfield's reprint of an election ad appropriate to this forum? I think in this precinct, ward, city, county, state and nation, we vote for the candidate that we find most appealing from a moral, intellectual, and philosophical view point. If that candidate looses, the fact of our vote is heard loudly by the winner, sometimes more so than the votes of the last few thousand who voted for him or her. Clark Griffith 7th Ward, the old predictable is all elections.
Re: Nader at UM Campus tonight - come show your support!
Just one small but critical correction to Holle's posting: The rally to welcome Ralph Nader starts at 5pm. Jenny Heiser East Phillips/Ward 6 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > In a message dated 10/30/00 11:15:08 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > Ralph Nader will be in town tonight (Halloween!) appearing on Nightline with > the Governor. Although the guest list is restricted, we would like to get a > bunch of people to rally outside the studio while he is here. Please come to > Rarig Center at the UM West Bank campus tonight from 5:30 on, to welcome > Ralph back to Minneapolis and give him one last show of our appreciation and > support before the election. > > -- Holle Brian > Green Party candidate for state representative, District 62B > (612) 822-6593 > www.jimn.org/hollebrian
City Budget, Nov. 2000
The City budget will again be in the news as the Mayor presents her final 2001 budget recommendations to the City Council on Nov. 9th. We got her initial presentation/recommendations on Aug. 8th, and since then the "Priorities 2001" document has been prepared by City departments. On Oct. 13th, CM Barret Lane provided list members notice that the budget-related "Priorities 2001" document and several other white papers prepared by several departments in City government, were available on the City website. CM Lane also provided answers to three budget questions I had posed in September regarding the City budget. I have reviewed CM Lane's information and much of the "Priorities 2001" materials, including a white paper titled "Management of Stresses on City's Limited Financial Resources Work Team Repot", authored by Steve Cramer (MCDA Dir.) and John Moir (former Finance Dir.). I think it's important that Mpls. residents review these city materials and give some thought to city-finance issues prior to election day and the Mayors next budget round. I summarize some highlights of City documents and offer some comments: 1. From the Cramer-Moir report, "...(in the case of) general purpose resources (money that can be spent on any public purpose), current spending levels on IT (info tech) Services and vehicular equipment exceed available annual revenues. ...the situation is exacerbated by need to increase spending on infrastructure consistent with the adopted 10-yr infrastructure and public safety initiatives. Health care costs are escalating. The general property tax base is increasingly limited by expanding TIF. Presently, 41 percent of all new improvements to real estate and more than 15 percent of all the City's property tax capacity is inside TIF districts for taxes payable in 2001. Water and sewer fees will continue to increase decause of.. water treatment and flood mitigation program... The MCDA is experiencing a decline in community development resources..., the funding of the second phase of NRP combined with the escalating debt service on the Tax Increment Revenue Bonds issued in 1990 absorb almost all funding available for development projects... the potential default on the Brookfield Sacs Loan could reduce MCDA resources in 2002." 2. In 1997 the City released a 200 page report on State of the Public Infrastructure, concluding we were about $74 million behind in maintaining our infrastructure, not including Parks and Libraries, or interest which currently amounts to an additional $18 million! The City Council chose to eliminate half the gap over five years using pay-as-you-go financing, thus avoiding added debt (as referenced in CM Lane's mpls.issues post of 9/13. There is currently kind of a undefined 'beg, borrow and steal' strategy in place to accomplish the task, which requires significant increases in funding each year. Don't rob Peter to pay Paul. Stick to the GAP financing debt reduction plan. 3. What of the deficit in internal services funds? As CM Lane indicated (9/13), the internal services funds account for financing goods/services provided by one department to another, on a reimbursement basis. And, as Barret said, "it became like a huge accounts receivable problem." That 'problem" amounted to over $32 million in 1999. The 2001 budget proposes allocating $2 million toward reducing the deficit, and suggests another $2 million in cost reductions, in an attempt to slow the growth of the deficit. "Artificially low internal service rates allowed the City to meet other external (General Fund) service priorities without forcing reductions to pay for cars, trucks, and computer equipment, etc. Thus, the demand for property tax levy has been understated." (2000 Interim report, p.9) CM Lane notes (post of 9/13), "One fund deficit (Equipment fund) is so large that it accrues additional interest charges of almost $1 million per year. This total cash deficit is projected to be $45 million by year-end 2001". "ultimately, this debt is a financial obligation of the taxpayers of the City..." (2000 Interim Report). And $2 million is allocated to remedy the situation in the proposed 2001 budget!! As I understand the Internal Services Workout Plan (per Lanes list post of 9/28), over $43 million dollars will be required from now through 2008, plus over $19 million in bond interest charges. (or a like amount in tax increases?) Unless resolved, the Internal Service Fund problem "could result in the loss of the triple-A bond rating and service impact for those who pay taxes, rates and fees to the City...(2000 Interim Report) 4. The City has a $7 million over-obligation of federal CDBG (community development bloc grant) funds, which is risky since those funds aren't assured in the future by the federal government. If the feds reduce/eliminate levels of CDBG funding, that over-obligation becomes a taxpayer responsibility
Re: Nader at UM Campus tonight - come show your support!
Oops - the previous post was from me, not David Brauer as indicated in the heading. -- Holle Brian Minneapolis
Nader at UM Campus tonight - come show your support!
In a message dated 10/30/00 11:15:08 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Ralph Nader will be in town tonight (Halloween!) appearing on Nightline with the Governor. Although the guest list is restricted, we would like to get a bunch of people to rally outside the studio while he is here. Please come to Rarig Center at the UM West Bank campus tonight from 5:30 on, to welcome Ralph back to Minneapolis and give him one last show of our appreciation and support before the election. -- Holle Brian Green Party candidate for state representative, District 62B (612) 822-6593 www.jimn.org/hollebrian
