RE: Property Taxes
Adam writes: I'm really tempted to vent on these admitted liberals writing in to complain about the property tax increases. Your votes and your support have served to amplify an ongoing problem - I would say crisis. As Steve Minn pointed out, we haven't even seen the bill for the new library. Actually, it was this admitted liberal who pointed that out. It's good to restrain one's gloating - for I think that lust to gloat is what has kept city Republicans an (electorally) endangered species. As I admitted in my original post, I'd always love my tax bill to be lower - that doesn't make me a hypocrite, just human. But unlike most Republicans whose rhetoric I hear/read, I consider what we get with taxes - you don't always go with the low bidder and you don't always prosper in a low-tax climate. (Sorry, I don't equate my tax level with "freedom," as many GOPers do.) That's not to say there isn't much stupid spending I wish my DFL council hadn't done - you all know about those silly TIF deals. However, I have yet to see conservatives such as Adam make a convincing case that they could both restrain spending and intelligently encourage city development through reasonable public investments. Simply put, the city GOP hasn't even come close to offering a palatable alternative - instead, we get mini-Rod Gramses clearly not in tune with city voters. It's no fun having to vote for reckless spenders, but the GOP in the last several years has only offered the alternative of feckless social conservatives and fiscal unsophisticates even more out of touch with the city public than the institutional DFL is. There's a reason the last two non-DFL council members have been independents, not Republicans. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10
Re: I miss Moby Dick's
I agree with Rick that Dusty's would be a logical place for a gathering. However, my vote for most-endangered dive goes to the Viking. I don't know the grim details, but their liquor license was in limbo for most of last winter, and they are operating now on a provisional license (for the first time in their long existance). Rosalind Nelson Bancroft Rick Carney wrote: I say a late fall watering hole gathering is in order. But, the logical place would be Dusty's in NE, since it has been at the center of a number of debates on this list, and could potentially be swallowed by a TIF district. What could be more fitting?
Re: Property Taxes
David Brauer said: It's no fun having to vote for reckless spenders, but the GOP in the last several years has only offered the alternative of feckless social conservatives and fiscal unsophisticates even more out of touch with the city public than the institutional DFL is. Ouch! That hurt. Let me offer an unsophisticated conservative idea: high property taxes discourage the purchasing (and rehabbing?) of rental housing stock in Minneapolis - especially by the average-non-corporate-Joe. We talk an aweful lot about the "affordable housing crisis," yet there are buildings galore which currently sit empty. Does anyone else see the irony here? Under the current property tax system, it is often cost-prohibitive to purchase an apartment building... even a multi-family house! Here's an example: my duplex was not homesteaded when I bought it. Most of you are likely familiar with the rule that it takes a year for a change in this status to be implemented with regard to your bill. In otherwords, upon purchasing my big, sadly-unloved former crack-den, I was stuck with a tax bill of over $1K. No matter what kind of cool mortgage options are made available, (the best by private banks) it is still very difficult for low-income people to purchase homes with taxes where they are. Also, we are all familiar with the fact that landlords pass high tax cost onto tenants... so there's another problem. Connie Sheppard Ward 6 - Ventura Village 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.
My rumored candidacy
Dear recipients of List and other interested parties: It is my understanding that my name is being circulated as a possible candidate for the 10th Ward race in 2001. I am here to say that, at this time, I am not cosidering a run for City Council next year or any other elected office. But it is certainly interesting to say the least to find myself on the Mpls-issues rumor mill. Sincerely, Denise Tolbert __ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Get organized for the holidays! http://calendar.yahoo.com/ __ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Get organized for the holidays! http://calendar.yahoo.com/ __ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Get organized for the holidays! http://calendar.yahoo.com/
RE: Property Taxes
One of the things that annoys me more than anything else whenever the taxes subject comes up, be it income property or sales, is that the debaters seldom, if ever, equate taxes with services expected. Some folks want nice pathways around the lakes to walk, jog, bike, or blade on - other folks want clean well-swept streets - still others want well-lite alleys - the list goes on and on. So lets see the tax issue and the services issue intertwined in an intelligient manner. Now for my property tax beef - it lies in the way the city assessor establishes property market values. In the olden days (before their new shiny computers, anyhow) the assessors had to go look at properties, building improvement permits, and other comerable properties with eyes in order to have a basis for market value. Nowadays, it is all computerized to such an extent that if the house up the block from you sells (for an inflated price, say) the valuation of all other houses are upped within milliseconds from the time the sale hits the recording entry. Is this bad? My suspicion - during the past two market value cycles the properties the assessor used to judge our house were different - secondly, on the last cycle my personal windshield inspection revealed that two of the comparison properties had had building improvements which may have driven their sales at increased prices. These two instances, suggest to me that the 'process' is unfair, that objective standards are nedded, that the assessor had too much lattitude. Of lesser gripe - when I asked the assessor exactly how their 'system' worked I got much mumbo gumbo. Were I a shrewd accountant or money lawyer I suppose the mumbo gumbo would have been intelligible. Adam writes: I'm really tempted to vent on these admitted liberals writing in to complain about the property tax increases. Your votes and your support have served to amplify an ongoing problem - I would say crisis. As Steve Minn pointed out, we haven't even seen the bill for the new library. Actually, it was this admitted liberal who pointed that out. It's good to restrain one's gloating - for I think that lust to gloat is what has kept city Republicans an (electorally) endangered species. As I admitted in my original post, I'd always love my tax bill to be lower - that doesn't make me a hypocrite, just human. But unlike most Republicans whose rhetoric I hear/read, I consider what we get with taxes - you don't always go with the low bidder and you don't always prosper in a low-tax climate. (Sorry, I don't equate my tax level with "freedom," as many GOPers do.) That's not to say there isn't much stupid spending I wish my DFL council hadn't done - you all know about those silly TIF deals. However, I have yet to see conservatives such as Adam make a convincing case that they could both restrain spending and intelligently encourage city development through reasonable public investments. Simply put, the city GOP hasn't even come close to offering a palatable alternative - instead, we get mini-Rod Gramses clearly not in tune with city voters. It's no fun having to vote for reckless spenders, but the GOP in the last several years has only offered the alternative of feckless social conservatives and fiscal unsophisticates even more out of touch with the city public than the institutional DFL is. There's a reason the last two non-DFL council members have been independents, not Republicans. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 Jack Ferman Minneapolis, MN [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Minneapolis Unwrapped website
Click on the link below to access the Minneapolis Unwrapped 2000 website. Minneapolis Unwrapped is an initiative to promote shopping in Minneapolis neighborhoods during the holiday season. www.minneapolisunwrapped.com Elizabeth Haugen, Public Information Minneapolis Community Development Agency 105 5th Ave. S., Suite 200 Minneapolis MN 55401-2534 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (612) 673-5121
Viking?!
My husband plays every Friday night at the Viking with a band called the Liquor Pigs (happy hour, 6:30-9). I would be devastated if the bar closed down! I would highly recommend it as a Mpls-issues gathering spot, except it's a little on the small side. But a wonderful place to hear music and meet people from all over the world (or at least the West Bank). Mary Gibney Lyndale At 08:05 AM 11/16/00 -0600, you wrote: I agree with Rick that Dusty's would be a logical place for a gathering. However, my vote for most-endangered dive goes to the Viking. I don't know the grim details, but their liquor license was in limbo for most of last winter, and they are operating now on a provisional license (for the first time in their long existance). Rosalind Nelson Bancroft Rick Carney wrote: I say a late fall watering hole gathering is in order. But, the logical place would be Dusty's in NE, since it has been at the center of a number of debates on this list, and could potentially be swallowed by a TIF district. What could be more fitting? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Mary Gibney mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] University of Minnesota Libraries PH: (612) 624-6834 Information Technology ServicesFAX: (612) 626-9353 Office: 409c Wilson Library Mail: 499 Wilson Library
Re: Viking?!
Did I miss something - are we planning an e-mail list gathering at a local watering hole? Annie Young Ward 6 - East Phillips Citywide at-large Park Board Commissioner Working to build a sustainable community
new Minneapolis Unwrapped website
I apologize for the double post; I have been alerted that the link in the first one broke up in some cases. Minneapolis Unwrapped encourages holiday shopping and entertainment in Minneapolis' vibrant neighborhoods and Downtown and provides a guide to Minneapolis residents and visitors to shop in charming and unique districts, eat diverse and delicious food from neighborhood restaurants, and enjoy Minneapolis' city sidewalk ambiance. Now in its third year, Minneapolis Unwrapped is a promotion sponsored by Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton in partnership with Minneapolis Community Development Agency, area business associations, and local shop owners. This collaboration provides the creativity, energy, and organization to highlight local treasures during the holiday season. Please click on the following link to learn more about Minneapolis Unwrapped and to see times and locations for the big kickoff event this Saturday, when Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton will ride a RiverCity Trolley to shop and visit with shop owners and patrons in four Minneapolis neighborhood locations. http://www.minneapolisunwrapped.com/ Elizabeth Haugen, Public Information Minneapolis Community Development Agency 105 5th Ave. S., Suite 200 Minneapolis MN 55401-2534 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (612) 673-5121
Re: List meeting at a local watering hole?
Well fellow list members, I think I touched off this watering hole talk. I can take the lead if you wish. Send your approvals or dis's off list. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Little help? Wouldn't it be nice if we could get a backroom with one big table? Any suggestions? Craig Miller Former Fultionite [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: Annie Young [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Multiple recipients of list [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thursday, November 16, 2000 1:27 PM Subject: Re: Viking?! Did I miss something - are we planning an e-mail list gathering at a local watering hole? Annie Young Ward 6 - East Phillips Citywide at-large Park Board Commissioner Working to build a sustainable community
RE: Property Taxes
My understanding of the law is that assessors are still required to visit--or attempt to visit--a property once every four years. I suspect that most often the assessor makes the in-person appraisal by eye-balling the exterior of a given home, and then relies also on other information--building permits, sales of comparable properties, etc.--to make the appraisal. By state law, the assessed value of all properities within a given jurisdiction must fall, on average, within 90 percent to 105 percent of the actual market value. If it doesn't, the jurisdiction would be penalized by the state. Perhaps Scott Renne, the city's chief assessor, could provide more illustrative details. I can't recall a time when Minneapolis was penalized for this. All in all, I believe Minneapolis assessors are doing an accurate job. One other thing: People should keep in mind that assessors don't set property tax policy nor assess taxes--they merely appraise the value of properties. One of the things that annoys me more than anything else whenever the taxes subject comes up, be it income property or sales, is that the debaters seldom, if ever, equate taxes with services expected. Some folks want nice pathways around the lakes to walk, jog, bike, or blade on - other folks want clean well-swept streets - still others want well-lite alleys - the list goes on and on. So lets see the tax issue and the services issue intertwined in an intelligient manner. Now for my property tax beef - it lies in the way the city assessor establishes property market values. In the olden days (before their new shiny computers, anyhow) the assessors had to go look at properties, building improvement permits, and other comerable properties with eyes in order to have a basis for market value. Nowadays, it is all computerized to such an extent that if the house up the block from you sells (for an inflated price, say) the valuation of all other houses are upped within milliseconds from the time the sale hits the recording entry. Is this bad? My suspicion - during the past two market value cycles the properties the assessor used to judge our house were different - secondly, on the last cycle my personal windshield inspection revealed that two of the comparison properties had had building improvements which may have driven their sales at increased prices. These two instances, suggest to me that the 'process' is unfair, that objective standards are nedded, that the assessor had too much lattitude. Of lesser gripe - when I asked the assessor exactly how their 'system' worked I got much mumbo gumbo. Were I a shrewd accountant or money lawyer I suppose the mumbo gumbo would have been intelligible. Jack Ferman Minneapolis, MN [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mark Engebretson Ward 8 Field Neighborhood
Library issues
We are pleased to see continuing discussion on this List about the Minneapolis Public Library. Since the voters strongly approved the referendum (67% voted in favor), the discussion now takes a different direction. We now know that the new Central Library will be built and the improvements to Community Libraries will be completed. We continue to welcome ideas from the public regarding the proposed library projects. If you are interested in being on an e-mail or regular mail list to receive notices and information as the plans develop, please call 612-630-6263 or send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Meanwhile, I am responding to Sheldon Mains' questions about the planned new Central Library point by point (Mr. Mains' statements are indicated by ). As you may be aware, there will not be a firm plan for about two years. First an architect must be selected (early next year), then architectural work will take 18-24 months. Meanwhile, we have a pre-site building program, approved by the Library Board, which describes what the new Library should include and addresses many of the issues raised by Mr. Mains. Why does building a new, presumeably more efficient, building, with presumably state of the art technology, result in a higher operating costs - Reply: The new Central is not expected to result in higher operating cost; it is expected to be the same or less. Some possiblitities: Self service check-out--like Hennepin County libraries have Reply: The Minneapolis Central Library currently has two self-service checkout stations; there will be more in the new building because it will be designed for this feature (but staff-assisted checkout will always be available). Computerized card catalogs that are easy to use, with easy to use help menus Reply: The Minneapolis Public Library's online catalog is considered by most people to be very user friendly; it is constantly being enhanced based on users' suggestions and through regular software upgrades. More books available to the public, less need for librarians to go to the stacks - Reply: The new library will have almost 60% of the collection on open shelves available to the public, as opposed to only 15% now. This will, indeed, save staff time, but more importantly, it will greatly improve access for library users. Some non-tech things; Shelving books in an easy to find order -- Reply: All books are now filed either alphabetically (for fiction) or numerically (for nonfiction), according to the Library of Congress classification system, widely used in most urban libraries throughout the country. This will still be true in a new library building. Signs and maps that actually help people find what they need. Reply: We have these currently. However, the physical configuration of the current library building makes it difficult for people to find what they need. When the new library is built, it will incorporate helpful signs and maps, but more importantly, it will be designed for ease of use. A building designed to be energy efficient (save operating costs) Reply: Yes. A new building will clearly be more energy efficient than the present library, designed in the 1950s. A building designed to be easy to clean and maintain. Reply: The above statement holds true here as well. And if you want really high tech; Using e-publishing, on-site printing on demand, and e-books. Reply: The Library does currently provide e-books and print-outs of online resources. The new building will be designed to adapt to emerging technologies. Now, a new library can also provide some interesting earned income options: Coffee shop rental - Reply: The plan for a two-block, mixed-use development calls for retail amenities and a coffee shop to be included on the block adjacent to the library, connected to parking and to the library by skyway. Renting a good, centrally located computer lab for training Reply: A computer lab for the public is in the current plan. Provide video conferencing for local small businesses. Reply: The current plan provides for state-of-the-art meeting room facilities to be made available to any group, not just small businesses. Again, these will be designed to adapt to new and emerging technologies. More fee for service research services (e.g. pay for faster service) Reply: We currently offer fee-based research and document delivery services through INFORM, a nonprofit, cost-recovery service of the Minneapolis Public Library. This service will be continued in the new building as long as it remains needed and cost-effective. Some of these ideas are far out and some will probably not work. The point though is that the current staff and board have not been at all creative in thinking about new and improved libraries. Reply: I beg to differ. This proposal is based on years of study and
property taxes-appeals
Somebody asked a few dozen posts ago about appealing taxes. Here's some info. Steve Brandt Star Tribune Paper: STAR TRIBUNE (Mpls.-St. Paul) Newspaper of the Twin Cities Headline: TAKING ON THE ASSESSOR // Knowing how to fight City Hall is the trick Date: 04/18/93 Section: BUSINESS Page: 01D Edition: METRO Byline: Steve Brandt; Staff Writer Graphic: CHART;ILLUSTRATION Length: 20.3 Subject: taxation;real estate;government;article Slug: ASSE18 There's still a holiday hangover on your credit card bill. Form 1040 says pay up. Now your mailbox holds the news that the tax assessor has jacked up the value of your home. Most people grumble and learn to live with higher assessments. But this is one time when it might pay to fight City Hall. In fact, your assessment notice tells where and when to appeal. But knowing how can save you thousands of dollars. First, let's be clear about what you're attempting to do. The assessor is estimating how much your home would sell for in an arm's length transaction between a willing buyer and seller, as of the previous Jan. 1. This year's assessment will be one factor in the taxes you pay next year. To change that assessment, you need to pinpoint sales of other homes that prove your assessment is too high. The key to doing so, assessors say, is to cite examples of homes that are as similar to and geographically close to yours as possible. You also want to identify comparable homes sold as recently as possible. Few homeowners have a good feel for housing values unless they've recently been in the market, said Mike Livingston, who supervises residential assessments for Minneapolis.. He recommends that homeowners test their assessments by checking sale prices for their neighborhood listed in the Star Tribune's Saturday Homes section. Someone with a home assessed at $70,000 might drive by nearby homes listed in the $65,000 to $75,000 range. "If the property's considerably nicer than theirs and it sold for what their property is valued at, then their property is probably valued too high," Livingston said. But appearances may deceive. The neighboring house that looks like yours may be 200 square feet smaller. Or it may have a 1940s kitchen while yours was remodelled last year. That's why the assessor's office in your municipality is a good place to start your challenge. The office has detailed information on the houses that at least on the outside look like yours. The assessor's office also can informally resolve an assessment dispute. "The preponderance of cases will be resolved by talking to the assessor first," said Robert Hanscom, Hennepin County's appraisal manager. Moreover, discussing issues with the assessor can strengthen a case presented to members of a municipal or county appeals board, he said. Talking to the assessor also can clarify what challenging your assessment is not about. It's not about your ability to pay taxes or whether your taxes are too high. The assessor's sole job is to estimate market value. Homeowners will be "wasting their time talking about tax rates," said Jude Okney, who listened to property owner appeals for seven years on Hennepin County's Board of Equalization. Much the same goes for local and county boards of review, which may change an assessment if the assessor won't. Take along statistics, not arguments, assessors say. It also helps to take photographs of deficiencies in your property - such as foundation cracks - and photos of homes that are comparable to your property and were assessed for less. How a homeowner fares in an appeal depends in part on the attitudes of local board members, who often are familiar with local real estate conditions. The Minneapolis Board of Review heard 133 residential assessment cases last year. Ninety-eight assessments were lowered and 32 were maintained. But three were increased. That's one danger of appealing. A board may decide to raise a property's assessment if it's undervalued. "A frivolous appeal could be quite damaging," Hanscom said. Property owners who aren't satisfied with the decisions of local review boards can appeal to the county level. Last year in Hennepin County 12 of 40 homestead assessments were cut. The biggest was a $53,600 reduction on a $350,000 home in Orono. The home front How to get your property assessment changed Your property tax notice arrives in the mail. Your home has leaped in value - nice news, maybe, except your taxes also jumped. Realistically, you think the value is too high. What can you do? 1. Check your facts: - Make sure the statement is correct. - Look at the price of homes for sale in your neighborhood. 2. Visit your local assessor: - Review similar properties in your area. - Try to resolve the dispute informally. 3. Appeal: There are two routes you can take. The local route: Try first with local officials. This
Re: Viking?! The Poodle?
I would also add the Uber-dive, the Poodle Club to the list. Where else can you get a steak and two beers for under $10? Carol Becker Longfellow - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Multiple recipients of list [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2000 11:57 AM Subject: Re: Viking?! I'd go for the Viking too. I think it meets or exceeds the requisite Seediness Standard and besides, think of the zingy discourse that could ensue when participants consider the (uninsured) Dania Hall ruins just across the way! I vote for the Viking! Ann Berget Kingfield 10-10
watering holes
I did it again. D. Klein Kenwood
RE: Urban Sprawl and KARE Extra report.
Since the KARE report was brought up, I'll throw in my two cents worth. I find it interesting that KARE views it as balanced since they have the regulator (Met Council) and one side (the builders) represented. On their web site they have links to both. But they don't have links to the other side--Alliance for Metro Stability or Sierra Club Northstar chapter. They are really only presenting one side. They are even totally ignoring the affordable housing groups like MICAH or the Minnesota Housing Partnership. Go to their Web site and complain. Suggest how they can correct their coverage--don't let them get away with it! Actually, this is typical of how industry likes to depict these issues--setting up the regulator as the other side and ignoring the real other side. Way back when I worked for the state, I always pointed out that there were the utilities on one side and the energy conservation community/environmental community on the other. In fact, I really liked it when the Friends of the Earth would get involved. I could then claim that the Sierra Club/Nature Conservancy/Izack (Sp?) Walton League were the moderate, middle position. . sheldon mainsseward neighborhoodminneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED] the shameless agitator in the electronic town square
Re: watering holes
Too bad the old Triangle is gone. Ann Berget KingField 10-10
Re: Property Taxes
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --036D650C515B33BB3E8997F7 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I'd expect the politically lazy to categorically disparage an entire set of candidates based on their political endorsement, but not educated politicos. For months, the Stenberg campaign laid out some excellent proposals for reducing property taxes, maintaining adequate education funding, and addressing other critical government funding which rely on the unjust property tax. Admittedly, we didn't take the time to post our ideas to this list of DFLers, but I'll seriously reconsider that in the future (many 60Bers are on this list). I am well aware that we can't solve these problems without working across party lines. David Brauer wrote: However, I have yet to see conservatives such as Adam make a convincing case that they could both restrain spending and intelligently encourage city development through reasonable public investments. Simply put, the city GOP hasn't even come close to offering a palatable alternative... There's a reason the last two non-DFL council members have been independents, not Republicans. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 ..and it's not for the reasons stated above. I'll go out on a limb here and say that there are just way too many people who refuse to vote for a Republican, regardless of political positions. (I know that makes many of you very glad. I'm happy for you ;-). Just look at this recent election, it didn't matter if you were an evangelical pro-lifer or a gay, pro-choice Republican. We all got the same amount of votes. All the DFLers got around the same number of votes. In many ways its strange, in many ways it's not. That's why only independents are the only non-DFLers that can get elected. Many of us Republicans do not fit into the stereotypes constantly thrown around in the press or in these public forums. We are working hard to change our party, to introduce ourselves as people, and to overcome voter apathy and, in some instances, ignorance. - Adam Stenberg Fulton Neighborhood --036D650C515B33BB3E8997F7 Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii; name="adam4house.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: Card for Adam Stenberg Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="adam4house.vcf" begin:vcard n:Stenberg;Adam tel;fax:612-922-7438 tel;work:612-922-7502 x-mozilla-html:FALSE url:www.stenberg.org org:Stenberg Volunteer Committee adr:;;4920 Ewing Avenue South;Minneapolis;MN;55410;USA version:2.1 email;internet:[EMAIL PROTECTED] title:Candidate for House District 60B fn:Adam Stenberg end:vcard --036D650C515B33BB3E8997F7--
Re: watering holes
In a message dated 11/16/2000 9:37:26 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Too bad the old Triangle is gone. Gone but not forgotten... when 'Spider' John Koerner, Dave 'Snaker' Ray and Tony Glover and me weren't much more than energetic kids...runnin, jumpin.. Saw Glover playing harp a couple weeks back with Curt Obeida (sp) (of Butanes, formerly a local group that outgrew the Twin Cities) as warm-up for Buddy Guy at Fine Line. I remember sitting at the bar with Dave Moore (WCCO's own) at Viking Bar (which was across street from Triangle) discussing the VietNam war-- as a multi-tour Nam Vet honorably discharged, and an active member of VietNam Vets Against the War... during the anti-war riots at the U of M... and just down the street from the 400! .. runnin, jumpin... Never stood still. M. Hohmann 13th Ward
RE: Property Taxes
Adam writes: Admittedly, we didn't take the time to post our ideas to this list of DFLers, but I'll seriously reconsider that in the future (many 60Bers are on this list). I am well aware that we can't solve these problems without working across party lines This seems contradictory: if we're all DFLers here, and you agree we need to work across party lines, you should have worked to convince us, especially all the 60Bers here. (Plus, Mpls-issues readers are a captive - dare I say fixated? -- audience.) I think Terrell Brown took the time to make moderate Republican points - but aiming his fire more at DFL politicos than DFLers who actually express sympathy with tax frustration. I think the mini-debate that occurred between Terrell and Myron during the summer was great, and am sorry you didn't attempt it here, Adam. However, I must take issue with your complaints that this is a "list of DFLers." The list was set up to be open to all, and there may be a higher percentage of non-DFLers on the list than in the city as a whole. (I think most people haven't disclosed their party affiliation; it's reasonable to think a majority are DFL, given the city's make-up, but never assume!) I welcome any and all non-DFLers to mix it up - a one-sided list isn't much fun. Also, whatever folks' affiliation, this list has been fairly critical of DFL governance of the city. Adam might have exploited that. Many of us Republicans do not fit into the stereotypes constantly thrown around in the press or in these public forums. We are working hard to change our party, to introduce ourselves as people, and to overcome voter apathy and, in some instances, ignorance. One excellent way to combat ignorance is to be specific. Instead of basically claiming that anyone who is a DFLer can't complain about property taxes, you'd do well to detail where, exactly you would draw the line about city spending. That way, perhaps, we can look past the label. But so far, it's all been partisan labeling - which I admit I shot back at you. I did check out the Stenberg website. From the issues section: A pledge not to raise taxes (that's nuanced - better hope there aren't emergencies, recessions, welfare reform doesn't crash, and god forbid additional investments that might actually be worth it.) The phrase "government monopoly on education" - code for vouchers (without actually saying so.) Pro-life. Pro-death penalty. Anti-same sex marriage. No public incentives for affordable housing other than property tax cuts. On these major, major issues, all GOP boilerplate - not that a GOPer can't have that, but not one claiming to break the mold. There are a few unconventional positions: 100 percent state funding of education. Pro-LRT (but not in the Hiawatha corridor) - a new exurban airport connected by LRT. Pro-new stadium (!) as long as it's less than 10 percent of the total cost. Domestic partner benefits through cafeteria plans where employees get a set amount of money they can spend on benefits. So there's something. (To be fair, Rod Grams would never go for a stadium...but then, neither would Jim Niland.) Not enough to convince me the GOP has turned over a new leaf, but list members can now judge for themselves. (http://www.stenberg.org/issues.htm) To take my own advice about not strictly labeling the other side, I was pleasantly surprised that the city GOP chair endorsed the library referendum. Even though I was only a lukewarm supporter, and it seems a curious place to acknowledge higher taxes can, at times, be good, I took it as a positive sign that Republicans can be open-minded. I look for more evidence of same. And I can't speak for others, but I can say that I would gladly vote for the candidate with the best platform - Republicans, to my mind, probably won't get there, but there is an opening. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 - Fabulous 60B!
