One of the great features of Minneapolis is the parkway system. I love the ability to take a walk or take a bike ride thru the city along the parkways and trails that we have. However, $104 million for a new park to join Northeast and East River Road is a waste of tight funds. Yes it’s the money earmarked for the park board, but if basic services are strapped shouldn’t the priorities get funded first?
Like we talked about earlier in the week, if you want to pay for the amenities take care of the necessaries first. You would not give a child candy that hasn’t had a meal. Minneapolis is eating a light dinner on a credit card and it pays for it cake with cash. Makes no sense! Correct the spending problems, pay for basic services (cops, fire, waste, water, etc), lower the taxes, and the money for the parkways, bike paths, and the rest will be there. Please don’t make the Shadow throw $104 million dollars in the waste bucket! I really don’t want to have to do that.
Mar 14, 2008
Mar 13, 2008
Ex-Cons could find housing if the city would let them
Here we go with the programs again. The housing rental market could take care of ex-offenders once they have paid their debt to society if allowed to by the city. The mother government need not create the need and then feed the need themselves all in the name of controlling the process. It isn’t good enough for the landlords to service this market themselves, but the city needs to get it’s hands into the process and create programs requiring more tax money to be used. Here is a better idea “silly” council. Take the restrictions off the landlords allowing them to feasibly operate within the city and fill this need themselves. A council member worth their weight would sit down with the landlords and hammer out a policy that is amenable to all parties concern. It isn’t necessary for the government to fill every need. In fact, best governance is one that will work with business to fill needs. The list of issues and concerns are numerous and some legitimate, but solutions can be found to the benefit of all concerned.
Mar 12, 2008
Best laid plans of mice and Mayors
If you read the Mayor’s budget address you are either bored out of your mind, a political wonk, a dollar and sense junkie, or a too well informed citizen for some unexplained reason. It is laced with a plan here, a plan there, and several other plans on top of the plans. Every single one of them have a dollar sign attached to them. Plans for spurring econmic growth, jobs, making the city a place people want to call home, and the list goes on and on. What ever happen to the best plan is a sound policy. If you want econmic growth and more jobs one of the best ways to do that is to lower taxes! If you want people to move here and stay one of the best ways to do that is to lower taxes! The city should be the center for easy access to lots of jobs at a low cost of living. Instead we have the tax the rain plan. Yes I said tax the rain, otherwise known as the water run off fee. You get charged a tax based on the amount of concrete you have on your property. What is next, tax the air based on the amount of square footage you have? Don’t give them any ideas! The fee resulted because the city must have forgotten they were suppose to maintenance the sewers.
The fee for service approach has gotten way out of hand. Water, sewer, phone, garbage, and so on. I understand and agree with some of these, but it start to beg the question “what is my property tax suppose to go for?”. There are fees that should be in place, but the “Silly” council tries to place it against the property tax. For an example, False Alert fees. If you have a home seceruity system and it reports more than two false alerts a year you will get charged for each police or fire trip out to your home after the initial two. However, Council Member Remmington proposed that the fee be added to everyones property taxes. Bad policy there Ralph. All the plans in the world aren’t going to improve the underlying problems if you address the poor policy making practices.
The fee for service approach has gotten way out of hand. Water, sewer, phone, garbage, and so on. I understand and agree with some of these, but it start to beg the question “what is my property tax suppose to go for?”. There are fees that should be in place, but the “Silly” council tries to place it against the property tax. For an example, False Alert fees. If you have a home seceruity system and it reports more than two false alerts a year you will get charged for each police or fire trip out to your home after the initial two. However, Council Member Remmington proposed that the fee be added to everyones property taxes. Bad policy there Ralph. All the plans in the world aren’t going to improve the underlying problems if you address the poor policy making practices.
Mar 11, 2008
Walk Of Life
With a high crime rate, taxes at an all time high, cost of living increases as far as the eye can see, education system crappy, and what does the city decide to spend it’s time on…making Minneapolis WALKABLE.
Ugh, we have sidewalks! The city is developing the Pedestrian Master Plan. Again with the Master Plans. Sounds like old Snidely Whiplash hatching some scheme against Dudley Do-Right, or in this case it would be Dudley Do-Citizen getting his wallet stolen again. I have nothing against walking, even some of my bipetal friends walk. It’s all about priorities. Remember our previous lesson on increase income and not taxes. The “Silly” Council can do all of the master plans they want, as long as they are providing the basic city services without committing highway robery of the taxpayers. What ever happen to the day when a government was judged on how well it provided the city services at an affordable price? It’s tea harbor time folks!
Ugh, we have sidewalks! The city is developing the Pedestrian Master Plan. Again with the Master Plans. Sounds like old Snidely Whiplash hatching some scheme against Dudley Do-Right, or in this case it would be Dudley Do-Citizen getting his wallet stolen again. I have nothing against walking, even some of my bipetal friends walk. It’s all about priorities. Remember our previous lesson on increase income and not taxes. The “Silly” Council can do all of the master plans they want, as long as they are providing the basic city services without committing highway robery of the taxpayers. What ever happen to the day when a government was judged on how well it provided the city services at an affordable price? It’s tea harbor time folks!
Mar 9, 2008
Sunday Visit #2
This week we covered how lowering tax rates spurs on economic growth and the amount of taxes collected. Following this strategy will allow the city to fully fund the basic services and afford the amenities, which currently isn’t happening.
Beware of the “Silly” Council members bearing tax relief. The Community Engagement Plan calls for retiring the TIFF districts. Some, like Council Member Ostrow, are trying to sell this with property tax relief. Don’t be taken in by the snake oil, but elminating the NRP free ride is a good idea. Just make sure the elected officials do there jobs.
Weekly Awards and Recognitions
This week the Shadow added $20,000 to the “Silly” Council waste bucket for the micro-grants to fight “Global Warming”.
The Shadow hands out the weekly “Goofy” award to Council Member Benson, again, for getting rid of he paper cups in exchange for the mugs at city hall.
Beware of the “Silly” Council members bearing tax relief. The Community Engagement Plan calls for retiring the TIFF districts. Some, like Council Member Ostrow, are trying to sell this with property tax relief. Don’t be taken in by the snake oil, but elminating the NRP free ride is a good idea. Just make sure the elected officials do there jobs.
Weekly Awards and Recognitions
This week the Shadow added $20,000 to the “Silly” Council waste bucket for the micro-grants to fight “Global Warming”.
The Shadow hands out the weekly “Goofy” award to Council Member Benson, again, for getting rid of he paper cups in exchange for the mugs at city hall.
Mar 8, 2008
Center of the Fiscal Target
According to Council Member Ostrow one of the ideas that is being pushed by Council Member Benson to use the NRP funds to work on retiring the Target Center debt. Thru the Community Engagement meetings we are hearing that the TIFF districts need to be extended in order for the “Geniuses” at the State Legislature to hand out the NRP money. The CE plan would call to not extend the TIFF districts, and the property tax money would then go to the city (Red Flag) to spend as possible discretionary funds.
If it is money meant for the city why should it need to go thru the state? Sounds like Daddy handing out allowance.
The Minneapolis “Silly Council” has a history of not being very discretionary when it comes to funds. So the Shadow sees this as a catch 22.
It was Council Member Benson that was looking for money to “green up” the roof of the Target Center. I wonder if he is really thinking what is best for the city financially, or just looking for a way to let the “green grass grow all around”?
The city is pitching the CE plan throwing the people a curve ball by offering property tax relief. Don't believe them! Just one question... ever seen the government sunset a tax increase?
The Shadow says....
1. Retire the TIFF districts.
2. Retire the Target Center debt without a "blooming" roof.
3. Pay for basic city services.
4. "Silly Council" stopping begging for money.
5. Hire new Council Members.
Call the cops.. there has been a ceramic mugging in Minneapolis
This post comes from a very good friend of the Shadow who couldn't have put this any better way.
I think we all have a few ceramic coffee mugs we don't want, like or use.
When an archeologist digs for signs of ancient civilizations, the first evidence found is invariable broken pottery. We know more about ancient civilizations crockery than we know about their agriculture. Ceramics will sit in land fills forever.
Please, lets all pitch in, and save the environment. The City of Minneapolis has decided they will no longer spend up to $500 per year for paper/plastic cups. (I don't know who drinks hot beverages from a paper cup more than once, but that's beside the point). Their stated alternatives are ceramic mug donations and those purchased from second hand and/or discount stores. I have nothing against these stores, but I don't want to incur the labor costs of shopping for used/discount coffee cups out of the city budget.
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2008-meetings/20080321/docs/Coffee-Cup-Resolution.pdf
DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR UNWANTED CERAMIC MUGS.
Donate them to the city council and save the environment. Next year, we will need to appropriate funds for the labor costs of cleaning ceramic mugs, environmental impact studies concerning proper disposal of ceramic mugs, and scientific research concerning the efficiency of hand washing versus machine washing.
I think we all have a few ceramic coffee mugs we don't want, like or use.
When an archeologist digs for signs of ancient civilizations, the first evidence found is invariable broken pottery. We know more about ancient civilizations crockery than we know about their agriculture. Ceramics will sit in land fills forever.
Please, lets all pitch in, and save the environment. The City of Minneapolis has decided they will no longer spend up to $500 per year for paper/plastic cups. (I don't know who drinks hot beverages from a paper cup more than once, but that's beside the point). Their stated alternatives are ceramic mug donations and those purchased from second hand and/or discount stores. I have nothing against these stores, but I don't want to incur the labor costs of shopping for used/discount coffee cups out of the city budget.
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2008-meetings/20080321/docs/Coffee-Cup-Resolution.pdf
DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR UNWANTED CERAMIC MUGS.
Donate them to the city council and save the environment. Next year, we will need to appropriate funds for the labor costs of cleaning ceramic mugs, environmental impact studies concerning proper disposal of ceramic mugs, and scientific research concerning the efficiency of hand washing versus machine washing.
Applaud the CE Plan .. Maybe not
The Shadow will always give it up for ideas and people who I think are doing the right thing. On the surface the Community Engagement plan seems to be a step in the right direction.
In years gone by the city council member was the one you went to if a neighborhood needed something. The council member would weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks, balanced against other city priorities, and push to get it thru. NRP changed all that. Neighborhoods spend the money at their whim with very little concrete oversight. Hence the problems with turning NRP into a jobs program, and the city basically throwing true city planning out the window. NRP took the very foundation of our system of government, a Representative Republic, and turned it into a free for all. We tend to forget that which has gotten this country, the great experiment, to where it is today. This is the greatest country in the world, but it can be lost if we don’t stick to our founding principles. Some would even say that we have alright lost too much, but I digress. The Community Engagement Plan is a way to get off NRP and still give the “elected” political cover. A group of citizens should not have to learn the inner workings of the complex city government in order to get a concern heard or a plan to enhance the neighborhood justly considered. They should spend the time in neighborhood meetings listening to the concerns of the people, not just wind bagging and leaving. That is the job of the city council member. If your city council member tells you to otherwise, then they should be replaced!
In years gone by the city council member was the one you went to if a neighborhood needed something. The council member would weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks, balanced against other city priorities, and push to get it thru. NRP changed all that. Neighborhoods spend the money at their whim with very little concrete oversight. Hence the problems with turning NRP into a jobs program, and the city basically throwing true city planning out the window. NRP took the very foundation of our system of government, a Representative Republic, and turned it into a free for all. We tend to forget that which has gotten this country, the great experiment, to where it is today. This is the greatest country in the world, but it can be lost if we don’t stick to our founding principles. Some would even say that we have alright lost too much, but I digress. The Community Engagement Plan is a way to get off NRP and still give the “elected” political cover. A group of citizens should not have to learn the inner workings of the complex city government in order to get a concern heard or a plan to enhance the neighborhood justly considered. They should spend the time in neighborhood meetings listening to the concerns of the people, not just wind bagging and leaving. That is the job of the city council member. If your city council member tells you to otherwise, then they should be replaced!
Mar 4, 2008
Raising Income vs Raising Taxes
The Shadow rails against the poor spending habits of the elected officials, but really that isn’t where the objection is. If the citizens really want to spend money on the “bells and whistles”, then the government should provide that because it is the will of the people. However, the government has the responsibility to set the priorities on those things it is most responsible for and what is left over can be spent on the extras. It is when a city is facing crime problems, bad roads, poor city services, failing schools, and a poor job market that raising taxes to meet these obligations is most irresponsible. It’s like the family budget; you fund your food, clothes, house, and car first; and then you can enjoy a movie, dinner out, and a new whatever. The city needs to follow that same policy. You fund the infrastructure, police, fire, and basic services first and then you can pay for parks, lakes, and community programs. The burden of making tough decisions in regards to government funding needs to be off the businesses and residents, and onto the elected officials. I shouldn’t have to ask if I could make a car payment or my tax payment.
The city is the highest concentration of population, and should be a gold mind for business to find available labor. Instead, it is the city that you find the highest rates leveled against people and business. If the elected officials reverse that trend you’ll find more available jobs and workforce to draw from. Businesses will setup shop where they can best afford to, and people will live where they can afford, free safe, and enjoy the extras. Following this recipe will raise income and not require raised taxes.
The city is the highest concentration of population, and should be a gold mind for business to find available labor. Instead, it is the city that you find the highest rates leveled against people and business. If the elected officials reverse that trend you’ll find more available jobs and workforce to draw from. Businesses will setup shop where they can best afford to, and people will live where they can afford, free safe, and enjoy the extras. Following this recipe will raise income and not require raised taxes.
Mar 3, 2008
Come to Minneapolis to fight Global Warming…we have money to burn
Minneapolis hands out over $20,000 in micro-grants to community based organizations that want to fight global warming.
If I want to hand out calculators that figure out my foot print …. I could get a grant.
If I want to water trees in the park… I could get a grant.
If I want to hand out money at theaters to bikers … I could get a grant.
If I want to hand out clothes lines … I could get a grant.
Let’s reduce global warming by removing some of warm bodies on the “Silly” council who come up with this crap, there Mr. Benson!
Hey “Geniuses” at the State Legislature, remember this the next time Minneapolis comes around with its hand out.
The Shadow adds $20,000 to the waste bucket.
If I want to hand out calculators that figure out my foot print …. I could get a grant.
If I want to water trees in the park… I could get a grant.
If I want to hand out money at theaters to bikers … I could get a grant.
If I want to hand out clothes lines … I could get a grant.
Let’s reduce global warming by removing some of warm bodies on the “Silly” council who come up with this crap, there Mr. Benson!
Hey “Geniuses” at the State Legislature, remember this the next time Minneapolis comes around with its hand out.
The Shadow adds $20,000 to the waste bucket.
Mar 2, 2008
Sunday Visit #1
In the “good old days” every Sunday families would get together to visit. People were much more commutative and getting together for at least one connection a week was key for the enjoyment of life and staying connected with each other was vital. In honor of that tradition we will “visit” and dig deeper into some of the issues during the week.
In the past week we have pointed out how poor the Minneapolis Silly Council has been at fighting for the right thing to do on behalf of the residents of the city. After 20 years of fighting the Kondirator they still lose the fight and the money. The council never seems to learn their lesson in overreaching its authority and continues to demonstrate their inability to avoid costly problems. Examples such as the settlement with Metro Produce in Longfollow, or Gabby’s Bar in Northeast. The council did temporarily backed off the sanctions they had sought on Gabby’s, but only after consulting a judge. Meanwhile, the problems experienced by the neighbors continue. Gee, I find it surprising that the “influential” members of the Silly Council can’t find a way to address the issues without leaving the city open to costly problems. With all the power of the city, police department, neighborhood organizations, and a willing business owner they can’t find a solution that will take everyone’s interests into consideration.
We demonstrated how the Silly Council focuses on the wrong set of priorities in creating a well functioning city. The council continues to focus on such things as green roofs and pretty lights that raise the basic cost of living. What ever happen to making the city a good place to live for people of all economic backgrounds? The way things are going Minneapolis will end up with two economic tiers. One tier that is poor enough they require dependence on government and the other tier that is rich enough to pay for the first tier. Any healthy and well functioning city requires a solid middle class population, which will be something increasing scare if this tread continues.
Weekly Awards and Recognitions
The Shadow has added 9 million dollars to the Silly Council waste bucket because of the Kondirator lawsuit settlement.
The Shadow is giving Diane Hofstede the “boo” of the week for her continued attempt at overstepping her authority and robbing business owners their right to make a profit.
The Shadow is giving council members Goodman and Benson the “goofy” award of the week for wanting to grow a garden on top of the Target Center.
In the past week we have pointed out how poor the Minneapolis Silly Council has been at fighting for the right thing to do on behalf of the residents of the city. After 20 years of fighting the Kondirator they still lose the fight and the money. The council never seems to learn their lesson in overreaching its authority and continues to demonstrate their inability to avoid costly problems. Examples such as the settlement with Metro Produce in Longfollow, or Gabby’s Bar in Northeast. The council did temporarily backed off the sanctions they had sought on Gabby’s, but only after consulting a judge. Meanwhile, the problems experienced by the neighbors continue. Gee, I find it surprising that the “influential” members of the Silly Council can’t find a way to address the issues without leaving the city open to costly problems. With all the power of the city, police department, neighborhood organizations, and a willing business owner they can’t find a solution that will take everyone’s interests into consideration.
We demonstrated how the Silly Council focuses on the wrong set of priorities in creating a well functioning city. The council continues to focus on such things as green roofs and pretty lights that raise the basic cost of living. What ever happen to making the city a good place to live for people of all economic backgrounds? The way things are going Minneapolis will end up with two economic tiers. One tier that is poor enough they require dependence on government and the other tier that is rich enough to pay for the first tier. Any healthy and well functioning city requires a solid middle class population, which will be something increasing scare if this tread continues.
Weekly Awards and Recognitions
The Shadow has added 9 million dollars to the Silly Council waste bucket because of the Kondirator lawsuit settlement.
The Shadow is giving Diane Hofstede the “boo” of the week for her continued attempt at overstepping her authority and robbing business owners their right to make a profit.
The Shadow is giving council members Goodman and Benson the “goofy” award of the week for wanting to grow a garden on top of the Target Center.
Mar 1, 2008
The green grass grows all around..but upon the roof?
The Minneapolis Silly Council is looking to grow vegetation on the roof of the Target Center!!?? The estimated cost increase over a conventional roof is about $300,000, but claims have been made they will be able to recover those costs within five years. I’d like to see those figures. I’d be all for this crazy scheme if Council Members like Benson and Goodman, who are pushing this, can show where the proof of the savings comes from. Too many times has the Silly Council made claims they couldn’t back up.
The Shadow will add $300,000 to the Silly Council’s waste bucket if this plan gets the go ahead, but I’m sure that it won’t be the final tally for the cost.Note to the elected “Geniuses” in St. Paul: Minneapolis is looking to put another $300,000 into a project that isn’t needed. Remember that the next time Minneapolis comes around with it’s hand out.
The Shadow will add $300,000 to the Silly Council’s waste bucket if this plan gets the go ahead, but I’m sure that it won’t be the final tally for the cost.Note to the elected “Geniuses” in St. Paul: Minneapolis is looking to put another $300,000 into a project that isn’t needed. Remember that the next time Minneapolis comes around with it’s hand out.
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