For the record :
The Republican National Convention cab fare increase was proposed by Gary Schiff and backed by Cam Gordon. The proposal was rejected by Barbara Johnson, Paul Ostrow, and Diane Hofstede. The Minneapolis Shadow applauds the rejecters and jeers the supporters.
However, Minneapolis will now rank 5th highest among 20 cities in cab costs. Remember, public transportation costs are one of the livability factors of urban areas.
BTW, the increase will be in place before the convention. Screw the Republicans anyway.
Jul 31, 2008
Police Discrimination Settlement… No Vote..No Deal..Let the Trial Begin
The spineless rubberneckers on the “silly council” decided not to make a statement at all on the settlement offered regarding the police discrimination lawsuit. This equals an impasse so the trial will move forward.
Analysis:
This problem should have never gotten this far. If there are problems in the department it is the job of the “elected” to make sure the problems didn’t continue and get to this point. If there isn’t a problem then it should have been dealt with and never should have reached this point.
The council needed to take a position on this issue. Instead of being mute they needed to either back the officers or the police chief. Once again, politics is trumping the best interest of the city. You can’t tell me that nobody knows who is really right on this issue, because there has been plenty of time to investigate it. If no independent investigation has been done to find the truth, then that is another problem. If the city loses this, and it is decided that there has been wrongdoing by the department; the chief, the council members, and the Mayor SHOULD all those their jobs. If the city wins this, and it is found there was no wrongdoing by the department; the officers SHOULD pay for all the expenses related to the lawsuit and lose their jobs. The council members and the Mayor SHOULD be held to tough public rebuke for not having taken care of this problem sooner.
Analysis:
This problem should have never gotten this far. If there are problems in the department it is the job of the “elected” to make sure the problems didn’t continue and get to this point. If there isn’t a problem then it should have been dealt with and never should have reached this point.
The council needed to take a position on this issue. Instead of being mute they needed to either back the officers or the police chief. Once again, politics is trumping the best interest of the city. You can’t tell me that nobody knows who is really right on this issue, because there has been plenty of time to investigate it. If no independent investigation has been done to find the truth, then that is another problem. If the city loses this, and it is decided that there has been wrongdoing by the department; the chief, the council members, and the Mayor SHOULD all those their jobs. If the city wins this, and it is found there was no wrongdoing by the department; the officers SHOULD pay for all the expenses related to the lawsuit and lose their jobs. The council members and the Mayor SHOULD be held to tough public rebuke for not having taken care of this problem sooner.
Jul 30, 2008
Minneapolis Police award winning embarrassment
The Minneapolis Police award the officers involved in the mistaken raid on the wrong home. See the details at http://www.startribune.com/local/26083024.html?location_refer=Minneapolis:highlightModules:4.
The Minneapolis Shadow believes that it is correct to award officers’ that get shot in the line of duty. I can’t imagine how tough it is to be a police officer and I have the utmost respect for the police, and thank God they are out there. However, this is a total and complete blunder by the administration, and a good example of one of the major problems facing Minneapolis. As the story goes Chief Dolan didn’t speak with the family, but did spoke with Hmong community leaders who were mostly understanding of the awards. Not speaking to the family before the awards were handed out is the wrong thing to do. He might not have been successful in getting the family to talk with him or getting them to understand, but it should have been attempted. Be it the Mayor, City Council, County Board, State Representatives, or whoever from Minneapolis; it seems that the idea of talking with certain community leaders is what they always do instead of talking directly to the people themselves. Most of the time I find that so called “community leaders” really don’t have the backing of the majority of a group of people to begin with. On the national scene people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are looked upon as “community leaders” and end up speaking for black people. I have found that most black people don't think the same way these two do, and therefore aren’t a true representation of their beliefs, needs, wants, and desires. The “elected” need to be more careful who they are putting in front of the line of communication, especially in a situation such as this. Why allow anyone else to speak for the people who are most directly concerned? Talking to just the “leaders” is either an attempt at putting forward just a token effort, or is just plain misguided.
The Minneapolis Shadow believes that it is correct to award officers’ that get shot in the line of duty. I can’t imagine how tough it is to be a police officer and I have the utmost respect for the police, and thank God they are out there. However, this is a total and complete blunder by the administration, and a good example of one of the major problems facing Minneapolis. As the story goes Chief Dolan didn’t speak with the family, but did spoke with Hmong community leaders who were mostly understanding of the awards. Not speaking to the family before the awards were handed out is the wrong thing to do. He might not have been successful in getting the family to talk with him or getting them to understand, but it should have been attempted. Be it the Mayor, City Council, County Board, State Representatives, or whoever from Minneapolis; it seems that the idea of talking with certain community leaders is what they always do instead of talking directly to the people themselves. Most of the time I find that so called “community leaders” really don’t have the backing of the majority of a group of people to begin with. On the national scene people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are looked upon as “community leaders” and end up speaking for black people. I have found that most black people don't think the same way these two do, and therefore aren’t a true representation of their beliefs, needs, wants, and desires. The “elected” need to be more careful who they are putting in front of the line of communication, especially in a situation such as this. Why allow anyone else to speak for the people who are most directly concerned? Talking to just the “leaders” is either an attempt at putting forward just a token effort, or is just plain misguided.
Jul 29, 2008
Why not to do business with Minneapolis
All the “Silly Council” wants to do is soak you if you want to do business with or in Minneapolis. Here is a good example of the type of “stick it to them” business approach that the city takes, which you’ll never see unless someone is watching closely.
Take a look at the agenda for the Public Safety and Regulatory Committee Agenda item number one on taxicabs. The time period for the fare increases are during the Republican National Convention.
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2008-meetings/20080808/PSRS20080730agenda.asp#TopOfPageInstead of being happy to allow the increase in revenue from the activity that the convention brings, such as income from cab rides, they need to raise fares. I find this practice appalling. It is another example of how the city officials purposely go out of their way to discourage business growth, or are just plain stupid when it comes to long term thinking on economic development.
Take a look at the agenda for the Public Safety and Regulatory Committee Agenda item number one on taxicabs. The time period for the fare increases are during the Republican National Convention.
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2008-meetings/20080808/PSRS20080730agenda.asp#TopOfPageInstead of being happy to allow the increase in revenue from the activity that the convention brings, such as income from cab rides, they need to raise fares. I find this practice appalling. It is another example of how the city officials purposely go out of their way to discourage business growth, or are just plain stupid when it comes to long term thinking on economic development.
Jul 28, 2008
Another couple of KILLINGS in North Minneapolis
First of all, my thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family members who lost loved ones today. It is a very sad occurrence, and my heart goes out to you,
Second, to the community affected, my hope for you is that you are able to find a way to not feel the fear from these types of actions. We need to have a degree of security restored in the areas of our city that are ravaged with violence.
Our city leaders , “elected” politicians , and justice system have let us all down. The number one job of anyone elected to public office is to serve and protect the public, and to that I say the “elected” in Minneapolis are in dereliction of duty. While they celebrate an unearned victory in bring the crime rate down, which it really isn’t, they are actually ostriches with their collective heads in the sand (really I think they hide their heads somewhere else) and won’t deal with the reality of the situation. When are we going to get some real leadership on the crime issue, and get this under control?
Second, to the community affected, my hope for you is that you are able to find a way to not feel the fear from these types of actions. We need to have a degree of security restored in the areas of our city that are ravaged with violence.
Our city leaders , “elected” politicians , and justice system have let us all down. The number one job of anyone elected to public office is to serve and protect the public, and to that I say the “elected” in Minneapolis are in dereliction of duty. While they celebrate an unearned victory in bring the crime rate down, which it really isn’t, they are actually ostriches with their collective heads in the sand (really I think they hide their heads somewhere else) and won’t deal with the reality of the situation. When are we going to get some real leadership on the crime issue, and get this under control?
Jul 25, 2008
Crime in Minneapolis is really up???!!!!
Don’t let the news people and “elected” fool you, crime is really going up in Minneapolis. When you compare June 2007 and June 2008 you find Homicide up 40%, Burglary is up 12%, Larceny is up 6%, and Arson is up 21%.When you compare June 2008 to May 2008 you find total crimes are up 16%, homicide is up 100%, Rape up 29%, Robbery up 9%, Aggravated Assaults up 8%, Burglary up 19%, Larceny up 20%, and Arson up 5%. When all the factors are reviewed they are not representative of a city with crime on the decrease. I can’t wait to see what July has in store for us.
Jul 24, 2008
Rape of two young girls nets you 24 years..not enough
When is our justice system going to sexual crimes, especially of children, seriously? This is not justice for the two young victims of Kenneth Atkinson, but there is no way to restore their innocence and easily regain their trust. This guy had multiple assault charges of children against him before now and he only gets 24 years. Just not enough! People like him will get out, live among us, and are likely to reoffend. Something more needs to be done here to restore the public trust.
Police and race Discrimination … it could be true.. maybe
First off.. Let me make this loud and clear… No matter how you cut it this is a complete and total mess by the company that runs this city. I tend to give the police chief the benefit of the doubt here, however if there is racial discrimination going on in the police department then we have the Mayor and the City Council to blame for it. After all, the buck stops with those in power to oversee these issues and that is the council and the Mayor. Racial discrimination should not be tolerated at all, and if it is occurring in the police department the city gets what it deserves. However, cash settlements and minor changes to procedures and oversight committees isn’t going to solve the problems. The city council and Mayor should never have let this problem get this point. Once the problem was uncovered they should have properly investigated and dealt with the people involved. Clear minded adults really trying to right a wrong shouldn’t be in need of taking the problem to this level. If there is any impact to the police chief for this matter then the council and the Mayor should be under the same microscope for allowing this to happen in the first place.
Jul 23, 2008
Fiddle while Rome burns with another 2 Million Dollars down the hole
The focus of the Mayor and the City Council isn’t on the priorities of the city, or maybe 2 million dollars means nothing to these people. We have the Mayor focusing on water fountains, city council members worrying about police treatment of protesters, while members of the police department will end up costing the city taxpayers 2 million dollars over something that should have been taken care of internally. It is irresponsible for the “elected” to just allow this type of waste of taxpayer money to occur. Just plain irresponsible and they need to be held to account for it!
Jul 22, 2008
Republican National Convention demonstration police restrictions … what is Cam Gordon really up to?
Once again the Minneapolis Shadow is questioning the reasoning for Cam Gordon’s “town crying”. See his blog for details: www.secondward.blogspot.com.
I have two questions for Cm Gordon.
1. What are you afraid of happening … police abuse of power? Is that what you think of the Minneapolis Police department? I would think that the Police department would not take unnecessary and unconstitutional restraint of clearly constitutional demonstrations.
2. Would you be in favor of making your proposed police reaction to public assemblies and demonstrations a permanent policy? How would you feel about a taxpayer demonstration for lower taxes that would reach the same level of furor as that of the groups you are protecting for the convention? How about a pro gun rights group? How about a anti smoke ban group? Does your furor for the right to assemble apply equally to those who may run counter to you own beliefs?
Please clarify.
I have two questions for Cm Gordon.
1. What are you afraid of happening … police abuse of power? Is that what you think of the Minneapolis Police department? I would think that the Police department would not take unnecessary and unconstitutional restraint of clearly constitutional demonstrations.
2. Would you be in favor of making your proposed police reaction to public assemblies and demonstrations a permanent policy? How would you feel about a taxpayer demonstration for lower taxes that would reach the same level of furor as that of the groups you are protecting for the convention? How about a pro gun rights group? How about a anti smoke ban group? Does your furor for the right to assemble apply equally to those who may run counter to you own beliefs?
Please clarify.
Why is a level 3 sex offender and kidnapper on the loose after only 8 years behind bars?
Southeast Minneapolis residents were treated to a level 3 sex offender on the loose in their neighborhood who is now captured as of Monday evening. Most likely to reoffend sexual predator, Christopher Don Boswell, was released from his three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of kidnapping 2000 conviction on May 27th and went missing July 7th. Why is this guy out after only eight years if he has 3 counts CSC, 2 counts kidnapping, and is level 3 offender? Of course he ends up in Southeast Minneapolis. At least he was found and hopefully hasn’t attacked anyone. This is the kind of person that needs to remain behind bars. He is a danger to society and government has the responsibility to keep us safe from him. This is another case of the justice system failing to serve in the public’s interest, and one of the reasons that we continue to have these types of attacks happening in our community.
Jul 21, 2008
Learning where to set priorities and work within our system
The city council has historically spent unprecedented amounts of taxpayers’ dollars on pet projects and bad brokered deals to the point they have successfully legalize unlawful use of the public money. This problem is rooted in a general mindset of most of the elected officials in this town that the taxpayers’ money is an unlimited pot to dip in for all their high ideals rather than look upon the money as a public TRUST. We as the owners of the government have a responsibility to pay for it, however the “elected” have the responsibility to spend the funds wisely. Most of the blame for this occurring falls on the majority of the general public for allowing it to occur. Shame on you voters for not being informed and educated enough to see what you are electing for what they really are, thieves.
The city council members, like Paul Ostrow, whine about situations like the one they are currently facing with the federal government not fully reimbursing the city for all of the costs related to the bridge collapse as they had requested. It will be interesting to hear the results from the hearings on this matter, and the reasons the full requested amount isn’t being reimbursed. Given the city’s habit of asking for more than it needs, spending control issues, and general lack of respect for the taxpayers; I would expect that the findings would fall into one of those categories. Instead of sucking it up and cutting back on spending they will either; fight it out until they get what they want or run into a brick wall, raise our taxes to cover the expense, or try to steal it from somewhere else. Here again, we the citizens get the government we ask for. We keep electing these people and promoting them to higher office. For example, Diane Loeffler gets elected to the state house of representatives after working in the financial office of the city of Minneapolis, which is riddled with financial problems costing the taxpayers millions. Way to elect someone we can trust with the state coffers! We have elected officials and citizens running around singing the praises of the James Oberstar (not even elected from Minneapolis) who is promising to use Federal Highway funds to build bike paths in Minneapolis. Do you think maybe we should use, or should have used, that money for bridge repair, inspection, and reconstruction? Does anyone think along these lines? NO! They want it both ways. This type of government mentally may work in other countries with other forms of government, but not here in the USA. Our government, regardless of party, have gotten away from basic principles that work for the way our government is setup. Like in football you need to play to your strengths. The strengths of this country is our freedom to pursue our personal goals, an economic system that allows for the feeding the basic human desire to achieve, and a government serves the people not the other way around. The government is setup to service the citizens for which they can’t do for themselves, and the government ceases to function properly when working outside of that charge. Clearly our government at all levels has gone beyond that charge and no longer functions properly. We the citizens need to recognize that fact and make the proper corrections.
The city council members, like Paul Ostrow, whine about situations like the one they are currently facing with the federal government not fully reimbursing the city for all of the costs related to the bridge collapse as they had requested. It will be interesting to hear the results from the hearings on this matter, and the reasons the full requested amount isn’t being reimbursed. Given the city’s habit of asking for more than it needs, spending control issues, and general lack of respect for the taxpayers; I would expect that the findings would fall into one of those categories. Instead of sucking it up and cutting back on spending they will either; fight it out until they get what they want or run into a brick wall, raise our taxes to cover the expense, or try to steal it from somewhere else. Here again, we the citizens get the government we ask for. We keep electing these people and promoting them to higher office. For example, Diane Loeffler gets elected to the state house of representatives after working in the financial office of the city of Minneapolis, which is riddled with financial problems costing the taxpayers millions. Way to elect someone we can trust with the state coffers! We have elected officials and citizens running around singing the praises of the James Oberstar (not even elected from Minneapolis) who is promising to use Federal Highway funds to build bike paths in Minneapolis. Do you think maybe we should use, or should have used, that money for bridge repair, inspection, and reconstruction? Does anyone think along these lines? NO! They want it both ways. This type of government mentally may work in other countries with other forms of government, but not here in the USA. Our government, regardless of party, have gotten away from basic principles that work for the way our government is setup. Like in football you need to play to your strengths. The strengths of this country is our freedom to pursue our personal goals, an economic system that allows for the feeding the basic human desire to achieve, and a government serves the people not the other way around. The government is setup to service the citizens for which they can’t do for themselves, and the government ceases to function properly when working outside of that charge. Clearly our government at all levels has gone beyond that charge and no longer functions properly. We the citizens need to recognize that fact and make the proper corrections.
Jul 16, 2008
Schools…an example of the solution
Thank the education gods they are coming to Minneapolis. We need more of this ASAP. This is an example of what to expect of the school system, instead of what we have to settle for www.startribune.com/local/25489944.html?page=1&c=y
Jul 15, 2008
A City ranking to be proud of!
Congrats to the city of Plymouth from The Minneapolis Shadow and the Urban Renaissance Coalition for ranking number one among cities with population between 50,000 and 300,000 according to Money magazine. See the StarTribune article for details http://www.startribune.com/local/west/25335494.html?location_refer=$urlTrackSectionName.
Now this is a ranking one can put some stock into when choosing a place to live and a perfect place to begin our MICR effort. It is rooted in comprehensive analysis and based on the key livability factors of education quality, cost of living, business climate, and crime. A serious ranking regarding the quality of a city must be rooted in an honest assessment of factors such as these. The other rankings, some highlighted on our blog, are rooted in the more subjective factors and sold as “best places to live”. The more honest approach would be to label the lists based on the subjective nature. A list that covers green friendly factors should read “Best Cities to Live for the Earth-Friendly Minded” or such other title is appropriate. This is the problem with most of the “best city” rankings.
Now this is a ranking one can put some stock into when choosing a place to live and a perfect place to begin our MICR effort. It is rooted in comprehensive analysis and based on the key livability factors of education quality, cost of living, business climate, and crime. A serious ranking regarding the quality of a city must be rooted in an honest assessment of factors such as these. The other rankings, some highlighted on our blog, are rooted in the more subjective factors and sold as “best places to live”. The more honest approach would be to label the lists based on the subjective nature. A list that covers green friendly factors should read “Best Cities to Live for the Earth-Friendly Minded” or such other title is appropriate. This is the problem with most of the “best city” rankings.
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