Moving the reform agenda forward
There are so many inadequacies in the current practices of the Park Board that educating the public in these coming weeks is imperative. I'm happy to be contributing on two fronts, one having to do with the evolution of planning for the St. Anthony Falls Historic District and Nicollet Island Regional Park and the other related to tawdry mishandling of process by both the Board majority and senior staff. This is a critical moment in the history of Minneapolis because what we see is a determined attempt to privatize assets and functions that have been held in the public trust for generations.
I sincerely hope that more than money is brought to Minneapolis Park Watch efforts. Elizabeth Wielinski and Chris Johnson are doing yeoman work watchdogging the Park Board's meetings, reform-minded candidates are doing their best to bring respectability back to a wayward institution, and several news media have given this affair considerable coverage to date.
What's wanted, IMHO, is to increase the volume substantially by way of more written commentary in the weeks remaining before the November election. Preparations for litigation are undoubtedly being contemplated and that's a necessary step but there are many more articulate and deeply concerned individuals and organizations who could give substance to this reform movement by stepping forward in print with letters, commentary, and formal statements to the press. We have not seen such antics in our public agencies for many, many years and I am embarassed for the city's electorate now and its children in years to come.
Many thanks for the public efforts throughout the summer. Now is the time, as the saying goes, for people of good will to come forward. Do so in public ways and we will see once again what the power of the pen can accomplish.
Respectfully submitted, Fred Markus