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Much is learned going door-to-door, and here I would just like to present a few observations:
People ask why I am against light rail. Well, I am not really against light rail, but I do not think it serves inner city residents - like those in my Ward - very well. Light rail does best when it can go fast, and it cannot do that on urban avenues and streets. Look what happens when the Hiawatha Line passes the Dome. I shudder to think of a train going down Washington Ave. through the Campus - students, cars making turns, vibration to microscopes looking at particles less than a micro-micro inch in size.
Yet a comprehensive mass transit system has to be developed. I just do not think it has to be replica's of the Hiawatha Line. Without interconnecting routes laterally, not just downtown, public transportation remains marginally adequate. In my worklife (30+ years) I have had very few jobs I could commute to by public transportation.
About high density development: Well, if you learned of, say, 160 mixed one, two, and three bedroom apartments were going to be added to your block - especially on the south side of your house - you might be a little apprehensive of the change you were about to experience. High density development vs. urban sprawl: I don't know, there are many difficult questions and few clear answers.
One thing I think about is that change I see here now in Minneapolis is unlike that I saw in Boston in the 1970's when I lived there. I think it much because Minneapolis does not have the inventory of grand old brownstones and solid brick apartment buildings built years ago. High density development here means drywall over steel frame construction with limited off-street parking. I am afraid this will develop into an unhealthy concentration of poor people. Whittier is fortunate, like Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and Cambridge, to have an abundance of young working people and students.
Police: Sadly, sometimes people do bring up the worst news about our Police Department. I want to believe that professionalism is up, training has increased, and things are generally better. What has hit the news is some very, very egregious, disturbing incidents.
Taxes: This is on every property owners mind for sure, and renters forget how inexplicably their rent is tied to property tax. Most often someone will point out what their tax bill was as recently as six years ago - nearly tripled in fact.
And if you think your property taxes are excessive as a homeowner, ask your neighborhood retailer, any landlord, or a commercial or industrial facility general manager. They just might share their thoughts - and tax statement - with you!
Schools: This is not within the domain of the City Council, but the subject of schools come up often. One interesting thought was a fellow saying that the selection of School Board members is just too important to leave up to politics, i.e., they should be appointed from a variety of predetermining occupations. To me, this seems to make sense, along with the selection of judges.
Health Care: Here is another one I cannot do much about even if I am elected. My advice, eat well, get plenty of exercise and sleep, and maintain a good attitude - and don't get sick and be careful not to get injured!! If you are already sick or have been injured my heart goes out to you. I have first hand experience with the permanently disabled and have seen our government diminish support of them, while at the same time elevating and protecting the incomes of able-bodied people. In my mind, this is wrong.
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