Finding a Green Way to Govern

I will be speaking at a Minnesota Pipeline sponsored by the Minneapolis Urban League , calling for the repeal of the "Lurking" ordinance on March 7th, 6-8pm at the Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave N.

Two library advisory groups are wrapping up their deliberations on a possible "consolidation" of the Minneapolis and Hennepin County library systems. While I am still waiting to learn the details and have a chance to get answers for questions I have, I am growing more and more concerned about the rush some people seem to be in. Though no Council committee has formally reviewed the work of the advisory groups so far, there is growing support for turning the Minneapolis system over to the County. Apparently in an effort to meet a March 23 deadline of the state legilature there as been a series of community meetings planned. Additionally, there is some pressure in City Hall to have the City Council look at this next week and make a decision Friday March 9. So far no formal public hearing has been scheduled. Representatives of the City, Library Board and County will discuss why a "merger" is being considered and what the proposed changes might bring at a series of upcom...

After listening to concerns from teh City Attorney's office and getting an update about the Court case pending regarding Washington D.C.'s ordinance, I decided not to move forward to introduce the subject matter of an ordinance that would require better regulation of the most dangerous materials that are routed through Minneapolis. At this time it appears we may lack the authority to do so as the railroads appear to be winning in the courts. Washington DC has passed a similar ordinance and it is their authority to do so that is now being reviewed by the courts. One of the problems is that Bush Administration has not done anything at all on this issue. Until such time as the Federal Government steps in and exerts its authority to protect urban populations, the courts may well end up ruling that local governments have the authority. If they do, we will be ready to move forward on this. St. Louis, Albany, Buffalo, Memphis, Cleveland, Baltimore, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia an...

Join me for a discussion sponsored by St. Martins Table’s Weekend Events , about current and pending city issues and my role as the sole Green Party Council Member. Learn about the results of the 2006 Second Ward Survey, my accomplishments of 2006 and plans for 2007. Saint Martin’s Table 2001 Riverside Ave Saturday, March 10, 10:00 AM

An immensely toned-down and modest version of the Condo Conversion ordinance I have worked on for months failed on a 7-6 vote in today's Council meeting. Those voting for protecting low-income renters and condo buyers: myself and Council Members Samuels , Glidden , Schiff , Remington and Hodges . Those voting to do absolutely nothing to protect condo buyers and low-income renters: Council Members Ostrow , Hofstede , Johnson , Lilligren , Goodman , Benson and Colvin Roy . The majority on the Council has apparently decided that they want our city to be less progressive and less compassionate than Folsom, CA, the State of Connecticut, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA, Manhattan Beach, CA, San Diego, CA, and Seattle, WA. I wish I could have done a better job educating and convincing at least one more of my colleagues that we need to do a better job regulating this industry and protecting consumers (both tenants and condominium buyers). My fellow supporters and I knew that this com...