[Mpls] Fwd: Dean Zimmermann in the news

[gemgram]

While Dean Zimmermann may be criticized for many things (and most noteworthy 
his connection to, and support of, the Sabris) Barb you are barking up the 
wrong tree with PRT.  Whittier has plenty of real material and grievances to 
go after Dean Zimmermann for Barb. Why not let the Neighborhoods air their 
real gripes with Dean Zimmermann and other politicians who supported him 
(and the Sabri's) with bait&switch development? Also go after him for the 
things he has not done to help the neighborhoods he represents, but not a 
good idea that he saw.

PRT was not Dean's idea, Barb.  Dean just sees the potential and hopped on 
the :train" (excuse the pun).  PRT in fact is a great idea that WAS ahead of 
the technology when originally conceived, but today that technology has 
caught up to and meets the needs of the original idea.  PRT can work now if 
ever really given the chance.  It has to be really tried, however, not 
condemned to these poky little "experiments" that presently it is condemned 
to.

A system that connected the Minneapolis downtown along Nicolett Mall with 
the Dome, the University, and Convention Center, would be a tourist plus; 
and give the PRT system a real try.  Until this point we are offered 
grandiose plans (and nothing more) and tiny toys as examples. Both 
unworkable as a true test.  We need an actual test that makes economic 
sense.  A recreational "test vehicle" if you will that can mostly pay for 
itself after being built.  Something that is a landmark and can showcase our 
downtown. Like the space needle and monorail do for Seattle, but one far 
more useful for us.

Such things are the bait that also get other things brought to Minneapolis; 
such as conventions, Final-Fours, Super Bowls, and Olympics.  Things that 
bring millions and millions of dollars into our economy.  As such it makes 
economic sense to have such a "Test".  And more importantly it is probably 
the only justification to ever do a sample that is more than "JUST" a toy. 
I think for the idea to ever come about you will have to find some of those 
Republican interests and businessmen joining with the "Greens" to make it 
happen.  Of course the idea of Republican's making money from, and tainting, 
their "Green" idea might be considered as heresy.

MY, MY, MY what a thought! Concern to do things that might bring business 
and tourism dollars to Minneapolis. Something other than freezing your buns 
off four or five months a year.  We do have to think of things that bring 
people to Minneapolis, so they can see how "friendly" we are.  Remember we 
have a national media that gets things about how cold it is here and not 
much more.



Jim Graham,
Ventura Village, Phillips, Sixth Ward of Minneapolis