[Mpls] Funding at the core of citizen's concerns - forum

[Carol Becker]

As many folks know, I'm running for the Board of Estimate and Taxation.  As 
such, I've been going around the City for the better part of the year 
listening to the concerns of citizens.  Sometimes it has been one on one. 
Sometimes it has been at Mayoral or Park Board or Library Board forums. 
Sometimes it has just been at gatherings of concerned citizens.

Frankly, the thing that has struck me has been how many of residents' 
concerns have to do with a lack of funding.  Citizens concerned about crime 
issues have at the heart of their concerns the lack of funding that has 
resulted in cutting 150 cops.  Citizens concerned about libraries are 
concerned about the 25% reduction in library hours, a result of the way the 
City chose to deal with property tax and LGA losses. Citizens concerned 
about the parks are concerned about how little money there is for park 
programs.

What is the common thread?  The City doesn't have enough money to provide 
services at the levels that citizens want.  Yet taxes for the average 
citizen have been going through the roof over the last six to eight years.

Now, after talking to citizens for almost a year, we have never tied all 
these threads together to talk about the root of all of these concerns.  We 
have never had a forum which talks specifically about money.  Well that is 
changing.  We are having a forum for the Board of Estimate candidates on 
Thursday November 3.  It will be at the Linden Hills Recreation Center, 3100 
W. 43rd Street.  It is being sponsored by SD 60 DFL.  Board of Estimate 
candidates will be up at 8:00 p.m. to talk about funding issues.  Please 
consider coming if you are concerned about some of the issues that I have 
talked about.

Thanks

Carol