[Mpls] Park Board- Why ask why?

[Svattheriver at aol.com]

The current budget process for the 2006 Park Board budget is a clear  example 
of why reform is necessary.

The sad thing is that there has yet  to be a discussion about there being a 
problem with the process.

We have  a house that is falling down, but the board is only rearranging the 
furniture,  but really only some of the furniture, a few lamps and tables, 
because the staff  has predetermined that the couches would be too heavy to move 
and after we're  done we'll leave the lights off for a while and then later 
we'll turns on a few  more lights.

The whole framework is wrong because never in this process  does the big 
picture ever appear. What is missing is- why? What is the reason  that we spend 
money on a particular project or more importantly how do we  configure our 
organization to meet our goals and design project funding to meet  our long term 
strategy (oops, we haven't done that since 1965) 

So the  overall goal of preservation of our natural resources isn't on the 
list of  things to rate as a priority. Working with residents for better park 
planning  isn't on the list, planning for an equitable allocation of resources 
isn't on  the list, strategic planning isn't on the list. Fixing broken benches 
and  playground equipment isn't on the list. Fundraising isn't on the list.
Volunteer coordination isn't on the list.

So many hours will be  spent rearranging the furniture and on Dec. 8th the 
public will be asked if they  prefer the horse patrol or turf maintenance as a 
priority (those are on the  list).

Thanks,
Scott Vreeland  Seward

I feel like the kid  viewing the Emperor's new clothes-is it really true that 
the board passed a 2005  budget with no real budget numbers for line items 
and that they will pass a 2006  budget without looking at how last year's budget 
was spent?