14 Comments
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Laura murray's avatar

This is becoming a predictable pattern in Council decisions. The socialists band together in opposition to the moderates with little

concern for actual facts or collateral damage. No amount of counseling is likely to resolve these intractable differences and lack of common strategic plan to address major issues. Three plus years of this ahead….ugh!

Paul Thoresen's avatar

P.S. I would be curious to know how many of those protesting and testifying against the drone pilot program are actual residents of Ward 4.... my hunch is the answer would be not many.

Mike Shulman's avatar

Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Charmin, and Kimberly-Clark, the makers of Cottonelle, both have a substantial presence in Israel. I have little doubt the IDF buys their products.

Good luck wiping your tuchus, Council Member Osman.

Teresa Fisher's avatar

He is so weak. Author it, then vote no. If people pay attention Osman flip flops all the time. Never does his homework so come to meetings completely unprepared, and then there are a couple of very aggressive CC’ chirping in his ear all the time…they know he so easily swayed. Another perfect example of unqualified, and way over his head for the job!

Lisa Weisman's avatar

The drone pilot is a missed opportunity to improve public safety. Why didn't councilwoman Vetaw invite some of the Ward 4 constituents who were in favor of the Skydio drone pilot project to testify at the July 8 Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee? The Star Tribune reported that dozens of residents who opposed the pilot attended and 41 people gave testimony Not one resident spoke in favor of the pilot.

Paul Thoresen's avatar

That's a fair point. In a different world, a policy proposal might stand on its own... But we don't seem to live in that world.

Person could see the DSA and affiliates mobilizing beforehand. In retrospect, you make a very good point.

Hopefully this might be a lesson learned for her, and others on the council

Sam Frankel's avatar

I had and have mixed feelings about the Lyndale project. Design wise I think there is good and bad, but the real issue is the construction timeline and timing. That said, as residents the best we can do now is to support the neighborhood through the construction and try to achieve the best outcome.

Catherine LaVine Fuller's avatar

RE: Lyndale Avenue - the construction timeline allows ample opportunity for businesses along Lyndale to find other locations, unless they are in a long term lease. I've noticed a few empty storefronts along the Hennepin Avenue corridor that might be available.

Lisa Weisman's avatar

For those who are in short term leases, leave and the space becomes vacant, what about the landlords? The space becomes unleasable. An abundance of vacant space in a neighborhood is never a good thing.

Sam Frankel's avatar

Dare to dream, if the Lyndale project offset the decline on Hennepin that would be a happy outcome.

Terry Rossi's avatar

My suggestion to all those looking at Mpls now, to live, or maybe even to buy here...is just don't. Instead, seriously consider St Paul where there is much less of a baked in, ( and for years) anti police sentiment by the city council.

These DSA adherents on the Mpls City Council are using Israel as their way out, but this voting block is not known for being truthful or transparent. They always oppose anything that would be helpful to the MPD, in assisting them to do the work of advancing public safety. 

At this point, these deeply entrenched anti/ defund/ abolish dynamics are making Mpls much less workable AND less safe AND less functional, which is really a shame.

No place deserves this.

Terry Rossi's avatar

https://replica.startribune.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=12dbcdb2-0673-4b47-b86e-85fbd4adbad6&share=true

Excerpt..

Opponents warned that if the city partnered with Skydio they would be complicit in the Israeli military’s operations in Gaza.

Vetaw questioned that rationale, saying: “At times it feels like members of this body are searching for reasons to say no instead of looking for reasons to give this pilot a chance. To make the outcome of this decision hinge on whether a country halfway around the world purchases equipment from the same company does not make sense to me.”

Sam Frankel's avatar

I do envy some of the St Paul civics and management, although I assume they have their issues.

Paul Thoresen's avatar

RE: the Skydio Drone pilot program....

seems like it is safe to say the Free Palestine Coalition won this one.