Terry, would like your opinion. Is Joe Thompson straight up, or does he have a political agenda? My growing sense is the latter. But I really don’t know.
He may have his own agenda, but I think his motivation is reinforced by the amount of fraud they are finding. When you look, you find it.
The legislature over the last 8 years has created a number of social programs, like recuperative care, that require no credentials to run and have little oversight. They seemed to willfully ignore the exploitation of these programs.
Hey Ashok serious question. Every time I talk about this with left of center friends they always point to some (apparently reasonable) research that business owners overestimate how much customers will only come if there's immediately available parking. But every business owner feels the same way you do. If you have a moment, I'd be curious to hear more about your experiences with customers and parking.
Sam - This isn't quite the answer you want, but it speaks to the question you have, and I think it's important for someone to say it. To understand why business owners say what they do about parking one only needs to talk to regular, normal, NON-business-owner people who PATRONIZE businesses in areas like Uptown and/or similar businesses in locations a reasonable distance away that do have easy, plentiful, free parking. There are people - many people - even though many left-of-center "new urbanist" activists want to deny this - who will not pay for parking, or shop, dine, etc., where parking is a stressor, if they have anything like a reasonable alternative. I feel abundantly confident saying this because I am a lifelong lefty who has lived in both truly congested urban areas where one simply does not expect to get around by car to perform daily tasks, AND in suburban areas where one does not even think twice about doing so. Since moving to Minneapolis' Southside in '91, however, I have learned where much of the available free parking is, and also, what equivalent businesses I can visit in nearby inner ring suburbs (or in other Mpls. neighborhoods) where paying for parking is unheard of. And, as a result, HERE, I NEVER pay for parking except when going downtown to do something that can only be done there (concert, sporting event, etc.). And I know dozens of people who behave similarly, as well as many folks who live IN the suburbs and will not make the reverse trip without easy free parking, though they would with it. The studies you mention - at least every one I have ever seen - ignore the location-specific angle of this question. It is true that one CAN find areas, and entire cities, where the "finding" you mention is true - shopkeepers in such places who make a big deal about parking are over-reacting. But Mpls. Uptown is not even CLOSE to being that kind of location. Too many alternatives are available, too close by, for which parking is not even a fleeting concern.
Your Uptown Roundtable podcast was a great opportunity to share ALL the positive things that are happening in Uptown. We continue to work collectively as a community of concerned residents and business owners to improve this area in a number of ways that were shared on your podcast.
There are many signs of improvement but there are still opportunities for growth and improvement. Opportunities to get involved that require very little time commitment to feel like you are part of the solutions to help continue the positive momentum for the Uptown area.
If interested in volunteering please contact the Uptown Association Website at:
Please provide your email information or you can submit any questions you have for the Uptown Association and we will do our best to provide answers to your questions or concerns. The Uptown Association is a group of volunteer business owners and residents who are looking to make a difference in the community that we love.
Personally, I appreciate Joe Thompson telling us about fraud. It’s a huge problem which affects all of us, and certainly deserves decent coverage. Without the federal prosecutorial support, I suspect democrat leadership would still be playing “see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil”, unchallenged by main stream media…all of whom often wilt whenever the race card is played. The national attention is also bringing fraud to light in other states.
I believe states are required to uphold federal law, which differentiates between legal and illegal immigration. Protestors who obstruct, harass and assault ICE are not heroes in my view. It is a good thing when those who steal, rape, and murder are taken off the streets, yet we have thousands of people who are fighting to protect them. The police are in an impossible position, placed upon them by a council who support sanctuary city policies.
As for Uptown, I lived there happily decades ago and loved the vibrant ethnicity of Lake street. I am glad to see energy around bringing it back to life.
I understand protesting the tactics of ICE. I get that. However, I do not understand those who think people here through illegal methods should stay here under current immigration policy.
Terry, would like your opinion. Is Joe Thompson straight up, or does he have a political agenda? My growing sense is the latter. But I really don’t know.
He may have his own agenda, but I think his motivation is reinforced by the amount of fraud they are finding. When you look, you find it.
The legislature over the last 8 years has created a number of social programs, like recuperative care, that require no credentials to run and have little oversight. They seemed to willfully ignore the exploitation of these programs.
Is there any journalism on how these programs came to be designed in the way that they were? I still find the whole thing a bit baffling.
Hi Terry. Thank you. As a small business owner, I would add that removing so much parking continues to hurt small businesses retail businesses.
Hey Ashok serious question. Every time I talk about this with left of center friends they always point to some (apparently reasonable) research that business owners overestimate how much customers will only come if there's immediately available parking. But every business owner feels the same way you do. If you have a moment, I'd be curious to hear more about your experiences with customers and parking.
Sam - This isn't quite the answer you want, but it speaks to the question you have, and I think it's important for someone to say it. To understand why business owners say what they do about parking one only needs to talk to regular, normal, NON-business-owner people who PATRONIZE businesses in areas like Uptown and/or similar businesses in locations a reasonable distance away that do have easy, plentiful, free parking. There are people - many people - even though many left-of-center "new urbanist" activists want to deny this - who will not pay for parking, or shop, dine, etc., where parking is a stressor, if they have anything like a reasonable alternative. I feel abundantly confident saying this because I am a lifelong lefty who has lived in both truly congested urban areas where one simply does not expect to get around by car to perform daily tasks, AND in suburban areas where one does not even think twice about doing so. Since moving to Minneapolis' Southside in '91, however, I have learned where much of the available free parking is, and also, what equivalent businesses I can visit in nearby inner ring suburbs (or in other Mpls. neighborhoods) where paying for parking is unheard of. And, as a result, HERE, I NEVER pay for parking except when going downtown to do something that can only be done there (concert, sporting event, etc.). And I know dozens of people who behave similarly, as well as many folks who live IN the suburbs and will not make the reverse trip without easy free parking, though they would with it. The studies you mention - at least every one I have ever seen - ignore the location-specific angle of this question. It is true that one CAN find areas, and entire cities, where the "finding" you mention is true - shopkeepers in such places who make a big deal about parking are over-reacting. But Mpls. Uptown is not even CLOSE to being that kind of location. Too many alternatives are available, too close by, for which parking is not even a fleeting concern.
Thank you Terry!
Your Uptown Roundtable podcast was a great opportunity to share ALL the positive things that are happening in Uptown. We continue to work collectively as a community of concerned residents and business owners to improve this area in a number of ways that were shared on your podcast.
There are many signs of improvement but there are still opportunities for growth and improvement. Opportunities to get involved that require very little time commitment to feel like you are part of the solutions to help continue the positive momentum for the Uptown area.
If interested in volunteering please contact the Uptown Association Website at:
Info@uptownminneapolis.com
Please provide your email information or you can submit any questions you have for the Uptown Association and we will do our best to provide answers to your questions or concerns. The Uptown Association is a group of volunteer business owners and residents who are looking to make a difference in the community that we love.
Personally, I appreciate Joe Thompson telling us about fraud. It’s a huge problem which affects all of us, and certainly deserves decent coverage. Without the federal prosecutorial support, I suspect democrat leadership would still be playing “see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil”, unchallenged by main stream media…all of whom often wilt whenever the race card is played. The national attention is also bringing fraud to light in other states.
I believe states are required to uphold federal law, which differentiates between legal and illegal immigration. Protestors who obstruct, harass and assault ICE are not heroes in my view. It is a good thing when those who steal, rape, and murder are taken off the streets, yet we have thousands of people who are fighting to protect them. The police are in an impossible position, placed upon them by a council who support sanctuary city policies.
As for Uptown, I lived there happily decades ago and loved the vibrant ethnicity of Lake street. I am glad to see energy around bringing it back to life.
I understand protesting the tactics of ICE. I get that. However, I do not understand those who think people here through illegal methods should stay here under current immigration policy.
Hi Sam - Thank you! I am out of town for a week or so, but feel free to email me after the New Year - ashok@mspyoga.com