Help bring the FIRST EVER public swimming pool to Mpls!

Do you care about swimming in Minneapolis? Want to help bring the FIRST EVER
public indoor pool to Minneapolis? Then come to the Phillips Community Center
on April 25th and learn more and find out what you can do to help.

We are ten days away from the biggest event ever for the Phillips Aquatics
Center: April 25th from 12-2. Awesome food. Awesome speakers. Awesome
attendees. Check out this list:

Mayor Betsy Hodges co-hosting and speaking
Six City Council members -- co-hosting and Abdi Warsame will be speaking
Robert Doty, COO of MPS Schools -- speaking on educational benefits of swimming
Minnesota Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger -- speaking on health benefits
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman -- speaking on lowering juvenile crime
Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughin -- speaking on historic
collaborative
Commissioner Scott Vreeland -- speaking
Representative Karen Clark -- speaking
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board board and staff
Minneapolis Public School board and staff
Several member of the Minnesota State Legislature
Mark Andrew
Possibly Al Franken

Here is the invitation:

Hannah Lieder
www.mplsswims.org
Cell: 612-636-7202

Carol Ann Pass, East Phillips

What about the pool at Dowling?

"Knowledge is the oxygen of freedom"

On 4/15/2014 8:56 PM, Carol Ann Pass wrote:
> Do you care about swimming in Minneapolis?* Want to help bring the FIRST
EVER public indoor pool to Minneapolis?* Then come to the Phillips Community
Center on April 25th and learn more and find out what you can do to help.
>
> We are ten days away from the biggest event ever for the Phillips Aquatics
Center: April 25th from 12-2. Awesome food. Awesome speakers. Awesome
attendees. Check out this list:
>
> Mayor Betsy Hodges co-hosting and speaking
> Six City Council members -- co-hosting and Abdi Warsame will be speaking
> Robert Doty, COO of MPS Schools -- speaking on educational benefits of
swimming
> Minnesota Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger -- speaking on health benefits
> Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman -- speaking on lowering juvenile crime
> Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughin -- speaking on historic
collaborative
> Commissioner Scott Vreeland -- speaking
> Representative Karen Clark -- speaking
> Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board board and staff
> Minneapolis Public School board and staff
> Several member of the Minnesota State Legislature
> Mark Andrew
> Possibly Al Franken
>
> Here is the invitation:
>
> Hannah Lieder
> www.mplsswims.org
> Cell: 612-636-7202
>
> Carol Ann Pass, East Phillips
>
> Carol Ann Pass
> East Phillips, Minneapolis
> About/contact Carol Ann Pass:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/4vLiuEfLeDDKvVQqO6fMhm
>
> View full topic:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7Jbto3uNhVocR4ieLKEDIF
>
> * Disagree/dislike a post? NEVER mark it as SPAM.
> * Marking forum email as spam blocks legitimate delivery for others.
> * If you mark legitimate posts as spam, based on reports we receive
> * from Hotmail, etc. you may be removed from E-Democracy forums.
>
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> Post: mpls@forums.e-democracy.org or "Reply-to-All" to comment.
> Get digest or leave: Put "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in Subject (no
quotes)

Rest of post

Dowling Pool.jpg 126.81kb

Jim and others-

A public school pool is different from a public, municipal indoor pool.
Public school pools are not available to the public except at very
limited times. A public school pool is not a public municipal pool. A
park pool would be available to all in a way that pools owned by the
school district are not. Also swimming is the only sport where we do not
have any city teams. Why is that? The people of Minneapolis through
their elected officials provide sports facilities for every sport but
swimming. Consider the map of Minneapolis and see where even the public
SCHOOL pools are located. All of them are in the more affluent
neighborhoods. Kids that don't live in those areas just don't learn to
swim. Isn't it important for all children in Minneapolis to learn to
swim? ...to cut the high rate of drowning of kids of color in the City
of Lakes? Can that be important to the other Mpls. citizens who don't
live here. Isn't that a justice issue?

I believe that this should happen and in a larger sense than the most
humble version. Not because we want everything here, and we are greedy
people...but because south Mpls. needs something like this. It's for more
than just Phillips and and it's half here already with the Phillips
Community Center (PCC) building...Also because the income level in
Phillips is very low and going lower with approx. 7,000 low income kids.
The kids can't pay for or get to the YWCA.

The whole huge wealthy city of Orono surrounding Lake Mtka has 7,000
people of all ages. And the 7,000 kids here are more than populates 6 to
7 other Mpls. neighborhoods...all with parks and buildings...more kids
than the whole population of the town of Lakeville. I don't know what to
make of all this. East Phillips waited over 30 years to have much of
anything for all these people,,,and even then the opposition was pretty
fierce. And then we build one and nearly lose another, when the PCC was
nearly sold of or demolished.

I understand that some are saying that we forced our East Phillips Park
building on the MPRB and now it is not paying its way (we are trying to
make that happen)...but truly we have received nothing without these
tactics...what would you do? Does anyone really just open the door for
the people in Phillips...? From the Midtown Burner struggle to the Xcel
energy high voltage powerlines and on...this neighborhood has had to
fight off more negatives than one could ever imagine and fight for every
shred of attention or assets we receive. Almost nothing has just been
graciously done for us...what are we to do when this is the case...?? We
probably have become difficult people...Has there really been a choice? I
have become sympathetic and finally one of them. I can't help it when I
see what I see... People unable to feed their kids and little to brighten
their days.

I don't know what to say about this whole thing...we all are supposedly
seeking equity. Some think it's been achieved when we have a few diverse
people in office along with some in regulatory services and the like.
That’s important…But I think it is in things like this...a pool in a
deeply challenged neighborhood...yes, something that costs and which is
hard to do.. The City has talked greatly of equity lately. So has
everyone...And I keep saying, "real equity is expensive, folks... Are you
ready to pay the price? If not, don't even talk about it." I believe
equity ultimately comes down to how we lay out the cash. It is economic
and asset justice. And I believe the money is there...but clearly some
folks would have to share more than they may be willing. I am sorry if I
am approaching or crossed the line to"cranky".

Carol Pass, East Phillips

On Wed, 16 Apr 2014 09:03:35 -0500 (CDT), Jim Mork wrote:

> What about the pool at Dowling?
>
> "Knowledge is the oxygen of freedom"
>
> On 4/15/2014 8:56 PM, Carol Ann Pass wrote:
> > Do you care about swimming in Minneapolis?* Want to help bring the
FIRST EVER public indoor pool to Minneapolis?* Then come to the Phillips
Community Center on April 25th and learn more and find out what you can
do to help.
> >
> > We are ten days away from the biggest event ever for the Phillips
Aquatics Center: April 25th from 12-2. Awesome food. Awesome speakers.
Awesome attendees. Check out this list:
> >
> > Mayor Betsy Hodges co-hosting and speaking
> > Six City Council members -- co-hosting and Abdi Warsame will be
speaking
> > Robert Doty, COO of MPS Schools -- speaking on educational benefits
of swimming
> > Minnesota Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger -- speaking on health
benefits
> > Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman -- speaking on lowering
juvenile crime
> > Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughin -- speaking on historic
collaborative
> > Commissioner Scott Vreeland -- speaking
> > Representative Karen Clark -- speaking
> > Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board board and staff
> > Minneapolis Public School board and staff
> > Several member of the Minnesota State Legislature
> > Mark Andrew
> > Possibly Al Franken
> >
> > Here is the invitation:
> >
> > Hannah Lieder
> > www.mplsswims.org
> > Cell: 612-636-7202
> >
> > Carol Ann Pass, East Phillips
> >
> > Carol Ann Pass
> > East Phillips, Minneapolis
> > About/contact Carol Ann Pass:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/4vLiuEfLeDDKvVQqO6fMhm
> >
> > View full topic:
> > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7Jbto3uNhVocR4ieLKEDIF
> >
> > * Disagree/dislike a post? NEVER mark it as SPAM.
> > * Marking forum email as spam blocks legitimate delivery for others.
> > * If you mark legitimate posts as spam, based on reports we receive
> > * from Hotmail, etc. you may be removed from E-Democracy forums.
> >
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http://OnlineGroups.Net

Rest of post

"In 1937 President Franklin Roosevelt came to
Dowling and dedicated the schools therapeutic
swimming pool. Since that time thousands of
students have learned to swim in it."
(http://www.mespa.net/MIchael_Dowling_School.html)

"Mpls. school to honor restored 1930s therapeutic swimming pool"
(http://www.mprnews.org/story/2010/04/07/pool-honored)

An interesting story.

A few days ago I happened to look at a bunch of
letters written in support of the
would-have-been-highly-polluting wood burner in
Phillips ("Midtown Eco Energy"). One was from a
certain Rybak, then Mayor of Minneapolis. Others
from people and orgs that should have known
better and were not, doubtless, planning to live next to it.

It always seem harder to get amenities into poor
neighborhoods, and harder to keep out bad, often
polluting facilities. I suppose that in a just
world it would be easier. http://minneapolisswims.org/?page_id=364

am

At 09:03 AM 4/16/2014 -0500, Jim Mork wrote:
>â Attachment links are at the end of this email â
>
>What about the pool at Dowling?
>
>"Knowledge is the oxygen of freedom"

Rest of post

>
>On 4/15/2014 8:56 PM, Carol Ann Pass wrote:
> > Do you care about swimming in
> Minneapolis?* Want to help bring the FIRST
> EVER public indoor pool to Minneapolis?* Then
> come to the Phillips Community Center on April
> 25th and learn more and find out what you can do to help.
> >
> > We are ten days away from the biggest event
> ever for the Phillips Aquatics Center: April
> 25th from 12-2. Awesome food. Awesome speakers.
> Awesome attendees. Check out this list:
> >
> > Mayor Betsy Hodges co-hosting and speaking
> > Six City Council members -- co-hosting and Abdi Warsame will be speaking
> > Robert Doty, COO of MPS Schools -- speaking
> on educational benefits of swimming
> > Minnesota Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger -- speaking on health benefits
> > Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman --
> speaking on lowering juvenile crime
> > Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughin
> -- speaking on historic collaborative
> > Commissioner Scott Vreeland -- speaking
> > Representative Karen Clark -- speaking
> > Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board board and staff
> > Minneapolis Public School board and staff
> > Several member of the Minnesota State Legislature
> > Mark Andrew
> > Possibly Al Franken
> >
> > Here is the invitation:
> >
> > Hannah Lieder
> > www.mplsswims.org
> > Cell: 612-636-7202
> >
> > Carol Ann Pass, East Phillips
> >
> > Carol Ann Pass
> > East Phillips, Minneapolis
> > About/contact Carol Ann Pass:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/4vLiuEfLeDDKvVQqO6fMhm
> >
> > View full topic:
> > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7Jbto3uNhVocR4ieLKEDIF
> >
> > * Disagree/dislike a post? NEVER mark it as SPAM.
> > * Marking forum email as spam blocks legitimate delivery for others.
> > * If you mark legitimate posts as spam, based on reports we receive
> > * from Hotmail, etc. you may be removed from E-Democracy forums.
> >
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> >
> >
>:
>* Attachment - File or photo with this post:
>
> Link:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/img/rsY46RcfNiQ0uAOrdMGIrDAWj3-xMu-2syKFGP
> Name: Dowling Pool.jpg Type/Size: image/jpeg, 126KB
>
>
>Jim Mork
>Cooper, Minneapolis
>About/contact Jim Mork: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/4TkJedLzW2MpKz8IlgiAVX
>
>View full topic:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/3hrEO5PFNQJutRyKVDFQAP
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>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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>
>1. Be civil! Please read the rules at http://e-democracy.org/rules.
> If you think a member is in violation, contact the forum manager at
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>
>2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.

A historical note: I'm not sure if Edison High School has an indoor
swimming pool (I hope so!). If so, it would be the only even vaguely-public
indoor swimming pool on the entire East Side of Minneapolis--that's the
entire first district Park Board area that Liz Wielinski currently
represents. That would be the only indoor public pool in the entire history
of Minneapolis's East Side.

In the early 1920s Minneapolis public schools was in the process of
planning and building a new high school on the East Side, to replace the
nineteenth-century East High School. Indoor swimming pools were being built
in high schools all across the United States, and swimming--including
swimming teams--was considered very important for all youth. East Siders,
particularly those families who lived in Southeast Minneapolis, clamored
for an indoor swimming pool at the new John Marshall High School at 5th St.
SE between 13th and 14th Aves. SE. They were denied. No pool. (No East
Sider on the School Board, either, at the time?)

There has been, in Minneapolis over the past century, a lot of area-based
discrimination in determining where public amenities (even, or especially,
in public schools) are provided. The folks in Phillips are correct on this,
and we should doff our hats to them and their partners for winning a hard
fight to get an indoor pool set up again.

Connie Sullivan
Como, in East Minneapolis

Rest of post

On Wed, Apr 16, 2014 at 12:11 PM, Alan Muller <<email obscured>> wrote:

> "In 1937 President Franklin Roosevelt came to
> Dowling and dedicated the school's therapeutic
> swimming pool. Since that time thousands of
> students have learned to swim in it."
> (http://www.mespa.net/MIchael_Dowling_School.html)
>
> "Mpls. school to honor restored 1930s therapeutic swimming pool"
> (http://www.mprnews.org/story/2010/04/07/pool-honored)
>
> An interesting story.
>
> A few days ago I happened to look at a bunch of
> letters written in support of the
> would-have-been-highly-polluting wood burner in
> Phillips ("Midtown Eco Energy"). One was from a
> certain Rybak, then Mayor of Minneapolis. Others
> from people and orgs that should have known
> better and were not, doubtless, planning to live next to it.
>
> It always seem harder to get amenities into poor
> neighborhoods, and harder to keep out bad, often
> polluting facilities. I suppose that in a just
> world it would be easier. http://minneapolisswims.org/?page_id=364
>
> am
>
>
> At 09:03 AM 4/16/2014 -0500, Jim Mork wrote:
> > EURO * Attachment links are at the end of this email EURO *
> >
> >What about the pool at Dowling?
> >
> >"Knowledge is the oxygen of freedom"
> >
> >On 4/15/2014 8:56 PM, Carol Ann Pass wrote:
> > > Do you care about swimming in
> > Minneapolis?* Want to help bring the FIRST
> > EVER public indoor pool to Minneapolis?* Then
> > come to the Phillips Community Center on April
> > 25th and learn more and find out what you can do to help.
> > >
> > > We are ten days away from the biggest event
> > ever for the Phillips Aquatics Center: April
> > 25th from 12-2. Awesome food. Awesome speakers.
> > Awesome attendees. Check out this list:
> > >
> > > Mayor Betsy Hodges co-hosting and speaking
> > > Six City Council members -- co-hosting and Abdi Warsame will be
> speaking
> > > Robert Doty, COO of MPS Schools -- speaking
> > on educational benefits of swimming
> > > Minnesota Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger -- speaking on health
> benefits
> > > Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman --
> > speaking on lowering juvenile crime
> > > Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughin
> > -- speaking on historic collaborative
> > > Commissioner Scott Vreeland -- speaking
> > > Representative Karen Clark -- speaking
> > > Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board board and staff
> > > Minneapolis Public School board and staff
> > > Several member of the Minnesota State Legislature
> > > Mark Andrew
> > > Possibly Al Franken
> > >
> > > Here is the invitation:
> > >
> > > Hannah Lieder
> > > www.mplsswims.org
> > > Cell: 612-636-7202
> > >
> > > Carol Ann Pass, East Phillips
> > >
> > > Carol Ann Pass
> > > East Phillips, Minneapolis
> > > About/contact Carol Ann Pass:
> > http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/4vLiuEfLeDDKvVQqO6fMhm
> > >
> > > View full topic:
> > > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7Jbto3uNhVocR4ieLKEDIF
> > >
> > > * Disagree/dislike a post? NEVER mark it as SPAM.
> > > * Marking forum email as spam blocks legitimate delivery for others.
> > > * If you mark legitimate posts as spam, based on reports we receive
> > > * from Hotmail, etc. you may be removed from E-Democracy forums.
> > >
> > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > > Post: mpls@forums.e-democracy.org or "Reply-to-All" to comment.
> > > Get digest or leave: Put "digest on" or
> > "unsubscribe" in Subject (no quotes)
> > > Forum Home: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/mpls
> > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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> http://OnlineGroups.Net
> > >
> > >
> > > 1. Be civil! Please read the rules at http://e-democracy.org/rules.
> > > If you think a member is in violation, contact the forum manager at
> > > <email obscured> before continuing it on the list.
> > >
> > > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
> > >
> > >
> >:
> >* Attachment - File or photo with this post:
> >
> > Link:
> >
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/img/rsY46RcfNiQ0uAOrdMGIrDAWj3-xMu-2syKFGP
> > Name: Dowling Pool.jpg Type/Size: image/jpeg, 126KB
> >
> >
> >Jim Mork
> >Cooper, Minneapolis
> >About/contact Jim Mork:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/4TkJedLzW2MpKz8IlgiAVX
> >
> >View full topic:
> > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/3hrEO5PFNQJutRyKVDFQAP
> >
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> >
> >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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> >
> >
> >1. Be civil! Please read the rules at http://e-democracy.org/rules.
> > If you think a member is in violation, contact the forum manager at
> > <email obscured> before continuing it on the list.
> >
> >2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
>
>
> Alan Muller
> N/A, Red Wing, MN/Port Penn, DE
> About/contact Alan Muller: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/alanmuller
>
> View full topic:
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>
> 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
>

I don't know about Edison, but Northeast Middle School does have a swimming
pool on the Eastside. While not really a "public pool" it is open to the
community a few nights a week for lessons and open swim time.

I think SW is the only high school with a pool.

Heres a Minnpost article by Beth Hawkins on the equity issue from earlier in
the year with a map.

http://www.minnpost.com/learning-curve/2014/02/few-pools-little-swim-teaching-minneapolis-issue-equity-and-safety

On Apr 16, 2014, at 1:01 PM, Colleen O'Connor Toberman

Rest of post

Didn't see the word "municipal" in the original post. All pools are
available at limited times.
Jim Mork
Cooper

"Knowledge is the oxygen of freedom"

Rest of post

On 4/16/2014 11:34 AM, Carol Pass, Chair, EPIC wrote:
>
> Jim and others-
>
> A public school pool is different from a public, municipal indoor
> pool. Public school pools are not available to the public except at
> very limited times. A public school pool is not a public municipal
> pool. A park pool would be available to all in a way that pools owned
> by the school district are not. Also swimming is the only sport where
> we do not have any city teams. Why is that? The people of
> Minneapolis through their elected officials provide sports facilities
> for every sport but swimming. Consider the map of Minneapolis and
> see where even the public SCHOOL pools are located. All of them are in
> the more affluent neighborhoods. Kids that don't live in those areas
> just don't learn to swim. Isn't it important for all children in
> Minneapolis to learn to swim? ...to cut the high rate of drowning of
> kids of color in the City of Lakes? Can that be important to the
> other Mpls. citizens who don't live here. Isn't that a justice issue?
>
> I believe that this should happen and in a larger sense than the most
> humble version. Not because we want everything here, and we are greedy
> people...but because south Mpls. needs something like this. It's for
> more than just Phillips and and it's half here already with the
> Phillips Community Center (PCC) building...Also because the income
> level in Phillips is very low and going lower with approx. 7,000 low
> income kids. The kids can't pay for or get to the YWCA.
>
> The whole huge wealthy city of Orono surrounding Lake Mtka has 7,000
> people of all ages. And the 7,000 kids here are more than populates 6
> to 7 other Mpls. neighborhoods...all with parks and buildings...more
> kids than the whole population of the town of Lakeville. I don't know
> what to make of all this. East Phillips waited over 30 years to have
> much of anything for all these people,,,and even then the opposition
> was pretty fierce. And then we build one and nearly lose another, when
> the PCC was nearly sold of or demolished.
>
> I understand that some are saying that we forced our East Phillips
> Park building on the MPRB and now it is not paying its way (we are
> trying to make that happen)...but truly we have received nothing
> without these tactics...what would you do? Does anyone really just
> open the door for the people in Phillips...? From the Midtown Burner
> struggle to the Xcel energy high voltage powerlines and on...this
> neighborhood has had to fight off more negatives than one could ever
> imagine and fight for every shred of attention or assets we receive.
> Almost nothing has just been graciously done for us...what are we to
> do when this is the case...?? We probably have become difficult
> people...Has there really been a choice? I have become sympathetic and
> finally one of them. I can't help it when I see what I see... People
> unable to feed their kids and little to brighten their days.
>
> I don't know what to say about this whole thing...we all are
> supposedly seeking equity. Some think it's been achieved when we have
> a few diverse people in office along with some in regulatory services
> and the like. That’s important…But I think it is in things like
> this...a pool in a deeply challenged neighborhood...yes, something
> that costs and which is hard to do.. The City has talked greatly of
> equity lately. So has everyone...And I keep saying, "real equity is
> expensive, folks... Are you ready to pay the price? If not, don't even
> talk about it." I believe equity ultimately comes down to how we lay
> out the cash. It is economic and asset justice. And I believe the
> money is there...but clearly some folks would have to share more than
> they may be willing. I am sorry if I am approaching or crossed the
> line to"cranky".
>
> Carol Pass, East Phillips
>
>
>
> On Wed, 16 Apr 2014 09:03:35 -0500 (CDT), Jim Mork wrote:
>
> > What about the pool at Dowling?
> >
> > "Knowledge is the oxygen of freedom"
> >
> > On 4/15/2014 8:56 PM, Carol Ann Pass wrote:
> > > Do you care about swimming in Minneapolis?* Want to help bring the
> FIRST EVER public indoor pool to Minneapolis?* Then come to the
> Phillips Community Center on April 25th and learn more and find out
> what you can do to help.
> > >
> > > We are ten days away from the biggest event ever for the Phillips
> Aquatics Center: April 25th from 12-2. Awesome food. Awesome speakers.
> Awesome attendees. Check out this list:
> > >
> > > Mayor Betsy Hodges co-hosting and speaking
> > > Six City Council members -- co-hosting and Abdi Warsame will be
> speaking
> > > Robert Doty, COO of MPS Schools -- speaking on educational
> benefits of swimming
> > > Minnesota Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger -- speaking on health
> benefits
> > > Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman -- speaking on lowering
> juvenile crime
> > > Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughin -- speaking on
> historic collaborative
> > > Commissioner Scott Vreeland -- speaking
> > > Representative Karen Clark -- speaking
> > > Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board board and staff
> > > Minneapolis Public School board and staff
> > > Several member of the Minnesota State Legislature
> > > Mark Andrew
> > > Possibly Al Franken
> > >
> > > Here is the invitation:
> > >
> > > Hannah Lieder
> > > www.mplsswims.org
> > > Cell: 612-636-7202
> > >
> > > Carol Ann Pass, East Phillips
> > >
> > > Carol Ann Pass
> > > East Phillips, Minneapolis
> > > About/contact Carol Ann Pass:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/4vLiuEfLeDDKvVQqO6fMhm
> > >
> > > View full topic:
> > > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7Jbto3uNhVocR4ieLKEDIF
> > >
> > > * Disagree/dislike a post? NEVER mark it as SPAM.
> > > * Marking forum email as spam blocks legitimate delivery for others.
> > > * If you mark legitimate posts as spam, based on reports we receive
> > > * from Hotmail, etc. you may be removed from E-Democracy forums.
> > >
> > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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> > > Get digest or leave: Put "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in Subject
> (no quotes)
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> > > 1. Be civil! Please read the rules at http://e-democracy.org/rules.
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> > >
> > > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
> > >
> > >
>

My recollections on the Phillips pool update to the MPRB are a little
fuzzy so perhaps others will chime in.

The Phillips pool is envisioned as a pay-to-play facility. Target
audiences identified so far are 1) the overflow from the nearby Y, 2)
a private college swim program, and 3) possibly the Mpls Public
Schools (though they seem to be resisting MPRB requests to commit to
this project.) Seniors have been mentioned.

It appeared the MPRB operating subsidy would be around $180,000
annually in today's dollars. This is just for the pool facility - not
for people.

The cost of lessons for low-income children are not included. The
cost of access for low income families is not included. Access to the
pool for low-income folks is to be fundraised separately by an
independent non-profit.

The Park Board has not identified the source of the operating subsidy
for the pool. Most likely, it would be the MPRB General Fund which is
75% property taxes and about 25% other sources like user fees. The
General Fund pays for neighborhood parks, the rec centers, adult and
youth sports, 90% of regional park maintenance, neighborhood park
capital improvements, park police, forestry, and more.

The Park Board's fee waiver policy actually does cover swimming
lessons - for kids in poverty, the subsidy is 100%; for other
low-income families up to 150% poverty, the subsidy is 50%. Swim
lessons at the lakes cost $30 - so the $180,000 projected pool subsidy
equals 6,000 free lake swimming lessons. Probably more than the
annual need regardless of income.

In recent years, the MPRB has made it difficult to access the fee
waiver program. The policy is not well promoted (though I want to say
thanks that after four years of complaining the existence of the
policy was noted on MPRB website.) Applicants are required to fill
out a form, written in English, and provide proof of income status. A
copy of a tax return is suggested as proof. No surprise, rec center
attendance has fallen. The Park Board is currently studying reducing
hours or closing neighborhood rec centers.

fyi,
Shawne FitzGerald
Powderhorn

Thank you for posting this Carol. As a community member, parent and physician I
cannot stress how important this pool is.

For us in Phillips: our children and community deserve a safe, year round pool
that is accessible to us. It not only starts to close our racial equity gap in
MPLS, it helps to prevent youth violence (many of the community kids comments
in support state- if "I had a pool to go to I would not be in the streets", it
teaches a life long skill that prevents drowning. It creates community. There
are evidence based studies showing improved academics in children who swim. It
helps the public health by having an affordable pool so that we can exercise.
This can help prevent obesity, depression and diabetes.

For MPLS: this pool allows for a central pool, competition with diving pool.
This means south high has a pool to use, one they do not have to bus across
town for. It means we could have a city team( we do for every other sport) and
it means that our neighborhood becomes a place people come to, not pass thru.
Phillips is an awesome place with wonderful people, should this be what we are
known for not the stereo types?

I know the need for a municipal pool. My children are lucky enough to attend
Dowling, a public school with a pool. It does have some limited public use, but
it is a small pool(teaching size) and the hours available to the public do not
meet the need. The Y, altho nice is not cheap. They only have limited number of
financial aid memberships. The lakes require transport and the water is not
always clean. We now go to St. Paul and give money to St.Paul park board to use
their pool system. I love St. Paul but I would prefer to support my city.

So shouldn't we start asking ourselves why are we not doing this yesterday? It
has so many wins. I hope we will all comeout and make our voices heard. We
deserve this aquatics center.

Happy Reynolds MD
Ventura Village

Honestly, indoor pools are hard to bear. The air quality is usually so
caustic. I hope a new pool considers a non or very limited chlorine
purification system. We could also see swimming as a seasonal sport to be
relished when it is available at outdoor pools.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/are-indoor-pools-bad-for-your-lungs/?_php=true&;_type=blogs&;_r=0

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/pools/irritants-indoor-pool-air-quality.html

Ed Davis

The perfect spot would be in that people's park in the blocks south of the new
Vikings stadium. In view of the importance of that park, the pool should be
Olympic size. To prep for Mpls' bid for a Summer Games.

Sent from my iPad
John Ferman
Kingfield Neighborhood
Minneapolis, MN
Email in header

> On Apr 17, 2014, at 8:14 PM, "Edward Davis" <<email obscured>> wrote:
>
> Honestly, indoor pools are hard to bear. The air quality is usually so
caustic. I hope a new pool considers a non or very limited chlorine
purification system. We could also see swimming as a seasonal sport to be
relished when it is available at outdoor pools.

Rest of post

Might want to consider salt water chlorination, then. The chlorine is generated
from the saline water and although there are some of the same byproducts
produced, most folks are far less bothered by the water in these pools which is
far less salty than most folks’ pasta water, i.e., pretty much unnoticeable.
Salt is also a whole lot cheaper than pool chlorine in any form.

Rest of post

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