$375,000 no-bid contract to Al Flowers and CSI was just the tip of the iceberg.
(http://baeminnesota.org/2014/10/22/the-shady-csi-deal-was-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/)
I'm passing this along because I find it both so alarming and plausible in
light of the previous allegations. I don't know any more than what I'm reading
at these links, although I've heard that the local reporters are digging into
this as well.
>From the Black Advocates for Education website:
".....As it turns out, some of the same actors in the CSI public school debacle
have been working on a much bigger payday. Community members have brought it to
our attention that Senators Bobby Champion and Jeff Hayden have been working
with “leaders” connected to the CSI to develop a plan that will draw $26
million in state funding.
"Let’s call it CSI Part II, because once again there is a play by folks with
questionable capacity, organizational skills, and histories to seek government
money on behalf of people in the community, without input from the community.
"That’s the game. It’s been happening at least since the 1970’s. North
Minneapolis has it’s chiefs, all male and well-fed, most of whom live outside
of the city, and all of whom profit from acting as gatekeepers. Meanwhile, as
hundreds of millions of dollars are spent in the name of improving the lives of
real people, conditions haven’t changed.
"We’re not OK with that. Our children matter and they deserve better. The many
people who get up every morning and actually do good work for families that
need help deserve better. Of course we want strong investments in our
community. And, we want those investments to have a reasonable chance for
making a difference.
"It won’t happen as long as we allow yesterday’s leaders to continue
negotiating deals about us, without us."
(Lynnell) I've uploaded their open letter to Governor Dayton about this.
An excerpt from the letter:
Dear Gov. Dayton
"…..It has recently come to our attention that your office has been working
closely with a group of individuals who work primarily in North Minneapolis,
along with African American elected officials, on a proposal to fund the work
of select organizations in the Twin Cities.
As we understand it, the proposal could draw upwards of $26 million if approved
through the legislative process.
Given the magnitude of the economic and employment challenges facing the
African American community, there is no question that significant resources are
needed to help close the gaps that exist.
However, the current proposal and process that has occurred are problematic for
at least a few reasons:
1) There has been no fair, transparent, or publicized community process that
would allow a wider array of worthy community stakeholders to seek resources
for their good work.
To that end, many credible, effective organizations run by African American
leaders in our community routinely face budget challenges that put their
ability to provide services in jeopardy. These organizations deserve a seat at
the table and a fair chance to advocate for the resources that they need to
keep their doors open;
2) Many of the individuals who have been working with your office are the same
group of folks who were involved in or connected to the CSI debacle, including
Clarence Hightower, who served as the fiscal agent for CSI;
3) An endorsement by your office may serve to legitimize the conduct of
individuals who are currently deflecting allegations of exploitation and
self-dealing;
4) Very few women of color have been allowed to participate in these
closed-door meetings and to provide input on how to address the economic
challenges impacting the African American community.
In light of these concerns we ask that your office discontinue support for the
current proposal that has previously been submitted. In the alternative, we
would request that a more open, transparent, and competitive process be
implemented that allows for broader participation by African American leaders,
stakeholders, and community groups.
By implementing a fairer, transparent, and open process, community members
will begin to regain trust in our political system and to know that their
voices and concerns are being heard. ......"
(Lynnell again) This sounds like a reasonable request. The players in the CSI
deal had no website, office, address, phone or most importantly, any track
record of previous successes that would warrant a $375,000 taxpayer investment.
So it's alarming to hear that Senators Hayden and Champion may be attempting to
pull off an even bigger deal with similar players.
Lynn Nordgren and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers were also big
supporters of the Al Flowers-CSI deal. The MFT has sponsored Al Flowers' radio
show and have supported Hayden and Champion in the past. Are they or Education
Minnesota also pushing for this far bigger deal?
As we know, ED MN has enormous power with our DFL legislators. So if this deal
has the (quiet, behind-the-scenes) backing of the MFT and ED MN, it would have
legs with our city legislators even if the some of players do have
"questionable capacity, organizational skills, and histories to seek government
money on behalf of people in the community, without input from the community."
(Quote is from the open letter.)
I plan to write my representatives, Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Frank Hornstein
and ask if they have knowledge of this alleged $26 million deal and whether or
not they support it.
I urge others to do the same. I'm a progressive DFLer who believes government
has a big role to play in ending poverty. This also means we need to make sure
our tax dollars are used effectively and that the government role is
transparent and open.
Lynnell Mickelsen
Linden Hills