I was fortunate to be elected as an at-large member of the Minneapolis Park and
Recreation Board three times, and I served four years each as its president and
vice president. I was endorsed each time by the DFL, labor and the Sierra Club,
and I thank all of you, and those organizations, for that past support.
Iâd like to add my perspective on the Park Board races that were highlighted in
a recent column by Lori Sturdevant (âA Park Board possibly in flux: Minneapolis
voters must resolve an intense generational struggle,â Oct. 29). And to
Arlene's comments above.
I chose not to run for re-election this year for three reasons: a belief that
some board turnover is a good thing and that new energy and ideas bring
vitality to any board, a belief that Minneapolis residents should have the
opportunity to elect a board that reflects the rich and changing diversity of
our city, and a belief that new board members bring new skill-sets that
collectively enhance an organizationâs long-term decisionmaking.
We are fortunate that a number of residents have stepped forward to run for the
Park Board this year. Yet, I have concerns with the rhetoric and policies of
some candidates. Minneapolis residents expect park commissioners to focus on
core services first: cut the grass, offer recreational opportunities, protect
our lakes and river. However, a number of candidates propose using parks to
address larger social issues while offering few specifics on their policies
around day-to-day park operations and programming. They have not been involved
with parks in the past and/or do not seem to appreciate that elected officials
have a responsibility to reflect the values of all Minneapolis residents.
Fortunately, there are nine candidates with a focus on providing core park
services. These candidates are diverse, have an eye on sound fiscal management,
have volunteered in our communities and parks (in some cases, for decades), and
have an understanding of the role of an elected official. I urge you to
consider supporting them. They are at large-candidates LeTrisha Vetaw, Mike
Derus and Meg Forney (voters will select three at-large members); coach Billy
Menz in the First District; coach Mike âTallyâ Tate in the Second; Abdi
âGurhanâ Mohammed in the Third; Tom Nordyke in the Fourth; Steffanie Musich in
the Fifth; and coach Bob Fine in the Sixth. Four of the candidates have served
before, and five are new candidates. All would enrich the board and focus on
what we need them to do â running our parks. Please support them.
Serving you as a Park Board member for 12 years has been one of the great
honors of my life. I am incredibly grateful to you and believe that we achieved
much during those times. I am also very appreciative of every Park Board
member, the Park Board staff and every elected official with whom I have been
fortunate to serve.
Please continue your support of an independently elected Minneapolis Park
Board. Your past support is reflected in your fine park system daily and is the
reason we have the No. 1 park system in the nation for five years running! But,
above all, get to the bottom of the ballot and vote for Park Board candidates.