SENATOR POGEMILLER AND REPRESENTATIVE KAHN HIGHLIGHT 2007 SUCCESSES, DISAPPOINTMENTS
According to Sen. Larry Pogemiller, one of the key successes of the 2007 session was environmental legislation requiring that 25 percent of the state?s energy be renewable by 2025, making Minnesota?s renewable energy standards the strongest in the country. The statewide smoking ban was another success. As of October smoking will be prohibited in all work places, public transportation, bars, restaurants and bingo halls.

The senator reported that they were able to stabilize K-12 education, but not increase funding. “?In my opinion, without a sales tax, Minnesota can?‘t fund K-12 education to the level that it should be,”? said Pogemiller. He also felt the funding for early childhood education was inadequate to bridge the achievement gap and make Minnesota?s students the best in the nation.

“?In terms of raw numbers, most of the kids in the public schools are from immigrant and lower income families, he said. “It?‘s not Lake Wobegon kids anymore. And the generation coming up behind us is smaller, so we really need these kids to be productive economically and socially to move the state forward.?”

Legislators were able to stop the double-digit tuition increases at the state?s colleges and the University of Minnesota. Increases will be held to four percent or less.

Both Pogemiller and Rep. Phyllis Kahn expressed disappointment that Governor Pawlenty vetoed the transportation bill, which they felt was extremely important for the state.

Kahn talked about her ongoing work to curb outdoor light pollution and create a state policy for stem cell research, neither of which was acted on this session. Kahn was pleased that the governor did sign legislation creating the honorary position of state poet laureate. Pawlenty had vetoed the bill in 2005, saying that it might lead to requests for a “state mime” or “interpretive dancer,” said Kahn.

COUNCIL MEMBER DIANE HOFSTEDE REPORTS 3RD WARD ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In what she termed a ?busy and productive year,? Ward 2 Council Member Diane Hofstede highlighted several accomplishments of particular significance. The ?Hawthorne Huddle? was the first public discussion of predatory lending and mortgage foreclosure, which helped give rise to the strongest anti-predatory lending legislation passed in the U.S. ?“They are using Minnesota as a model for the rest of the country,? said Hofstede.”

Hofstede helped engineer a $500,000 grant from Home Depot to the Tree Trust, Project for Pride in Living and the Hawthorne Area Community Council to create a green low-income housing project in north Minneapolis. Hofstede hopes that this project will serve as a model of neighborhood revitalization and environment development for the rest of the state.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CITY VIEW SCHOOL LANDSCAPING
Hofstede asked for volunteers to help Home Depot and Toro install an amphitheater and greenery at the City View Performing Arts Magnet School, 3350 N. 4th St. in north Minneapolis. Over 400 volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 12. Breakfast, lunch, water, gloves and tools will be provided.

Per capita income in the McKinley neighborhood where City View is located is $12,200 and almost one-third of adult residents are unemployed. Because of the lack of parks, City View serves as a neighborhood center. Hofstede hopes this project will help bring beauty and community pride to an embattled area.

NEIGHBORHOOD REDEVELOPMENT UPDATES: Board president Victor Grambsch reported that development at the Superior Plating site by the Mississippi River is on indefinite hold until the condo market improves.

Grambsch and Hofstede confirmed that there has been talk of a residential/commercial development on the US Bank site, but no details are currently available.

Grambsch reported that construction should begin this summer on the Main Street Northeast Bridge.

PILLSBURY LIBRARY REDEVELOPMENT
Lars Peterssen and Deborah Everson from Domain Architecture talked about their firm?‘s restoration of the old Pillsbury Library at University and Central Avenues. The Phillips Distilling Company purchased the building to house offices for its charitable arm, the Phillips Family Foundation.

Peterssen described plans to repair stained glass windows and skylights that have been covered by plywood for more than 70 years. Domain will work with landscape architects to create a public garden and keep storm water from running off the property.
Domain and their client are working to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold designation for this building.

BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTIONS: The nominations committee?s slate of Barry Clegg, Jeff Meehan, Victor Grambsch, Steve Rosenberg, Tom Sheran, Kevin Upton, Dale Herron, Lisa Hondros, Jan Deming, Ryan Curry, and Bob Olson were elected to the board of directors. Matt Spector was nominated from the floor and elected to the board.

ARD GODFREY HOUSE EVENTS: Mill City Museum player Joseph Scrimshaw will portray Franklin Steele at the Ard Godfrey House on July 15. Performances on the hour from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. are free and open to the public.

Zuhrah Shrine Temple?s Dixieland band, The Dixie Kats, will play a free concert on August 12 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Chute Square in front of the Godfrey House.

R&R SOCIAL CLUB: The R&R Social Club will meet July 19 at Spill the Wine.

NEXT: August 20, 2007
MEETINGS: 3rd Monday bimonthly, 6:30 p.m., location TBA
CONTACT: Victor Grambsch, pvictor@eudaemonics.com
BORDERS: Apex of Central and Hennepin avenues to Mississippi River, Nicollet Island

last revised: July 3, 2007

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