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Charlie Quimby

Charlie Quimby's picture
Golden Valley, MN
Commenter for
3 years 25 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 10/04/12 at 06:45 pm in response to Mike Gelfand's 'KQ Morning Show' confessions

I was a stringer covering arts for the Star back when Mike was getting started with the Trib. We never met, but I read his pieces with great appreciation and a bit of competitive jealousy.

This nice and brave piece here from the two of you rounds out the picture.

Posted on 10/03/12 at 07:59 pm in response to Southwest LRT: ‘We Can't Wait’ — but we will

The reporter imagines something (construction) that anyone who understands how these projects unfold knows has to follow other phases (engineering, community involvement, design, etc.) and concludes there's less here than meets the eye?

Something indeed is wanting. But why should the fed fund something our GOP-majority legislature is reluctant to support?

Posted on 10/01/12 at 11:08 am in response to Why did the Star Tribune let Matt Birk talk while ignoring Chris Kluwe?

since Birk's piece indicates otherwise inchoate arguments made by football players are welcome at the Strib.

Posted on 09/19/12 at 05:17 pm in response to Affordable housing in the Central Corridor: How much is too much?

Affordable housing has to be seen in other contexts, such as employment, transit use and the presence of other institutions.

For instance, housing plus transportation cost is a significant issue for low income households. Locating housing closer to an improved transit system can make more work locations accessible by transit and reduce commute times, reducing the need to own and operate a car just to hold a job.

Housing density also makes the transit system itself more cost...

Posted on 09/14/12 at 04:47 pm in response to How — and why — I made my decision on the voting amendment

The cost estimates of the "free" IDs related to taxpayer costs. For voters who have to obtain other supporting documents, such as birth certificates in other states, there will still be costs. These examples are coming forward now, involving elderly people who have always voted.

Posted on 09/11/12 at 11:38 am in response to Siren call of economic development: A cautionary tale from Vadnais Heights

"Who or what was to blame is at this point irrelevant."

Sounds like rent-seeking by a former council member is relevant and so is poor decision-making by a small town council.

Citizens of other communities and bondholders, beware.

Posted on 08/16/12 at 10:49 pm in response to Could beer help the Twin Cities?

While developments are encouraging, let's not congratulate Minnesota overmuch for a craft brew renaissance. Although this list isn't totally up-to-date, Minnesota pale ales in comparison to Michigan, Florida, Colorado and even Utah!

beer.wikia.com/wiki/United_States_breweries_by_state

One example of where the small brew law could be improved relates to sales of growlers. In Minnesota (vs., say, Colorado, Washington and Oregon), you can only buy off-sale beer in containers...

Posted on 08/15/12 at 08:06 pm in response to Outside Target Field: Plumage, scalpers and 'Circle Me Bert'

Nice piece, as always. However, I've been around a six-foot Brewers fan with an even taller construction on his head. Live and let live, I say, but not if you're sitting right in front of me!

Posted on 08/14/12 at 08:06 am in response to Cases of voter-ID election fraud found 'virtually non-existent'

Yesterday a judge sentenced two leaders of a fraud ring to long jail terms. Fake IDs were used to steal millions of dollars. One ringleader had a sheaf of IDs and lots of stolen personal data to create more.

Apparently he didn't use them to vote multiple times. Instead, he used the fake IDs to make credit card purchases and cash checks.

The payoff to the voter from so-called voter fraud is microscopic compared to financial crimes and tax evasion. That's why IDs are required for...

Posted on 07/14/12 at 10:49 am in response to Cravaack picks up operating engineers union endorsement

Much has been made by the GOP of the Cravaack endorsement. The union says they're non-partisan. Seen in context, this looks like a blanket endorsement of incumbents.