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David Greene

Minneapolis, MN
Commenter for
2 years 44 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 06/10/13 at 02:05 pm in response to Will state cigarette tax drive smokers across the borders?

> certainly it's not "smuggling," to buy in ND and take back to a Minnesota home

Actually, it is. Minnesota law limits how much tobacco one can move over the border. I believe it works out to two cartons at a time. Is it really worth multiple trips of 100+ miles at today's gas prices? It might make people feel good to steal from the public like this but it's not cost effective.

Posted on 06/07/13 at 07:29 am in response to Slowing growth could make Stillwater bridge 'a dinosaur the day it opens up'

What you're describing is induced demand and it's a poor way to do planning. We're not magically creating new commuters here, simply shifting them from one place to another. The fact that there are two crossings near this bridge should have immediately put a stop to this nonsense.

Posted on 05/31/13 at 03:11 pm in response to Updates on some big urban-planning issues in the Twin Cities

It's pretty condescending to reduce the efforts ISAIAH and its allies made to pass the Homeowner's Bill of Rights to "prayer."

Prayer, yes, but it was *organizing* that got this done. Frankly, the Herculean effort put forth by ordinary residents to resurrect this bill and pass it should become a case study for students of political science. What they accomplished was simply amazing.

Posted on 05/30/13 at 08:52 am in response to Which 6th District Republican will run in Bachmann's place?

Dave Kleis was a firebrand conservative in the legislature, actively working against seemingly anything that might benefit cities (LGA, transit funding, etc.). Once he became mayor of St. Cloud he changed his tune.

Now the cynics among us might think that he is simply hypocritical, changing his tune to pander to his constituents. However, some lobbyists at the legislature have indicated to me that he really has learned something. He's much more aware of what it takes to run a city...

Posted on 05/13/13 at 03:00 pm in response to Bottineau LRT: Tiny step closer — but nowhere near a done deal

The neighborhoods along the line were split on alignment 50/50. I've personally talked to many residents and community leaders there. I, for one, am not in favor of destroying peoples' homes unless there is a clear mandate from the community to do so.

As it is, Bottineau can work really well if at the same time (or preferably earlier) we build a streetcar on W. Broadway. The streetcar would have more stops in North Minneapolis and would not only connect to Bottineau for a tip north...

Posted on 05/13/13 at 03:20 pm in response to Bottineau LRT: Tiny step closer — but nowhere near a done deal

Bill, I greatly respect your thoughts on transportation and urban development.

From a theoretical perspective, Broadway/Penn seems like a good choice. But on the ground, not so much. The neighborhoods were evenly divided on the question. As white people, we need to pay particular attention to what communities of color are telling us.

The community around Broadway certainly wants a streetcar. That much is clear. So I think early implementation of a W. Broadway streetcar...

Posted on 05/13/13 at 09:27 pm in response to Bottineau LRT: Tiny step closer — but nowhere near a done deal

So your heard something? I was there. NTN, neighborhoods and the county did an outstanding job engaging the community. There were countless meetings, county staff put in an effort like I've never seen before.

Sure, not everyone was there. Not everyone shows up. It's impossible to reach everyone. But there were big crowds at every single meeting.

39 minutes downtown to downtown. It's 24 minutes on the 94 express bus. That's a pretty damn favorable comparison for the...

Posted on 05/13/13 at 08:03 am in response to $15 to park on street for Vikings game? Minneapolis 'smart' meters raise rates for big events

Or you could park north of Lagoon for free and walk a couple of blocks.

Or south of 31st. Take your pick.

Posted on 05/13/13 at 08:06 am in response to $15 to park on street for Vikings game? Minneapolis 'smart' meters raise rates for big events

It's kind of sad that there's such a negative reaction to this.

Park a few blocks further away and walk a bit for less money. Or take the bus or train. This is a proper pricing structure for parking. It's long overdue.

Posted on 05/13/13 at 08:18 am in response to Opposing same-sex marriage has made Pastor Jerry McAfee a lightning rod

Peter, thanks for saying that. I very much disagree with Pr. McAfee on the marriage issue, but he has some very good points about the white establishment doing everything it can to ignore people of color.

Look at this session. What do we have:

- Gay marriage (great!)
- Education funding (great!)
- Top-tier income tax (great!)

Now, what we don't have:

- Any sort of provision for closing the education gap
- Transit funding

Guess which of...