Environmental issues leap to forefront at EP forum
By Lyn Jerde

Minnetonka Mayor Jan Callison said she hears from one constituent -- frequently -- about the need to do something about Global Warming.

That, she said, is one of many indicators that environmental issues such as energy, open spaces and transportation are on the radar screens of many voters and constituents, even those of municipal officeholders.

Another indication: The heavy presence of candidates and officeholders at a forum Sept. 30 that, on the whole, was sparsely attended.

About 20 people showed up at Eden Prairie High School for the "New Ideas for Open Ears" forum.

Among them:

• Eden Prairie mayoral candidate Ron Case;
• Eden Prairie City Council candidates Jeff Strate, Larry Piumbroeck and Kathy Nelson;
• Rep. Maria Ruud, DFL-Minnetonka, who is seeking re-election to her House District 42A seat;
• Carol Bomben, an Eden Prairie School Board member and DFL candidate for the Senate District 42 seat; and
• Eden Prairie School Board members Greg Olson and Jim Mortenson.

Eden Prairie Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens was scheduled to co-host the forum with Callison, but was unable to attend.

Callison said she wanted to encourage voters to get involved in issues, including those pertaining to the environment.

“Being involved doesn't guarantee the outcome you want,” she said, “but it increases the odds.”

Olson said he came to the forum because “I see this as an opportunity to build community, on issues that are of mutual concern.”

Former state Rep. Dee Long of Minnetonka, who now works for Fresh Energy (formerly Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy), said she believes the process of political discourse, as well as the topics, needs to reflect the wishes of the people, for respectful conversations about issues that truly matter.

J. Drake Hamilton, senior policy director for Fresh Energy, said people need to ask candidates and lawmakers what they are doing to lessen Minnesota's dependence on fossil fuels, and increase the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.

The state's energy future, and its economic development, should focus on creating new industries devoted to generating renewable energy for Minnesota, from sources within the state.

“Make it clear: I'm not talking about us freezing in the dark,” Hamilton said. “I'm talking about new money and new sources of energy in Minnesota.”

Strate, speaking on behalf of Friends of Birch Island Woods, said open spaces are, and will continue to be, prominent issues for local candidates and for the quality of life in communities.

Saving open spaces, he said, requires both long-range planning and intentionality on the part of a city - which he said Eden Prairie has, over the years, demonstrated.

“It is really, really hard to raise open space as a concern if it is not in the city's plan to do so,” he said.

Dave Van Hattum of Transit for Livable Communities said mass transit - including his organization's visions of both light rail and dedicated busways in the southwest suburbs - is crucial to the area's environmental future.

Callison said there is "a lot of excitement" about light rail in the Eden Prairie and Minnetonka area, but no clear plan for funding it.

But talking about this and other environmental issues with elected officials, she said, is vital.

“What drives government spending,” she said, “is people speaking - people who vote.”

I hope you can take some time to attend this meeting tonight. The opposition will be there in full force. The issue for us beyond simple good government is the position in the human services areas that had previously been funded with a federal grant is on the cutting block. Councilman Young and Aho described the position as nice to have, but fluff in times of austerity.

I disagree as do Mr. Case, Ms. Tyra -Lukens and Ms. Butcher. This liaison position is a paltry $54,000 per year and a link to our immigrant community. It won't change anyone's taxes one Penney and is simply a target. I also believe it is a statement of the underlying racism that exists in our culture that Syl Jones talks about. Subtle, but real.  Check out the letter below to the editor in this past weeks paper to see what I mean.

I attended the budget workshop with the council last week and it was simply embarrassing to see the quality of the conversation. Councilman Case, Butcher and Mayor Tyra-Lukens all whom have a 9 to 11 year track record running our city are trying to do the right thing for the short and long term interest of the city. Mr. Aho and Mr. Young are just finding out that the city is well run, the fluff was drained out long ago and they don't care about city services. If it doesn't impact  police or fire, their view is cut it.  City government as you know is called upon to do much more than that these days. The question could be asked where was Mr. Young and Mr. Aho when the budget work started in April of 2005? They agreed to the process. Now at the last moment they want to rework city programs on the fly without any citizen input.

The EP Taxpayers Alliance, lead by famed 20 year tobacco attorney Tom Briant, will be there tonight. We need to be there as well to represent the sanity of good government and support our elected officials who are trying to run the city in a fiscally sound manner.  It is important to note that of the double digit increase in property taxes in EP, the city portion is 2%. The school district and the county make up the balance of it.  The school referendum and parks referendum make up the biggest share, both of which were approved by the voters. The facts are that this property tax increase was forecasted, the minute the state chose to not fund public education after taking on the responsibility under the Ventura Administration. 

The EP Taxpayers Alliance should be holding, Senator Hann, Representative Paulsen and former Representative Adolphson accountable for double digit increases. By the way, these three were not at the budget workshop this week and I just bet they won't show their face tonight either. Mr. Aho and Mr. Young won't hold them accountable because they are of the same party, active and with aspirations far beyond city government. We need to hold them accountable.

This is not a left or right issue. It is a right or wrong issue. Let's protect the Human Services position and not let the Hummer driving , greed driven, I got mine, you get yours crowd run our city. It's time to stand up to the loudest voices with the voices of reason.

See you tonight.
Larry Piumbroeck