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North Minneapolis Politics: Bottineau Line-(Light Rail Transit), Dog And Pony Shows Not Needed!

On Thursday, January 28th, a meeting was held in North Minneapolis to talk about the Bottineau Line (Light Rail) and how it would affect the north Minneapolis community.

In a continuation of back-room-deals, sidebars with no forward thinking some community members wonder will this be another “ride-by” of economic opportunity that seems to keep missing Black people and Black business in north Minneapolis? With no establishment of a 40/40/40 Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), it seems that this is just another projects that will ride on the backs of the under served community with no real benefit other than train that goes through the “hood.”

Minnesota Public Radio (the Radio-Man) is suing the Metropolitan Council over a planned light rail project that would run trains by the station’s office in St. Paul. For the “technical” reasons, if the Light Rail runs anywhere near Broadway and Penn, will KMOJ-FM be able to sue for the same reasons…no.

It’s simple as Black and White, literally.

Since the passing of the Stimulus Bill over 3.3 million Americans have lost their jobs. In January 2010 over 20,000 have lost gainful employment.

In 2009, north Minneapolis leaders promised at least 1000 jobs for the community.

In the fall of 2009, a deafening silence fell from north Minneapolis’ “self-appointed leaders.”  What happened to the millions of dollars in stimulus money from the Obama administration sent cleverly cloaked as something that will never trickle down to businesses, human services agencies and the people who need jobs now?

The presentation on Thursday night was another fine example of “lip-service” to see if local politicians can handle “the community.”

“What, no jobs again?” – says 51-year old Sam, who drives a taxi in Minneapolis for a local taxi company and lives in north Minneapolis, “It’s the same group of politicians always telling the community ‘the jobs and new projects are coming’ – and nothing ever develops. It’s like being super-glued to the edge of your seat with all of the suspense of a big screen production and no delivery of a plot. It’s funny, we fall for it ever time.”

Sam’s feelings on the matter of jobs to north Minneapolis reflects the feelings of many who are tired of the “sensationalism” and announcements of possible opportunities which for the most part never-ever make it to the average north Minneapolis resident.  Those who do benefit are non-profit agencies and their employees tasked to study the “process of how.”

At Thursday nights meeting, Minnesota State Representative Bobby Jo Champion (58B) told the captive audience (afterof his constituents posed a very good question about jobs in north Minneapolis along the proposed light rail), “We’re not here to talk about jobs!”

The United States has donated over $600 million to Haiti – an economic and infrastructure disaster zone, at what point does the Black community in north Minneapolis get any consideration – also an economic and infrastructure disaster zone.

At what point will it be about jobs, economic stimulus? When will Representative Champion’s committee address the Minnesota Department of Transpiration’s lack of engaging minority contractors – or jobs? Champion, who sits on the states Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Division, who meet on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. in Room 5 of the State Office Building, has been, for the most part IBNN alleges, mute to the real needs of transit and transit options for his constituents in 58B – to include the compliance by Minnesota Department of Transportation.

We now have before us a proposed LRT line whose reason for existing is political rather than practical. It’s time for a reality check.

Using billion dollar LRT projects as economic development makes as much sense as using pro sports stadiums as economic development – a billion dollars would build 20,000 new homes on the north side or rehab 30,000. But it’s pretty foolish to spend a billion dollars to build a future bike trail down Penn Avenue.

Light Rail Transit or the LRT juggernaut that will displace thousands of north Minneapolis residents while “running” through north Minneapolis is being presented as a great and wonderful project.  But who will be responsible for making sure there is a Community Benefits Agreement of jobs, economic stimulus and compliance by prime contractors, city and state to assign tasks to minority contractors in an effort to hire local residents in 55405 and 55411.

State Senator (58) Linda Higgins and State Representative (58B) Bobby Jo Champion both say the LTR will be a great addition providing transportation to northern suburbs making it easy for north Minneapolis residents to get to jobs in Maple Grove and other northwestern suburbs.

What’s the problem with building capacity for business in north Minneapolis so “business” can hire residents so they can “chose” if they want to travel Northwestern suburbs for work?

The community “Dog and Pony Shows” have been corrupt and antiquated, providing a show of excelsior proportions.

The Bottineau Light Rail line will be a “convenience” for the people who the plans already outline. For the most part, this will be a “ride by” for north Minneapolis in every way imaginable.

Again, at what point does the minority-ethnic community get any consideration from its local politicians when it comes to the creation of wealth and independence, in the form of jobs?

The meetings are great – coffee, cookies, water, but the community deserves full disclosure with the implementation of a Community Benefits Agreement.

About the Author

Donald is the Editor in Chief of the Independent Business News Network and USA Radical Black.com - he welcomes reader comments at editor@ibnn.org.

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