"East Side Neighborhood Development Company" Does this organization serve the interest of the community?
The following story was written by an ex-employee of the East Side Neighborhood Development Company. The opener to this topic is the cover letter to the allegations. The entire letter is very long and filled with disturbing allegations. I will be posting sections of the letter daily in the comments of this topic.It should take between 7 to 10 days to post all the information in the letter. So as you scroll down the comment section of this post, everytime you see the image of "George Orwell" that is my post of another issue to this subject, another piece of Mike Taube letter to the City and the East Side Residence.A letter many people wish was never seen! Exculsively right here at ADEMOCRACY!
Reprinted from original documents. This mark * signifies unreadable print from original document.
November 16, 2004
To: City of St. Paul and all the residents of the East Side
From: Mike Taube
(area of address omitted)
This is in response to being fired from the East Side Neighborhood Development Company (ESNDC).So please bear through this with me.
The following pages I have gone through and written the facts.There will be some spelling mistakes, and punctuations long the way please bear with me.
I have never been fired from a job in my inter life. I was a union member for ** years and went back to school to get an education in project management. I went to Dunn-woody and I did alright I thought with an education and with all the years of construction experience I would get a good job. This was the only job offer I had. I took a %50 pay cut to help the poor and I have found out that if you stand up to your boss and show him the mistakes of his administration in the past few years. When you show him, what has to be, done and he is afraid of the facts of how bad things are, you will be dismissed. I know I am not a great communicator with people but when people are afraid of someone pointing out their mistakes, and their afraid that they will be next to be fired. They need to get rid of those that is standing up for these people here on the East Side of St. Paul. I was fired for standing up to these people and if this anyway helps one person out their get the fair chance whether it's the homeowner or the small business owner. At least I know I was, fired for doing what I was hired to do. I can go back to working with my hands knowing that I did what was right for these children and those children have been miss treated and the authorities in St. Paul have drop the ball. I hope that they will get help. from some one, that cares enough to stand up that cannot, be fired or and to sit down and told to look the other way.
Page:
2. Hopkins & Payne
3. 736 Sims
7. 1014 Edgerton
8. 1001 Southern Cooking
10.Mallared Teal
11.I@U CAFE
12.Payne & Whitall
14.Main of the Lion
16.Anderson Perfect Pizza
16.Chi Vang
18.Don Panchos Bakery
18.Minnehaha Ave.
21.Swedish bank
Reprinted from original documents. This mark * signifies unreadable print from original document.
November 16, 2004
To: City of St. Paul and all the residents of the East Side
From: Mike Taube
(area of address omitted)
This is in response to being fired from the East Side Neighborhood Development Company (ESNDC).So please bear through this with me.
The following pages I have gone through and written the facts.There will be some spelling mistakes, and punctuations long the way please bear with me.
I have never been fired from a job in my inter life. I was a union member for ** years and went back to school to get an education in project management. I went to Dunn-woody and I did alright I thought with an education and with all the years of construction experience I would get a good job. This was the only job offer I had. I took a %50 pay cut to help the poor and I have found out that if you stand up to your boss and show him the mistakes of his administration in the past few years. When you show him, what has to be, done and he is afraid of the facts of how bad things are, you will be dismissed. I know I am not a great communicator with people but when people are afraid of someone pointing out their mistakes, and their afraid that they will be next to be fired. They need to get rid of those that is standing up for these people here on the East Side of St. Paul. I was fired for standing up to these people and if this anyway helps one person out their get the fair chance whether it's the homeowner or the small business owner. At least I know I was, fired for doing what I was hired to do. I can go back to working with my hands knowing that I did what was right for these children and those children have been miss treated and the authorities in St. Paul have drop the ball. I hope that they will get help. from some one, that cares enough to stand up that cannot, be fired or and to sit down and told to look the other way.
Page:
2. Hopkins & Payne
3. 736 Sims
7. 1014 Edgerton
8. 1001 Southern Cooking
10.Mallared Teal
11.I@U CAFE
12.Payne & Whitall
14.Main of the Lion
16.Anderson Perfect Pizza
16.Chi Vang
18.Don Panchos Bakery
18.Minnehaha Ave.
21.Swedish bank
posted by Bob at Saturday, September 30, 2006
130 Comments:
Ummm.....just the dirt please. Could we have some more details
Hi All,
This is the first part of Mikes letter.
HOPKINS & PAYNE
I started out working for ESDNC for Douglas McRae May 1,2004.The week before I started working with Douglas McRae, Douglas McRae had me go through the Jim Morrelli property on Hopkins and Payne Ave. As I walked through it, I could see that it had many outstanding problems with it structurally and told Douglas McRae and Jim that it was not worth saving with out spending to much money. Douglas McRae was offended that i would tell him that he was a $100,000 or more low on his bid to remodel the building. Jim Morrelli was happy I told him the truth the place was not worth wiled to repair. As I started to get to know my way around I found out this was a job that had been in the process for over 2 years without being close to getting started.
The first contract given out for rehab was given to Flannery Construction for the rehab of Hopkins and Payne. Douglas McRae wanted to break the contract with them because Douglas McRae is anti-union and he kept telling me all the time to get the union mans opinion out of my mind because I was in management now.
Through out the last 6 months i have seen things change many times. I would sit in on these meetings and see Douglas McRae talking with Jim Morrelli and Dan Beyers many times. When he would talk to one he would say one thing and something different to the other one.He would get so confused he would forget what he had said to one or another.
I watched him change numbers to fit whom he was talking to at the time. Whether it was Dan Beyer or Jim Morrelli for months the numbers would change at times witnin minutes.
As we got near the end we could see this last deal was as good as it was going to get. Therefore, during the talks Douglas McRae told Jim Morrelli that he could get 2% interest off his loan, Dan did not ever give me the impression that he could get him less than 5% on the remaining money to borrow from the City. That it would be up to his boss and the different committees.
The following day Douglas McRae told me in a meeting that I should go tell jim Morrelli to go contact district 5 Tom T*** (I don't think I spelled that right) Along with that he should call (Mayor Randy Kelly)because the 3 of them are really good friends.Even Dan had told Jim he thought this was going to be the best he could do.
Before I did this i took tiome to ask Mike Anderson if I should do this and he said I should so I went ahead and did it. I went and talked to Jim about it and told him.What I was to instruct him that if he wanted a lower interest rate he needed to call in his favor Tom Thun & Randy Kelly the Mayor and Tom Thun sits on the board and Randy Kelly would be the two that could have the capability to cut him a deal.(check and see who donated to whose campaigns)
ESNDC bought the house next door to the house on Hopkins and Payne and gave it to Jim Morrelli free,$100,000.Then they gave him a $50,000 forgivable loan for seven years. Then during the next 2 years of negotiations with the City, they came up with a rehab package with Flannery construction.
I do not know why it never took off the ground.However this spring when I started at ESNDC it was a high priorty for Mike Anderson & Douglas McRae to get this thing moving because it made ESNDC look incapable to conplete a project within a reasonable time frame.Through all of this Jim Morrelli kept saying that it could not cash flow and kept trying to get a better deal out of the citys taxpayers.He tried to get Dan to help pay for a basement he was going to donate the space to local organizations for meetings.Because he could not aafford it for himself and we know that he was going to use it for his own office and storage.
However, after the last deal where ESNDC came up with another $45,000 and the fact that Douglas McRae had told Jim Morrelli he could get 2% interest on the money he would borrow from the city of St. paul tax payers. Now he could come up with the cash to pay for the basement himself.
When Douglas McRae was gone then Mike Anderson took over the company. He had a good idea what was wrong but he was not aware of everything.That Douglas McRae had promised many people things he could never deliver.
Therefore, this is when Mike Anderson and i started going down hill on many different issues.Mike Anderson and I did not agree that Jim Morrelli should get this money free when he is already a millionaire. There are so many people struggling on Payne and Arch streets. He told me that is how you redevelope the Phalen Corridor where no one will,is by helping people who have money,by given them more help making more money.I said to him why not give it to other business that could use it like Southern Cooking or help Main of the Lion anymore? Mike Anderson was very upset for me questioning him on how he was going to spend the money out in the community. Mike Anderson is very good as was Douglas McRae in getting the various communities to do as they wanted without to much questioning of them.
As of now, Flannery Construction has outstanding bills of about $20,000 and Mike Anderson will not pay them until Jim Morrelli, ESNDC, and the City of St. Paul sign a contract. Douglas McRae was going to use money from last years RIF fund.
The world is living dangerously, either because it has little choices, or because it is making the wrong choices. Occupational crime is illegal activities committed by people in the course of their employment or normal business activity. This is what the city of St.Paul has enforced as part of their daily job description for whom they employe, this is considered a crime and will go on until someone with enough power stands up to them, or enough citizens get together and say they have seen enough corrupt behavior, I think the upcoming convention would be a very appropriate place for an event like this to take place. Its time for citizens to stand up for their rights.
Nancy(formerly of St.Paul)
It is awful that it takes a case of tragedy of some sort for people to realize what is happening around them. Do people really believe that all these incidents from people that have never meet each other are not of fact? Or is it the fact that people are in fear that the city will retaliate on them if they stand up for their neighbors rights? I know for a fact this is the case in some instances, why? because my neighbor said "hey I am really sorry but if I get involved I am afraid my home will be next and I can't afford to take that chance" she was also a single mother of low income. Is this anyway for the American citizen to live? In fear of the people that are suppose to be here to support and help us? I think not, but we all have a right to our opinion and this is mine.
Oh boy, what next, do the allegations get worse than this? How come this stuff wasn't in the news? Is this organization still in business?
Anyone watch that Franco dudes video? If I were you Bob I'd think about the why's before hooking up with this guy. He must of picked you because of the traffic to the Town Hall meeting here. Maybe he done a googles of Ademocracy and got you and just wants "Ademocracy" as part of his domain names. Seems strange anyway, the guy is from Germany. Seems they are reading about us all over the world. I done a googles I seen a law office in India has a blog spot and they were talking about this site. I hope you keep this going Bob. you would let down a lot of people if you quit.
Sorry I got off the subject.
Where do you get this stuff? I hope this organization is out of business. Keep up the good work.
These organiztions are NOT out of business. In fact they are in business all over the city. they are non profit off-shoots of your neighborhood district councils, and they are funded by the city of st. Paul with your tax dollars.
For those who do not believe me, do a goggle search on NENDC.....you'll see.
Sorry about that, in my previous post I mentioned NENDC for a goggle search and I was wrong.
It should have been ESNDC....do the search and see who they are.
Hi All,
Mike writes-
736 SIMS
The first house I was assigned to work on was 736 Sims.It is the crack house that John Kerry went through and everyone was so impressed! I thought it was discussing the way it looks after 6 months.
The first time I went through it was with Douglas McRae and I found out the City Acedemy was doing the work.It is a school for children who are in need of one last chance to try to gain an education, where the teachers try to teach the kids a little bit of the trades.
The first teacher I met was a woman and she was trying to teach the kids how to paint.I asked her why she did not put blue tape on the trim and she was offended why I would ask her why she would put tape on the trim so it would not need to be cleaned after words.The paint brushs were full of dry paint the kids never cleaned them well enough, they were like old shop brooms and when they did clean them they would clean them in the bath tub and would only clean tub very poorly and when I would complain the teachers would have all sorts of excuses.
Through the next several months of desparation to get them to finish the house. That could be resold was a nightmare.The job when I started was 6 months to one yeear behind schedule and many thousands of dollars over budget. by the end of the project it was at least $30,000 over budget.
I was always in trouble for not being a team member.Because Mike Anderson never checked to make sure that Douglas McRae & Eric Carpenter had put together a Scope of Work for what was needed to conplete the house.They never took a good look at what it was going to take to complete this project and when I started to show them Douglas McRae was happy he did not like Eric Carpenter at all and he was going to let him hang himself by not ** a Scope of Work. Eric Carpenter and I would argue continually about this house and Douglas McRae likes to fuel the fire because many times Douglas McRae had told me he had planned of firing Eric Carpenter.
When I started coming up with all the problems and Erik Carpenter went on vacation Douglas McRae was tired of arguing with Eric Carpenter about what it was going to take to turn this house around in order to finish. Douglas McRae went ahead and started doing some of the other things that had to be done. I only made the suggest to what I seen was wrong with the project I had no authority to actually hire someone I could only suggest a try and push them in the right direction.
In their contract with the City Academy it was roughly $30,000 there were many things that were covered. One of them was asbestos and lead paint removal, which was done without proper training and equipment.The teachers showed the kids how to strip the siding off the house and throw it in the dumpsters that went to the regular landfill.The school and the teachers received $1000.00 for their bid, for this part of about 2400 sf siding.When I questioned Erik Carpenter about it he admitted to he fact. he knew it was asbestos and said it was the only way ESNDC could afford to do the work on the house was to use the kids for cheap labor. Eric Carpenter and Douglas McRae did not care about the quality of education they were receiving or the workmanship.That they were being taught was very poor in the fact,what they were being taught was not what they were going to be expected to do in the real world work force.And Douglas McRae and Eric Carpenter were not concerned that the result was a unusable product.It was constantly repeated this for low income people.
The workmanship on the house was so poor that we had to hire a painting contractor come in,sand the walls tape the walls,sand all the woodwork in the house.Some of this was due to the condition of the house before they started, but a lot of it was due to a lack of knowledge by the teachers unwillingness of children to listen to guides, to show up on time for work.The contractor I was able to hire was Done Rite Painting and Home repair.The name of the contractor is Bob Pariseau. he is a very good young contractor that does a very good job for the money.He is now doing different jobs for ESNDC. He had to paint the entire interior of the house and parts of the outside.When the school painted the walls they never taped the windows or the trim, so we had the students try to clean them. Then we had to hire a woman to come in and clean them and the entire home not just for the kids misguides but also for the contractors.Through out all of this the teachers could not teach the kids to take pride in their work and most of the time they sat around smoking and telling stories.
I wonder if these kids parents have been notified that their children were exposed to asbestos?
I wonder if they know that their kids were not receiving a quality education.
Good question about the asbestos.....the city of St. Paul was so concerned about asbestos, they thought they had to tear down the house on jessmaine. Looks like they only care about something when it benifets something they want.
Sounds like the "not in my backyard" syndrome all over again. How would they feel if it were their kids exposed to the asbestos! They exposed a lot of people besides. How about the driver, other drivers on the road, workers and customers at the dump site and future people who may disturb it's buriel site. I know that in working with this stuff you have to wear industrial-type masks and cover every part of your body, then you have to take a decontamination shower. That is the way pros do it. Yeah, the more I read, the more angry I get remembering the Jessamine house. Dirty rotten scoundrels, all of them.
Way to go Bob! I see that you are still enlightening those at the Edemocratsick site with some eye-opening truth about st. paul issues.
eDemer's don't want to be enlightened. Like the government they worship, they prefer to keep their head in the sand, call everything that is uncomfortable "just allegations," and they go on with their happy "uninformed" little life. When their sef esteem needs a boost and they can't find a "scapegoat," they come here to nit pick about spelling, etc. instead of the issue.
The below is taken off EDEMocracy in response to Bob's ESNDC posting: the words run like a waterfall but makes no sense. Do these people volunteer at this place or is this their employment? That's what I thought, the caring part is a masquerade and who would want to give up that gravey train. Doesn't this person mean when everyone else was kicked out of the city and by the city through code enforcement, then they get the properties for dirt cheap and subsidize the rents too.
"The East Side Neighborhood Development Company is a good organization,
staffed with people who care and make a difference every day.
I served on the Board of Directors for this organization for several years
and found its leadership, staff and fellow board members to be some of the most
committed, passionate and dedicated individuals who ever worked for something
decent.
I challenge anyone to tell me about a person who has been fired that didn't
have something negative to say about their past employers. This I think is no
exception.
I can't respond to the allegations as a representative of ESNDC because I no
longer serve them in any official capacity, but I wish I did. All I can do is
speak as someone with first hand experience at the organization.
What ESNDC does do is make a difference in peoples lives. They provide
housing for low income people who otherwise wouldn't have any, they work to
revitalize the neighborhood with partners like Habitat For Humanity, The Family
Center and others. They do their very best every single day to improve a
community which had been in decline for a very long time.
I can look anyone who asks me straight in the eye and tell them from
experience, that while I was at ESNDC they were making a difference, a
tremendous and positive difference.
If you really want to find out what the company is about, call Mike Anderson,
he runs the place. I challenge you to tell him that ESNDC doesn't care about
the community.
When others had long abandoned the community ESNDC remained. When your City
officials and others were looking to invest elsewhere, ESNDC stood up for the
Eastside. When it looked like poverty and violence was all that people could
see on the Eastside, people like Mike Anderson and those at ESNDC gave HOPE
through TRUTH.
They told the real story of a community that had vitality, spirit and value.
They told the story through thier actions. They rebuilt when rebuilding was
needed, they restored when restoration was needed, they gave life back to the
community.
Do organizations, even those with the best intentions, make mistakes? Of course
they do, they're just like people. We make mistakes, learn from them and hope
we don't make them again.
What I know for an absolute indisputable fact is this: The Eastside of Saint
Paul would be much, much worse without ESNDC and organizations like it.
If your interested in the truth, ask anyone in the neighborhood, ask a minority
business owner whose business has been remodeled and revitalized, or someone
who owns a HOME now because ESNDC helped them. Ask them what the Eastside would
like without ESNDC."
http://www.esndc.org/top
Hi All,
Here is the last of the information concerning 736
Sims in Mike Taube's letter.
736 SIMS
(the last word in the ending statement of my last post should have been "jokes" not stories)
We left off with Mike Taube's letter speaking of the students with City Academy and we'll pick it up from there-
Mikes letter continued- telling jokes and talking back to the guides the teachers or anyone and acting badly.
After the walls and ceilings were painted by the students there were many spots were the old dirt still showed through.For an additional $6000 after the teachers and students had gone through 55 gals. of paint, we then had Done Rite Painting come in and redo everything again.That was on both floors walls and ceilings would be roughly 24,000 sf for the whole house.Erik Carpenter was conpletely against thi, the work would have never been done without Douglas McRae help because he was the one who pressured Eric Carpenter to do it.
The house siding was all rotten in several places Douglas McRae and Eric Carpenter had me tell the contractor to just cover it up, the rotten wood.It was the cheapest way to go and the new owner could deal with it. I found a contractor name RNR construction the owners name is Rodney Myliwlieu
He had given the cheapest price out of a couple of bids and for an old house he did a very good job.However no one thought about the cost to replace the siding. This was another $16000 which Douglas McRae and Eric Carpenter never really planned.
Everything went over budget because there was never a Scope of Work planned.Eric Carpenter and Douglas McRae never did a good job of going through this house because they lack construction knowledge. Therfore the contractors came in and bid the jobs as they wanted as theywanted Douglas McRae and Eric Carpenter.I know the contractors had questions for them on future problems I found because the contractors had expressed their concerns to me.Douglas McRae and Eric Carpenter never talked to the building inspectors to get an idea of what it was going to take to meet code.Because they we're afraid they would have to do more work to bring the house up to code, but it cost them more in the end.
Therefore, when they started they never checked to see what it was going to take to bring the heating up to code.Alliant Mechnical tried to tell Eric Carpenter but he did not listen to them about what the problems were going to be.Leroy Burling was their contact.There ended up being several change orders done because of this and now these change orders are coming back to be the fault of Douglas McRae and mine.Because Eric Carpenter was under pressure from Mike Anderson to do these project because it was his poster child project for ESNDC.Through out all of this there was continued stress because no one was controlling the kids on production so the real contractors could get in and do their work on time.
The samething happened with the contract electrician. he tried to tell Eric Carpenter what it was going to take so they bid it as Eric Carpenter had told them to do.I think the contractor knew what would happen but he went ahead and did it knowing the building inspectors would never pas it. And he would just do a change order.This is what happened with this job and 1014 Edgerton!This is what has happened to caused all the uproar with Southern Cooking. Mike Anserson wanted to protect ESNDC from this happening again.WINNDC is putting so much pressure on him to bail them out, and the SEDAC committee is only getting half the information. The same goes for the housing committee also.
This over run could be part my fault, due to the retaining walls.The school was to tear out the old retaining walls and re pour them but the work was so poor when I looked at them the walls were bowing out up to 6 inches out of plumb and straight and square.I told the teacher to tear them out and we had an arguement about it. The cost of the block was $2600 but the school was to help pay for part of them.
I went back and got Douglas McRae and Eric Carpenter to come and look at this and after an hour of talking Eric Carpenter finally agreed to tell the teacher to tear them out and the teacher at the same point in time finally saw the problem. Therefore we paid for another dumpster because Eric Carpenter did not want the school to pay for the whole mistake.
So this is where the retaining walls came in as I was able to talk to Douglas McRae and Eric Carpenter in doing the retaining walls to dress up the place make it look respectable.
Eric Carpenter and Douglas McRae just let the teacher do as he wanted and I stepped in to try and gain some control. one of the big problems with the finished project was all the building inspectors were not happy with the finished project and it took 3 weeks to cover up all the bad spots in the end to get it to pass inspection. One is the back stairway going upstairs. The post do not line up with the footings and out of plumb.This is not so bad but as you walk up the stairs no one paid attention to live wires coming into the house. Therefore, Eric Carpenter had me have someone screw a peice of plywood up so little kids can not touch the hot wires. It is a low-income home.
When I was putting up the retaining wall with the kids it was so hard to get them to work and get the job done, that I laid 90% of the block myself they were working so slow it was easier to lay the block myself. I could not even get them to sweep the side walk without asking several times. Then I fell off the second step and since then I have had a pinched nerve in my left arm that at times my entire hand curls up into a knot.With great pain I have to stop whatever I am doing to deal with the pain.I had to quit working construction because I was having problems and this pushed it over the top.6 months since I started this job and it has gotten increasingly worse.
I never told Douglas McRae how bad it hurt because he was mad I was doing it myself. But there was no money and he wanted it done. But he knew I was in pain because I could hardly walk when I would come in the office all hunched over in pain.Then I spread out about 30 yds, of dirt black dirt full of junk, and I shoveled and wheeled and raked all the junk out.Which added up to 5 yds of junk.
This after thought, another $1000 is because Eric Carpenter never thought about the appliances on the first floor so he had me go buy them at A 1 Appliance.
Bob-Thats all there is from the reprint of Mikes letter concerning 736 Sims. My next post will concern 1014 Edgerton.
Whoever copied my words from eDemocracy should have asked permission. It's ok to direct people (via a link) to someone elses comments, but NOT, NO NOT EVER ok to reprint their words without their PERMISSION.
I frequent Bob's blog here and for the most part I think he's trying to give voice to those who might otherwise not be heard. I support that 100%.
I also support the TRUTH. If that means I need to present my perspective on ESNDC then I'll do that.
The people that Mike is writing about are people I knew or know in the community. If I defend them, there is a reason for it.
My name is Martin Owings.
Also, the words flow like a waterfall and the DO make perfect sense...read them again and you'll see.
The reason they make sense is because I lived them. They are my experiences with the organization. Others will have different opinions, that's why they call them opinions.
As for the REAL TRUTH in this matter, again I challenge you to step out your door and into the community to see the good that ESNDC and organizations like them do.
Also, ESNDC is not an offshoot or organization controlled by a District Council. Get your facts straight.
I guess we need to ask Martin what he thinks about giving Mr. Morrelli a free building and a loan he doesn't have to pay back?Jim Morrelli being a millionaire, I don't know! What about the safety concerns for the kids and the asbestos?
Here's what I think about giving Morelli a loan and asbestos and kids.
I don't know about Morelli or about any loans to him, but I know this. ESNDC is subject to audit and inspection of their financial dealings just like any other 401 C 3 non-profit organization.
If there ever were any improprieties they would have been or will be uncovered.
No company operates outside the law for long and in my time at ESNDC they never would have jepordized their existence by acting in the manner some have said.
As for asbestos, I think it worked great as a fire retardant substance, then people got sick from it and I didn't like it any more.
As for kids. I like them a lot and I have a few of my own.
I don't think there is any copyright issues. When a person posts on the internet, they are posting for the whole world to see. It is opinions and just because one has lived it could very well mean they were too close to be objective. Just as a lot of members to the edemocracy site are loyal supporters, co-workers and city empoyers, and employees to the city and they will have their opinions. Every property owner and investor who posts here has lived "it" too, remember that.
Martin saids these non-profit developement companys in this area are good.
How about it Bob, are they?
From what I see here there certainly is some questions that need to be answered.
I challenge anyone to tell me about a person who has been fired that didn't
have something negative to say about their past employers. This I think is no
exception.
This is in response to Martins statement above. Martin it looks like there is page after page of allegations. Thats a little more than "something". I do see the honesty in this Mike guys letter. He does say some good things about ESNDC. However he also saids some very disturbing things. I would like to see the rest of his story.
As I read the last part of the letter Bob posted I got the impression this Mike guy is after a workers comp. settlement.
So far Martins statements are based on personalable relationships and not working relationships in the feild. thats a big difference.
I will keep an open mind on the issue.
Whatever Martin has to say is self serving and in support of the government he and all the rest of them at SPIF think can do no wrong. I notice he doesn't speak to any of the issues, just sticking up for the staus quo again. I wonder if he would have this approach if someone were acusing a private landlord of the misdeeds outlined in Mikes report.
Look here, I don't work in the government, never have, and as for your statement that I think SPIF can do no wrong, you obviously don't know me or my record at all.
As far as being self serving, again you don't know me at all.
I've been one of the most vocal critics of SPIF since I joined several years ago. Instead of just complaining, I and others have been working to change it.
As for speaking to the issues that Mike is raising, your right. I can't speak to them specifically because I didn't experience them.
What I did experience, as a volunteer board member, was an organization trying to revitalize a community.
In summary, I met with a group of other board members, staff and leadership once a month to review what the organization was doing.
On may occassions, I took the personal intitiative to walk around the neighborhood and talk to the people about what they felt ESNDC was doing for their community.
I did this because I wanted to make sure the organization was making a difference. What I found was that overwhelmingly, the residents and local business owners supported ESNDC and saw them as a vital part of the community.
Did the organization have issues, yes they did. When residents of Whitall stood up and said they didn't think ESNDC and the City were doing enough to involve the community in the redevelopment process, they were right.
Remember that ESNDC is not a charitable organization or an arm of the government. Its a non-profit, community based housing and economic development company.
They operate by raising funds from companies, individuals and foundations. They partner with the community, business owners and local government. Think its easy? Try it.
In addition to this, while I was there, I supported and pushed for a Human Development component to the organization. That included taking on the mission of the East Side Family Center.
I can tell you absolutely, positively that the Family Center would not exist as it does today without the financial and infrastructure support of ESNDC.
So get out of your house, walk or drive down to John A Johnson School and drop into the Family Center to see if they are doing any good in the community. Ask them if ESNDC is a good organization.
As for addressing Mike's individual allegations, for more specific detail I would have had to work side by side with him and saw what he saw.
I have a full time job already, four kids and I was a volunteer at the District Five Council so my time was stretched a little thin.
What I say about Mike's allegations in regard to ESNDC are that he has the right to say whatever he wants, I'll defend that right for him, but others have the right to voice their observations/experiences as well. That's just what I'm doing.
If ESNDC is guilty of any wrong doing what so ever and it happened while I was there, I never saw it. That's the honest truth. Was I that deeply involved with their day to day operations, not at all.
Did I individually look through all their accounting books, no, that was left to independent auditors. Were they accountable to state and federal laws governing their operations, yes.
What I saw while I was there were a lot of good people with good intentions trying to help a community, many of us because we live in it.
Martin
Yes, they are a government entity hand-in-hand relationship. Why wasn't LEIP called in check the work in progress? We also have to take the good with the bad, is what the posting says. So Highland area and other more white-collar sections of st. paul get the good and the east side and landlords get the bad. It is just all packaged up with a nice bow on it. About the Sims house, do they disclose to the buyer to be the condition in which the work was done to the house? Asbestos leaves tiny micro fibers. Rotten wood under a covering can present mold, deterioration and worse at a later time.
Wasn't it Caty Royce who carried on about the dangers of asbestos over the Jessamine house? I'd like to know her position when a non-profits house is the subject of discussion.
I don't think Martin is self serving. I know of Martin from his postings at SPIF and I think some of you here owe him a debt of gratitude. He has defended your freedom of speech many times publically and privately in regards to SPIF.
Whoever spoke up in my defense, regarding SPIF, I appreciate the support.
People who know me will tell you that when it was appropriate I did criticize ESNDC, for instance on the redevelopment project on Whitall...for the truth on that you can ask Caty Royce.
I'm glad Mike can speak up and make his views and experiences known to others, all I'm saying is that other viewpoints exist and should be considered.
In the end, Mike might have many valid points, so might others.
Keeping an open mind while investigating to find the truth is a good approach I always thought.
Thanks for bringing up ESNDC and the the larger issue of housing on the Eastside, I think that really is what we need to talk about.
Social Justice issues are tied to this topic. They really should be the focus.
Martin
Social justice is just a politicaly correct term for "someone's gonna get their pocket picked," and probably by some do gooder that wants to line his or her pockets.
Martin spends a lot of time justifying the non profits, but doesn't give the private sector any credit at all for their tireless effort in trying to provide housing to people. These non profits benifet from all these hosues that get torn down. The non profits are right in there with the city hoping and manipulating all they can to have the landlords proeprty tore down so they can build something and look down their nose at the guy that lost the house. I have heard Martin defending the free speech rights at SPIF, but he hasn't had the time to even want to know the other side of the story from all the victims of code enforcement. I don't believe him. He's just putting the best spin on that he can because he lives there and had buddies that are probably still at ESNDC.
Anonymous said...
"Social justice is just a politicaly correct term for "someone's gonna get their pocket picked," and probably by some do gooder that wants to line his or her pockets."
If you really think this is true, than I feel truly sad for you.
Social Justice is a term those of us that work or volunteer in the field use to describe the way human rights are manifested in the every day lives of people like you and I.
Most everyone would like to live in a just society, unfortunately it isn't always just or fair. When injustice becomes or is already "institutionalized" it becomes a major issue for people.
If it weren't for Social Justice, the Civil Rights movement may not have ever happened.
If you let politicans define Social Justice for you then you might have a tainted view, but I recommend you read what Martin Luther King had to say about social justice. If you do, your definition may change.
Educate yourself. Empower yourself.
Ok, I'll respond to this.
"Martin spends a lot of time justifying the non profits, but doesn't give the private sector any credit at all for their tireless effort in trying to provide housing to people."
Private sector organizations are by definition FOR PROFIT organizations. They are in it to MAKE MONEY $$$. ESNDC is a NON-PROFIT community development organization.
What Private sector organizations are you talking about? It helps if you can give an example I can respond to.
"The non profits are right in there with the city hoping and manipulating all they can to have the landlords proeprty tore down so they can build something and look down their nose at the guy that lost the house."
This sounds a little silly if you know what the mission of these non-profits are. There is no question they have to work with Developers and the City to accomplish their goals, but part of their goal is to provide AFFORDABLE, STABLE HOUSING for low income people and others.
Is there something wrong with wanting to revitalize the neighborhood?
"I have heard Martin defending the free speech rights at SPIF, but he hasn't had the time to even want to know the other side of the story from all the victims of code enforcement."
OK, your wrong. I have done work on this issue. I knew Andy Dawkins (CODE ENFORCEMENT) and worked on this issue at District Five. We criticized some of the policies and especially the selective application of these policies.
Code enforcement is a tool the City uses. Does it use it wrongly, I thought so in some circumstances. My prediction is that eventually they will face more and more legal challenge to this and it will have to change.
Ask Andy Dawkins if you think I gave that organization (CODE ENFORCEMENT) a free pass.
I am sympathetic to people who suffer because of the misuse of code enforcement, so your wrong on that to.
"I don't believe him. He's just putting the best spin on that he can because he lives there and had buddies that are probably still at ESNDC."
OK, its your perogative not to believe me, I'm glad we live in a country where we can disagree and debate the issues.
As for buddies/friends at ESNDC, I know people there that I respect for their efforts to make a difference. And there are a few I'd wish I had time to be friends with, but never did.
You probably picked the wrong person to hang all this on. If you ask anyone who was there or served on the board when I was serving, they'll tell you I was too busy advocating for the community or questioning the redevelopment on Whitall to make a lot of friends.
If you really want to know my positions on these issues its ok to ask me instead of trying to find out by criticizing and waiting for my responses.
I know something about "tenant remedy actions" is that the kind of social justice that you speak of? The civil rights of some are held over the heads and used against the rights of others. It is not fair, nor is it legal to enable or permit these types of things that the government and non-profit organizations do and they have access to free legal assistance to boot! I'm not buying any of it. Next you'll be saying that the country should adopt every language out there as an option and let every illegal alien out there to come here to collect some more non-profit assistance and then that's still not enough because they should also be given their rights to turn our country into their want-to-be country. So don't even tell me about your politically correct liberal thinking. Today's liberal is far from my grandfathers, and even my Dad's, political party. They proceed to attack our president and put our country in danger just because of this political correctness? Nope, not buying into it. You just don't get it. With all the do-good organizational causes that are being dispensed, you are ruining others self-sufficient visions and rights of pursuit to an industrious free market as well as changing the very foundation of this country to suit everybody's rights. I have the right to buy a rental property and rent it out and be treated the same way as a PHA property owner. I suppose there are some that think screening only 2 Middle Eastern persons to a flight in our American airlines is a civil right also. even if there are 20 about to board. Other countries would say oh, no you don't we're screening you all. But not us because we have our politics to stand by (and most likely to die by in the near future because of it). This is a whole different time we are living in and to quote MLK is not holding with what is going on today. I'm a babyboomer but don't think like one in today's world we are living in a post-modern time and can blow each other up with our nukes anytime. The earth do run amuck with every evil imaginable out there so get off your soap box and face the fact that there are evil people representing, working in and affiliated with ALL government entities out there. If the ESNDC was such a do-good operate, why were these kids "taught" to paint and labeled as a future painter and nothing more than that. It's a gutless way out and a way for cheap labor at their expense. Need I ramble on anymore or have y'all gotten the picture that clearly I am angry.
Ok I am asking, is it proper procedure for city officials to give someone these choices: You have to become an informant or; lose your home, your children and your freedom. I chose to seek help with my addiction and get my life back, the consequences; in front of me and my family were Joel Johnston from SPPD ordering Steve Magner and Seeger to write my home up so it would be beyond my ability to repair, I gave it my best attempts to keep up with the orders and failed due to increasing orders and attorney fee's to get my child back $25,000) when I gave up and decided to sell my property Steve Magner furnished me with a buyer( I have the written offer) when I refused that offer I was told if I wanted anything at all out of my home I must sell to his buyer or "I would be looking at a hole in the ground" those were Mr.Magners words. I made several mistakes and paid the consequences all I was asking was to be treated fairly, there was never any intention to allow me to repair my home at 14 E. Jessamine, why did I have inspectors breathing down my back yet other organizations can do slop work with no problem? And before I get asked the next question I was the owner through a contract for deed from my mother in which I am still making payments to her on as I had promised her I would. There are many city owned properties sitting vacant for many years my question what was the big rush to bulldoze Jessamine I can't feel any different than I do when that was the threat made to me personaly by city officials. A threat made good, complete as the file states.
Nancy(formerly of St.Paul)
Hi Nancy, there's no need to defend the ownership you once held. That is a side-step issue that your opposition made throughout the whole controversy. They served up the whole poisoned concoction to the media who also served them and refused to report the truth. But can you imagine our local news anchors telling the truth about what is really going on in st. paul? They are all blind and in bondage by the powers that be. You should be feeling a minute amount of justice being able to post the truth at this site. God only knows what the future holds, but it will be an interesting day to see when everything is brought into the light. I'm really very proud of you for pulling yourself up, even after the city shit on you. You also did it without any help, I'm sure, from any type of ESNDC "helping" you out. By the way if a child does something wrong, they will want to hide it, cover it up or maybe try to get rid of the evidence of what they did. Either they are afraid or ashamed. Your house WAS demolished awfully fast wasn't it?
If someone was trying to do a "hit" on you Repke, they wouldn't have missed. You make our jouranlism here sound 2nd rate. The shot went where it was intended to go. If someone wanted to take a shot at you, they would have talked about that trashed out lot of yours up on Maryland and White Bear that you had all littered up with trash and debris for a year and no one did anything about it. Wanna hear some more pal?
You are right about getting rid of the evidence. They tore down Jessamine because they knew the landlords that were suing them wanted to get in there to take photographs to use against the city in court.
So tell me something Martin. When you were out conducting all this "do gooding" for the neighborhood, how often were you advocating against some landlord and wanting him out of business or his property torn down because it was wrecked by the tenant? How often did you advocate against the tenants that destroy these properties and then blame the landlords? What do you know about the "U and I Cafe" and the loans that were made on it by your upstanding people at the Disrtict Coucnil that always follow the rules Martin? I'll bet you don't know anything about that do you? you just know about all the good things right?
If you wouldn't mind Martin.....just the facts please. Skip the BS.
Hey, what I have heard from Martin I beleive, he is not siding with anyone he is simply stated to what he has and has not seen from his experiance. He has never stated that anyone of us are not telling the truth, I feel everyone should give this man the benefit of speaking up without being ripped apart just like I tried to do in the past at E-Democracy, where I was ripped apart. We are all human start respecting each other alittle more, you can't receive what you don't give. Hostility never got anyone anywhere and never will.
Nancy(formerly of St.Paul)
I think there is a lot of unfounded hostility around this issue as Nancy pointed out.
I should respond again to the following comments just to be clear.
"So tell me something Martin. When you were out conducting all this "do gooding" for the neighborhood, how often were you advocating against some landlord and wanting him out of business or his property torn down because it was wrecked by the tenant?"
I'm not sure I understand this entire question, but I can tell you that if talking to my neighbors and volunteering in the community to try to make a difference is "do gooding" as you called it, then I am guilty as charged.
What I advocated against, and still do, is any organization or person I thought was treating people poorly. At times that included the City of Saint Paul, at other times it might have included indviduals in the neighborhood.
"How often did you advocate against the tenants that destroy these properties and then blame the landlords?"
If there were "bad" tenants as you describe it seems like you'd have a hard time getting to the real truth in a case like that.
Landlords blame tenants, tenants blame landlords. Sometimes it's obvious I suppose but I bet most of the time it just seems like one persons word against another.
"What do you know about the "U and I Cafe" and the loans that were made on it by your upstanding people at the Disrtict Coucnil that always follow the rules Martin? I'll bet you don't know anything about that do you? you just know about all the good things right?"
I hope this helps to put your mind at ease.
I didn't examine their financials as an auditor would. I sat through a few independent auditor reports however and was told that the organization was operating according to the law. I never had any reason to doubt it.
One point to remember here is that people and organizations are always trying to protect themselves against any future legal issues, what with all the lawsuits that happen these days.
ESNDC routinely makes loans to businesses in the community for all types of economic development. If you do your homework, you'll discover this pretty quickly.
A nonprofit corporation may not lend money to a director or the director's family members unless the loan or guarantee may reasonably be expected, in the judgment of the entire board, to benefit the corporation.
They are bound by laws and regulations governing their conduct concerning such loans. If your wondering about these regulations you should learn about them at:
http://www.mncn.org/info_principles6.htm
I hope this helps to address some of your concerns and questions.
Martin
You mention some small good deeds here Bob. What do you think of exposing those kids to asbestos?
I don't believe this Mike is a total liar as you City butt kissers would want us to believe. you thought Bobs post was full of VENOM, laughable.
Posted 02 Oct 2006 14:00 by Bob Spaulding
The venom in this post is so incredibly ill-placed.
Thanks to hundreds of people's dilligent work, people have affordable
housing through ESNDC they wouldn't otherwise have. It takes
incredibly dilligent work is to build up a truly respected community
non-profit institution like ESNDC.
It's incredibly easy for people to take potshots because of one or
two individual's allegedly bad experience.
It's surely not ESNDC's reputation that's being diminished in this
thread.
It was also suggested:
> I don't like people who are claiming to help the poor and really
> don't produce...My concerns are with low income and homeless people
> thats it!
Then you should look at the whole picture at ESNDC, and be a little
kinder starting now. From http://www.esndc.org/RentalProperties.html:
BRADLEY TERRACE.
30 units for those under 60% of area median income (AMI)
YORK VILLAGE.
10 unit coop for those under 50% of AMI
JOHNSON BLDG.
8 units for those under 80% and 50% of AMI
CORNERSTONE.
12 units for those under 30% and 50% of AMItop
Jim Kielopf is the same man who responded to Bobs post on Deconcentrating Povety at SPIF back some months ago. Jim quote "NotIN My Back Yard" how about that, and he claims to be concerned for the poor, yeah I bet.
Posted 02 Oct 2006 12:20 by Jim Kielkopf
I am a board member of ESNDC, and I was President of ESNDC during the time of
the allegations made by in the re-printed letter from a former employee.
For the protection all former employees, ESNDC policy does not allow anyone
affiliated with us to comment on the reasons for someone's departure from the
organization. The most I can say is that the allegations made in the letter
and the general allegation that the author of it was terminated for "standing
up to his bosses" are completely false. The fact that the letter was widely
circulated almost two years ago and that nothing has come of it is further
evidence of that there's is not truth behind the allegations.
ESNDC is a large, non-profit community development agency that operates
primarily within the boundaries of District 5. ESNDC has over 20 employees and
has been blessed with some of the most talented people in the economic
development field. We have received national awards and recognition,
including one for crime prevention for its Payne Avenue Beat policing program
(unfortunately no longer being funded). It receives no administrative funds
from government sources, but it is a contractor or a sub-contractor on a number
of state and local government urban development projects. ESNDC earns its
income primarily by building and rehabbing commercial and residential
properties in District 5.
Did you ask for Jim or Bob permission to reprint their words here?
Even if there weren't laws regulating the protection of intellectual property, there is still the matter of common courtesy.
Listen 2:58 don't you think a common courtesy would be to leave a comment here where the discussion is?
I understand they feel comfortable in that indoctrinated enviroment of SPIF were people only lightly disagree with you. This is the REAL WORLD HERE!
So are you saying that the only venue your going to allow people to speak in is this one?
And if they don't your going to copy/reprint their words without even asking them if its ok to do so?
3:30 said
So are you saying that the only venue your going to allow people to speak in is this one?
*I do not have the power over people to tell them were they have to speak. Thats silly.
What Bob & Jim has done is come here get the story and run off someplace else to comment. thats OK. It's also OK everyhere see's what they are saying someplace else. Yeeeks get a life.
If Jim or Bob complains about it I won't do it again. That don't mean others won't.
Hey Bradley Terrace, is that your name or are you a subsidized rental building? Sorry it really is hard to determine. Also are you reimbursed from the government for your affordable housing? So you have an income based housing project going on? Well that's just dandy what does that have to do with anything? Private investors still do not like being ripped off and dealt the low blow from all the code enforcements. Does your building get inspections and if so do you maintain everything in them or do you defer your maintenance too?
I'm really getting sick of all this talk whaaa whaaa the poor non-profit organizations - as if you don't get paid to work there. What the hell's the matter wit ya all. You really don't have much stake in it. If things don't work out, you can just walk away. Not so for all the property investors who have to double their work and have eagle eyes watching over their shoulder and voltures drooling ready to pounce and tear them apart. Otherwise I'm off for a nice evening with the family. Have a nice night.
Hey SCORE KEEPER, what's the score? There is a load of information and common sense on one side and whining for spelling and etiqette by the other, what do you see?
Hi All,
Mikes letter reprinted and continued.
Tonight-
1014 Edgerton
As discribed what happened with 736 Sims there was very little planning involved for the finished product or how to proceed in laying out what needed to be accomplished in order to conplete this home.Eric Carpenter is the project manager of this house and Douglas McRae would approve for the remodeling of this house.The numbers would pass the housing committee because of the way it would be laid out to the board so that many of them could not understand what was going on.In addition Douglas McRae would help Eric Carpenter work out the documents to show it in a better light.
When Eric Carpenter bought this house he never did enough research and the people that ESNDC bought it from never told him that the City had been in and the building inspector made demands that the house be brought up to different codes for the structure of the house.
With a poor Scope of Work Eric Carpenter hired a contractor name LNT Enterprise (owner Scott Barret)The contract documents were layed out very poorly.
One problem was the floor was missing in a large section of concrete flooring plus many small spots.The City Building inspector had sited it 6 months to a year earlier.On that one Scott Barret was paid to hire a sub-contractor to patch and pour the entire floor all it was not,and when I brought it up he said that Scott had done so much that he did not want to push it.This money was paid to contractor Scott, so this means a sub-contractor was paid for not finishing a job.Funny though the same building inspector needed say anything about the holes left still behind for the fact he hand written it up in files that every hole had to be patched.After Scott was paid $2000 and the job never finished.Or for the fact the hookups for the washer and dryer that are in the contract weren't done and when I complained I was told it wasn't my problem.Then there is the fact Scott was paid in full with this BIFF money to tear out the back wall, insulate and sheet rock it, paint and this still is not done but Scott was paid $1700 in full.I was told by Eric Carpenter and Mike Anderson not to worry about it it is a low income home.The cupboards are so cheap that when I had Scott finally cover the cupboards with plastic and tape for painting when the tape was removed it pulled the paper veneer right off.I was told when I was complaining about this to Mike Anderson and Eric Carpenter that it was not my problem as these are low income homes.
The roof needs to be repaired and I pointed it out.I was told by Eric Carpenter not to wory about it, and that it was the new owners problem. They can borrow money and get it fixed.
I slipped on the new carpet fell from the second floor top stairs, there was no hand rail installed at this time.I had a hard time standing and walking, I planned to walk it off.Douglas McRae thought it best I went to the DR. I went and seen my Chiropractor Dr. Tim Johnson in Chisago City. He had written me a Dr. excuse to take the day off and go home and rest.I had to make up the hours I missed either by working later or another day that week or use my own sick time that I had ****.When I would not sign the ins. document for them workers comp to check and see if I had ever had any sexually related disease they would not pay for the treatment. I was told by Lindy the person in charge at ESNDC that if I would not sign it I could pay the bill myself.
Mr.Martin thank-you for your input but theres much more at issue here.
And everybody wonders why there are record number forclosures and vacant buildings in St.Paul.Maybe its the fact that there is 5,000 new housing units with a majority of them subsidized. Non-profits and government subsidized units have shifted the free rental market from private to Government orientated rental.This shift caused by many issues has pretty muched wipped out the private landlord because they can not compete.Private landlords must make a profit to stay in business.These non-profits,(hence the word) and government do not need to make profit and can still offer their rental units.
Being a private landlord, any or all issues combined can put you out of business.Non-profits and Government don't worry about property taxes because they don't pay them,private landlords do.So when taxes go up and rents decrease it puts a stress on the business.When code enforcement looks harder at private landlords more than these other groups it stresses the pivate landlords business.When heating cost go up and rents go down it affects the landlords bottom line.I'm sure there's special funds available for Government and non-profits to deal with this.When code enforcement applies code infractions to address behavior issues with the private landlord and not the others it puts stress on the landlords business.
500,000,000 special monies went to housing 5,000.The city turned their back to the private investor who invested their own money to poorer neighborhoods for years when nobody else would.Not all landlords are bad.Landlords are business men and women who have families to feed also.Maybe the city should have put alittle money into existing responsible private landlords housing stock.I think they didn't because they wanted rentals out of these neighborhoods so they could be owner occupied.
I believe what the city did to private landlords in St.Paul was pre-meditated.Every action the city took these last five years has driven all the landlords who offer low income housing out of business.The cards are stacked against the private landlord and were set up for failure long ago folks.St.Paul has a plan like they've had the last 5 years.They already know why the forclosures and vacants are high and already have a plan ready to put in place to deal with them.Let me gaurentee they will not be rental ever again!!!!!!!
TIM CIANI
JUMGGCS
I have heard enough. How can one not believe this stuff? It is so typical of what government and most (not all) non profits do. If it were on 20/20 everyone would believe it because it has the same cookie cutter model that is always associated with government.....spend a lot of money, get no results, make it look like sonething it is not, package it so it confuses everyone, pat yourself on the back
and do it all over again! Oh....and if you happen to get caught along the way or someone questions it, just play dumb, hide behind data privacy, or just flat out deny it all together and shoot the messenger!
Sound familiar to anyone?
Yeah, Spaulding is up to his shit again. Trying to discredit Bob. Check out the feedback forum of Edemocracy. Spauldings post is pathetic. He claims they were debating how to deal with Bob's comments. Funny,,,,how many of them 3, 5 was it over 10 Bob S out of over 400 members. You entrenched SPIFers need a reality check. Things aren't as rosey as you would like people to believe.
KUDOS Bob Johnson.
I was just over at the "romper room" and I saw this. It is very disturbing. They now want more rules. When will it stop? Probably when everyone agrees and there is no other side to the story or they wind up chasing everyone out. they are kinda like the city in a way......if they don't like ya, they just chase ya away. Pretty imature if you ask me.
Martin- On may occassions, I took the personal intitiative to walk around the neighborhood and talk to the people about what they felt ESNDC was doing for their community.
I did this because I wanted to make sure the organization was making a difference. What I found was that overwhelmingly, the residents and local business owners supported ESNDC and saw them as a vital part of the community.
*I can just hear it now. hypothetical,Martin speaking to the man on the street- Excuse me sir what do you think about ESNDC and what their doing for the community?
Citizen on the street- What, Who,Where they from?
I'm not buying it Martin. I am a East Side resident and I didn't know these people exsisted until today when I read it here.
Whats up REALLY with your defense of ESNDC?
These guys mention asking this guy and asking that guy , but they are all the people who have gotten free money out of the deal.
What would you expect them to say?
Is the neighborhood safer? Can we go out at night for a walk and feel safe?
I happen to live on Wells and I can tell you the anser is no.
What about the guy over on Whitall who was the last one to lose his house. If you don't remember him, he is the elderly gentleman who was offered $20,000.00 less for his house and told to get a mortgae on a new one, even though he couldn't afford it.....what's he doin these days?
How about Reaney who was "set up" on a liquor violation and then run out of business.....is he all smiles?
How about the guy who used to own the U and I cafe.....anyone think he's happy today? I know that he's not. He's still angry.
I also know of many landlords who were run out of the neighborhood for not much more than the District 5 Coucnil had a hard on for them....I'll bet they are really glad they are out of business and have lost their income!
There is going to be a lesson that the City of St. Paul is going to learn the hard way. It is going to be a long time before anyone is willing to invest in this city unless of course they get a huge hand out from one of these crooked neighborhhod groups or a pile of TIF money from the council buddies.
Ok, I'll respond to some of the things that have been said.
Let's start with this statement.
"When someone honorable like Bob finds out about it and wants to expose it, then they get mad. They are running to get back under their rocks so fast, all you see is a puff of dust!"
I don't know who your talking about, but I know its not me, because I'm here engaging you and others and talking about my experiences.
As for Bob, I happen to respect him and support what he's done with this site by offering an alternative to SPIF.
One thing I know is that if your not willing to participate to try to change what you don't like, you don't have very solid ground to criticize its existence.
Bob still engages SPIF as do I and others even though we may not agree with all of their policies.
"One person here has bragged about how he has stood up for people when they have treated poorly, and goes on to state that sometimes that has included the city of St. Paul. How many times has this person stood up for all these people earning less than $15,000.00 a year that are losing their homes?"
You really didn't read what I wrote did you? You just pick things out and twist it whatever way you think helps paint someone else in the worst possible light. I never bragged, I made a statement of fact, there's a big difference.
As for your technique in debate, here is some advice. It's fine to make things up and twist words or intended meanings if your arguing with your friend in junior high school (or your a member of the Adminstration in Washington), the problem with some of your arguments is that you lack the facts to back up your words.
Again, if you critcize people to illicit a response instead of asking the questions that might help to enlighten you on a particular issue, then you just want to argue for the sake of arguing.
"Hell this guy won't even support the people that do stand up, he's too busy cultivating the status quo."
You don't know me at all. I think if anyone that knows me reads what you've written above, they'd have a really good laugh. Status quo, that's a good one.
The sad part is, if you knew me you'd find that we'd probably agree about the establishment and the lousy way that the poor are treated and the under-representation of anyone in a minority class and how many of these punishing policies are institutionalized.
The difference between us is that I learned a long time ago that just being angry doesn't solve a damn thing...and often times it'll create more problems for you than you had before you got angry.
So don't just get angry, get out and make a difference. If you can, try to make a positive difference.
"I can just hear it now. hypothetical,Martin speaking to the man on the street- Excuse me sir what do you think about ESNDC and what their doing for the community?"
It's pretty easy to engage people in the community if your willing to reach out. All I did was talk to people its not that tough or complicated.
"I'm not buying it Martin. I am a East Side resident and I didn't know these people exsisted until today when I read it here."
And how is that anyones fault but your own? If your not engaged that's your choice. The people are out there all you have to do is talk to them.
"Whats up REALLY with your defense of ESNDC?"
Here's what's up REALLY. I lived it, I experienced, you didn't. I'm sharing my experiences, your sharing how you don't believe my experiences.
If you think ESNDC is a bad organization, join the board of directors(oh yes you can), work to make the changes you'd like to see and then jump on the internet and respond to people who are negative about it but don't know anything about your experiences, do nothing to change things and don't engage the community.
Mike obviously had his own experiences, which I can appreciate. From my perspective and my experiences ESNDC was a good organization committed to revitalizing the neighborhood.
When I was a board member I did what I could to make sure ALL the voices of the community were heard.
I critcized the City and the organization for the way the redevelopment happened on Whitall and the lack of commnity input. I looked Dan Bostrom right in the eyes and asked why the City wasn't being more responsive. I didn't like his answer and I said so.
That again is a fact and not bragging. What I have to back this up is anyone who was there at the time that knew me and oh yeah I think they kept meeting minutes so I guess its written in the history books.
If you want to argue the the issues, work to understand them in more constructive ways then just blasting someones character and making wild assumptions.
If you spend a lot of time arguing and criticizing people and you don't even know what their particular stand is on the issues, you run the risk of alienating people, when you might have been able to work with them or at least learn more about the issue. That's human relations 101.
FREE YOUR MIND AND YOUR ASS WILL FOLLOW.
Martin
For another example of an unequal playing field in the City of St.Paul.Why is it hard for private landlords to compete with Government.
Take a ride down university and you will see a building (117 University)that is State owned with chain link fence all over this building.The chain link fence is I guess protecting the stucco from falling off the side of this structure.How many private landlords would get away with this type of repair?Not only is it an improper repair it is an eyesore.This property is almost across the street from our beloved state capitol.What type of example is St.Paul giving to tourist of the capitol.
Also I've noticed with city records that the building has been unoccupied since 9-11-03 and last stated as being unoccupied in 8-9-06.Thats 3 years.If any property is justified as being vacant and requiring a code compliance its this one.It meets the standards of vacant doesn't it?Its been unoccupied for 3 years and has code violations.I've seen properties of private landlords put on the list without meeting the requirements of vacant.This one does.
St.Paul gives special treatment to government and non-profit owned property.While they get this special treatment they crush the private landlord with standards they don't need to follow.Anybody who can step back from all this talk that goes around can see the disadvantage the private landlord is under.
Please take a drive by this property and see for yourself.
TIM CIANI
JUMGGCS
1)Mr.Martin do you think the private landlord is treated the same as government and non-profits?
2)Does the city use code enforement on behavior problems in government and non-profit ran housing?
3)Are government and non-profit housing held to the same standards the private landlord is?
4)If government and non-profit housing sits unoccupied for longer then 30 days is it declared vacant and need a code compiance?
5)Can you give me the definition of a vacant building and how one is declared vacant?
Since you seem to know a lot about the city of St.Paul I'd like to hear your answers.Thanks.
TIM CIANI
JUMGGCS
I can see how passionate Martin is on this subject. No one likes to see their chums in what could be "hotwater". Also I think going straight to Washington to criticize is taking a big leap right past st. paul and it's corruption and we wouldn't want to do that! Also, I don't think to try understanding and tolerance is worth much these days. I think lots of pickets and an expose is the way to go. Why would one want to join the board on ESNDC and they try to clean it up? Why assume that once acquainted with this org., one would defend it. We're all too busy trying to clean up the city's administration.
That's liberal thinking for yas. They want all the people power and rights for illegals and rights to privacy, but it stops short at Edemocracy. They want to identify the so-called trouble makers that don't go along with the city.
There's another Martin who's under the dillusion that st.paul is helping it's citizens and bringing back safety and wiping out crime. The name is Lisa Martin. Poor dillusional souls.
Once again I must say I do not trust the government and I don't care what party is running it. There's something that happens to a person once they're appointed to run a part of the government. For one thing since they can't be fired, they are pretty safe to turn the other way, lighten production, ease up on employees, etcetcetc. Ever have to wait in line at the post office? See how fast they work? If that were so at Cub Foods, McyD's, you name the private business, the manager would have a spaz. Non-profits really do not have anyone looking over their shoulders and those that work there have no one to answer to. Anyone can make a project look good on paper. If you have corrupted management on site, nobody is going to get caught in their dirty dealing.
Tim,
I'll answer your questions the best I can, but let's be clear about something right up front. I don't know a lot about the CITY or how it works when it comes to this stuff, only what I experienced in the neghborhood, read in the paper or saw on TV.
"1)Mr.Martin do you think the private landlord is treated the same as government and non-profits?"
I don't know for sure. What I do know is that there are laws and regulations governing public housing which might differ from those in private housing.
My sense is that private homes are much less regulated in general than are public housing projects or those run by government regulated non-profits.
"2)Does the city use code enforement on behavior problems in government and non-profit ran housing?"
Code enforcement is used generally when enough people complain about a property. What I found when I was a volunteer at District Five was that Code Inspectors were lazy and indescriminate about enforcement.
"3)Are government and non-profit housing held to the same standards the private landlord is?"
See my answer to question 1.
"4)If government and non-profit housing sits unoccupied for longer then 30 days is it declared vacant and need a code compiance?"
I don't think it is. And it should't be that way with private housing either if you look at the law. If that housing becomes a nuisance via neighbor complaints etc, then that would be a different set of circumstances.
"5)Can you give me the definition of a vacant building and how one is declared vacant?"
I can give you my definition, but I think your looking for the City's definition, which you'd have to ask the City for.
As for my definition, I'd say unoccupied is a lot different from abandoned, but I'm not sure the City always makes that distinction?
"Since you seem to know a lot about the city of St.Paul I'd like to hear your answers.Thanks."
Again, I don't know much about code enforcement or the City policy around this. I think part of the issue is the lack of public education around this issue. Maybe that is one of the real problems here.
Martin Owings
"Why would one want to join the board on ESNDC and they try to clean it up?"
Becuase it's good for the community when people quit bitching and actually work for positive change.
We used to call it getting incolved.
"Why assume that once acquainted with this org., one would defend it."
It's what usually happens when you meet the object of your anger face to face. You realize there are people just like you trying to make a difference, just like you. And just like you they used to bitch until they put themselves in someone elses shoes.
"We're all too busy trying to clean up the city's administration."
Do you attend City Council meetings? Have you tried to make contact (in a constructive way) with City Leadership, you know, your elected officials?
Have you called the Code Enforcement office to talk to them about their policies?
Have you called Mike Anderson to discuss ESNDC? or anyone on the District Five Council to talk about what their dealing with?
Have you walked around the neighborhood and asked your fellow citizens what they think?
All these are things you can do for free to help educate yourself on the issues. What really costs you is to imagine things as you angerily percieve them to be and always seeing others as complicit or somehow evil.
On the other hand you have to recognize when there is an effort to screw people over and when its institutionalized its not easy to change. Just bitching won't do it I can promise you that.
Pickets, posters, flyers and under ground news sources are good, but they hardly match the Government spin control and media manipulation counteracting them.
Getting on the ground and changing the system is more effective in my estimation.
Martin Owings
Ooooh, that's making an intelligent mind-expansive statement of the utmost thought and ingenuity and look Ma, no censorship! I bet that was a big shit relief just aching to get out. Too bad it didn't clarify or rectify if not nullify any of the debatable topics here. It was rather like a belch. Just a lot of hot stinky air. I wonder how the air is over at Edemocracy, probably pretty belch-free.
People have talked to your beloved government types Martin, and every time they do they get some BS spin from them. The property owners are fed up with talking. There's nothing left to talk about. Every time they try and talk to the council or code enforcement or anyone else in a decision making position they get their inteligence insulted and the buck passed to somewhere else. Hear this loud and clear: WE ARE SICK OF TALKING, SICK OF BEING LIED TO, SICK OF HAVING OUR CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATED, SICK OF BEING PUSHED INTO FINANCIAL TROUBLE OVER FALSE CODE REPAIRS, AND SICK AND FUCKING TIRED OF POEPLE LIKE YOU who want to "kind of" go along with the argument, but always leaving a back door open to slither out of because you and your kind are too cowardly to take a firm stand on something and let the chips fall where they may. We are done talking and we have no intention of being nice wether you like it or not. People are having their lives wrecked, people are living under bridges and in cars for nothing, retirements and college educations for kids are going down the drain and it all because of an out of control code enforcement department, a city council and mayor that's too cowardly to show any leadership, and people like you who want to play both ends against the middle so you come out in the comfort zone. We are growing in numbers and we are going to make a difference in the next election, and it is not going to be nice. In fact , it is going to be down right nasty, so buckle up, it is going to be a very rough ride.
Alright your insults and clever arguments have convinced me.
Let's all grab some torch's and pitchforks and let's head down to CITY HALL and string the bastards up...come on whata say?
Afterward we can burn the whole damn place to the ground and appoint our selves "Presidents of The United States of Angry Ass People"
First of all there's no "kind of" in my position at all, you just seem too unwilling or too angry to hear a more intelligent or at least different approach.
Whenever your reduced to name calling and mud-slinging its distracting and frustrating. I hear that in your words and I can even identify with it, but it's not going to solve anything.
Getting mad at me or calling me names doesn't make one bit of difference to the City Government, they could really care less I'm sure. In fact they'd probably be glad, because you and I are distracted.
As for my "beloved" Government types, I've been kicked out of meetings, threatened and even arrested (as a juvenile) for fighting the powers that be.
Over time I learned better methods for making a difference. If you want to call that "cowardly" your missing the point.
Go on, do whatever you want but in the end your not going to change things with ANGER and INSULTS. It'll just lead to a darker world for you and most likely those ideals your trying to fight for.
Instead try focusing that frustration and desire to advocate in a positive direction. Again, I recommend the teachings of Martin Luther King and Henry David Thoreau.
Both will help you learn about something called "CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE". If you don't think its a powerful tool, you don't know your history.
Peace and good luck to you.
And I recommend the bible. Never back the wrong people. These men celebrated humanism and intelligence. So once again, read the bible. Romans is a great place to start. This world is dark for a reason. The bible has the history and the future.
Stereo Types is what we are dealing with.Human beings are afraid of human beings that are different from them. This is a basic animal instinct and we are animals whether you choose to believe that or not. We are also territorial. What I mean by territorial is that we often do not want to work or live near people of other ethnic backgrounds this is where racism and stereotyping is most prevalent in American today. In the year, 2006 a white person is still afraid to walk through a black neighborhood and a black person is just as equally afraid of going into a white neighborhood.
The bottom line is that stereo types stem from ignorance, fear, and a lack of information about each other as human beings. As long as we all view each other as being, different there will always be a person there to take advantage of the fear and ignorance of different sections of society to achieve personal goals. We are all equally ignorant and we are all followers by nature and until we change the way we think and act there will be wars, racism, sexism, and discrimination. Ok, I am bored today!
Nancy (formerly of St.Paul)
You touched upon something Nancy, These neighborhood committees that represent our poorest neighborhoods. Mostly white folk. This is the beginning of the discrimination that leads to landlords losing their homes.A neighbor stereo types another neighbor, a complaint to the City is made then from there everything goes down hill for the tenents of the home and the landlord.
I was over at the "romper room" and one of them is now trying to justify the non profit thing by saying that they are getting a subsidy to the tenant. Simply put in another way, the tenant is getting the subsidy to thim fro the rest of the rent so he can the non profit can pay his fat cat fee.
Absolutely disgusting! We are subsidizing people that make $50,000.00 a year and we are doing it on the backs of the poor who make less than $20,000.00 (and there are a lot of them) and not only get no assistance, but get some extra help from the city chasing them out of town.
Even Grace kelly is mad about it and she's usualy preety laid abck about things.
I think Martin is a great guy. I'd be happy to have him for my neighbor & friend. Thank you Martin for understanding the level of anguish here and displaying great patients. I think you could come to understand this issue if you knew the whole picture.
Yes, thanks Martin. It was me who took your posting from Edemo and posted it here. It was nothing personal. I guess I was just being overly protective of Bob, not that he needs. But it seems that we all came away from something here by having our paths, thoughts, discussions, ideas and experiences brought together. The same way people of all nations, colors and creeds could. It was tough going at first but seems we've come to an understanding.
I kind of enjoyed seeing Martin get bounced arund a little, but that's just because he's part of the in crowd at SPIF. In all honesty I think Martin is a pretty fair and honest guy. He calls it the way he sees it, and sometimes changes his mind. Actually I think he belongs hers more than over at the SPIF. At least you seem to know where you stand with Martin, and that is hell of lot more than you get from most at SPIF. Welcome aboard Martin. I have to say one thing, I respect you for saying what you think and being willing to takw the abuse you did and keep your cool. Now don't let this go to your head Martin.....we still like to call names from time to time, but it's not personal so don't take it that way.
Sorry but I feel Repke is beyond the help criteria. Lost cause category would be more like! If its not going to benefit his selfish life he's not interested! Its a lonely miserable life for those types of individuals, but the city officials need somebody to kiss there ASS so let Repke enjoy it!
Hi All,
Tonight- mikes letter reprinted and continued....
1001 Payne Avenue Southern Cooking
Over the last 6 months Douglas McRae was the project manager over this project and Alicia Zepeda was the program manager over seeing the developement of Southern Cooking for ESNDC part of this project she was going to take the lead on developing a new sign for the front of the stores outside windows. new signage and gooseneck lighting, it would brighten up the store front and the street of Payne Ave.
The SEDAC committee had approved $9000 for the frontage.Moreover Alicia was woking with a contractor named simply signs by Mendez who does great work does very well for Payne Ave. Business. i had not seen any problem with his paper work and he understands that,Davis Bacon Law's will have to be followed according to state and federal guide lines.
Then the problems started with WINNDC who had borrowed two women $25,000 to start a resturant May 2004.As today Nov 2, 2004 the project is still not conpleted. they bought the women a new ventilation hood and air exchanger for above their cooking appliances.
The project manager for WINNDC never took the time to do a Scope of Work to see what it was going to take to get this project going and to conplete it on any type of time line.There was no planning for electrical or plumbing work, which had to be accomplished to bring things up to building code.Let alone to buy stock and pay employees and they have very little or no money for start up money unless ESNDC or WINNDC gives it to them.According to the WINNDC project manager at the last meeting made it sound like yes and no matter of minutes depending on the questions from the board whether they could or not. It was like listening to Douglas McRae when he was being questioned by people and he would forget what he had told other people.
Therefore over the last few months I have been going down there as Douglas McRae told me to and i came back and informed him that it would take $20,000.00 or more to conplete the project. Douglas McRae and Mike Anderson got mad at me for not being a team player. therefore,I just let it fall back on Alicia and it stayed that way for a couple more months.
Douglas McRae was later released from his job. the week before he left he dumped Southern Cooking in my lap because Alicia did not want the responsibility for it.Then I was put in the hot seat to take care of this, I knew this was going to be a problem ahead of time.
At first the two elderly women who own the building were not willing to listen to the problems that I brought up.They thought because they had the work done 15 years ago it must still be good.But the renters in the past brought in their own contractors without pulling permits.However, by the end they relized that everything i was trying to achieve was true after the building inspectors came through.
The first problem is that the 2 women going into business and the two women who own the building cannot come to an conplete agreement.They do not understand that they need to work with the building inspector Steve Olson of the Health Department.There have been times when Mr. Olson would show up the two women that are trying to start their business would not take the time to show up, and this irratated him greatly.
After two months WINNDC brought in Jeffery C. Alexander to draw a real looking design.Steve Olson could see where everything was going.They are using appliances that are 20 years old and very dirty and beat up. in addition the women are very upset with Steve Olson for not giving them a high rating.The first thing he wanted them to do was clean the place as it is very dirty.In addition the work that is being done is not good workmanship.The repair work that has been done is very poor quality.The women blame many of the delays on him when it is their fault for not getting in and doing the cleaning.
This is the Scope of Work,which i had laid out to be done to meet minimum building codes.I brought in Don Moynihan Electrical inspector for the City of St.Paul, before I called him I called mike Anderson and told him I was going to have all the City Building Inspector go through the building to make sure all building codes were brought into the Scope of Work and he thought it was a great idea. ESNDC has so many problems with planning with all their projects in the past.Without planning the job out and checking to see what it is going to take to past the building codes.
Mike Anderson thought it was a great idea to protect ESNDC for looking like unprofessional for not planning and getting all their ducks in a row.Therefore I told him the $9000 was going to be enough to cover everything.He told me to get the numbers together and show him.He was very outspoken and upset that I would question him about how we were going to get the money for the project.All he said was we have to get the job done. (This is because WINNDC made a bad investment and they were trying to pass the buck onto someone else for lack of knowledge for what it takes to get a job done.)
As I started getting the information together it kept getting worse. The cost of Scope of Work and the things that had to be accomplished kept growing and growing.In addition problems kept getting worse because the cost were getting so high that Mike Anderson was getting pressure from the Project Manager from WINNDC.Both of them were screaming at me at times for what I was doing. In addition i did stand up for myself they did not like this because I would not roll over and cover everything up.
At this time I called the building inspector for the State of Minnesota Mike Anderson Fricke in helping me get this business up to minimum building codes for the City of St. Paul.In addition along with all the other cover ups i have been talking about. First he said he would help then after a week of blowing me off he just pass the buck said he didn't have time for these problems. I thought John Lesch Assistant City Attorney and legislator for the district would help. he said he would and wanted to know why things were going the way they were and when I called for help he never returned my calls.
At the same time I called Harry Melander from AFL-CIO to help protect me with this whisle blower law.It turned out he and Mike Anderson are best friends.
I am sending you a Scope of Work that I had done for Southern Cooking that shows what it would take to bring this up to minimum building codes. Steve Olson had wanted this minimal work to be. done.
The women are now 5 months behind on their rent ($1700 a month)on rent and I brought this up to Mike Anderson and the Project manager for WINNDC and they told me it was not my problem. How can we give this money to someone who can't make a real attempt to get things done? They have no working capitol. Right now these people are just trying to cover their butts because no one looked ahead.
You need to talk to Don Moynihan so that this project is not covered up because the building has so many issues.There is a hot water heater in the basement that is 480v and it is wired for 240V it is a fire hazard just waiting to burn down the whole block.
The problem with the SEDAC committee is that Mike Anderson only gives what information he sees fit.The committeee would never approve more money if he let the truth out.He was not happy at all with me when I told them Monday the 1st of November that the ladies were 5 months behind and that if they knew that there is many more issues they would not have give their approval for an $8000 increase for free money. out of the first allocated money only $1500 is being spent on signage.
I just talked to Don Moynihan and told him about all the bad panels in the back room that have had water leaking all over them. jeffery Alexander and the project manager for WINNDC told me not to say anything about the fact of what all the contractors had showed me that was wrong and is a fire trap.
Mr.Martin thanks for answering my questions to the best of your ability.I kinda like you.You are honest to the facts that you know.Do you know evertything,no!!Thats why I believe you come here.To hear sides of both stories.I believe you're fair and eager to learn both sides of the story.So lets all play nice and educate eachother.
The questions I ask of you I allready have answers to.I will list the answers to the questions as I see them for you to do your own research on.Its late and I need to get up early so I will get back to you with the answers.But I thank you for showing courage and coming on this site.This site is stacked deep with people that are affraid to show their identity on edemo. We are people affected by the city of St.Paul code enforcement and just want to be heard.Hopefully more people like you will want to hear more than one side of the story.
TIM CIANI
JUMGGCS
Last thing before I return in for tonight.Hey Repke your buddy Tim Ciani.I invite you to this site.We look forward to hearing your side.Thanks.
TIM CIANI
JUMGGCS
I also invite Mr.Thune.
TIM CIANI
JUMGGCS
I'm glad I could be a part of this conversation, I know it is important. I thank those of you that took the time to have an exhange here.
The dialog would not have been as open at SPIF, you all certainly deserve credit for that. Even that person that called us F%$KING IDIOTS, thanks for contributing.
I'll continue to read Mike's letters and keep an open mind.
For those of you that had kind things to say about me, I appreciate it very much. For those that did not, I just need to do a better job of educating you. <-HUMOR ATTEMPT.
A few items:
To Scorekeeper, I appreciated the 1 point, they all help. When I get enough can I trade them in for Twins Tickets?
Nancy, thank you for saying the things you did. Thank you for having the courage to speak your mind.
To the person who enjoyed seeing me bounced around, I appreciate any opportunity to express myself and hear the thoughts/concerns of others (I don't have to agree to appreciate your position) and I just hope the bounce isn't too hard, I'm getting old.
Mike thanks for excercising your right to FREE SPEECH. My past experiences with ESNDC just happen to differ.
Bob, good site. Very open dialog and a good variety of opinions. It's somewhere between an old west showdown and the british parliment.
For those of you interested, I have a couple of blogs myself.
For a look at my Art visit:
http://art1064mdo.blogspot.com/
For Commentary on American Life and Politics visit:
http://newlincolnist.blogspot.com/
Martin Owings
Why are you bothering? Because deep down you want to be just like us! You love coming here and read every post twice to make sure you understand everything! You think this is the most interesting site with the most straightforward people you have ever had the pleasure to know. Because you've become accustomed to coming here and it's under your skin now. Why else would someone spend so much time on a site? We are addicting and you fell under the spell. You want to add to our posts but feel you have nothing to offer so in your attempts to offer the littlest amount, you fail and then become mad at yourself and try again. It's okay, just take it easy, no one is going anywhere here. Isn't America great! We can say whatever we want. Lastly don't think with the "types" of people posting here that you've offended or made any one gasp!
"Why bother?"
This is a good question and one all of us have to answer for ourselves sooner or later.
It starts with the notion that as long as we're going to occupy space in the Universe we might as well make the most of it.
After all, if a tiny butterfly can move its wings on a mountain in Mexico and change the weather in Canada I have to believe we all can make a difference.
And because "Why Bother?" is really a question about the human condition for me and less about what it is we bother about.
I bother for so many reasons they'd be tough to list, but on the top would be these few:
The smile on my childrens faces.
The belief we all have value, even those that society likes to forget.
That justice is real and the lack of it is hopelessness.
That all it takes for evil to prevail is for good men and women to do nothing.
That democracy is a nobel idea becuase at its best it elevates the human condition.
I could go on, but those are some reason's I bother.
I'd like to hear others talk about why they bother?
Martin
I like it here because I have the freedom to say what I want, and know that the people here will forgive me if they get mad at me, or do not agree.
I am the person that called Martin a F'ing idiot. I like the fact that like all the others here, Martin had it in his character to overlook my temporary shortcoming, and see a bigger picture. We should be proud to have him here.
I like the people here. They may not always be right in my mind on everything, but they say it the way they see it.
I like that what these people believe in today is what they will believe in next week. Their values are not decided by "self interest."
I like the character of the people here. You always know where you stand with them.
I like it that Chuck Repke doesn't post here.
Why bother? Because this world matters. Because we need to set an example for our children. Because satan would like us to not bother. Because we need each other to succeed in justice. Because we need each other in fellowship. Because if we didn't bother, then we would head into a downward spiral and be left a cynincal and lonely person. And then who would want to be around you? So let's bother somebody or somethng today. Martin- are you sorry that I bothered you by putting you in the spotlight?
I signed my name in the heading of this comment so "George Orwells" image wouldn't come up and confuse people skipping from image to image reading Mikes letter.
Why bother?
I couldn't resist this one.
This is really a complex question when you think about it.
To simplify it, my personal experiences good and bad have made me the person that I am.
I have matured in life gracefully and I feel others emotions intellectually.
By nature I am a confrontive, combative person.Thus, my direct confrontive combative approach concerning low income people, housing, and the private investors who house them.
SPIF-I have thought about this and to some degree SPIF gets a bad rap due to a small number of people who are members there. The concept of SPIF is good.
Think about this, if you were a counsel member would you post here! Not me! We're a bunch of hungry DOGs looking for fresh meat.:-)SPIF creates a comfort zone for City Officials, In some way I violated their vision of this comfort zone.
This was one aspect of many reasons for creating this Town Hall meeting here.I was trying to give them some space from my controversial dialog.And it seems some at SPIF drag our conversations here back there. Then we go back and forth like the Hatfeilds and McCoys.
That being said I like this Town Hall Meeting more than that other one. I can FART here.:-)
But, listen, we need them, and they need US, right here giving the average Joes opinion.
Fact, our Town Hall meeting is going to gain popularity real fast with the average Joe citizen.I am hoping we can refrain from bad mouthing SPIF in the future.
This Town Hall Meeting here could become a political leverage for a gutsy candidate who could speak to the blue collar man.
I have decided to link SPIF right here at Ademocracy.:-)
Of coarse this is only my opinion and I can't tell others what to say and think if this is to be a place were true freedoms of speech are honored.
It makes me happy to the depths of my soul that so many feel comfortable to speak their mind here.
I am going for a FALL drive in the country to see the changing of the leaves of 2006.
I hope you all are enjoying this day!
Bob
Why bother?
The journalism here is outstanding. Thank you to the host.
Lets face it, we all like scandals and dirty laundry. The things revealed here are the things that the media will never tell you about, and even if they did it would be so sugar coated you would'nt recognize it.
I bother because I like dirt, and the dirtier the better.
Back to one of the issues at hand here, I think it is a complete outrage that we can give developers TIF money like there is no tomorrow, make more subsidies so certain people earning $50,000.00 can afford to move into a certain neighborhood, and not only do we do nothing for the truly needy who make under $20,000.00 a year, our city goes out of its way to make sure this certain class of people cannot have the smae roof over their head.
Why Bother;
There are several reasons I bother, for one most all of the people here stood by my side when no one else gave a shit, at this point in my life I have nothing the city can do to retaliate against me, what I can do is possibly help to put a stop to this behavior the city has been practicing on the citizens that are down in out before the city digs the hole for them also. I have learned quite a bit from my own personal mistakes and if I can be there to help even one person up when they are down I will be happy. I will continue to bother until god decides it is time for me to go away, til then guess what you are all stuck with me, and I will bother the city, as I am not finished with them as of yet. I feel that after where I have been and what I have done to make the much needed changes in my life I will be a good role model to help others realize that they to can make these changes in their life and fight the illness of addiction and succeed. Hope I haven't been to much of a bother, but if I have too bad, deal with it! LOL
Nancy (formerly of St.Paul)
I rememebr last winter when the Jessamine thing was going on. I also remember when all the people at SPIF were telling you that the property owners didn't give a damn about you and were just manipulating and using you for their own purposes. Being the good stand up people that both sides claim to be, I would be interested in knowing which side is standing by you now....now that either side has anything to gain since your home is long gone.....details please!
Do you know where all those people "making" under $20,000 are? Making phone calls to me for a place to rent! I'm a private owner by the way. I cannot see where a mom with 2-4 kids can live on a check from the county for only $643.00 (approximately). That's the bulk of calls I get. Some get SSI also. If they are employed, they are still making under the 20k. These people are scrambling for the affordable rents that are not out there anymore. About 7 years ago, it was uncommon to see a boarded up or vacant house. Today it's all you see. It's sick what some people are calling development. In the 70's we called it urban renewal. So what's the new term? I'm trying to supply affordable housing. A few years back they could easily get a section 8 voucher or move into subsidized. Well that well ran dry and it really hurt the whole industry. You have a long wait to get into either programs. That program ran out of money but the TIF's are a flowin like water as well as the ESNDC Org.
I'm not saying that we should give handouts to meet everyone's needs, but giving fundings to families with good incomes is reprehensible. It's too bad that the government has to step in and take the responsibility for the fathers out there and yes the moms too who go ahead and have families and then cannot sufficiently support them. Or they run into trouble along the way. And when they run into trouble they will get no help if they live in st. paul. They the city will step in, no let me clarify that, they will ram the door down, arrest you, possibly take your kids away. Then they will condemn the building after trashing it and leave it up to the landlord to clean up and pay the cost for losing the older home protection. Then 2 days later the same tenant is back on the streets. Does this sound idiotic to you? Oh, and then they make it all your fault and responsiblity that you rented to someone with those sorts of problems. Someone here also said that if the person was doing illegal activity, they should have been in jail, not there ex-rental unit paying the price. what a waste! So you have the city wasting taxpayer money, taxpayer's businesses, taxpayer's freedom, rights, time, housing stock, etc.
I average 5 calls a day on this particular 2 bedroom opening and has been going on for 3 weeks now. Some have 3-4 kids and they expect to rent a 2 bedroom. I'm wondering where they all have gone with all these kids. Somebody wrote here not to long ago about st. paul about to contradict their own overcrowding policy. So there again it's fine for st. paul to break all the rules and the law, but they fine and prosecute those that do nothing other than rent to the low income.
As I have always known but never paid much attention to the only true friends one has are the ones that will stand by your side throughout, whether its a down time or not, The property rights people had nothing to gain by being there for me then nor do they now, in my mind that is what the definition of a friend is, someone who cares. The others I never really knew and don't care to, in my eyes they live a very selfish lonely life. I have never been one that could push someone down further than they already are, I would rather help them up. I think there are to many people out there that don't care about the next person and see that as a major cause of the way society has become. It takes a real tragedy to wake some people up and there will still be people that are claiming to help but the real truth behind their help is to fill their bank account. I am sorry but I have painted St.Paul as being a not so pretty picture in my mind. And by the way I do paint real pictures pretty good (scenery are my favorite, I have an excellent one I did from my jail cell too!The riverview jail.) Martin you have compitition! lol
Nancy (Happy to say;formerly of St.Paul)
4:43
I hear you when you say people are calling for affordable apartments, I manage 50 apartments that are considered for the low income (privately owned). Our rent ranges from $450 a month to $700 all utilites include. All units are full and I now have a waiting list, the phone doesn't stop ringing. Most are single moms or elderly on SSI, some are on disability. A good percentage of them were formerly from St.Paul or Mpls. I feel bad that we don't have more places available, the last apartment I rented out was to a single mom, pregnant and sleeping in her van, she had waited about 3 weeks for us to have a place available. This is terrible to see happening to people and for the city and its officials to be a good part of the cause for this is a crime in its self. How anyone can think its safer for a family to live on the streets or raise their child out of a car rather than in a home that might need a screen replacement or a fresh coat of paint is beyond me, they are some sick individuals. Hopefully something happens to wake the city up before there are to many violent tragedys caused by the stress put on these families.
Nancy (Happy to say; Formerly of St.Paul)
There's something going to happen all right.
With the exception of Thune and Harris, the city council in St. Paul is a bunch of bufoons that are going to get run out of town on a rail.
This foreclosure thing is just the tip of the iceberg. I'll make some predictions, and I'll be back next year to say I told you so".
The roughnecks from Minneapolis are moving to St. Paul right now, ask any landlord where their new tenants are coming from.
There will be a bloodbath on the streets of St. Paul next summer like we have seen in Minneapolis.
Property taxes are going to go through the roof this year.....on top of last year.
The same thing will happen with property taxes next year.
The city of St. Paul still will not have enough cops on the street, but the "gang of four" will have no shortage of excuses and miraculosly the cure.
Property values will drop at least 20%
The vacant and foreclosed houses next year at election time will be double to triple where they are now.
This forum will still be spreading the word.
SPIF'ers will still have their heads in the sand.
The voters will replace the majority of the city council with margins much larger than usual.
The city will be looking for me to do their future research work.
What happened somebody asks a question like "Why Bother" and ya all get confused or what???? Or do ya all figure "Why Bother"?
Nancy (Happy to say; Formerly from St.Paul)
Hi All,
Mikes letter reprinted and continued-
MALLARED TEALS
Payne Avenue Auto Body:Mallared, I think he is a very honest man.Everything has been going very slow but that is because, Douglas McRae was letting Mallared pick his own contractors to do the work. He knew everyone had to be paid prevailing wages and he was doing everything according to ESNDC.
I@U CAFE:
After everything I have learned over the last 6 months R Joe is different but he is a very smart and honest man. He is loud and uproarious but he does make a very good point on many things.
But the I@U Cafe is being rebuilt by a bunch of hispanics that cannot speak english and I would be willing to bet some are illegal here. Many times I called Building Inspector Stephen Ubl to do a check and I do not believe he ever checked on anything there.In addition I called Mike Anderson Fricke on this one.He was very aware of the project but never gave any help.I asked Harry Melander to try and see what he could do.I just called him now to ask him about being a whistle blower.He was going to help me keep my job. He come in the office last week to see Mike Anderson I asked him what was said,He stated it was nothing about me. I was in Mike Andersons office when he arrived and he said he was very much surprized to see him two days in a row.
I was never told to much about the Murph Dawkins building just enough to know and stay away because Douglas McRae and Mike Anderson thought of her as being nuts and crazy.They are and many people are concerned when working with her because of her brother Andy Dawkins who could make their own lives and careers difficult.
There was $30000 set in an account for Murph that was to be used in labor at prevailing wages.But she is very much against paying anyone but her self a fair wage. She is peicing this building together with old lumber and anything new that R Joe can find laying around on the street.She has a bunch of street people who know nothing about construction the construction feild and are limited to what R Joe can teach them through sign langage.
Murph went to work and found a little clause in the (BDG & BIFF regulations)that said in fine print according to what I have been told that she could use the money for soft cost.
Mike Anderson, Douglas McRae, and Murph Dawkins were able to convince the committee to let Murph use the money to pay soft cost.The problem is the money was intended to be used for people of the neighborhood, to get a chance to earn a fair living. If the soft cost would go to other small businesses in the neighborhood,a person could buy it.
I have to give Douglas McRae credit because as he did not trust her at all.The contracts still have not been signed and they have been laying there for a couple of months.I was told by Douglas McRae not to let them be signed unless Murph Dawkins could prove her soft cost.According to her Douglas McRae never told her of this.
She was going to have to show she had the funds to finish the cafe.And she would never get the money till everything was done and she had the permit from the city of St.Paul to open for business.Douglas McRae did not think she could make it so he told me if she wanted to convert the money back to prevailing wages she could but everything after that point would have to be prevailing wages.
ESNDC would go out of their way to help people and contractors go around this if they could.Even if it meant creating false documents.More than once I was asked by Douglas McRae to shred documents on different projects. I do believe Mike Anderson knew about them. I know he does because I told him and he never told me not to follow Douglas McRaes orders.
This Dawkins woman I believe is the sister of Andy Dawkins. Isn't that interesting. Since these groups always follow the law, I wonder if they have the paperwork to show what finally happened with this money? Anyone wanna bet that it cannot be disclosed because of "data privacy?"
Say what you want about ESNDC, good or bad, each of us has our own experiences.
However, I know Murph Dawkins from the neighborhood and because she also volunteered at ESNDC and District Five.
She's helped more people and done more good in the community than many people who seem to get more credit. Or the politician's who pat themselves on the back at every opportunity.
Lot's of business people were leaving Payne Ave and she believed enough in the place to try an start a small business.
She employed the homeless and poor when they couldn't get work anywhere else. And they aren't going to come online in her defense because they sleep in boxes and don't have internet access.
Murph is a great women and the community is lucky to have her. If your at all in doubt, swing by the U & I Cafe and pay her a visit. She's usually around working on the place.
**********************************
I almost missed this and didn't want to leave this persons question unanswered:
"Who is this Martin guy anyway? This guy is quite the character. He comes in here talkin his shit, pisses everyone off to the point he's being called a f___ing idiot, responds with kindness and everyone likes him."
I think it was because when I spoke about my experiences I wasn't talkin sh*t, I was sharing what I saw in an honest dialog. It helps to speak from experience and to be truthful.
As for who I am, that's the woderful part of the mystery of life. We get to enjoy discovering the human condition through one another.
"Although I even find myself admiring him a little, I don't get it......not sure I want to either!"
Maybe becuase I try to respect you for your opinion and I am willing to give you and others the benefit of the doubt, all I ask in return is a little of the same.
"This guy could be rich overnight taking a job as a salesman."
If I could be rich I think I would have done so already. As for being a salesman, I never really had the killer instinct to be good at that job, instead I work with technology and volunteer my time at what some might say were various lost causes.
Martin
I don't think a lot of people regard what you volunteer your time for as a lost cause Martin. I think that the landlords are sick and tired of being made the "scapgoats" for all of societys problems, and they're not going to take it any longer. The trouble is that some of the organiztions you have been with are some of the most "anti landlord" people anywhere, and the two sides have become so polarized that there is no longer any roon to get along about anything. There are some bad landlords who refuse to fix anything on thier property, but there are a whole lot more bad tenants who damage those properties so fast the landlord cannot get caught up on repairs. Until the city and the various neighborhood groups start recognizing that, the divide is only going to grow wider and the resentments deeper. This is a law enforcement issue and a behavior issue and has nothing to do with the landlord. It has to do with a city that does not want to spend money on cops or show the leadership to go out and arrest these people for the various dsiturbances they make in the neighborhood because it is cheaper and quicker to close up or tear down the house the problem makers live in. This is he "broken windows" theory of the left, and it has not worked in all the years they have been practicing it. How many more years are they going to keep funding and practicing a failed policy? And then there is still the matter of the housing code inspectors citing property owners and condemning their properties for violations that do not exist so they can then force that owner to spend $40,000.00 on a complete code complaince like it was a new house.
I caution everyone this letter is Mikes opinion and Murph or anyone else in this letter maybe innocent of the allegations.
I will also add homeless people are upset with being taken advantage of concerning wages. You can attend meetings at the Listening House for more information on this subject.
Thank you for your latest post Martin.I will go over and check out Murph's cafe. I eat at resturants frequently and something different is always appreciated. I encourage others to check out Murph's I@U Cafe also.
The name of Murph's restaurant is the U & I Cafe. It's not open yet. The rehab looks pretty good from the outside and if you stop by I'm sure she'll give you a tour.
How did Murph aquire this property? A show of good works does not excuse you with that of which you may be guilty of. There are underlying issues at hand here. What about the landlord's who try and give these homeless, low income people working, for what wages by the way?, a place to live. Shouldn't they receive some glory being handed out here too. It seems someone opening a business, advocating for that part of town where that business is located and hiring people who don't demand high pay, is being offered as a pillar. I would need more information and I necessarily wouldn't start by visiting the place of business as much as I would the timeline and components concerning the sale of the building and funds offered to it by the city before the establishment opened.
Was the building foreclosed on someone? If so, who and why wasn't this person given the opportunity for funding? There's a hint of nepotism, narcissism or at the very least a conflict of interest showing here that being, if your brother "works" for the city, you have an advantage over normal start ups that most people wouldn't be afforded. Both inspector and favortism-wise.
I'm sure most landlords started out with buying their rentals and rolling up their sleeves to get best out of their places as possible. So again, here's credit for one building which serves no one except the owner. There will always be a coffee shop or restaurant nearby, but what about affordable housing.
In addressing the property rights people here: Am I on the wrong track? I really need to know because something is just not kosher here, seems to me anyway, I'd like some feedback.
Well ok, on these issues you have a good point.
I don't know all the details on the financial dealings and influences one person might have on another or any nepotism issues if there were any.
I am ignorant on these issue because these aren't things that people would share anyway.
As for loans made by ESNDC to Murph Dawkins for the U&I Cafe, as a Board of Directors (at ESNDC) we considered this issue carefully and we took all the necessary steps both legally and ethically to make sure what ESNDC, as an organization was doing, was both in keeping with our fudiciary responsibilities and good for the community.
There was a subsequent vote, I was present, I supported the loan, in other words I voted YES, along with many others as we thought this was a good investment in the community for ESNDC.
Afterall, Murph's cafe would bring business/money into to the local area and provide jobs and housing. If you don't know the whole upper floor was rental, two apartments I believe.
As for her character as a person, that might have influenced my vote, becuase I saw her and still do as someone who cares deeply about the Eastside and who on many occassions whether is was politically correct or not, stood up for those without voice.
I very honestly wish Murph Dawkins would run for office. Her character, insight, wisdom, honesty and compassion would make a tremendously positive impact on the CITY of Saint Paul.
I don't just think she's ok or a decent person, in my experience, she is one of the best people I've had the good fortune to know.
That's why I defend her character so strongly.
Martin
to 11:51..........that is where you do not understand this government/non profit type thinking. Looking at the past records is not going to tell you anything. What these people want you to do is go talk to the present day owner and benificiaries, ets. and forget the past. you see, all these people have the idea that "the ends justify the means" and the hell with who gets hurt in getting to where they want to be.
That is all we need is another Dawkins in any kind of leadership role in this city.
Here's How That Would Look by example of "big brother" of course:
Murph's Law:
just finished installing a new window = cited for no trim paint on new window
just cleaned out apartment inwhich tenant left items = cited for garbage by the can, not in a container
tenant has kids = cited for unsightly kid's toys in the yard
tenant has loud party = cited and threatened with rental cert suspension.
attempting to live and earn a living = cited for breathing and taking up too much air.
Anyone want to add to it! Hey it's Friday!
Just remember if you don't caulk those windows properly your house is subject to be demolished, according to the city. Because they are so highly educated that they specialize in window caulking!
Hi All,
Mikes letter reprinted and continued-
PAYNE & WHITALL;
This is a redeployment of Payne Ave. and Whitall with Sherman and Associates. Shaw Lunquest is the General Contractor as far as I know. This is to be a Prevailing wage job with federal and state money I do not know how it all goes together but. There have been many issues all the way along here. It is just like the bank, there are so many stories going around that the story tellers even get confused at times.
It is amazing how the properties can differ so much depending which lawyer or real estate agent that you had represent you. On the other hand, if you where able to cry enough at sub-committee at the right time. That is all right but it seems with what I heard at times, some of me people in the middle of buying and selling where making a little extra money. Most drive the price of the project a littte.
There are people making a lot of money off the taxpayers and the poor people that they displaced. So through this process of buying and selling I spent a lot of time down there. Boarding up the windows and doors, and I have gotten to know me people. Most of them are very nice, and it took awhile to get and know them. This was their home even if I could not understand why you would not want to move, and take the money and move to a nicer and safer neighborhood.
RJoe, I first met him at 606 Whitall. He was taking the patio blocks as Douglas McRae and I where driving up to the place he was loading them in his truck. Douglas McRae told him to put half of them back, and R. Joe did as he was, told to do. He wanted the flowers from around the property and Douglas McRae told him when the time came he could go and take them. As the summer went along I had good times and bad times with RJoe.
RJoe and I made a deal that he would bring up the dirt I needed around the house at 636 Sims because of all the retaining walls that where installed. RJoe hauled all the dirt up, and it was quite the effort to get this done. There was a lot of complaining from Douglas McRae, and Eric Carpenter. (Mike Anderson would drive by and honk or way and tell me how great it look and I was doing a wonderful job) However, they would not give me the money to buy dirt for about $500.00 to a $1,000.00.1 spent two weeks hurting my back doing the work and in the process, I have gotten a pinched nerve, Douglas McRae and Eric Carpenter where fighting so much I never said anything because of tension in the office and because, no one wanted to do a professional job on this house. After all, no one ever stopped to do a good Scope of Work and they said it has to, be sold to a family, which is low-income.
I gave RJoe, the go-ahead to take rest of the block and flowers for bringing up the dirt. He said he was going to go in the basement and turn on the water to water the plants. That night he did and when he did, he took the furnace out of it. I told him to put it back, but some place along the way Douglas McRae had given RJoe permission to gut the whole place. We went through a couple of months with Douglas McRae trying to blame me, and RJoe. Finally, in the end it came out that Douglas McRae had indeed given RJoe permission to gut the house.
Then at the end of the last month Sherman Ass, started to gut these houses Abatement work done. I stopped one day and asked the men if they where Union and the one person mat wanted to talk said well some of us are some are not. I asked the guys: what their wages where and they laughed about it and wanted to know why I was asking. They said it was somewhat personal. I told them I was a union 49er and labor for 25 years. So I know when a union man or even a man mat's being paid prevailing wages are asked they are always willing to tell you. They are never ashamed of what their income is. I counted 9 to 12 African Americans working on this project. Two men had respirators and the other where picking up Asbestos with their bare hands and no respirators. There white protective cloths where ripped from head to toe. Plastic was all ripe up on the ground and siding was lying all over. The men where putting the siding in plastic bags with bare hands. The two men that had the respirators where on ladders letting it fall to the ground and break up more in the air. All I could think
of was what are these people going to do years from now when then- dying from this, for wages that are substandard, and the lack of proper Safety Equipment
I went and called Alison Bergram from Sherman Assoc. and as always, this woman would not answer the phone. So I left her a message that mis was not a union contractor, not paying prevailing wages and it was an unsafe working environment and I told her what I had seen with my own eyes. Then I called local 132 to tell the labors so they could send someone out and help these guys get what they where entitled to.
This is the point in time I called Harry Melander and left a voice message for him about what was going on. I cannot remember if he returned the call that day or not But I had left him a full message of what was going on. I do know the first time I talked to him, he drove over himself but they where not working that day and he was going to call Sherman Assoc, and he check and see what is going on himself.
The next day Mike Anderson calls me into his office and chews me out for calling Alison and leaving her a detailed message. He said I was management now and it was not any of my concerns if the men where being treated right or not He told me this was a union company and all the men where being paid prevailing wages. That it was none of my business if these men are being paid, prevailing wages or not, or have protective clothing for the very dangerous life threatening work. I would not roll over and be quite about it He threatened me and I told him I would do it again, that I, was hired to try to change things for the people down here. That was when I had told him that I had called the AFL.CIO for help. He was very angry with me for calling them for support hi resolving this problem, and I told him I would do it again.
I left his Mike Anderson office and called Harry Melander right then. And told him what had happen and I told bun everything. He said if I wanted him to go ahead a start proceeding that he would have to bring my name into the front of this. He said I would, be protected through the Whistler Blower Law. But I never had any idea that they grew up together. (His quote I cannot believe any of this where best friends.) Also I had called Mike Anderson Fricke for help and he told me he would come down and take a look but he never did come to help. He was always to, busy to help with this problem, so I ask him to have someone else give me help but that never happened either.
It is 12:10 pm. on November 4,2004. I called Aardvark Abatement (2). 612-823-29551 had called them at 11:11 this morning. And I ask the secretary if they where union and she said no that they had no union men. Then I asked her if the men had any state run type of apprentice program and she said no. Then I asked her if they paid prevailing wages and she said yes, but the day I asked the men about wages not one of them know what prevailing wages are.
At 8:00 am, I called and left a message for Harry Melander asking about the protection he promised; it is 12:22 and no response yet It is now Monday the 8 of November 8,2004 and it is 8:32 and stills no response.
Funny when I took this job it was a main concern of Douglas McRae and Eric Carpenter that I would stick up for the poor people down here and do what was right But the funny thing is it was okay as long as they where not accountable for their actions. I believe this is what leaded Mike Anderson to fire me because he cannot control a honest man that really is trying to do the right thing.
What the hell!!! taking down asbestos with your bare hands and peeling it off the house and letting it blow in the wind! How evil. These foremen should know better! They just don't care. Where were they when this deadly work was being performed? Did they go hide like the cowards they are?
I'm surprised they even rolled down their window as they drove past to check out the work.
I am wondering why Mike Anderson hasn't responded to these allegations. I am leaning toward believing Mike's story.
Hearing that little speech from Jim Kielkopf in ESNDC defense done nothing to sway my thinking, since we all know from what mind set Jim Kielkopf comes from- "Not In My Back Yard".In fact, finding out this man sits on the Board was frightning.
How bout it Mike? We know your reading.What's up?
How many of your homes come from a City action to deprive the owner of their home? And did anyone who served ESNDC sit on a neighborhood committee that complained about a behaviorial issue at a home that ended up in ESNDC inventory.
Yeah get the POOR KIDS and the POOR PEOPLE to remove the asbestos. We kick them out of the City and kill the ones that dare stay.
Considering how this blog came to be and how hard the people over at SPIF tried to silence and "talk over" these types of issues, I have been wondering latley if this kind of behavior is what the DEMOCRAT beliefs aspire to. This city is run by DEMOCRATS, and it sure seems to me that it is the DEMOCRATS who seem to be speaking up in favor of this kind of behavior. I have always thought I was a DEMODCRAT, but not so sure any more.
One of the posters over at SPIF mentioned how many news cameras will be pointing at St. PAul during the upcoming convention, and that has made me think about how now would be a good time for the property rights folks to get very well organized and do some protests at this convention so the entire world can see how dirty and corrupt this city is. They did protests at St. Paul city hall a while back, they could do it again.
Why would you even be reading the St. Paul Issues Forum? They are just a bunch of shallow wanna-be government groupy type of people who get off on patting themselves on the back for their narrow, closed minded and self serving views of things.
control freaks is more like it!!
Read the complaint at the Feedback forum of Edemocracy complaining about Mitch Berg... Bunch of kids over there whining about how they can control Freedom of Speech.
"They got the DUCT tape out again folks".
Hi All,
Mikes letter reprinted and continued-
MAIN OF THE LIOIN:
James Taylor is an African American. I do not know whom to believe about him. The girls in the office are afraid of him. I know him, Douglas McRae, and Mike Anderson have had words with him. I do know that Mike Anderson is good in the fact that he lets him cut his hah'.
Mike Anderson sent me to talk to him about the money that was, awarded him. For the new Signage and lights to brighten up his storefront, it was being offered through, the biff program. 1 went to talk to him to see what he would like to do and to tell him he was, awarded $2,500.00. I told James Taylor and he had many different ideas of what he wanted and I told him to think about and I would stop and talk to him on Monday. He told me hi the first short conversation that Douglas McRae had lied and cheated him and that I needed a haircut Douglas McRae would call him to come in and get the money to help him and when he would get their. Douglas McRae would be gone and James would get in an argument with the staff, and they would have words.
The following Monday or Tuesday, I went to see James to see what he wanted to do as the building needs a lot of work. He showed me outside all the places that the water runs in to the building, and that some day he would like to buy the shop from the owner next door. He showed me the basement where the stairs are falling in and very unsafe to get up and down. In the basement, there was a lot of junk. An in the very back of the basement he is trying to keep me from going that far back, A way hi the back is a VCR and TV sitting in the center all crowded in the back you could see it was a place for smoking and other things, and I was able to see that there was, unprofessional related materials reading materials and VCR tapes. He was showing me where the water was coming the building. If the Fire Marshal had seen how the place was, packed with cardboard boxes around the furnace, he would shut hun down. James Taylor was finished showing me around the basement, and we went back upstairs and he told me all his problems with ESNDC. And how a Black person can not get a fare chance from ESNDC but if you where and Asian or Hispanic they would bend over backwards for them. That he would like to use the money as he saw fit and not as the SEDAC committee wanted. He was very grateful for it but there where many other tilings that, are more important for him then a new sign. He already has one he thinks is good enough for him. So I told him I would go back and talk to Mike Anderson and I would get back to him.
I went back and told Mike Anderson that James Taylor wanted to use the money to fix up the inside and deal with the water problem or use the money to pay his NSP bill from the last place he was in. Mike Anderson laughed about it and said that would never happen. So I told him what was said and that he wanted to fix up a few other things. So Mike Anderson sent me back and he knew everything that was being said and he thought I was doing ok
It is now November 8,2004 and Hairy Melander just called me and said he would not help me because he thought this was a HJL problem. I tried to explain to him what is going on. I told him when I got this done I would give him a copy. He still does not what to think that Mike Anderson did anything wrong. He sound like it was my entire fault. Sounds like me people are starting to fill the heat He said he would only get involved with prevailing wages and safety issues. What have I been talking about, all along? I told him about 736 Sims and Wbitall several times and Minnehaha problems.
I went back a talked to James and told him what Mike Anderson had said. That he needed a long-term leas in order to receive money because at this point Mike Anderson was not sure of giving him any money and I felt the same way that it was a poor investment hi the funds. This is the time when I was done talking to James and he was done telling all the same problems over again. I went next door to talk to the woman that owns the building. She said she had no intended in putting another dime in the place. She told me she was planning to tear it down and building a new one. I told her what we had been planning and she had no intensions of keep the place for sure for another year. I told her to think about it and if she was willing to give James a long term, leas we could maybe help a little if she would help contribute to the Rehab of the building, and I went back to the office.
So I went back and told Mike Anderson about what had happen he laughed about it and said that what I had done was right, because it protected ESNDC. From another mistake of going in and doing work and have, the whole works backfire. I thought I was doing my job very well.
Couple of days later, James calls me to come over talk to him. I told Mike Anderson that James had called me and Mike Anderson told me to go and see him and instructed me on what his point of few is. I told James what Mike Anderson had told me to say. I told him that we could not give him money for his old NSP bill or any other bills he has. He thought that was wrong of us to say that but I told him he would have to talk to Mike Anderson. Then he said he was hurt that I went next door and talk to the woman that owns the building. I told him that we have to make sure that we are not putting the money in some place that is going to be out of business hi a couple of months. We talked and I told him that Mike Anderson and I had talked and that he should look for a different location. If he stayed there, he needed to get a, long-term leas from her. We said good by shook hands like a brother would, and I left and went back to the office and told Mike Anderson the whole thing.
Mike Anderson thought I did very well again.
A couple of days latter on a Friday James called in the morning and wanted to talk to Mike Anderson, and me today he would be in early this morning. Never showed up until late in the afternoon, all upset about what had happen. That I would go next door and talk to the owner to fine out what she intended to do with building. This makes know sense to me. Except every one working at ESNDC, including Mike Anderson and Douglas McRae had warned me that you could not truss him.
So Monday morning when I first walk in and Mike Anderson cradled up and down me chewing me out. For what happen and left me hanging out dry. We where arguing because I did what I was told to do. I think he was trying to get me to quite my job. I told him if he had any guts he would, stand up behind me because I did exactly what he had told me to do.
Remember when they used to tease us about the tinfoil hats? Who's wearing the tinfoil now?
The city looks busy giving handouts to Murph Dawkins and big business.Does anybody from the ESDNC know how much money if any was given to the small businesses of being a landlord? Since landlords do play a vital role in neighborhoods and the housing stock.I also know lots of landlords that work on small profit margins and still offer affordable housing but just can't make all the costly repairs that the city demands all at once.
Chuck Repke's organization has resources for free money for landlords to fix up their properties.. Contact him at Northeast Neighborhood Development Corp.
Hi All,
Mikes letter reprinted and continued-
ANDESON PERFECT PIZZA
All I really know is that the contractor that did the work was Yer and he did a very poor job. That Douglas McRae never made him do a good quality job. Then after all of the work was, all finished and the contractor was, paid off in full, then Douglas McRae wanted him to go back and wash the brick that had been laid. The threshold of the front door was, never done right But low and behold Douglas McRae McRae, gave the next job that was even bigger. The end results where the beginning, of the end for Douglas McRae. Because the next, job was even a bigger mess.
cm vang
Was the first Commercial job that Douglas McRae had me work on? The contractor name is Yer.
Douglas McRae took me; over too take a good look at it because he was having a hard time getting the job done so he wanted me to push the job. The first thing I seen was that who ever laid the brick did a very poor job. The brick ran out of plumb and out of line, poorly, raked and boomed you can see that they where not properly laid. Around the front door, you can see. A trade's man with any quality or pride in their work did not lay these brick!
Douglas McRae was pushing Eric Carpenter to have a good Scope of Work but he never had one himself. Where Was Mike Anderson, or the board watching over this to see that there was a detail of some sort of work to be, accomplished.
The painting and sheet rocking and all the work that That was done had no pride or workmanship. It took many months fighting with Yer to get the job done. He was always working on someone else job site with and excuses every day 3 more times a day. At one point, I said to Douglas McRae why are do you keep hiring these same people repeatedly, is some one getting something in return. He was very offended that, 1 would suggest that some one was being paid off?
But maybe with all the things that have came out of all this maybe I hit home pretty close. In the last few weeks their was the a letter that Douglas McRae wrote on ESNDC letter head giving a local woman a great review in starting a half way house recommending her for a loan. To the bank on the corner of Case & Payne but she was smart enough to take it to the banks other branch. Now what does all of this say for Mike Anderson and Douglas McRae.
So I started pushing and reading the files and learning that things don't add up all the time. I stare questioning Douglas McRae about things and he states defending all the things I am questioning. The person that Douglas McRae or someone else is, interviewed for Davis Bacon looks like something funny; this was a bricklayer take a look at it But know one else was interviewed and then I went to interview the guys hanging the Canopy's they where non union but they new of prevailing wages but they did not know if they where going to receive them. I filled out his paper work and Douglas McRae said he would take care of it
Then their where the two Black Males that I did interview and they where getting $5.15 an hour. I went back and told Douglas McRae about it and he told me he would take care of it. Then he told me to shred the papers and not to worry about it That he would call Yer and the two of them would take care of it
After a few days or weeks, I do not remember any more but I went Mike Anderson about it he did show me some concern but not really.
I called Sandra Haustein about it and she told me that it happens all the time and that I needed to get use to it. I told her I thought it was wrong mat the money was set up to help the poor.
er
As things got worse it became a parented that Yer never paid any of the people prevailing wages the last month Douglas McRae did everything he could to cover is tail. Mike Anderson, Douglas McRae, and I had a meting about all of this and Douglas McRae could not even talk. He never really came up with the names of the black men. Yer came up with some contractor over in Wisconsin that supposedly hired these two men that happen too rent from him and they owned him rent. These stories never end and when I question them Mike Anderson he gets mad and say that I am not a team player for trying to protect these people.
Because all of these facts show how ESNDC has not been, run properly for a long time. Even before Douglas McRae took over they had problems and now they have become unmanageable. And if you took and called in all the check stubs from Yer like I told Douglas McRae and Mike Anderson you find that this would shed a lot of light
I was just thinking friday afternoon about this blog and about how Martin and Jim have thought that the Payne Ave area is so much better now days, so I decided to take a drive through on my way out of town. I didn't see one place between the Phalen Corridor and Maryland where I would have felt safe getting out of my car and going into a store. What I saw was the same old thugs hanging and walking around and staring everyone they see down like you don't belong there. Payne Ave has a looooooong way to go, and tearing down houses and building new ones is not going to change it.
Wow!!! Chuck Repke has his own orginization?!!!! And he can get you to some FREE MONEY!!!! Whooo Hooooo!!!!! Hey fellow landlords!!! what ya waiting for we can get FREE MONEY and fix our places up so we can have peace and harmony here on earth. Y'all know that the ripped screen on your front porch IS causing all that middle east tension. And if you would just paint that area of trim, you know what part I mean!, and pull those nasty looking weeds along the fence, then all crime would go away because we would all feel so much better. Yep, I'll get right on it.
Hi All,
Mikes letter reprinted and continued-
DON POUNCHOS BACKREY
Douglas McRae and Kathryn the year before had a Biff project with this company. And the contractor refused to pay prevailing wages and Douglas McRae, Kathryn new that this money had to be paid in the Davis Bacon laws. And he had sign the contract for it, but did not enforce it and the man never finished the work. So my job was to get it done. So I worked at for 3 or 4 weeks and finally got it done.
So why they painting he had me do a Davis Bacon prevailing wage survey and when I did no one know one could speak English and when I stated to ask questions the men could understand a little and it became apparent that they where illegally here. Because they all got real nervous.
Part of the Meeting that I had on the previous page with Douglas McRae and Mike Anderson was on this project also about this job. There was 4 contracts sign and Douglas McRae said there wasn't and Mike Anderson didn't believe me and had me go get them neither, one of them could believe what I could produce. It was signed contract with the painting contract to pay prevailing wages. Douglas McRae was speechless.
So I do not think any one ever followed up to make sure things where done right.
I had put in the file that the work was done very poor and said it was unacceptable, and I would not of paid for the work.
Minnehaha
I believe these Address are 506 thru 517 know as the Kron Properties. These two units, where the cleanest, of the six units I look at
I had the Privilege and the opportunity to see first hand how bad things can be in this community. The building on the end is where the bullet went through several walls before landing on the kitchen table.
We went thru the Duplex on the Corner and in the basement was, where we started first there is one hot water heater that is a fire trap waiting to happen with a old one that the maintains man, didn't know if it work or not the other one was dirty but it work. The basement was pack with many different chemicals that could cause a fire. There is Asbestos still on pipes some of it is in need of repair. Could not image how a building inspector in the pass could of look and not report it in writing for many people to read and not say something in good conscious. The filthily and smell of garbage and lack of care and the concern of the owner of the building is very evident These are properties that I have been tag by the cite inspectors 30 to 50 times in the last 2 years. This basement has to be full of mold how about some one doing a MOLD TEST for these people.
These two units are the better of the six units in all that I look at. Eric Carpenter and I went thru the first apartment with the, maintains man the first thing was the smell you could start to smell before you even begin to open the front door to enter.
These units are heated by electric space heaters either hanging on the walls or installed in the wails, if a electrical inspector did his job he would never pass them, some of them I would be very willing have been recalled because I have had to replace them in my own home before selling. There are no storms windows for the units, and the widows are so poor the people have these space heaters turn up as high as they will go some rooms are over 90 degrees and higher. There is fifthly through out the units.
The bathroom are not up to any building codes of a human nature, but the Federal Government house inspection would pass them, but they would let people live in a chicken coop. If the average person with, a heart, ever seen this would what to know passed it and whole, that person responsibility for any damaged to the children's health, they would puck in the filthy of these units. After all these are just poor kids.
In these two units, only one Mother got out of bed the other ones laid in bed with sheets cover them screaming at the kids and some of them bitching at us for bothering them or asking us why we where there. The kids run wild the human smell of waste is enough to make you throw up and cry for these poor children. 11 makes you realize how could a society let these poor children pass through the cracks that they have very little chance of exceeding in life.
The kitchens, where so bad with filthy, on the stove, and refrigerators, that is unbelievable. There was a thing on TV the other night were we sent the press to see how some cats were miss treated, in today's society I guess cats mean more than are children. There was very little food in these units. The walls have not seen a descent coat of paint in years. If it has, has been so watered down, or so cheap that one coat could cover the grim. Two cover up all the sins in these units ever thing has a heavy coat of taping mud. That in places is pealing of the walls and ceilings.
There is no insulation in the walls or attic if there is its very little insulation. There is some junk up there. The owner thinking he is helping insulated the ceiling he hang plastic on the inside rafters and all he is doing is creating mold hi the attic for these children and adults to breath.
Another issue before, we start on the next building is that all three buildings only have one water main and one water meter?
We started in the basement again; this one was much cleaner and organized. But then- was still issues.
Now, for the four-plex units: Three of these where in the most fifthly conditions 1 have ever seen children living in my life. The one unit she was up and she had just moved in and said it was a mess. Later she came out and apologized for not letting us and if we would come back on another day after she got ever thing put away she would show us the unit. She was pretty well dressed and she was very nice to us.
But in the other three units was complete ciaos the children ran wild or where sleeping on the floors little or no blankets or with rages rapt around them. Two mothers got up and open the doors for us the human smells of human waste was, so over whelming. That I was, sick to my stomach, for 2 days!
The bedrooms where full with people the units had more, people in them that was aloud under section 8. But Kron is always looking the other way because he fells he is give to the, poor people by letting live hi his units, he gets a $ 1,000.00 month or more for these units from the government. These people cannot get another place because of bad credit your some sort of mental illness. Sleeping on the floor, or on mattress lying on floors, it is just sickening!
The bathrooms and kitchens pass by section 8 standards I was in disbelieve that this could be happening. The units are all very hot you cannot breathe in them. One little child dared to open her mouth to tell us that the bathroom did not work and the mother started yelling at her. The mother started to raise her hand to take a back swing at the child for talking to use. The mother is afraid of loosing mis unit if she complains too much to Krona or to authorities. You know the child got a beating after we left you could hear her, screaming in the unit. The mother should be ashamed of herself and the social workers because they know what is happing here.
Then we went to the worst unit for me of all. The mother was lying hi bed with a sheet over her screaming at the children. Something else every one of these units had more then one family living hi them and everyone of them had a mothers laying in bed with a sheet laying over them. This survey took place between 11: am and 12: pm.
This unit had many children in it and Eric Carpenter and I look around. I open a bedroom door, here was a young girl about 10 to 12 years old. Her mattress lying on floor she was doing her homework. This was on Thursday of ME A week. The shades pulled, the room smelled of human waste so bad I had to fight hack tears that any one could treat there child this way. The house had no food that you could see on the shelves except for a few can this was by far the worst unit.
All I wanted to do was, pick up all these children, and cry and love them and feed them. For days afterwards, all I wanted to do was going back and feed these children. When I took the job I took a 50%, pay cut to help the poor I can barely afforded to by gas for my truck to get to work.
We got in my truck and me and Eric Carpenter started talking about what we had seen. He told me that the Health Department had been there 30 to SO times in the past 2 years. And did nothing but site Kron with citations of which he would fix just enough and they would back off. I talked with Mike Anderson and like a social worker; he just got mad and made excuses of why this has been going on for so long with out being, taken care of.
This is when I went for help from two different state Legislatures one, is John Lesch for District 66a he is also a City of ST. Paul District Attorney who wanted to know what was wrong hi his district but I called both his home and his office at the State Office of Representatives. He never returns my calls but Who turns out to be a friend but Mike Anderson?
I called Mike Anderson Fricke Sate of Minn. Building Inspector for help that was no help at all he just shifted the responsibility. He is to busy to help me.
Then one of my biggest disappointments was Pete Nelson I went to him with everything. I stop at his store in Lindstrom, for help he took my number this was that Friday of MAE and he said he would call the next day and we would get together. Not that Sunday but the following Sunday when he gave me that alter plate he said he would call. He knew this was a big problem because I had outlined it in the store with some of the details on everything. He never did call.
Harry Melander I called him and told him he said he would help and look in too it. He told me not to use the company cell phone to call him; I told him it was my own. He said if I came forward and he used my name, he would; help protect me from being, fired for standing up for the workers. Because I knew Mike Anderson was, getting upset because I would not let this issues die and I was, to out spoken about the process. I still did not know that Mike Anderson & Harry where best friends. I remember when at a different time that he said he could not believe Mike Anderson would have anything to do with this.
I believe on October 27 10:am at a staff meting that when it came to my turn to tell what was going on the first issue I brought forward was this one. And proceed to tell what I had seen the social works appalled that I would talk about this in the open with real compassion and the concern for these children. I compared the fact as a former farmer that I took better care and love for my animals then these mother cared for mere children. I said as farmer I had cleaner pigpens then these houses and feed my pigs better.
Right after the meeting, I was cornered and chewed out for saying what was true. Everyone was upset with me in the office for speaking the truth. If this is, a company that is supposed to be helping the children why has this heen going on for years.
This turned out to be one of the reasons Mike Anderson fired me.
Swedish Bank
Has been a real thorn for ESNDC; Everyone sees, it as a great opportunity for the folks on Payne Ave. To try, and bring, back to life the Avenue.
The first thing I was, assigned to do was to sweep it twice a week to keep Dan Beyer happy. The problem is that there has never been a common since approach to redeployment of the project. Everyone wants to make it this great thing with only half the money it will take. They keep trying to work with people that have never done anything this big.
I wanted to go and get a larger company like Adolfson & Peterson or even Borson one of the large companies in the twin cites that could maker it work, with the right work force. But Douglas McRae & Mike Anderson kept working with these small investors that where not coming up to par for one reason or another.
The investor that is suing ESNDC really does have a good reason for the way everything was, handled by Douglas McRae with him thinking he had so much power had down Mike Anderson. With all lies and deception: That I have seen in the last six months between Douglas McRae McRae, Mike Anderson with all the cover-ups. As I started to learn, more and more, about this side of the business. Douglas McRae started pulling things back away from me; I was asking too many questions.
I was with when we took two different investment groups through the building they where like two days apart. Douglas McRae had me take Blue Prints that Flannery Construction had drawn up to this investor for them to get a good idea of what they could do and how much it would cost to do the work.
Both times we went Douglas McRae would use different amounts of money that was available for helping in the renovation of the building. At times, he would make quoits that where different by $1,000,000.00 or more. I remember meting one of the investor he was a well-dressed man. He kept looking at me wanting me to say smoothing he would ask me questions. I would tell him I was new. Because I could see in his eyes, he did not have truss hi Douglas McRae.
When the lawsuit began then none of us where told anything, because if we new anything then we could be brought into court. Douglas McRae & Mike Anderson kept saying it was because the investor did not fill the paper work out right and two slow for the city of St. Paul.
What!!? Some workers hired by ESNDC are illegally working?!!!! And CA is passing a law making it a crime for landlords there to rent to illegals and pusing for a sweep across the nation for the same law. Now that's a gov. contradiciton for you.
In response to the following:
"I have been wondering latley if this kind of behavior is what the DEMOCRAT beliefs aspire to. This city is run by DEMOCRATS, and it sure seems to me that it is the DEMOCRATS who seem to be speaking up in favor of this kind of behavior. I have always thought I was a DEMODCRAT, but not so sure any more."
Maybe you should check out my party, the Independence Party.
http://www.mnip.org/
I do want to speak to your comments thoughtfully. I do not think it is the Party that defines the person, but instead the person who defines themselves.
In other words, I wouldn't get to caught up in the Democrat versus Republican versus Independent thing. It is much more about the individuals involved and less about the collective party.
If you want to consider yourself a Democrat but are embrassed or ashamed of some of the actions of those that call themselves the same, its not you.
I'm often embrassed to be associated with the Bush Administration by virtue of being an American, but I'm not embarassed to be an American.
At any rate, maybe you should consider an alternative political party. The Green Party is pretty progressive as are others.
Martin
I'm thinking I'd be more ashamed to be associated with Islam, N.Korea, Syria, etc. I'd probably had been be-headed by now for speaking such negativity also. I think Bush has a hard job and needs our prayer. Thank God you have food to eat, can pray before you eat it and the freedom to come here say what you want.
Chuck Repke is a criminal!
Bob Johnson is a sweet adorable guy with a nice look about him. Could we possible meet for coffee?
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