Getting Out of Hand

It's usually not reasonable to expect celebrities to be responsible for the actions of their fans, or for anyone to be held responsible for a few crazies in their comment section. But I think the demonization of Lisa Bender is getting out of hand. Seriously.

UPDATE: Comments taken from these posts (from Feb 25, 26): 1, 2, 3.

#Girard

Nearly 16 days after dropping hints about "disturbing emails" allegedly written by Minneapolis Council Member Andrew Johnson (an unlikely suspect when you consider he is the Council's foremost advocate for open data, and therefore likeliest to be aware of the public nature of his email correspondence), Nicole Curtis is promoting her new, very mysterious scandal-hashtag #Girard. Details won't be forthcoming.

The Desire for a More Expansive Historic District

Preserve our historic priorities.

Last September, Council Member Lisa Bender's office held an informational meeting regarding a proposed Lowry Hill East historic district. It was a homeowners-only affair, intended for those whose properties would be included, though there were plenty of party crashers: eager homeowners from outside the proposed boundaries, a guy from Kingfield, and at least two renters.

Lowry Hill East 1970s Downzoning Timeline

From the Wedge newspaper. November, 1975.

Bikers and Pedestrians are the New "Vulnerable Adults"

Last week, former Council Member Meg Tuthill pushed back against new development with an interesting theory:

Tuthill and her husband, Dennis, moved to the Wedge over 40 years ago, a time when older homes were being demolished and replaced by two-and-a-half story walkup apartment buildings. Now, she's concerned redevelopment could make the neighborhood less bike and pedestrian friendly.*

Revisiting LHENA Loans

Allocating LHENA's money pot on Nov. 19th, 2014. The math didn't add up.

Three months ago, at a community vote, LHENA added need-based criteria to some unusually generous (forgivable) home improvement loans. The Healy Project faction of the Board was not happy with this change, which seemed like a good sign.

Orthghazi: A 2320 Colfax Timeline

2320 Colfax on February 13th, 2015.

You may have heard of the house controversy that's rocking Lowry Hill East. But unless you're a house superfan, you probably have no idea what it's about. With the demolition of 2320 Colfax nearly upon us, here's a handy timeline to get you up to speed on Orthghazi.

Wedge LIVE! Mailbag

About a week ago, a person (whose identity I am withholding) sent me a series of emails. I was surprised to see that these emails were CC'd to various neighborhood and City officials, including Robert Thompson of the Neighborhood and Community Relations department (NCR).

I'm withholding the content of this person's emails pending NCR's investigation of my Tweets. In consultation with Yahoo! Answers I've decided my reply to those emails can be published without placing me in legal jeopardy.

Where Are the "Disturbing" Emails?

Days Since Nicole Curtis Promised to Release the "Disturbing" Emails Countup

Just read a disturbing chain of emails from @lisabendermpls @AndrewForMpls to constituents -wow. @CityMinneapolis better wake up
— Nicole Curtis (@nicolecurtis) February 10, 2015

@AndrewForMpls @lisabendermpls gladly let's not forget ALL your emails are public information when you are repping as a CM. As well as hers
— Nicole Curtis (@nicolecurtis) February 10, 2015

Nicole Curtis Shit-Storm Roundup

This weekend, HGTV personality Nicole Curtis renewed her efforts to save 2320 Colfax by encouraging her nationwide fan-base to email the entire Minneapolis City Council. Unfortunately, her far-flung fans have been misinformed by months of error-riddled Facebook rants (seemingly banged out on her iPhone with a hammer). It's only a slight exaggeration to say most of them believe 2320 Colfax was stolen from Nicole after she inherited it from her great-grandfather T.P. Curtis. 

Here's a sampling of the kinds of things the City Council will find in their inboxes Monday morning, courtesy of Rehab Nation.

The Price of Parking

24/7/365 livestream of my forever unused parking spot.

My apartment comes with a parking spot. I don’t use it, but I pay for it. My apartment, my parking spot–it’s a package deal. It sits empty through spring, summer, and fall. Sometimes a parking scofflaw appropriates my spot as their own (this happens rarely). But I don’t care, because I don’t need it. In the winter my parking spot fills with snow, and management posts a sign that says move your car, we’re plowing the parking lot. Lucky me, I never worry about having my car towed, because I don’t own one. Still, I pay my share for the plowing.