After spending some quality time on the rack contemplating life, SPicy has
decided to try and add a new feature to this ongoing experiment.

Introducing "Ask SPicy"

This is your chance to ask questions that only SPicy can answer.  SPicy
acknowledges that while SPicy is well in tune with Saint Paul policy issues
that there are some questions that SPicy will not answer. SPicy will not get
personal, therefore you cannot expect SPicy to divulge any clues about
SPicy's own true identity or your identity when questions are submitted.

SPicy wondered what to do with this email, then "ASK SPicy was born.  The
first question comes from a frustrated resident who has reported difficulty
in trying to meet with Council President Kathy Lantry to talk with her about
The Bridges of Saint Paul.

Dear SPicy,

What should I do when (she) said that she wasn't taking any meetings or
calls about The Bridges because she wanted to "wait and hear the public
testimony" and then make up her mind. And yet she has decided to hear only
15 minutes of testimony?

Is that really enough to help her make up her mind - or is she just ignoring
those constituents who want to talk with her - to really have a dialog - to
express themselves to their public officials?

Is she just being a lazy, close-minded, short-sighted official?

Signed,
Looking for a leader

Dear Looking for a leader;

SPicy feels your pain and understands your frustration.  One would assume
that once someone gets their election certificate, they would realize they
actually have to listen to people as part of the job.  This would be the
"public" part of "public official."

Unfortunately, your experience is becoming very common.  SPicy has been
hearing from a number of people who are also trying to do the same thing -
but only get voice mail and canned messages.

SPicy does have a few ideas for you.

SPicy thinks that the Council President may be too busy dreaming of the new
Sonic drive-in to realize there actually has other more important issues to
deal with.

Trying to explain the complex intricacies of TIF financing probably will not
work.  Kathy does really like being council president and getting to hold
the gavel, however in depth understanding of issues keeps her out of the
deep end of the pool.

Try coming up with an analogy that might be easier to grasp:

Zoning, Comprehensive Plans and The Bridges are like going out to dinner.
When Kathy was first being courted, maybe her future mate could only afford
to go to restaurants like Noodles and this was acceptable as a "date".  As
she has aged her expectations for what is classified as a "date" have
changed.  So you could argue that Kathy's very own Zoning and Comprehensive
Plan has adapted to her lifestyle. A "date" in 2007 may not be what she
considers a "date" in 2010.

Perhaps the one way to get time on her schedule would be to buy her a
bigger, shinier gavel.  Tell Kathy she can have this bigger, better gavel if
you can have a few minutes of her time to talk about an important issue.
You may also want to make sure the new gavel has one of those yellow "I
support The Bridges" stickers.

Good Luck,

SPicy


Do you have a question, send it to SPicy @ tipline@saintpaulicy.com