Conversing - Oct 2024

I’m voting for bergman
The voters who live in Minneapolis Public Schools District 6 have a clear choice on Election Day: We can choose a candidate mired in the controversies of the past or we can choose a candidate who represents a fresh start for the district.

I choose the latter which is why I am enthusiastically supporting Lara Bergman.

As a former education reporter for the Star Tribune, I got to know scores of people who serve on school boards throughout Minnesota. I can unequivocally say that you couldn’t create a better school board member than Lara Bergman. Here’s why:

As an MPS grad and the parent of two elementary-age students, Lara has skin in the game. But after getting to know Lara, I can tell you that she’s committed to creating better experiences for ALL our kids, not just hers.

As an early childhood educator, Lara is a fierce advocate for literacy and will ensure MPS implements stronger evidence-based curriculum and supports which is crucial since HALF of MPS students cannot read at grade level. Lara is ready to make the tough financial decisions that past MPS school board members have treated like hot potatoes, landing our district in its present fiscal crisis.

I think we can all agree that what MPS is doing isn’t working. As the former head of the Minneapolis Teachers Union, Lara’s opponent had an incredible platform to make the district better. She didn’t.

Now is the time to throw our support behind a candidate who will rise above the “us vs. them” tribal politics of the past. Lara Bergman represents a better, hopeful future for MPS.
Kim Stone

Let’s fund Loring Park
First I want to say that I am 100% supportive of the North Commons plan. But, with that said I look to the Park staff and board to also remember the other parks in this city, such as but not limited to - Stevens Square, East Phillips, Loring Park, Cedar Field, and Elliot Park. All of which are also deserving of a fully funded neighborhood park master plan.

So, let’s make that happen. Let’s find foundations and corporations who will partner and ensure that every park master plan is fully funded, starting with the North Commons Plan. But let’s not take $10 million from the NPP/Neighborhood Park Program fund when so many neighborhood have not even implemented their pans or tapped into their allocated funds. Not before we have a fair formula & timeline for distributing any ‘projected to be remaining’ funds after all plans are implemented.

I know that the NPP master plan amount for Loring fluctuates between $1.5-$1.8 million. Loring Park has only had significant investment through the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, 25 years ago now, which was not park funding and then through the hard work of neighborhood volunteers. In Loring Park, even the restoration of Berger Fountain fell on volunteers and tho we have raised $1.2 million (and thanks to the state legislature for a piece of that amount) and we have $1.5 more to raise.

Also in Loring Park, we have huge accessibility issues with our paths and a large senior population. Our children’s pool has never been replaced and our popular basketball courts are falling apart. There are many many other structures that are aged and need resources to maintain them. The cattails remediation needs to be monitored consistently. $1.8 million allocated through NPP is a very small amount to thoroughly restore our park. We will need 10x that amount. So, please rethink this proposal, re evaluate, and let’s be creative. Think partnerships. Be fair and equitable for future needs of ALL parks.
Jana L Metge, Executive Director
Loring Park Neighborhood