From time to time I take a peek at Minn Post, another understaffed, underfunded, online journal just to see what those louts have lifted from this blog or our newsletter. There was a very nice overview of the 2010 Partners effort to encourage collaboration among the many stakeholders developing in the ballpark/transit neighborhood on the west side of downtown Minneapolis. The piece written by the always thoughtful Steve Berg can be viewed by following the link at the bottom of this post. Anyway I was “feeling it” as we big time bloggers say so I thought I would follow up with what I thought was a nice comment by some thoughtful Minn Post reader. Darned if she didn’t go “Google” on my ass and decide that she needed to let the vast reading public know that I am, God forbid, a lobbyist who has been an advocate for a new ballpark, even worse! That’s fine but then gentle commenter decides to take a whack at my pal Leer who has done nothing but push the mighty concept of collaboration for two years as an admittedly enlightened by self interest volunteer. Little does she know that we buy e-ink by the barrel around here so for your amusement is my follow up to “being outed”.

“Meet?” I would have to classify that as quite the speed date. If the inference was a lack of disclosure some how diminished the credibility of my post, let me disclose away. I have been directly involved as an advocate for a compact transit oriented ballpark since the mid 1990’s. This stems in part from my love of baseball, the belief that a major league baseball team is an asset to the entire region and that building a better place to see and play the game (as well as operate the team) would benefit fans and the community for generations. Note, neither my firm, Neerland & Oyaas, Inc., nor the non profit advocacy organization, New Ballpark Inc. (NBI) that my partner and I founded with several real live civic leaders have ever received a dime from the Twins or the team’s owners. I publish an almost bi-weekly newsletter, Neerland & Oyaas Online which has called to task public and private leaders who haven’t done what we perceive to be in the public’s best interest as this project has rolled out.

Through NBI I have played a role in forming two important citizen involvement committees. The first C-17 was charged by the City in 2000 to look at the economic social benefits of an urban ballpark. The Design Advisory Group (DAG 360) was convened, in part thanks to my advocacy, to stake out design principals to guide area developers, including the Ballpark Authority and the team around a standard that this was to be “more than a ballpark”. Since DAG 360 issued its report at the end of 2005 I have been working with colleagues including my friend Chuck Leer (who chaired the DAG 360 as a volunteer) to promote the concept of all of the area stakeholders working under a common umbrella to implement the driving principles behind the DAG 360 report. For more than a year I have funded without reimbursement the various communications and meeting materials to keep stakeholders interested during the protracted land fight which threatened to derail any such cooperation.

As a sometimes paid, always passionate, promoter of the ballpark I am driven by the belief that great cities are in significant ways defined by their gathering places. We promised a better ballpark that would keep our team here. The Twins, Ballpark Authority and the design team are delivering in spades. I will not waver from pursuing the second half of that promise that this project would result in a vibrant neighborhood; a place that will attract and retain residents, workers and visitors for years to come.

Beyond that I am a lifelong Minneapolis resident as is my lovely and talented wife. Our darling boys have followed my journey through the Minneapolis Public Schools. I still consider myself Catholic although not always getting the vibe directly from Rome. I am a Libra with eclectic musical tastes who enjoys sunny fall days. Whew, now maybe we can say “we’ve met”.

Link to Berg’s commentary: http://www.minnpost.com/steveberg/2008/04/22/1587/ballpark_wont_succeed_as_an_isolated_gem

Submitted with a bit of “take that” in my voice

MJO

The University of Minnesota announced this morning a tremendous, stupendous, awe inspiring $65 M gift from the Minnesota Masonic Charities to the hospital’s Cancer Center. A more complete story can be found on the Star Tribune’s web page,  www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/17460244.html. Far be it from us to actually check a fact but if memory and some direct experience serves, the Masonic Charities derives its funding from a few main sources, notably personal philanthropy and revenue generating activities including, gasp, circuses! We want to thank those who have given so generously over the years to this magnificent benevolent organization. In addition we want to recognize the elephants who have provided so much joy to thousands of Minnesota children merely by standing on brightly colored boxes, walking in parades trunk to tail and carrying gleeful 45lb-ers upon their multi-ton frames as features of the Shrine Circuses.

Posted with gratitude on behalf of the thousands of cancer survivors, their families and their caregivers all of whom will benefit from this grant.

MJO

Well look whats back after darn near a month of Sundays, our almost daily Blog!
Regular readers of our newsletter will remember our recent laudatory look at the Regional Chamber’s media forum and our amazement at the credentials of the moderator Campbell Mithun’s John Rash. At the time we described Mr. Rash as indefatigable given his amazing credentials and work schedule. We now upgrade him to “Super-indefatigable” having just learned that he has been named as an Editorial Writer on the Star Tribune’s Editorial Board. Mr. Rash had been a contributing columnist on a monthly basis in the business section and will
now join the board the equivalent of two days a week.
Going forward John’s primary role at Campbell Mithun will be further focused on creating content examining and explaining the cultural and
commercial factors defining the dynamics of media. Mr. Rash’s analysis will no doubt be of great benefit to the agency’s clients. He will continue the many facets of his trademark “Everything Talks” – a website (rashreport.com),WCCO am radio show and podcast, weekly Advertising Age column and other published pieces including the oft cited “Rash Report Fall TV Season Preview”.
Back at the main ranch Mr. Rash’s new title will be Director of Media Analysis. He will continue to provide insights and collaborate with the media teams and Campbell Mithun clients.

We have been sharp critics of the Avista folks and their dismantling so much of what we came to know and admire about the Star Tribune. We have not bought the hogwash regarding their abiding respect for the Strib’s fertile market. Actions speak louder than words. A vital daily newspaper is still the cornerstone of an engaged citizenry and this cornerstone be shakin’ baby. That said Mr. Rash’s addition to the editorial staff ( please do note this is left hand side writing as the paper’s voice kind of staff) may bring a real world sensibility that full time fourth estaters have been accused of losing.

submitted with awe

MJO