Rebutting arguments against administrative citations in St. Paul
I want to debunk some of the recent arguments against Administrative Citations and tell you why I will be voting yes on City Question 1.
Administrative Citations are simply the ability for the city to issue fines for violations of ordinances. St. Paul is the only major city in Minnesota without them. Just look at the vacant Snelling Avenue CVS for how well the current system is working. Only now after three years of calls to police has the property been declared a nuisance and can be potentially demolished. With administrative citations, we could have had accountability and responsibility long ago.
Argument: The City Council sought to circumvent voter participation.
False. State law has allowed since 1973 the ability for cities to amend a charter by a unanimous city council vote, and allowed for a referendum by petition, which is why we are even having a referendum in the first place. The amendment has had rigorous vetting, three public hearings over three months, and dozens of public testifiers.
Argument: Administrative Citations is supported by “city special interests.”
False. Question 1 is supported by over a dozen labor, faith and community groups, including the Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation AFL-CIO, HOME Line, and Faith in Minnesota.
Argument: Administrative Citations was passed as a revenue raiser.
False. The charter amendment received a unanimous vote only on the condition it will not be a revenue raiser. Additionally, the St. Paul City Council unanimously voted to create an advisory committee to ensure it can be fairly and equitably implemented, and how to return fines to rental assistance, affordable housing, worker protections, and others.
The No Campaign’s arguments fall flat. While I think forcing a referendum on a unanimous issue is a waste of taxpayer money, we have the opportunity to vote for common sense in November. I want to live in a city where we can have accountability against absentee landlords, discriminatory employers, and fairness in our city.
Chris Olendorf, St. Paul. The writer is is co-lead of the Housing, Zoning & Development Committee of Sustain Saint Paul, which has endorsed City Question 1.
Not then, not now
As a Vietnam War Veteran, I recall the massive protests against the war in the ’60s and ’70s. The mantra was “I hate the war, but I love our troops.”
The recent massive protests in some of our cities carry a similar message. As participants carried the American flag the message was, “I hate our president but love our country.”
Sorry to say, I didnt believe your message then, I don’t believe your mantra now.
Jerry Wynn, St. Paul
Will it be too late?
We have all heard about people — very nice, normal, well-meaning, and otherwise intelligent people — who have been swindled by a smooth-operating con. Maybe these people have been swept off their feet by the con’s good looks. Or by the voice on the other end of the phone. Or by the uniform and ID that the con is wearing.
In some cases, people have been conned simply by a person’s apparent fame and fortune. By their opulence and their glamorous lifestyle.
It happens. Every day of every week of every month of every year. And, while everyone else within their network of friends, relatives, co-workers and such can see right through this person, the victim is simply blind and willing to go along with the con.
Blind and willing, that is, until they check their bank balance and find out that their life savings is gone. Or, more globally, that their country is missing.
Usually, it is only a matter of time before a person recognizes that they have been conned. But, when that time comes, when they finally do become “woke,” the question is, will it be too late?
John Fineberg, St. Paul
Tighten up, St. Paul
Time for the St. Paul to tighten its belt. Probably should have happened earlier. Things have changed quickly to where we need to be judicious where we put our resources. Instead of lofty plans only spend what is necessary.
Spending money to make a bike path on Summit Avenue is wasteful. The average household sees what is coming and is making adjustments. So should the city. City leaders should concentrate on encouraging more businesses to come to downtown St Paul. That could help ease the burden on the homeowners
Perhaps we need an audit to see where the money has gone so that we could prioritize for the future. We need leaders who can deal with the hard times coming.
Judy Schultz, St. Paul
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