An article by City Hall beat reporter Steve Brandt appeared in the Strib on Friday: "Wood-burning plant embroiled in local politics."
The article highlights the controversies about the project developers' connections with the powers that be, suggesting that the public interest has been taking a backseat to greasing some friendly palms:
"Public officials say Havey and Krause, familiar figures at City Hall [and lead developers in the Midtown burner project], began a successful lobbying effort for Kandiyohi to bid for the site."
"During [Havey's] five years as director of Minneapolis' federally designated economic development zone, the city hadn't approved any of its $130 million in tax-exempt bonds. Havey said that federal requirements made that too tough. Yet federal records show such bonds have been issued in nine of the other 14 Empowerment Zone communities nationally designated in the same year as Minneapolis."
"The city will net little from the land deal...."
The article brings some of the pieces of this boondoggle into relief. The story would be sad enough if this project didn't have a public heath impact. But what makes it truly outrageous is the tangible ways this burner would harm generations of Twin Cities residents if it goes up (see posts below).
It is more critical than ever that you contact your City Councilperson and Mayor Ryback to tell them you do not want another burner to go up in your City.
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