Privatization Pimps

My June 16, 2024, letter to Blaine City Council and Planning Commission:

One year ago, when I still thought of you as honest but inept public officials, I recommended you hold town halls to brainstorm a civic center master plan for redeveloping the public holdings around the library. This would be more competitive in applying for state grants than piecemeal projects. 

I did not realize at the time that you were not interested in being public servants but had already decided to be privatization pimps—selling off public parking to private developers—and killing downtown commerce in the process.

Looking at the City of Mt. Vernon, which is nearing completion on their new library and community center with a parking garage over it, the contrast couldn't be more pronounced. The entire structure was financed by state, federal and private grants.

Meanwhile, Blaine is going bankrupt while you wait for your marching orders from developers who have corrupted our city government and threaten our prosperity.

Shame on you.

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