1/19/13
Appears newly seated mayor Scott Zerby intends to make his mark by focusing on seniors.
In December he floated the idea of creating a senior commission. At the end of the 1/14 council Meeting, he reported that he'd had staff send Council information on what some other communities in the neighborhood had been doing with senior commissions. Click on agenda item 11A at: http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=827
Zerby seemed surprised when council member Woodruff reported that he'd discussed senior commission activities with Minnetonka, Chanhassen and Victoria. According to Woodruff, Minnetonka's commission focuses solely on activities in their senior center. Victoria's commission meets, but doesn't really do anything. Chanhassen's was reported to be quite active.
So, the question for Zerby and Shorewood is: What problem is it that will be solved by creating a senior commission? Maybe the good readers of this blog can enlighten the Council?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
He's taking a page out of Rudy Perpich's playbook.
ReplyDeleteGot a tough political problem? Create a commission to solve it.
With the senior commission, when Shorewood is forced to close it or sell the Senior Center, he can let the commission take the flack for not finding a solution.
Seniors already get special treatment with their tax-payer provided building (which continues to lose money). Now they need a special committee too? What about all the other factions we can divide our community into: juniors, short people, male/female, bald people, singles, parents, etc. Are those factions are unworthy of having their own building or commission?
ReplyDeleteDividing the community and giving special privileges to some… is a legacy of injustice. What ever happened to: “Equal rights for all and special privileges for none”?
A new idea or even the glimmer of a creative thought in Shorewood? NOT ALLOWED!
ReplyDeleteSo injustice is a new thought that should be allowed?
ReplyDeleteIt's a widely discussed topic amongst us aging residents, the few (almost none, actually) options we have in our city for people who want to remain living here after a certain age.
ReplyDeleteIn preparation, many of us are already looking elsewhere-Chanhassen, Chaska, Shakopee, even out of our market entirely, for when we no longer want to remain in our homes. Aging in-place is a nice idea but not always affordable and not always what people want. I for one, want a stylish loft or condo or maybe even a townhome, none of which exist in our city. And I don't want to live in an age-segregated community like the Ponds.
I applaud mayor Zerby on his effort to gather together a diverse (hopefully) commission to think about this in the context of our aging community. Commissions do the research, discussion and public meetings for council. It doesn't cost us anything.
If you want high density housing, move four miles to Chaska.
DeleteYour day will come.
DeleteZerby should get out there, knock on doors, and find out what Seniors want. Listen to the people. Ask the people. Or does he have an agenda?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that every time someone has an idea some people think they have an "agenda"?
DeleteAnd forming a commission is kind of like getting out and knocking on doors but you get some other people to do it for you.
Because, I am guessing here, as the mayor you probably have some other things to do.
Yes! You said it perfectly.
DeleteDon't you know? Spoken ideas are not allowed in Shorewood. That would be way too progressive. Heck, we'd like to have an ordinance against thinking.
Delete"Agenda" is the blanket term extremists use to box people and and create fear.
DeleteThis should be a "human" commission. Why have we lost 20% of our under 35 population since 2000 (Census), why are seniors "stuck" in homes they cannot manage (0r afford the taxes), and have to leave the area to find anything reasonable? (20% increase in over 65).
ReplyDeleteThe conversation is not only about seniors. Commissions are free, they take the beating from the citizenry and council can blow them off if they want, but it's worth a converation.
If Zerby limits his commission to seniors, it gives the impression he has an agenda which could be (a) dump the problem of the failing "senior" center on a commission to do the dirt work (remember who helped change the council in 2010) or (b) seal the deal with senior votes going forward.
Insider, how about writing about the hotel? If Excelsior turns into a "destination" city, guess who is going to pick up most of the increased police protection tab? Shorewood, through the SLMPD.
ReplyDeleteI know several young people who can't afford large boats. They want large boats and it's not fair they can't have large boats. Let's have a government commission investigate how the city can meet their needs. We all like a responsive council don't we? Anyone who opposes this "new thought" is closed-minded and opposed to "progress".
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this is how run-away government spending & debt gets started. Ya think?
Insider: Did Zerby say this was his "highest priority" or are you creating drama? He's only been in office 3 weeks and you are jumping to this conclusion?
ReplyDelete