My name is Jim Bernstein and I am running for the District 6 Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board seat currently held by Bob Fine. 

I have become increasingly distressed and frustrated with Mr. Fine's performance and decisions on the MPRB.  It seems evident that my distress and frustration is shared by a good many people in District 6 and throughout the city of Minneapolis as well.  

Mr. Fine has become more like a cheerleader for private interests wishing to exploit the Minneapolis Parks system for themselves rather than protecting the parks for all.   There has also been a series of well documented failures in park board leadership. Unfortunately, Mr. Fine is nearly always an architect or faithful supporter of those failures. Mr. Fine has both encouraged and tolerated shielding decision making from public view. It's time to let the public back in.

A question being asked of all candidates is how, as commissioners, we would make the Park& Recreation Board more transparent.  My thoughts on this question. 

1.  All commissioner discussions/decisions on the record at Board meetings. No more "back room" discussions followed by announcements that something has been agreed on. 

2.  There are nine commissioners, not five. Everyone has a certificate of election and in theory every commissioner wants the best outcomes for the Park System.  Excluding some commissioners from the process is a lousy way to conduct the public's business.

3.  Citizen opinions and views should be the highlight of meeting, not an afterthought.  Any time people - especially "regular folks" - want to address the Park & Recreation Board about an issue, that is cause for celebration!

4.  Decisions where there are, or likely to be, some different points of view about how to proceed should be preceded by as much public input as possible.

5.  Weigh the effect park decisions have on citizens. How the residents of Nicollet Island for example feel about handing over park land to De La Salle high should be given at least as much weight as the request from De La Salle. 

6.  All budgets, documents, memos, etc. unless specifically exempted should be available to the public - quickly.  You have (should have) nothing to hide.  Be happy that someone cares enough to want the material! 

7.  While making a decision, assume that all of your thoughts, motivations, analysis, and information is being broadcast to the whole city and that you have nowhere to hide. 

8.  Never forget that you are doing the public's business in the public interest - not your own!

Jim Bernstein

Candidate for 6th District Park& Recreation Board