What is important in St. Paul?

1. Top of the list for importance is PUBLIC SAFETY. Our elected officials should remember this as they go about running our city every day and not just reference public safety when it is politically convenient.

What makes up public safety? Trained and experienced men and women in law enforcement, fire protection, rescue and EMT services. Other items that can contribute to public safety include well maintained and lighted streets, alleys and public gathering places. The general citizenship can help in public safety by being vigilant in their everyday activities.

The city has experienced population growth and a significant increase (30 percent over the past five years) in 911 calls. The police chief has requested that the police department receive funding for five more officers (less than a 1 percent increase) in the coming year. The mayor and several city council members have resisted this and the mayor has once again said he wants to find ways to reduce the number of 911 calls rather than increase the police force. I agree with the mayor that if he can find ways to reduce the 911 calls we all should celebrate. But, until the time this reduction in 911 calls is demonstrated I will support the recommendation of our experienced police chief for the need of more officers.

2. Education is high on the list of what is important to St. Paul. Is the performance and population of St. Paul Public Schools improving or not? Why are charter and other school districts getting enrollment from St Paul families? I cannot answer those two questions but I bet there are some educational experts that can.

3. Economic Development/Job Creation in St. Paul needs to be at the forefront of almost all decisions made at City Hall. With the large percentage of property in St. Paul that does not pay property taxes we need to optimize any property that becomes available for use by tax paying entities. Just look around the city at all the property that does NOT pay property taxes. All government offices and shops, all schools, all churches, all parks, public housing and most nonprofits do not pay property taxes. So the rest of the entities in St. Paul have to pay ever-increasing taxes. High taxes do drive decisions, both personal and business decisions.

Other things the city has on their agenda often times revolve around social engineering and in my opinion should not be taking away resources and revenue from the three previously mentioned important items.

Let’s focus our resources on public safety and if we can once again feel safe throughout the city of St. Paul, we can then be optimistic that our city will be a good place to live, educate and work.

Tom Troskey, St. Paul

Hidden flaws

DHS culture flaws have been hidden for years. It has been some time (10 years?) since a woman at DHS was convicted of stealing a million dollars from the child health insurance program. During the time from discovery to conviction there was little or no news available. Even after conviction, the news article was small. Privacy was given as the reason for little news. I think secrecy is a better term.

All Minnesota agencies need more transparency. But DHS needs a clear glass building.

Steve Dorff, Roseville