Some indication that this has been properly thought through?

In a dramatic election season, a ballot question with potential long-term impact on St. Paul is at risk of being lost in the noise.

Just over a year ago, the previous Saint Paul City Council authorized a ballot question for the 2024 General Election: SHOULD THE CITY LEVY TAXES TO PROVIDE EARLY LEARNING SUBSIDIES?

Ever since, Mayor Carter and some members of the City Council have engaged in an on-and-off war of words over this proposal’s structure, cost, impact, feasibility, and legality. There’s been much heated rhetoric that has shed little light on either its costs or benefits.

In today’s economy, access to childcare is vital to families’ well-being. Stay-at-home parenting is increasingly difficult to manage, while childcare is expensive and can be hard to find, even for those with means. For this reason, my wife and I provide two days of care per week for our toddler granddaughter. So, I am sympathetic to the impetus behind the proposal.

But to evaluate this question, I need more information delivered in good faith.

I’d like Mayor Carter to detail his concerns about the legality of the proposal without grandstanding.

I’d like to hear the proposal’s advocates address the mayor’s legitimate concerns about feasibility with more substance than dismissive exasperation.

This proposal calls for a property tax increase for the second election running and involves a 10-year rollout – that’s quite an ask. Its advocates offer assurances that its programs will coordinate with available state resources, that documented experiences of other cities will inform its implementation, and that childcare through both centers and informal arrangements with family and neighbors will be supported.

What I have NOT heard is any detail on how it will work.

At this stage, I don’t expect to see every “i” dotted and “t” crossed, but surely there is enough data to tell voters how things might reasonably unfold.

I’m not opposed to supporting childcare subsidies with my taxes, but before voting for this proposal, I’d like to see some indication that it has been properly thought through. I am not sure that it has.

Charles Watt, St Paul

Troubles at Snelling and University

Thank you for last Sunday’s feature article on Snelling and University from a local who has lived in the neighborhood since 1979. Here are some issues we have faced in the past six years:

Numerous diverse businesses have left or been destroyed, leaving brownfields everywhere.

Kimball Court on 545 Snelling has large groups daily doing drug deals in broad daylight on the sidewalks.

Light rail safety including Snelling platform is scary — homeless, open drug dealing, violence, assaults and fare thieves stealing our money that the light rail needs for safety improvements & cleaning.

No one is willing to get the homeless, mentally ill and criminals off the LRT trains so more paying customers will ride and they will get the help they need.

City wants to bulldoze our historic Hamline community library — another attack on our community and our city.

Roads like Minnehaha Avenue not finished or paved curb to curb.

Local officials need to lead the rebirth of the Hamline Midway with a plan and appear to be disconnected from all the dangers and destruction that has happened here. Keep in mind the city has received millions in aid over the past six years, raised property taxes double digits, and now has a 1% sales tax — some could be used in the Midway.

Jerry Ratliff, St. Paul

The Athletic Club fire of 1942

As I read about the Saint Paul Athletic Club, it reminded me of the Athletic Club’s fire in 1942. Being a fourth generation Saint Paul Firefighter, this fire has always been remembered in our family’s fire service careers.

On Jan. 9, 1942, the Athletic Club was on fire. District Chief Frank Minogue, Captain Thomas Kell, Squad 1 and Firefighter Russell Hunt, Squad 1, died in the Tap Room, overcome by smoke and gas attempting to get to the Card Room fire door to close it.  Back then, there was no breathing apparatus for them to wear.

My grandfather, Assistant Chief Roy Langevin, crawled into the building and stumbled over his comrades’ bodies. Chief Langevin said they lay face down, their lips to the floor as if trying to suck fresh air into their lungs.

When you ever think of the Saint Paul Athletic Club remember the Saint Paul Firefighters who gave their lives protecting the city they loved.

William J. Langevin, St. Paul
The writer is a retired firefighter

Roles and responsibilities downtown

Kudos to Mayor Carter for helping to clean the Lowry Apartments last week. Now, let’s hope that he takes the next step to deal with the crime, homelessness, vacant properties and falling property values in downtown St Paul. Maybe convene officials from Ramsey County, Metropolitan Council, and the downtown business association to identify everyone’s roles and responsibilities to keep downtown safe, secure and prosperous.

Carl Michaud, St. Paul

School shootings get the headlines, but …

Again we have a lot of stories related to the most recent school shooting in Georgia. Every time there is a school shooting, people make a big fuss about “fixing” the school shooting problem, but then, nothing happens.

I merely want to remind people that many more children die from guns away from their schools — gun violence is currently the leading cause of death for children in this country.

That says a lot — mostly that there are way too many guns everywhere.

Terry Hawkins, St. Paul

Will they listen this time?

It is an all-too-common event. Recently, a young man with questionable motives got an AR-15-style rifle and injured or killed several people. Will those who beg to reinstate the assault weapons ban finally have former President Trump’s ear? Will he listen this time? Does it matter whether the event took place at a school in Winder, Georgia, or at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania?

Dale R. Lutz, Maplewood

Sainted

Submitting a “SAINTED” for Peggy Lynch at this time is much belated and perhaps superfluous inasmuch as a funeral mass for Peggy was celebrated on Sept. 3 at Lumen Christi Catholic Church. We know she has already achieved sainthood

One of the founders of the Friends of Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County, Peggy was fittingly considered by many to be the “conscience” of St. Paul’s parks. As so many also knew, she was a “staunch force” to be reckoned with.

On behalf of the legions of people, myself included, whose life experiences have been so greatly enriched by this great champion of all of God’s natural creation, I humbly say:  “Go raibh míle maith agat Peigí daor” (Have a thousand good things dearest Peggy, thank you so very very much).  May you rest in eternal peace.

Greg Reese, Maplewood

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