Real growth vs. subsidized expansion

In a recent article (“How is St. Paul’s Victoria Crossing mall on Grand Ave. eligible for TIF funding?” Feb. 1) city leaders made the case that we have to choose, as a city, between growing and not growing. This is a fallacy. The real choice is between organic, sustainable growth and artificial, subsidized expansion that erodes our future.

One needs only look at Lowertown to see the sort of development that can be created by attracting developers who were able to increase density and tax base while still embracing the character of the existing buildings. During a period that began with 15 percent prime interest rates, the city managed to attract nearly $1 billion in private investment to that neighborhood with very little use of TIF projects, after 27 years. Most all Lowertown buildings would have been considered “structurally substandard.”

TIF doesn’t “add” to the tax base; it captures new revenue for up to 30 years. By the time these properties contribute to the general fund, their valuation has largely declined. In 2004, three TIF projects pushed downtown vacancy from 5% to 30%. We used tax dollars to overbuild, crashed the market, and are still struggling to recover.

St. Paul shouldn’t use public funds to repeat the mistakes of the past. Real growth shouldn’t require a 30-year subsidy to exist.

John Mannillo, St. Paul

Stop with the masks and the whistles

In order to help deescalate the immigration enforcement situation I have the following two suggestions:

To federal law enforcement personnel, please stop wearing face masks. When I see them I think of outlaws from western movies or imperial storm troopers from Star Wars. It is not a good look.

To protesters, please stop extended use of the whistles. I believe the intended use is to notify local residents of enforcement actions but it appears that well after this is accomplished they are still being blown in attempts to annoy law enforcement and resulting in increased chaos.

Maybe a little quid pro quo, if law enforcement is not wearing masks then protesters will not continue whistling indefinitely.

Tyler Beck, Vadnais Heights

Stop the elections takeover

During a July 26, 2024, speech at a Turning Point Action meeting, Donald Trump said, “Christians, get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore, you know what? Four more years, it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine, you won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians.”

Efforts by the Republican Party to suppress voting, acquire voter rolls, obtain ballots in Georgia, weaponize the Department of Justice to intimidate U.S. citizens, gerrymander districts in multiple states, implement the federal takeover of state elections, lend credence to Trump’s words. Include Pam Bondi’s ransom to end the ICE/DHS occupation of Minnesota if our state provides voter rolls and Republican goals become clear.

If we cannot stop this agenda, democracy as we know it is dead.

Denny Rue, St. Paul

Shoe’s on the other foot

According to a recent report, border czar Tom Homan has “zero tolerance for protestors who assault federal officers or impede the ongoing Twin Cities operation.” This is code for Homan excusing the federal government’s response to mass demonstrations in the Twin Cities. So: protestors are now to stop protesting murder by heavily armed masked squads in unmarked cars? Or standing up to same pepper-spraying and assaulting civilians exercising their constitutional rights often in subzero temperatures? If we go quietly then he’ll end the profiling, detention and deportation of U.S. citizens of color and random stops of motorists? I think he is revictimizing us; we are not assaulting anyone. Shoe’s on the other foot.

Jos F Landsberger, St. Paul

Dignity, restraint and love that refuses to lie

From Anchorage, Alaska, I’m writing with a message for Minnesota: Alex Pretti’s parents are not alone.

I honored their request to remember their son truthfully — as a good person — by writing a letter that was published here in Anchorage, and in my hometown paper in northern Wisconsin, the Iron County Miner, near where Alex’s grandparents are buried. I wanted the people of Minnesota to know that their call for truth traveled farther than they may realize.

In an era when grief is often weaponized, these parents modeled something powerful: dignity, restraint and love that refuses to lie. If our country celebrated civic courage the way it celebrates noise, they’d be nominated for every major honor we have for peace, character and public grace.

I also write as a father who lost a son after hard battles in our health-care world during the Donald Trump era. Different story — same heartbreak.

Minnesota, please keep standing for truth and humanity. From across the miles, we stand with you.

Ron Alleva, Anchorage

Reminded

The story in a recent edition of the Pioneer Press about the Lutsen Lodge owner suing his insurance company for nonpayment though he was charged with arson reminded me somewhat of the man who was on trial for murdering his parents and asking the judge for leniency because he was an orphan.

Don Jacobson, Shoreview

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