I think we all know I LOVE the Minneapolis Parks -- the lakes, the running paths, the cross-country trails -- I could go on and on and on.
But what a lot of us probably don't know is anything about the people who run the parks -- the nine members of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. They are an independently elected, relatively independent group that has pretty much flown under the radar for the past few years.
This year, though, all nine seats are up for grabs and it's going to be a tight race. Not only because there are plenty of competitive candidates and talk of a new superintendent, but under the new Minneapolis voting system, voters will get to rank the candidates.
Check out
the story I did two weeks ago about the new ranked choice voting system. Either it will help or confuse you more. Sorry if it's the latter.
So, I'm writing today with the hope that you will make it to the voting booth tomorrow. (YES, TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY!!) Obviously, I'm not going to endorse anyone. In fact, I'm still trying to decide who I want to vote for in all the races.
I'll admit, it's a lot to digest, but I've found the candidate's questionnaires and voter's guides from the
Star Tribune and
Downtown Journal to be quite helpful in helping me sort it out.
Bottom line -- if you care about the parks and their future, vote tomorrow. This is a big race. There won't be long lines. And, if you don't vote, it makes it a whole heck of a lot harder to complain about your path not being paved, the location of any new Tin Fish Grill or a park-user tax you never saw coming.
Happy Election Day!
