Concordian Coverage

Parking Proposal Would Include Fines

Parking Changes Could Impact Residency Regulations

The Candidate's Forum  shed a little more light on how candidates plan to address the parking and housing proposals that are going before the Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment’s November 7^th at 5:00 PM. Some candidates felt that student’s need to be pressured into open spaces on parking lots, convenience was to blame according to candidate Mark Wallert, who has an office overlooking one of the lots. He claimed in last night’s forum that there are many spaces open at all times of the day. He also stated that students don’t want to park there because they want to be closer to specific locations on campus. A DSU study of the lots identified full capacity between 9:00AM and 4:30PM.

Unopposed incumbent candidate Dan Hunt ward 3 (Concordia) said a parking ramp is not the answer “It’s too expensive at 3,000 dollars a space.” “That would mean if students were charged 300 a year it would not be paid off in 10 years.” “It’s no secret that MSUM oversells its lots” said candidate Greg Lemke of the 4^th ward. The DSU study also showed that many of the cars parked on the streets had parking passes. Currently MSUM students pay 95 dollars for a pass that might provide them with a parking space. A similar study done in Fargo’s downtown area determined that a parking ramp would be a viable way of clearing up parking congestion. When Bob Stine Fargo’s senior planner was asked about ramps he had this to say “A parking ramp is very expensive but with today’s technology a structure like that can survive 100 years.” That would allow for vertical space and 90 years of revenue.

Student’s will have to look at there options closely to identify the candidate that best identifies with them and truly demonstrates that there opinion is valued. Ward 3 (Concordia) candidate Dan Hunt is free to project his views as he sees fit. With over 1,700 students living on campus alone, that’s 500 more people than the total voting numbers for ward 3 city election in 2005 (1,230). Cobber’s can rest assured that Dan Hunt will represent them even if they all turn out to the polls. MSUM student candidate Alexander Ellsworth running in ward 2 is counting on student turnout to swing the vote in his favor.

The message is simple the city of Moorhead is more then willing to listen to students according to at least one slide in every presentation on there web site.* Yet a chart tracking student participation shows only one student was invited to there talks, moreover the study begun when students were on summer vacation and will attempt to finalize when they are out on winter brake (Concordia) or during finals (MSUM). Keep yourselves informed take a look at the latest news on the issues. The Advocate and Concordian are both covering the progress. DON’T be a spectator to what’s going on. Come on November 6^th and participate in the rehearsal meeting at 6:30 at the PEPP building. November 7^th come early to City Hall and meet by the fountain 4:30. We’re putting a halt to this before it goes too far.

Vote November 6th

*http://www.ci.moorhead.mn.us/housing/index.asp

Article by Octavio Gomez ------  Photographs by Lysa Ringquist