When I saw Planetizen’s tweet, I had to check to see if this was real: The Planners, a new BBC “eight-part observational documentary series following planning applications and the contentious processes behind them.”  Essentially, the show documents local opposition to various projects which are working their way through the planning system...current and former planning commissioners, staff, and elected officials in Northfield will likely see no surprises.

Calling Spring

Subzero temps here in Minnesota, but no snow and no (cross country) skiing which makes this winter uninspiring at best.  So, here’s today’s fun urbanism from East London’s  Pothole Gardener.

Slowly, the problem of funding all the infrastructure we have already built has been spreading.  The latest from Governing called Fixing the Transportation Infrastructure We Have.  Still, there’s some cognitive dissonance in this column; Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett is quoted as saying ”Transportation must be confronted as its own distinct and separate topic” because it’s too big to manage within the state budget.  I’d argue that transportation issues really need to be considered in concert with land use, environmental issues, housing and the other issues which affect how streets and highways are designed, where they go, how much infrastructure we really need, etc.

Yesterday, I attended John Bierman’s funeral at All Saints Episcopal Church, sadly, but with much gratitude for John’s gifts to Northfield and to me.

Others can tell more about how the Biermans have been part of the bedrock of the Northfield business community for several generations and will be for generations to come. And pillars of All Saints Church. Also active, generous community members.  And more.

I got to know John and Betsy Bierman at All Saints, I really got to know John when I became All Saints’ treasurer.  I suspect most members of the congregation never read the treasurer’s reports, but John certainly did and he read them carefully.  Previous treasurers warned me to watch out for John’s interrogations about budget and spending.  Really, there was nothing to fear – John asked good, tough questions – because the church, too, needed to be managed like a business – and his review and input were always welcome to me.  I should add, though, that the questions didn’t just happen at church, but I know I answered a few in the dairy section of the grocery store and several at grandchildrens’ school events.

John and Betsy Bierman were also among my first political supporters when I ran for mayor against Lee Lansing – I am honored and grateful for that early confidence and try to follow John’s model of tough questions, hard work and a sense of humor.

I pray for grace, strength and peace for Betsy and all the Biermans and in thanksgiving for John’s life.

The new MNDoT boss is a transit guy – Charlie Zelle, CEO of Jefferson Lines, was just appointed by Governor Dayton succeeding Thomas Sorel.  Too soon to say much, but I’m encouraged by MNDoT’s evolution in recent years.  Perhaps, in the not too distant future (in my lifetime?), transportation, land use planning and sustainability will be really integrated…

What are you doing for your city? asks the right question…what’s your answer?  I ran for the Council because I didn’t think I was doing enough as a Planning Commission member.  The City Council can do less than you might think, so I was still thinking I wasn’t doing enough.  Having lost the election, I’m certainly asking this question again and I don’t have an answer yet. I’ve got lots of ideas for doing more public policy work (Hi Strong Towns!), but that helps Northfield indirectly at best.

From my Council experience, I’d also add that you shouldn’t leave it to elected officials to do things with only your occasional (or incessant) suggestion or complaint.  Council members and legislators might help (or hinder – that’s a real possibility), but they need you more than you need them to get things done.

So, what are you doing for Northfield in 2013?

In the “try to lure business at all costs” department: Part 1 of the New York Times’ United States of Subsidies series As Companies Seek Tax Deals, Government Pays High Price is another piece to add to my collection of anti-subsidy posts (like this one). Of particular interest: the searchable database of subsidies (Check out MN, for example, really only a bit player in the subsidy game) and the pervasive theme that governments don’t know what they’re getting into with these deals (and also don’t track the results like how many jobs are created – see the OLA’s report on the JOBZ program, for example or Lincoln Institute’s Rethinking Property Tax Subsidies for Business).

Politically, this should bother Democrats and Republicans.  For small government free market types, this is heavy government meddling in the private sector with your tax dollars.  For liberals suspicious of big business, the money flowing to enrich corporate America should be infuriating.  For anyone interested in transparency and accountability it’s trouble.

Winning is more fun than losing and losing by just a few votes is frustrating, but that’s what the voters said.

I’m not dead: I have been getting a steady stream of thoughtful e-mails expressing sorrow that I will not be returning to the Council, but condolences are unnecessary or premature at the very least.  For me, this is not a great loss, but a new opportunity.  I have enjoyed serving Northfield’s Ward 2 for 4 years and would have liked to have continued on the Council now that I think I’ve figured out how it works, but I can work on the policy issues I care about more from the outside, too (call it a shift from bureaucracy to adhocracy). Beyond public policy, I’ll have more time to learn welding or train to ski the Birkie.

Thanks: Every person who took the time to write to me said much the same thing, thanking me for my service, thoughtfulness, and dedication.  Some added that even though they didn’t always agree with me, they knew where I stood and how I got there. Certainly, those are the qualities I tried to bring to the job and I am grateful they were noticed. Many thanks to you all.

Get busy: Some also asked “what will we do without you?”  My answer: I’m not dead yet, but we need to get more active for issues we care about.  For those with a bigger picture perspective on city government, those who want to see better budgeting based on coherent policies, better justification of infrastructure extensions, multi-modal transportation, arts and culture or any of the issues I championed and Mr Ludescher dismisses, then you need to keep letting the Council know what you think.

And a footnote about recounts: Many of those regretful emails suggested a recount.  I lost to Galen Malecha for the county commission seat back in 2006 by 10 votes; I gained 1 vote in the recount.  Since the result is unlikely to shift and I can speak from experience that your vote does count and count accurately, I don’t believe we need to spend the time and money for the recount.  My recount experience showed me just how well the system works, how well the election judges are trained, and how professional the election officials are.  I trust the system.

The Serendipitor

With smart phones, GIS, and other such navigational tools, it is much easier to get exactly where you are trying to go…but what fun is that?  Enter the Serendipitor which, in addition to having a great name, can help plan a route from A to B which also includes C, D and ??.  Check out Skipping Only Zones and the rest of the Spontaneous Interventions – design actions for the common good.