Subject: [StPaul] MAYOR: SAQ T2Q2 - Quality of Life - Ayd Mill Road Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 11:11:26 -0500 From: E-Democracy To: mn-stpaul@yahoogroups.com ================================================================ St. Paul Mayoral Candidate Conversation - Spring 2001 St. Paul Issues Forum - http://e-democracy.org/stpaul ================================================================ Theme: Quality of Life Question #2 Date: 4/26/01 Question: Do you support the connection of Ayd Mill Road to I-35E and I-94? Why or why not? Mark Langhus Como - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jay Benanav http://www.jayforstpaul.com jbenanav@jayforstpaul.com Absolutely not! After six years of hard work, a citizen task force concluded that Ayd Mill Road should be developed as a park. The city has ignored their input and has recommended a two-lane connection. I voted against the connection because of the impact that increased traffic would have on neighborhood livability. For decades we have looked at this corridor as simply a road. As Mayor I will devote resources to planning for other options. I have consistently stood with concerned neighbors who oppose the connection and will continue to do so. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jerry Blakey http://www.blakeyformayor.com jerry@blakeyformayor.com I support the two lane connection. The problem with the no connect option is that it 1) pits neighborhood against neighborhood and 2) delays action on a significant problem. I believe that if we do nothing, the issue will be forced upon the no connect neighbors in the next few years. Traffic counts will not go down, mass transit will not keep pace with the increase in population and more cars will be moving through neighborhoods to get to the Midway and other destinations. While no connect may be politically expedient, it does show a lack of leadership for the city of St. Paul as a whole. As Mayor I will work together with ALL the affected neighborhoods to come to a reasonable solution to a very difficult problem. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Randy Kelly http://www.randykelly.com randykelly@randykelly.com Yes, I believe we need the connection to provide for smoother traffic flow throughout the City and to maximize transit options for commuters. Iím firmly supportive of traffic calming efforts, and other measures that will provide supportive buffers for the neighborhood, but I believe we need the connect. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bob Kessler http://www.kesslerformayor.com campaign@kesslerformayor.com *** An Easy Place to Live! *** Smart Options for Getting from A to B Ayd Mill Road should be connected to 35-E. An I-94 connection is a trickier question. It needs to happen, but can only work with careful planning and road design, taking into account interests of partners such as Concordia College, Tracy Oil, and affected residents. I'll be the Mayor who'll provide the planning staff and district councils with the resources to convene all affected and to collect their ideas and concerns into a smart plan for connecting Ayd Mill Road with 35-E and I-94. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bob Long http://www.longforstpaul.com campaign@longforstpaul.com AYD MILL ROAD Transportation issues with Ayd Mill Road and surrounding neighborhoods cannot be solved by the current city council resolution. Based on my initial review of the EIS and discussions with Ayd Mill Road leaders, I will not support direct connections at either the north or south ends. I would investigate a downtown connection. We need new approaches to solving traffic problems all over our city. First, we need to get people out of their cars and improve bus service, build light-rail and commuter-rail. We also need to protect all neighborhoods and immediately implement traffic calming along Lexington Avenue. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bobbi Megard http://www.megardformayor.com bobbi@megardformayor.com - No response by the established deadline. - On a Minnesota Public Radio Mayor debate Bobbi Megard was heard to support a two lane freeway connection. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Janice Rettman jrstpaul2001@aol.com This issue has been a perplexing issue which affects several neighborhoods. One area of transportation needs or fixes are inextricably linked with other transportation issues and options. I have reviewed the City Council in 1997 along with the Ayd Mill Task Force recommendations. The compromise by the City Council of a 2 lane local road offers a solution I will review as Mayor in light of new information on other transportation options including commuter, light rail, and enhanced bus/vehicle systems. I will make my final recommendation and funding allocations after my administration has reviewed the realistic funding of alternative options. ================================================================ Candidate Conversation messages may be freely redistributed Subscribe: mn-stpaul-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Other subscribe/unsubscribe info at: http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ Citizen Participation Info: * Send the candidates a direct response via e-mail * Forward this post to others * Submit specific short answer questions on current theme * Submit a 200 word Citizen Dialogue (see web site for deadlines) Send your questions and dialogues to: mn-candcon@yahoogroups.com Contact: Tim Erickson * 651-643-0722 * tim@politalk.com ================================================================ St. Paul Issues Forum - http://e-democracy.org/stpaul *** Mayoral Candidate Conversation April 2 - May 17 *** To subscribe, send e-mail: mn-stpaul-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Sign messages with full real name, city/neighborhood. 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