Davnie, Torres Ray Minnehaha Park board take leadership Academy juniors focuses on roles at Capitol win debate title urban agriculture Page 2 Page 2 Page 7 Longfellow Nokomis Your community MMeessengerssenger newspaper since 1982 January 2013 • Vol. 28 No. 11 www.LongfellowNokomisMessenger.com 21,000 Circulation Residents, public officials call for more transparency over airport noise levels By JAN WILLMS communities across the country A Nov. 19 decision by the have discussed, so far without Minneapolis Airport Commission success.” (MAC) to compromise on RNAV “I think these tracks could flight paths has still left some res- have passed through quietly, if I idents and public officials calling and John Quincy (Ward 11 coun- for more study and transparency cil member) were not watching when it comes to airport noise these issues so closely,” Colvin levels. Roy said. She added that this A standing-room-only meet- issue is connected to the long ing was packed with residents term plans for the airport and who were concerned about how they should be considered to- the proposed changes in flight gether. plans would affect their daily liv- Colvin Roy said she thinks ing. it’s likely this proposal will be The Federal Aviation Admin- back. istration (FAA) proposed using “We have garnered a lot of satellite technology to alter flight support for the city’s position paths to save fuel and promote that additional information is safety. But a spirited response needed, so I’m very hopeful that from affected residents led MAC we will get it,” she said. “The City to only partially use the new sys- and our allies are ready to fight tem, rather than make it effective for this. We have great support for all plane departures. amongst our State and Federal “The compromise position representatives.” taken by the MAC reflects the A Nov. 19 decision by the Minneapolis Airport Commission (MAC) to compromise on RNAV flight paths has still left One of those representatives, fact that there are more opportu- some residents and public officials calling for more study and transparency when it comes to airport noise levels. (Photo Jim Davnie from District 62A, nities to direct RNAV flight tracks by Stefanie Berres) said he was pleased the MAC over lightly populated areas commissioners were willing to south and east of the airport compromise on the new naviga- than there are north and west of tracks over those cities.” consider it necessary for safety. well as much better communica- tion system at this time. MSP,” explained Patrick Hogan, Ward 12 council member “The MSP traffic control tower tion with the public is something “I think it’s accurate to say spokesman for MAC. Sandy Colvin Roy said the com- does an excellent job with current Colvin Roy said she considers im- this is the first time Minneapolis “While we believed there promise was what she and other procedures to safely move planes portant. residents have won on an issue would have been noise benefits officials had advocated. in our airspace,” she added. “There are a lot of unan- with the MAC,” he noted. “It north and west of the airport as “We understand that RNAV Colvin Roy expressed con- swered questions about what it would not have happened with- well, it was clear that there were tracks can benefit some commu- cern that Delta is purchasing would really be like to live under out the overwhelming response significant concerns among com- nities by directing planes over less older planes. one of these RNAV tracks,” she from residents in affected areas munity leaders in Minneapolis populated areas but we don’t re- “The planes are required to said. “Minneapolis has long ad- challenging the MAC and their and Edina. The MAC board took ally have the same options in be hush-kitted to a Stage 3 sound vocated for a better way to meas- process around this decision.” those concerns into account Minneapolis, so our choice is not standard,” she said. “South Min- ure noise. The current method re- Marian Streitz, a Nokomis when making the decision to en- so simple,” she said. “We don’t neapolis has been exposed to lies too much on statistical data resident for 37 years, was among dorse only partial implementa- want to stop other communities these planes before and their re- and averages rather than actual those attending the MAC hearing tion of the FAA’s proposal,” from realizing benefits they can moval reduced the noise we expe- noise measurements, and those Nov. 19. Although she said she is Hogan continued. identify, as long as we can protect rienced because new planes are averages do not fairly represent not directly under a flight path, Hogan said there would be the interests of our community.” quieter. I want to explore what what it is like to experience the she is concerned for residents no change in departure flight Colvin Roy said that RNAV else airlines can do to reduce the noise on the ground. To change who are. tracks north and west of the air- consolidates the routes that air- noise burdens from planes.” the way that FAA measures noise She said at the meeting she port so no areas of Minneapolis planes travel, and this means that A need for more study as is an uphill battle that many sat next to a young man who did would experience noise impacts some people who live under not think the FAA could do par- from RNAV departures around those routes will be exposed to tial flight changes, as suggested in MSP. more planes. “There are a lot of the compromise. “RNAV procedures do offer “Asked if some residents “They talked about opening significant safety, efficiency, air would carry an increased burden, unanswered questions up more gates at the airport as quality and noise benefits,” the FAA said yes,” Colvin Roy about what it would really the economy improves,” Streitz Hogan noted, “but it was clear said. “What we need to under- said. “At some point they are there was significant concern in stand is the magnitude of that be like to live under one of going to put RNAV into effect.” Minneapolis and Edina that im- burden as well as the magnitude She felt there have not been pacts of the increase in overflights of the potential benefits.” these RNAV tracks.” enough opportunities for resi- that would have occurred in Colvin Roy emphasized that dents to voice opinions on some- some areas might outweigh while it might be helpful to the - Councilmember thing that affects their day-to-day control tower to have every plane RNAV’s benefits. The MAC board Sandy Colvin Roy life. heard those concerns and opted in a certain destination on the not to endorse RNAV departure exact same route, she did not Continued on page 16 Davnie, Torres Ray to take on leadership roles at the Capitol By IRIC NATHANSON Davnie said. “But that voice real- 1885 University Ave. After spending the last two ly wasn’t heard. The majority had years in the political wilderness a clear view of where they want- St. Paul, MN 55104 as members of the DFL minority, ed to go, and that didn’t allow 651-645-7045 Longfellow/ Nokomis’s two vet- for any bi-partisanship. It creat- eran legislators are ready to take ed a terrible process. We had to Publishers: on key leadership roles as part contend with a state shutdown Calvin deRuyter, Tim Nelson of the newly elected DFL majori- and with bills that were poorly Managing Editor: ty in the House and Senate. drafted. Often bills would come When the legislature con- before us that had blanks where Denis Woulfe venes on January 8, District 62 funding levels should have been Advertising: State Senator Patricia Torres Ray written in.” Denis Woulfe - 651-917-4183 will chair the influential Educa- “Now that we are in the ma- Colette Mullenmaster - 651-494-8047 tion Committee. Her House col- jority, we have a responsible to Photographer: league, Rep. Jim Davnie will listen to minority voices,” Stefanie Berres head the House Property Tax Di- Davnie continued. “We hope vision. Davnie will also chair the our minority colleagues will Production/Illustrations: bipartisan Ethics Committee. come to the table and work with Left to right, Mason Mitchell (volunteer assistant coach) Hugh Mayo, Bob Wasiluk Davnie, who had served in us in a bipartisan way, but we are Nathan Johnson (coach) and Michael Everett. Contributing Writers: the House majority during his not sure that will happen. Ideol- Iric Nathanson, Deborah Brotz, earlier terms, found the minority ogy still has a strong hold on the Jane McClure, Tesha M. Christensen, experience quite frustrating in other side of the aisle. If you Sherri Moore, Tom Gilsenan, 2011 and 2012. “I wasn’t able to don’t believe a program should Minnehaha Academy juniors Jan Willms do much more than serve as a voice for my constituents,” Continued on page 5 Michael Everett and Hugh Mayo win Minnesota Classic Debate title Whether the War on Drugs has 3-0. In the final of eight Now, communicate with the been a policy beneficial to the rounds of debate, Everett and Longfellow/Nokomis Western Hemisphere was the Mayo drew the affirmative argu- Messenger electronically! topic argued at the 2012 Classic ment, arguing that the War on Now it’s easier than ever to keep in touch Debate State Festival sponsored Drugs has benefited the West- with the Messenger. Letters to the editor and news releases for publication can be by the Minnesota State High ern Hemisphere by decreasing sent via e-mail at denisw@aplacetoremem- School League and held at the use of illicit hard drugs in ber.com.