Issues
• Joanie asked the tough questions about GV’s refusal of grant money for the Breck School, Ottowa-Glenwood intersection. Potential Lost Funding
• SEWER – Joanie has opposed the city’s Inflow/Infiltration Sewer Program and the methods for control of so called “inflow” and supports applying a bit more science to the analysis and testing of the system to verify that the I/I program is having effect : StarTrib.
Here is a great Article written in 2007 by a GV citizen. Calculations for the article assume the city’s initial estimated failure rate of 40%. In 2009 the failure rate on sewers inspected thus far is approximately 90%. When one calculates the updated costs for the I/I program in ‘09 using the updated numbers one is stunned to find the project cost (mandated to the homeowner) to be $25.92 Million – excluding inspection fees. Joanie believes these costs are beyond excessive : Golden Valley – Hidden 13.1 Million Dollar Tax
• As a private citizen, Joanie fought to keep Minneapolis water in Golden Valley instead of building a 46 million dollar water filtration plant that would have taken supply from the Prairie-du-Chien/Jordan Aquifer. Why is it that the only commissioners that serve on the Joint Water Commission are ONLY the 3 current city managers of Golden Valley, New Hope, and Crystal? There needs to be private citizens that are unbiased and educated in environmental sciences on that commission to protect our natural resources and keep spending under control: Joint Water Commision
• Lack of Vision for Alternative Energy development: When will Golden Valley get current with its vision for alternative energy generation in the 21st century? St. Louis Park is doing it today: Alternative energy
• Excessive use of Consultants