South letters

The tired song that the Performing Arts Center in Burnsville is being built without increasing property taxes is grossly misleading. The millions of dollars are not just falling out of the sky, but tax increment financing funds that were intended to REDUCE taxes for the citizens of Burnsville are instead being used for the theater, and now for the parking ramp. If this isn't considered a form of tax increase, then the spin merchants have had a field day.

These are but a few of the fiascoes that should put a bright light on the city officials who don't understand how to spell.

Market force should be allowed to develop property to prevent the kinds of three-ring circus events that have developed with the meddling of our city government.

CLIFF VOLKMANN

Burnsville

It is probably too late to stop this out-of-control boondoggle, but it is not too late to make strong consideration for the future direction and governance for the city of Burnsville. Want to serve your city? Contact www.noperformingartscenter.com. We are interested in talking to qualified candidates interested in running for mayor and city council. The time for change is here.

ELWOOD NARUM

Burnsville

With the support of Scott and Dakota counties, the City of Burnsville, the I-35W Solutions Alliance, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and with bipartisan support in the Legislature, I'm working to tap the resources of the federal government's Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) to reduce congestion in the south metro area.

If the state provides $55 million in matching funds, UPA will provide an additional $133 million to address congestion problems in our area -- particularly on the I-35W corridor, Cedar Avenue, and other trouble spots. This funding would create a system to better utilize current traffic lanes, invest in transit along the corridors, use new technology to manage traffic, and create incentives for local companies to encourage telecommuting.

REP. WILL MORGAN,

DFL-BURNSVILLE

The current Metropolitan Council transportation plan is woefully inadequate, and does little to advance a robust transit system for our region. South-metro residents and all Minnesotans deserve better. They deserve legislators with the courage to support a transportation plan that serves us well into the 21st century. They deserve Met Council members who are not beholden to political ideology, but who represent our concerns and vigorously advocate for them. They deserve a governor who demonstrates a deeper commitment to the welfare of Minnesotans than to campaign pledges and partisan doctrine. Above all, they deserve policymakers on all sides to act swiftly, strategically and in our future best interest. Because everything else is just words -- and words won't get us across the Minnesota River Bridge any time soon.

REP. SHELLEY MADORE,

DFL-APPLE VALLEY

In response to the federal government's tax rebate plan, I would love to see an article on how this is helping the economy. In an article on CNN, I found this statement, "The checks are an advance on next year's refunds, and most, if not all of the money, will be deducted from taxpayers' refunds in 12 months' time."

What if American's don't want an advance on their refunds next year? Basically we are borrowing this money from ourselves -- it is not a tax rebate? This is ridiculous!

BRIAN BOCHE

Jordan

Some letters have been edited for space. If you would like to submit a letter or guest column about south metro issues, please send it to stsletters@startribune.com or Star Tribune South, 101 W. Burnsville Pkwy., #101, Burnsville, MN. 55337.