SUPER BOWL

The brrr, the bother, the show, the scene

Yeah! Minneapolis got the 2018 Super Bowl. Big surprise. Did anyone really think that the owners would be so foolish as to spurn the Vikings' new stadium after the league's efforts to influence our decision to build it? Now if only the league could be convinced to move the game to, say, mid-June.

Yes, by 2018 there will be many sparkling new facets to Minneapolis and its surrounding area, and there will be an influx of visitors for the Super Bowl and its activities. But let us all pray to whatever gods we believe in that the February weather four years from now is more moderate than we have seen recently, or no amount of spit and polish will make much of the country change its impression of Minneapolis as a frozen wilderness outpost.

Harold W. Onstad, Plymouth

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Like many other Minneapolis residents, I am thrilled that we will be hosting the Super Bowl, with the economic jolt it represents for the region's hospitality industry. But we are also an important health care destination, and the needs of the families of those seeking long-term treatment should be anticipated.

During the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis, my 19-year-old son underwent high-dose chemotherapy at Simon Cancer Center. The hotel that he and my wife were staying at required that they leave the premises during the week leading up to the Super Bowl. This was because, as part of the agreement with the NFL to host the game, Indianapolis had to make available for game week all hotel rooms within a 60-mile radius. Hotel room prices went from $150 a night to $1,500, and even local residents were renting out their houses for huge fees.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's office ignored us. The hospital's social workers and the Indianapolis mayor's office worked frantically to find lodging, but to no avail. At the last minute, a spot opened at the Ronald McDonald House, but that was pure luck.

In our enthusiasm, we shouldn't underestimate the offsetting impact that the Super Bowl will have on health care delivery, downtown businesses (most Indianapolis businesses and offices closed for the entire Super Bowl week), traffic, parking and regular commerce. The city (and region) need to function at some level of normalcy during this period.

Ray Wuolo, Minneapolis

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Who is better suited than our Prince to represent Minnesota in the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show? Let Purple reign!

Penny Van Kampen, Edina

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I think it's terrific that our team brought the Super Bowl back to Minneapolis! What I don't understand is the stadium illustration on the front page of the Star Tribune. Why does "The Yard" cover only one block now? Did the Armory get lost? The Wells Fargo project should have been shown. Is moving HCMC feasible? I do like the new 50-story tower on Nicollet Mall. Is that part of the state funding package?

Jerome Ryan, Minneapolis
SENATE OFFICE BUILDING

Courts pull a switch on a concerned citizen

It's odd that the Minnesota Court of Appeals thinks Jim Knoblach is the cause of a potential delay in the construction of the new Senate office building ("Court says foe of state office project must post $11M bond in order to press case forward," StarTribune.com, May 20). Months ago, the Supreme Court denied a request for an expedited ruling on this lawsuit. That decision could have been made weeks ago.

Knoblach isn't delaying this project, the courts are. To require a bond from Knoblach is totally unfair and, in my mind, absurd.

Just make your decision and let the chips fall where they may. For judges to intimidate a local citizen with the requirement of posting a bond is just an excuse to get away from doing their jobs.

Lyle D. Nelson, St. Paul
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

A 'worst offender'? By what motivation?

The Institute for Policy Studies labels the University of Minnesota one of the worst offenders in a report titled "The One Percent at State U" ("U is playing defense again on 'top-heavy' accusation," May 19). The title alone makes one doubtful about the real intent of the report. Isn't it a bit salacious for a scholarly organization? Could the IPS have been after ratings points more than solid scholarship?

After reading the article, I was left wondering what the precise connections between the IPS allegations and reality were. Is there real cause and effect here, or are these post hoc ergo propter hoc (after this, therefore because of this) findings?

I really don't know how many administrative staff members President Eric Kaler needs. Hopefully, he's keeping that number just above the minimum needed for effective management of university resources. As for the allegations about student debt, I think far greater blame should be laid at the feet of state governments that have steadily reduced their percentage share of public university budgets over the last 30 years.

Finally, I find it amusing that the "worst offenders" are rather highly ranked among public universities in both this country and the world.

Jeff Spartz, Eagan