Meg Tuthill responds to voicemail criticism

rthertherh

Maybe she forgot that the city and state are broke. If there ever is a time to partner with businesses it's now.

localvolunteer

Meg Tuthill is a refreshing improvement over two prior Mpls Ward 10 City Council Mbrs. (Some still trying to address at least one obvious mess made of things -Aug. 27 CPC agenda). I'm a ward resident who'd vote for Meg again. She gets to the point & is frank. Parties to the brew pub proposal, west of Jefferson School, got off on wrong foot, it's regrettable, will need to move on. Site may no longer be available, and there's more suitable locations. It's a matter of 'balance' in midst of many different forces in this part of City (some with a lot more resources - money, technology, clout, contacts, time, etc.) . Using Internet media to unroll facility siting, brand and products intro, leaves a lot to be desired in terms of citizen participation, and suggestions on one blog site to engage in a criminal act is close to being a personal threat. It's difficult enough getting people involved in constructive ways, much less volunteering for appointed or elected office. I've been a renter, and homeowner, with lots of roommates over time. Some make better neighbors than others relative to enhancing health, welfare, safety, positive quality of life, curb and alley appeal, etc. Meg's overall record is one of trying to improve: recycling, restoring older homes to save 'em from the wrecking ball, supporting new housing options along The Greenway (including some restorations) when the older factories and warehouses were no longer viable, crime safety & block club work, volunteering with and sometimes founding school, neighborhood, business associations, etc. She's second to none at the grassroots level over 40 years, and an unabashed supporter of the city, and the best of urban life. Her record as an elected official is part of that total picture. Taken as a whole, she will be remembered for what she's accomplished in her lifetime, and that's likely true for the rest of us.

Scrandy Andy M

I agree she may have "Addressed" the issue, and was coming accross in a stern point. However, how unprofessional of her with her "honey" comments and "Are your kidding me" towards someone who is taking a leap to open up a type of business that historically does not generate a lot of income. People open brewpubs because they love their art and they want to share it. Not to get rich. I would never vote or respect someone who left me a voicemail like the one that she left this person.

Gary Thaden

I believe she addressed the issue. Businesses that come into this area know the rules and they should not be changed for one business. Without the residents, the businesses would not be in this area and the residents concerns need to be addressed. Could her tone have been better, yes. But, we do not know the tone of the voice mail left for her by the business owner. She could have been reacting in a similar manner to how she was treated.

urbanite

there is definitely enough parking! It's just the cheap suburbanites that don't want to pay for a ramp that park in residential neighborhoods, cause all kinds of noise, and barf on people's lawns.

John

An anti-business, anti-jobs liberal in Minneapolis? Lets not act like we haven't seen that before. This Council member has a history of opposing business, and it is time for her to go.

keny1

I think they should allow this brewpub to open. What is the harm did? Look at the alternative: They could build Section 8 Welfare Housing up in there. And we all know what that brings.....................

Ohnoes

@keny1 Oh noes, poor people!

alan_am8

1 Like

I would like to see a similarly long exegesis from Tuthill and how she justifies referring to a constituent as "honey." How come she doesn't mention that?

If she'd done that during a council meeting, she would've been called out of order. If she had met the constituent one-on-one on the street, she wouldn't have dared do it at all. But on a voice mail, where she doesn't have to face public opprobrium or a personal retort, Tuthill is full of courage and condescension. Where I come from, that's called a bully.

Here's looking forward to her primary opponent.

disgustedbyourreps

1 Like

She is just upset that she has had so many failed businesses at that location and is frustrated that someone else might be successful.

Tuthill General Store -- 2455 Hennepin Ave License ID Description Status Expire Date L161/24717 Food Sidewalk Cafe Inactive 4/1/1992 Tuthill's General Store -- 2455 Hennepin Ave License ID Description Status Expire Date L153/34697 Food Confectionery Inactive 4/1/2010 L159/02934 Food Restaurant Inactive 4/1/1995 +the ball room emporium that flopped +the balloon store

It is interesting that there is no business license for either of these listed through the tax records...was she operating illegally?)

She seems to only care about her own interests and not the community. She is what is wrong with America.

keny1

1 Like

@disgustedbyourreps Well, see, that is what free enterprise is all about. Businesses do not open to "care about the community". Businesses open to make a profit. I know it sounds evil and greedy, but that is the way it works. Welcome to the real world. Do you honestly think that this proposed brewpub is concerned about "caring for the community"? No, they are just out there to make a profit. See how that works? And that concept is "what is wrong with America"? No, that is how America operated since day #0. That said, I say, let them open. They will probably go out of business within a year because, well, Uptown sucks.

disgustedbyourreps

@keny1

I completely agree but you are missing my point. She is using her political office to further her personal interests. THAT is the problem.I am all for her starting businesses for her own interests. When she manipulates and abuses public policy for personal game is when we have a problem.

disgustedbyourreps

@keny1

"gain" even =]

atrupar

@ViaMarsala18 Thanks very much for pointing that out :)

SuburbanMPLS

@MNBeerActivists sorry i disagree. beer to go = liquor store to vast majority of the public.

Veistran

@lewismd13 so, I read her response as "l want to live downtown but I want it to be like the suburbs"

DanielTosh

Wouldn't it be funny if someone raped her...

nicholaskolnik

@MNBeerActivists @citypages It doesn't address the nature of her ridiculous voice mail either.

MNBeerActivists

.@nicholaskolnik discourtesy aside, there is vacant storefront with a potential tenant waiting to fill it with jobs & revenue @citypages

nicholaskolnik

@MNBeerActivists @citypages Not so much re: courtesy, but that business-stifling mentality...

HeatherCHart

@MNBeerActivists @citypages That was my take on it, too. It's a *business.* Our economy needs all the new blood it can get.

timmyj6

@RTM59 do you want another chance at spelling the word balloons? #figureitout

RTM59

@timmyj6 another awesome twitter contribution. #mustbefun

timmyj6

@RTM59 and your original tweet provided so much for society #unfollow #canyouevenspellcondescending

RTM59

@timmyj6 and you weren't being condescending at all.

RTM59

@timmyj6 bummer

Brett Verlyn Scriver

I think the first sentence of this article needs to be corrected. It says "email" when I think you meant "voicemail."

Brett Verlyn Scriver

I think the first sentence of this article needs to be corrected. It says "email" when I think you meant "voicemail."

Brett Verlyn Scriver

I think the first sentence of this article needs to be corrected. It says "email" when I think you meant "voicemail."

Bystander

2 Like

Great job totally sidestepping the issue Meg.

And you love patios? You're the one that claimed that they're so noisy that babies in Uptown have to sleep with ear plugs in. And you didn't bother to talk to bars or restaurants in the area first. You introduced the ordinance first and then fought those bars and restaurants that didn't agree with it (which was all of them).

lnieters3

2 Like

Did she even address the fact that she is condescending and rude?? Or did I miss that part?

Ohnoes

@lnieters3 She wasn't "setting the record straight" on that.

PanicButtonGuy

3 Like

fuck off Meg

UptownFun

1 Like

@PanicButtonGuy She just might. According to her, bar owners will literally "blow you off" in Uptown. Seems to me that this is against the city ordinances, but as long as it's quiet and not being done on a patio or with a beer growler close to a school, it's acceptable.

CraftBeer

1 Like

The problem with the response is it does not address the specific issue. The brewery can open without a variance. They just would not be able to sell growlers of beer to go. If the issue was noise from the proposed brewery then her response would have some validity but that is not the issue with the brewery locating there. She is also prejudging a new business based on what she lists as the actions of others. Get real Meg. Come out and say it. We'll respect you more when you drop the political speak and talk directly. Just say what you mean, "I do not want a new brewery in my ward!" You'll feel better when you say it trust me. No one likes a politician, especially these days, who talks in circles.

PS - most brewery taprooms are not open late at night. I can't speak for this particular brewery as to when it would open and close its taproom but that is not the issue with the ordinance anyway.

Geargirl

I live in the neighborhood and thank Meg for her efforts. You would not believe the behavior of some of the people leaving the bars at night. On a nightly basis my husband, myself and my neighbors put up with patrons of several bars leaving at 2 am and screaming in the streets. Peeing in our yards and vandalizing our property. I want to note that a lot of this is 20 somethings coming into Uptown and pretty much ruining the livability of the neighborhood. When this is pointed out to patrons I am told to move to the suburbs if i want peace and quite or am sworn at. I understand I live in the city but patrons outside of bars from 10 am - 2 am with complete disregard to the people living in the neighborhood is pushing it! Also - as Meg stated when I have tried to talk to bar owners about this issue I have been hung up on - lied to and completely disregarded! Enough is enough!

Bystander

1 Like

@Geargirl You did realize that some of that goes with living in Uptown right? Thats like the Eagan residents that want to the airport flight path changed because planes fly over. That airport was there long before their city was just like those bars were in Uptown long before you were. You understand that when you move there (or should have).

Sorry but you should have realized that people are going to be a bit crazy outside of bars at bar close time. I live in NE Minneapolis near a number of bars and understood that perfectly when I moved here. It goes with the territory just as someone that lives across from a police station should expect to hear police sirens often. It goes with the territory. It's no one's fault but yourself for having unreasonable expectations when moving so close to a bar. Obviously you're close to this bar rather than a couple blocks away where you'd have no problems. I lived less than 1/2 block from Calhoun Square for 3 years and never had an issue with noise.

DavidFoureyes topcommenter

1 Like

@Geargirl How would you not be well-served to take the advice of those that suggest you should move somewhere peaceful and quiet? It seems like good advice. It certainly seems easier than converting a vibrant and late-living portion of the city into a cemetery after 8pm.

It seems to me that Meg is doing her very best to turn Uptown into Eden Prairie... when it would be much easier for her and those that desire a quiet area in which to live, to simply move there. Your's and Meg's dislike of young people and their free will is duly noted.

I believe you are being hyperbolic and dishonest suggesting that every night there is a riot outside your window. When you live in the city, you make sacrificial trade-offs, get use to it.

keny1

@DavidFoureyes Exactly! I live in North Minneapolis and when I moved here I made a sacrificial trade-off to be subjected to gang violence, shootings, drug dealings, prostitution, muggings and having to listen to loud rap "music" being blasted out of car stereos at all hours of the day and night. But you don't see me complaining. Like you said, if you choose to live in the city, just deal with it. After all, young people and their "free will" must take precedence over all else.

DavidFoureyes topcommenter

@keny1 Did you seriously just draw a line between what is illegal and what is annoying? Also, you do not like in North Minneapolis...stop lying, liar.

Don't like illegal shit? Call the police. Don't like load noises? Call your fucking realtor.

Geargirl

@DavidFoureyes Not even close to what I was getting at! Please show me where I said there was a riot outside of my place every night? Perhaps you can tell me where you live and I can give you an example of what I deal with on a weekly basis! There is no excuse for peeing in my yard and having my property vandalized! As far as having to move in order to have livability is a joke! I pay higher property taxes to live where I live and to suggest that I am looking to to change a neighborhood that I have lived in and loved for 20 years is a joke! What has changed is the people coming into the area with no sense of self respect or respect for the people that live in it! To suggest that I need to move after 20 years to accommodate others lifestyle is ridiculous! When you live in a neighborhood you can have a say in what happens there. I go to my city council meetings and am part of the reason our Uptown area is attractive and vibrant community. Most of my response had nothing to do with outdoor patios! It had everything to do with people leaving the bars! Usually the bars keep the noise down on their patios. It is when they can't control the patrons and ask them to leave or when they have been over served and can't control themselves! I think you assume a lot in your response which really makes you look like an ass! There are noise ordinance laws for a reason and I should not have to move in order to get a good nights sleep! Do you live in the neighborhood? Or do you just roll through when you feel like getting drunk with your buddies?

UptownFun

2 Like

@Geargirl I have lived at 3120 Hennepin Avenue for 4 years. Before that I lived at 3315 Hennepin Avenue for 2 years. I have never had an issue with people leaving the bars, puking, urination or vandalism (aside from my side-mirror being taken off b/c the city decided not to plow Hennepin two winters ago; thanks for focusing on the real issues Meg). If your primary complaint is people leaving the bars, I promise this ordinance banning growlers will do NOTHING to change that. I promise that the patio restrictions will do NOTHING to change that. The only thing that will correct your issue is to close the bars. Then what? No one comes to Uptown. Then what? It becomes boring Woodbury, or Eagan, or Plymouth. If Meg wants to tailor the law to the issue, great. But she isn't. And your support of her is not making Uptown better. Also, Meg saying she wouldn't change the law for "one business" is an absolute lie. Ask her how she voted on the Vikings' stadium. Tell me that's not bending over backward for "one business". Not only that, she was willing to give my money to that business. The 2013 elections cannot come soon enough for this Uptown resident. (I am in "Uptown", right Meg? You certainly called Tuthill's Balloons part of "Uptown" when you actually worked in the ward).

uptownblows

2 Like

@Geargirl im guessing that you changed more in the last 20 years than the people coming into uptown.

just move south or east a mile or two and then you can make fun of how dumb uptown is like the rest of us.

Geargirl

@DrunkTrashingUptown I have tried working with the bar, the police and even the Mpls Licensing department. If you reread my original post I state the noise, urination and vandalization as problems. I have taken photos as well. It is hard to work with your neighbors if the refuse to acknowledge a problem. I don't need or want sympathy! I realize that I will always have noise! I as well have lived in various parts of Uptown and there is a difference depending on what part of the neighborhood you are in and what bar you are next to!

DavidFoureyes topcommenter

@Geargirl Do you even read what you write? "On a nightly basis my husband, myself and my neighbors put up with patrons of several bars leaving at 2 am and screaming in the streets. Peeing in our yards and vandalizing our property." Nightly vandalism. Nightly. It means every night. Nightly street-screaming, vandalism and pissing on your stuff sure sound like a riot doesn't it?

I assumed nothing, I read your words.

Why should it be the responsibility of the establishment to control adults? Why? If adults break the law, alert those that enforce it...don't try and make up new rules.

I live in a neighborhood, I live in your city. I go to our neighborhood meetings. I ask for additional enforcement because I live near noisy bars with noisy patrons who ride noisy motorcycles noisily at all hours. I don't expect my kids' daycare provider to be responsible for my kids after they've left...and I pay them quite a bit more than your neighbors do their bartenders.

You counter your assertion that I make too many assumptions by assuming? Good lord. Go take a freshman course in argument before you embarrass yourself with more logical fallacies. You don't know me.

DrunkTrashingUptown

1 Like

@Geargirl I Love how you basically just accuse him of being a carpetbagger in order invalidate his position.

I have lived in many neighborhoods of Minneapolis and all of them have had varying amounts of noise at night. When I lived close to bars it was more, and when I didn't it was less, but certainly not non-existent.

What I don't understand is you have already side stepped your original point, originally claiming that the issue was noise, but now it's vandalism and urination. If that is the actual case have you not done what the rest of us do and call the police? Ever tried taking a photo of the person and giving that to authorities that arrive? Could Meg have requested additional patrols on at night instead of trying to ban people from patronizing an establishments patio? I'm going to guess the answer is no, because what you are complaining is almost certainly exaggerated to try to garner sympathy for your position.

I'm sorry to say that neighborhoods change, especially in one of the are with such high density. Noise is part of Minneapolis, and working with your neighbors, not against them is how we make it all better.

patioman

2 Like

Meg Tuthill, you need a proofreader!

Kieron

@patioman She also needs grammatical help. "I, like other residents, are tired..." is ungrammatical. Essentially she's writing "I are tired..." A better way to write it, dear Meg, would be, "Like other residents, I am tired..." Also "tired" ARE your attitude and your cadre of compatriots at City Hall who delight in committing end runs around constituents' wishes *cough* billionaire playground *cough*

Emily Summers Leabch

She could have stated all of this to the business owner in a manner that made her point without being so disrespectful. An apology for her voicemail would have gone a long way, especially when facing re-election.