We have a dog, a fun, happy, playful dog. Maybe the only person I know who loved life more than me. We have been walking her unleashed in Minnetonka parks, for years.
To be more precise in the woods and off the main trails. At parks where there are open fields or crowds, sidewalks we keep her on leash and she is fine with that. About a year ago we heard the city council was considering making off leash dogs illegal. So I started to attend city council meetings, along with my family and many other people. It was beautiful to see people passionately engaged in the local democratic process with a belief in the process. At the same time it was rather unwelcoming. I don’t say that to blame the city council, I know they inherited the system and the current social environment.
Long story short, Last yr the City council made off leashed dogs in public Illegal, poof, Freedom gone. In theory they will designate an area where dogs can be off leash. At great cost to all tax payers and a great loss to dogs and their families. The city council says they will come up with a plan, someday, for all the residents who lost a beautiful part of Minnetonka life. and to the city’s credit they are not doing much “enforcement”. But what kind of message is that? Would it not make more sense to create beautiful areas for off leash dogs first?
This is not the only issue/ problem we have or that I am interested in. I am just confessing it was a big part of why I entered.
Seeing the shock and disappointment in in our kids was pretty painful too. They seem to have accepted our national mess, mostly because it was beyond their understanding. But to experience their own city outlaw walking our dog, even when so many people spoke up so loudly to protect this freedom. They deserve a better system, I don’t think it will get better if all of us who know it can be better and should be better avoid involvement outside of 2-3 votes a yr.
So let’s give it a try. I will pay attention to all the issues and I will give you my reasoning. I will listen to yours. We can make a difference. Theory and philosophical reasons are less important than facts and outcomes. How are our daily lives effected.
My main contribution will be towards public health and parks and recreation.
