He/him woodworker and zoning enthusiast of dubious intent St. Paul politics enjoyer
Trapped between horror at the murderous policy implications and the conclusion that Trump officials are a Confederacy of Dunces
Eric Geller"A US government map of Africa mislabeled every country during a state department presentation at a global conference in Brazil this week, causing a stir among attenders who took screenshots and posted them online."
This is an important read for those interested in urban planning. Jane Jacobs was an consequential start in my journey, but her intense focus on grassroots planning in part let the choking vines of NIMBYism hold us back from a robust urbanism in our cities placesjournal.org/article/jane...
Reconsidering Jane Jacobs: The Death and Life of American PlanningAn urban historian assesses the complex legacy of Jane Jacobs, including the rise of community activism and the marginalization of professional planning.placesjournal.orgSecond Lowest First Quarter Fatality Rate is the weakest shit I've ever heard, even before you realize the rate isn't even per capita, it's *per mile*
David ZipperNHTSA is taking an undeserved road safety victory lap. US crash deaths were higher in 2025 than in any year during the 2010s. On a per capita basis, Americans are 2-5x more likely to die in a collision than a Canadian or European. NHTSA refuses to admit it approach has failed.
I hear rumblings now and again about the twin cities introducing AV's, and I continue to be highly skeptical. Fire departments gripe about putting in roundabouts or tighter turn radii, but just wait until there are 73 Waymos deadheading on some random residential street
David ZipperThe mayor of San Francisco is tight with Silicon Valley, but he has clearly lost patience with Waymo. He's now turning to California leaders, asking them to tighten regs after Waymo created a traffic disaster on July 4th. www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/w...
You love to see city leaders just sprinting towards the status quo. Proven safety changes require community input, but repaving a deadly road needs none.
Bill LindekeSt. Paul's leaders keep re-paving Hamline Avenue as a deadly four-lane road. Not great when we're in the midst of a year of fatal car crashes! tcsidewalks.blogspot.com/2026/07/st-p...
Another example of how the lack of good cycling infrastructure in St Paul is putting community members at risk. We can do a lot better, if our leaders have the will
5 Eyewitness NewsA bicyclist has died from his injuries more than a week after being hit by an open car door in St. Paul.
My opinion is that a lot of public servants should be paid a fair bit more than they are. We want professional and effective people making things better and that means competing with the private sector!
Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press)Can't reach your city council member? That could be because they may have another job. Yes, the St. Paul City Council is part-time. Should they be full-time? They're paid $79,000. Full-time would likely boost salaries to $112,000, effective 2029. www.twincities.com/2026/06/24/n...
There are so many needed parking policies (like market rate parking and parking benefit districts) that it's easy to forget how vital a reform it is to get rid of minimums. That one step opens up so many possibilities!
Tony JordanNearly the entire Portland Metropolitan Area is free from the scourge of costly parking mandates!