The following report by Cristof Traudes about the May 16th DFL Park Board endorsements appeared in the May 18, 2009, on-line issue of the Southwest Journal:

RESULTS OF DFL ENDORSEMENTS FOR MPRB CANDIDATES FROM SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS

At the convention, representatives of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board District 6, which includes lakes Calhoun and Harriet, again chose not to endorse incumbent Commissioner Bob Fine. Despite three previous election wins, Fine has never received the DFL endorsement.

Fine had tried to persuade delegates by pointing out his successes of the past four years, including helping to create a comprehensive plan for the Park Board and to form the Lakes District Council. He also called himself a key player in the completion of the Nieman Sports Complex.

It wasn’t enough. By a 94-25 vote, the nod instead went to newcomer Brad Bourn, who works at a North Side nonprofit with youth. Bourn said he would bring more transparency to the Park Board, as well as keep citizens on the forefront of its work. He also faulted Fine for the Nieman Complex — which bleeds money, Bourn said — and for being a key part of the hiring of Superintendent Jon Gurban, whom he called one of the most controversial superintendents the Park Board has ever had.

For Park Board District 4, which includes Lake of the Isles, delegates endorsed first-time candidate Anita Tabb. She currently is the only person running to replace outgoing Commissioner Tracy Nordstrom.

Also, all three at-large Park Board candidates seeking DFL endorsements received them.