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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
November 16 - 22, 2023
Vol. 90
No. 16
Phone: 612-827-4021
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St. Louis Park mayor-elect Anika Bowie’s win part of Nadia Mohamed historic all-women St. Paul celebrates milestones City Council election By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer
By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer
Bowie’s win came hours after for one another to bring about Cheniqua Johnson was declared the youngest, more diverse, and the winner of the Ward 7 race, first all-female city council in St. adia Mohamed is no stranger to making history. Elected in t. Paul has officially elected beating Pa Der Vang by 134 Paul’s history. Jost received 49 percent of 2019 to St. Louis Park’s city council, Mohamed became the an all-women City Council, votes after one round of reallosuburb’s first Somali and Muslim council member. after the Ramsey County cation. Bowie and Johnson filed the vote in Ward 3 on election Four years later, she made her mark again when she was elect- Election Office reallocated votes for the City Council race, along- night, but declared victory after ed mayor, becoming the city’s first Muslim, first Black, and first to Ward 1’s top vote-getter An- side Saura Jost and Hwa Jeong runner-up Isaac Russel concedSomali mayor. Mohamed is also the country’s first elected So- ika Bowie, confirming her elec- Kim, in August. The four new- ed on Tuesday night. Kim won mali mayor in a municipal race. tion on Friday afternoon. comers pledged their support ■ See BOWIE on page 5 Mohamed, 26, received 58 percent of the votes, clinching the victory over Dale Anderson, a retired banker and university instructor, who received 41 percent. Anderson ran on a platform that the city needed “the wisdom of a senior citizen.” However, the majority of voters disagreed and opted to elect the city’s youngest mayor in its 170year history. Mohamed sat down for a one-on-one interview in the council chambers following the election. She discussed her reaction to the support she has received, how her time on the council would inform her work as mayor, and what her priorities would be once she’s sworn into office. Election night (l-r): Elijah Henderson, Todd Stump, Anika Bowie, Charlie St. Dennis, Andre St. Louis Park’s mayor-elect Nadia Mohamed ■ See MOHAMED on page 5 Torkelson, Jamael Lundy Photo by Abdi Mohamed Photos by Chris Juhn
Walz expands job opportunities for non-college grads Executive order eliminates four-year degree requirement for most state hiring
By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer ast month, Governor Tim Walz made it known that Minnesota was expanding hiring opportunities when he signed “Improving Access to State Employment” into law (Executive Order 23-14), which aims to recruit and retain a “talented and diverse workforce” for Minnesota state agencies. The state government is one of Minnesota’s largest employers with nearly 38,000 employees across several agencies. Once the executive order goes into effect in early 2024, there will no longer be a requirement for a four-year degree for 75 percent of state jobs, creating access to middle-class opportunities for future applicants. This change in degree requirements for state jobs gained traction earlier this year after Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah sent a letter urging their fellow governors to reevaluate their state’s hiring practices. The hope is that this new approach will help with the nation’s workforce shortage.
Gov. Tim Walz In an exclusive interview with the MSR, Governor Walz shared his motivations behind the executive order and how he plans to make Minnesota a viable option to live and work in by addressing barriers put in place years ago. “I think more than anything it’s going to open up possibilities for people to say, ‘Look, I’d like to work in state government. It’s good work. I want to serve people. It’s got good benefits. It’s
Photo by Chris Juhn got good retirement. It’s a good stable middle-class job,’” Governor Walz said. He shared his interest in being able to elevate the life experiences and accrued skills that prospective employees may bring to a role despite not having a college degree. Walz also referred to immigrants who come to the United States with an education and are turned away because their experience doesn’t trans-
late directly to a degree. The administration dismissed critics who believe that this may be the state’s way of filling empty jobs with the executive order, despite state hiring being at a five-year high. Currently there are 1,500 openings, and roughly 27 percent of state workers are nearing retirement age, which could create an even greater shortage of workers. Governor Walz said that this new approach to hiring will make the state more dynamic in addressing not only its aging workforce, but also addressing the decreasing state population and its diverse communities. “The future of Minnesota is dependent on us thinking about the future workforce. We’re talking about we want this to be the best place in the country to raise a kid or have a family. We want folks to feel welcome here. We want folks to feel the opportunities here,” he said. “But what we know is demographically, 80 percent of our workforce in the next 20 years is going to come from communities of color.” Walz shared that his admin-
istration is looking to work with community partners to help further their recruitment efforts, an approach they developed through the pandemic when the relationships between communities of color and state officials were strained due to a history of abuse and mistrust. “I think all too often we have a society that told people what they couldn’t do, where they couldn’t be, and I think it’s disingenuous not to say that there were systemic racial issues in there that keep people out of this,” Walz said.
referenced a survey where 56 percent of respondents were satisfied with their career advancement opportunities. This push for more recruitment in state jobs is a part of the administration’s approach to making Minnesota an attractive place for people to live. Walz cited the free college for all initiative and his administration’s work on providing early childhood care and scholarships. “I’ll make the case that the child tax credit is going to move about a third of our kids that are in poverty out of that,” he said. “We’ve got good-paying middleclass jobs with great schools. “The future of We’re going to help you out with Minnesota is your child care and we’re going dependent on us to make sure that this child tax credit helps.” thinking about the The executive order directs Minnesota’s Management and future workforce.” Budget Office to make changes to the state’s career website by The executive order makes July 2024, to improve job search mention of the need to increase capabilities, and improve the employee retention. This in- overall application process. crease in hiring in the governor’s Abdi Mohamed welcomes eyes would allow for more employees of color to find oppor- reader comments at amohamed@ tunities for promotions. It also spokesman-recorder.com.
Left-leaning candidates prevail in open races for Minneapolis City Council By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer he Minneapolis City Council will likely be more evenly split between moderates and left-leaning council members after progressive candidates won open seats in Wards 7 and 12. These wards represent downtown Minneapolis, Loring Park, Lowry Hill, Bryn Mawr, and Kenwood, as well as the Longfellow and Nokomis neighborhoods. Incumbents held onto their seats in Wards 1 through 5, which collectively represent
Photo by Chris Juhn Downtown, North, Northeast, and the Seward neighborhoods of Minneapolis, as well as in Wards 9, 11, and 13, which represent slices of south-central and southwest Minneapolis. In Wards 6, 7 and 8, races were decided by ranked-choice voting, since no candidate re-
ceived 50 percent of the firstchoice votes plus one in Tuesday’s election. On Wednesday morning, the city tallied the ballots of those who voted for the lowest votegetters as their first choice and reallocated those votes to their second-choice — and in some
cases, third-choice — candidates. Under ranked-choice, votes are reallocated until a candidate in the race receives 50 percent plus one, or a majority of ballots, whichever comes first. In Ward 6, Jamal Osman won re-election in a three-way race. In Ward 7, center-left candidate
and environmental advocate both of which had four candiKatie Cashman bested landlord dates running, underwent two Scott Graham by 177 first- and rounds of reallocation. Ward second-choice votes. 7, which had three candidates In Ward 8, incumbent and running, underwent one round. council president Andrea Jen- The Ward 7 race was decided kins beat challenger and activist shortly before 10 a.m. WednesSoren Stevenson by 38 first- and day morning. The Ward 6 race second-choice votes, or one-half was decided shortly after that, of one percent. at around 10:30 a.m. The Ward State law allowed Stevenson 8 race was finally decided just to request a publicly funded re- before 11:15 a.m. In Ward 12, community organizcount because of how close the results were. But Stevenson’s er Aurin Chowdhury handily defeatcampaign did challenge the re- ed Luther Ranheim and Nancy Ford sults and conceded the race on to succeed outgoing city council member Andrew Johnson. Johnson, Thursday. The Ward 6 and 8 races, ■ See ELECTION on page 5
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Council President Andrea Jenkins prevails in close race By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer When the first-round results were delivered on November 7, City Council President Andrea Jenkins’ opponent, criminal policy associate Soren Stevenson, was ahead by just over 100 votes. But this is a rankedchoice race, where voters can choose up to two backup candidates in case their first choice doesn’t win. Candidates need 50 percent plus one vote to win. Because neither candidate received the 50 percent plus one vote needed to win, there was another round to count secondchoice votes. When the city finished counting those votes just
Ward 12, with 43 percent of same area in 2011 showed an registered voters casting ballots average of 52 percent people at the polls. Jenkins received of color. Precinct 5, bounded 3,491 first-choice votes, while by Portland Avenue, Interstate Stevenson received 3,597 votes. 35W, Lake Street and 36th In the first round of voting, Street, averages 66 percent Stevenson won precincts 2, 3, 5, people of color. 6, 7, 10 and 11. Those precincts Meanwhile, Jenkins won cover south Lyndale, the north- precincts 1, 4, 8 and 9. Those ern part of the Kingfield, Central, precincts include the northern Field and Regina neighborhoods, half of the Lyndale and Field as well as all of the Bryant and neighborhoods, as well as south Kingfield and Regina. People Bancroft neighborhoods. Four of these precincts also of color make up 49 percent of include the area surrounding precinct 1, according to census Andrea Jenkins celebrates with Mayor Frey on election night. Photo by Chris Juhn George Floyd Square, at 38th data. Otherwise, the precincts and Chicago. The precincts sur- Jenkins won have a population before 11:30 a.m. on Wednes- the tenuous hold Jenkins has in Who voted and how? rounding George Floyd Square that is no more than 30 percent In this election, Ward 8 day morning, Jenkins emerged a ward whose values and demoaverage 39 percent people of people of color. with a lead of 38 votes. The slim graphics have changed over the boasted the second-highest color, according to 2021 census The race appears to have voter-turnout percentage after margin of victory is evidence of past several years. data. The census data for the ■ See JENKINS on page 8
Voters agree to higher taxes By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer On Election Day, Minnesota voters generally voted to support tax increases to fund changes to its infrastructure, perhaps threatening Blackowned businesses as they worry that their customers may shop where taxes are lower. Voters in St. Paul, Bloomington, Edina, Marshall, Rochester and Golden Valley as well as in Beltrami County passed initiatives to raise the sales taxes by up to 3.5 percent to fund new parks, public works, public safety and road infrastructure. In St. Paul, where the mea-
sure could take effect as early as April 1, the existing sales tax will rise by one percent for 20 years to pay for rebuilding 44 miles of city roads as well as improvements to Crosby Farms Regional Park, downtown St. Paul, and a recreation center on the East Side. The increase would make St. Paul’s sales tax rate the second highest in the state, after the state legislature raised sales taxes in October in the seven counties that comprise the metro area to fund transportation and housing. When all is said and done, the sales tax rate ers barely passed a 3.75 percent works headquarters, would in St. Paul will be 9.875 percent. sales tax hike to fund building have a higher sales tax rate at Only Golden Valley, whose vot- its new police, fire and public 12.275 percent.
Partner for good
where. This has Tetra Constantino, who runs Elsa’s House of Sleep on University, considering cutting his prices on his furniture so those buying will pay the same price even after the increased sales tax goes into effect. “At the end of the year, after expenses, [we] make about seven to 10 percent over gross sales. If we lower the prices by one to two percent, that immediately impacts [our] bottom line,” said Constantino in his Photo by H. Jiahong Pan store on University Avenue a day after the election as he took Back in St. Paul, some Black- a break from working on emails. owned businesses are worried “We’ve already lowered prices to ■ See TAXES on page 8 this could drive customers else-
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Candidate Stevenson makes a graceful exit Ward 8 results could point to changing political agenda
By Cole Miska Contributing Writer City Council President Andrea Jenkins narrowly prevailed against challenger Soren Stevenson to keep her seat in Ward 8. Stevenson held a slight lead when first-ballot totals were tallied on election night. But both candidates failed to secure 50 percent of the total votes cast, plus one additional vote, which is needed to secure a win in the first round of vote tabulation. Stevenson got 44.5 percent of the vote and Jenkins got 43.4 percent in the first round of ranked-choice voting. However, Jenkins was declared the winner by 38 votes on Wednesday morning, after second- and third-choice votes were counted. While Jenkins’s win was
within the margin of victory for Stevenson to request a recount, last Thursday he announced in a Facebook post that he would not be seeking a recount. “While the extremely close loss stings, there is much for us to feel proud of in being true to our values and elevating the conversation about how our city needs to be in alignment with our basic needs and core values,” Stevenson said. “For that reason, and to allow for our campaign team and supporters to rest and Photo by Chris Juhn grieve the loss of this election, my campaign team and I have both a victory and concession decided not to pursue a recount speech, but that he had not expected to need a “too close to call” at this time.” speech. Spirits were high among Stevenson’s supporters Tuesday Election night optimism At Tuesday night’s campaign night, with several campaign volevent, Stevenson joked with unteers seeing Stevenson’s lead supporters that he had prepared in first-round votes as promising.
Tyler Vogel, a friend of Steven- dorsement, [we were] just over son who attended grad school the moon. Just amazing. It was with him, said he was optimistic an exhilarating experience. It felt about Stevenson’s chances of really powerful to be the underwinning the election. Vogel had dog and to come up and [be in helped Stevenson’s campaign the lead.]” with canvassing and organizing Stevenson’s campaign manevents. Vogel said that even if ager, Arianna Feldman, said Stevenson lost, he saw the suc- Stevenson’s team decided on a cessful building of a grassroots strategy of focusing “on people campaign with a diverse group power over financial power.” of supporters as an achievement They decided to have more conon its own. versations with voters to make Stevenson compared his up for the campaign’s financial campaign to the story of David disadvantage. and Goliath, as he had fewer fi“We knew from the start that nancial resources than Jenkin’s we would be outraised and outcampaign, and believed he also spent when it came to financial had less name recognition due resources,” Feldman said. “And to Jenkins being the incumbent. so, we really focused on the “When we would block an community power and on orendorsement, that would be a ganizing on the ground. We felt victory,” Stevenson said. “And confident that we could still then when we would win an en- reach more neighbors, that we
could talk to more people, that we could organize with more people on the ground.” Stevenson said that voters were receptive to his campaign’s door-knocking and outreach efforts.“We knocked on so many doors multiple times. “People always had the opportunity to be rude, to be callous, to ignore us. And yet we continue to have great conversations about the kind of city we deserve, the kind of city we want, and the kind of city that recognizes that all of us are human,” Stevenson said. Campaign financing an issue In his concession statement on November 9, Stevenson acknowledged the success of his campaign and his supporters ■ See WARD 8 on page 5
North Minneapolis City Council candidates win re-election By Farah Habad Contributing Writer On Tuesday, November 7, voters in Minneapolis took to the polls to decide city council races in all 13 wards, following election redistricting due to population changes in the 2020 census. In North Minneapolis, both LaTrisha Vetaw (Ward 4), and Jeremiah Ellison (Ward 5) easily won their re-election races. Both incumbents represent historically Black neighborhoods in North Minneapolis and were able to win in the first round of Ward 4 winner LaTrisha Vetaw on Election Day ranked-choice balloting, with Photos by Farah Habad
strong support in their districts. January,” Vetaw said. “I really think feel supported and represented While overall turnout was that my team and I have done a by the work.,” she added. “When lower this year than in 2021, good job in these two years. Peo- you knock [on doors], now folks both Vetaw and Ellison each saw ple believe in me and want to see have a higher expectation of you. an increase in the percentage what else I can accomplish.” They’re asking, ‘Did you do what of their support from the 2021 “I feel proud of how many folks you said you would do?’ and election, with Vetaw garner‘What’s next?’” Both Vetaw and Ellison’s caming 69 percent of the vote, up from 60 percent in 2021. Ellison paign offices were teeming with claimed 53 percent of the first volunteers calling voters and ballot votes this year, up from 31 knocking on doors up until the percent in the 2021 election. polls closed. The campaigns cite a conWhile the campaigns seemed like they were on track for a certed approach to building relagood night, both candidates tionships as contributing to their wanted to drive up the numbers successful campaign strategies. of voters, since this is the first “We’ve been knocking on doors and on the phone since ■ See N. MPLS on page 12
“It’s a resilient community, even though I often wish we didn’t have to be so resilient. But we are.”
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MOHAMED
Their friendship goes back all residents, she stated. She plans the way to middle school, and to look into different programs “The city in collaboration Continued from page 1 both have made political waves that may provide people with with nonprofits was able in recent years. administrative grants or look to provide us with public “I definitely did not expect it, “I’ve known her outside of into zoning ordinances. but it was a welcomed surprise,” the political world and was su“The ability to buy a home is housing, back to school Mohamed, beaming, said of her the American Dream,” she said. per excited when she ended up supplies, and clothes for success. “I’m really grateful for “Every time I’ve been out doorwinning her election as well,” the winter. All of those every person who went out and knocking, I’ve heard from both the new mayor stated. things are things that I’ve voted. I’m grateful to the resiMohamed said that she would renters and homeowners alike dents for supporting me in this.” be taking her experience on the benefited from in the city that the city is getting too exMohamed was raised in St. council into her role as mayor. pensive.” and that contribute to a big Louis Park from the age of 10, “I’ve been on the council for Reflecting on the impact of part of the relationships when her parents came to the the past four years. And it’s her election, Mohamed believes that I maintain and the suburb as refugees from Somabeen a hard four years,” she said. that although representation lia. After graduating from high “I intend to take all of that I have matters, this is the beginning of people who were part of school, Mohamed became in- nized in 2019, when she won city and that contribute to a big learned, and all of the decisions the journey. She hopes to find my journey.” volved in public life, joining the St. Louis Park’s Human Rights part of the relationships that I that we’ve made here, and conmore ways to give back to the maintain and the people who tinue on that success as mayor.” city’s Cultural Advisory Com- Award. community and meet the needs She credits her success to were part of my journey.” mittee where she served for Having served on the council Mohamed, she’s charged with of her constituents, while conOver the years Mohamed through the pandemic and the presiding over meetings and tinuing to make change. four years to help bridge the the city and its services, which gap between the city and its helped her family. When Mo- has gained support after hav- civil uprising that followed the keeping track of the agenda. “Our identities are powerful. cultural communities. She also hamed’s family arrived in the ing given back to the commu- police killing of George Floyd, The mayor can also propose and But often what happens is the volunteered at the high school, city, they didn’t have much—like nity that gave so much to her Mohamed has seen the com- vote on ordinances and partake story ends with our identity,” hosted community iftars, and many refugee and immigrant and her family. She was en- munity go through its challeng- in ceremonial events. she said. “There are all these dorsed by the current mayor, es. However, she stated that taught community education communities. Once sworn in as mayor, things that I want to accomplish. “The city, in collaboration Jake Spano, and Lt. Governor through a collaborative effort all Mohamed’s leading priority is And the journey has not yet beclasses. Her career also took her to with nonprofits, was able to Peggy Flanagan, who lives in the city’s goals can be achieved. to help constituents in St. Louis gun. The book is not closed. All the Minnesota Department provide us with public housing, St. Louis Park. The city-government model Park find pathways to home- is not solved.” Mohamed also mentioned in St. Louis Park is a weak- ownership. She shared her own of Human Services where she back-to-school supplies, and served as a diversity, equity and clothes for the winter,” she said. the moral support she received mayor system, which makes difficulty with being able to Abdi Mohamed welcomes inclusion specialist. Mohamed’s “All of those things are things from her longtime friend, State Mohamed’s duties similar to a purchase a home in the city. It reader comments at amohamed@ work for the public was recog- that I’ve benefited from in the Senator Zaynab Mohamed. council member’s. According to reflects the experience of many spokesman-recorder.com.
BOWIE
Syed trailing her, both receiving roughly 20 percent of the vote. Continued from page 1 Between greeting visitors and taking selfies with loved the Ward 5 race after receiving ones, Bowie checked in with her 52 percent of the vote in the campaign staff for any developfirst round. Incumbents Mitra ments on the race. On Friday Jalali, Rebecca Noecker and Nel- night, Bowie was able to secure sie Yang all secured well over 50 the Ward 1 race after beating Lo percent of the votes in the first in the fifth round of reallocation. round of the election, solidifying their wins. “With the power Since 2011, St. Paul has held of the people, we’re ranked choice voting with voters going to make sure that casting their vote for multiple Ward 1 is a voice for candidates and ranking them everybody.” based on preference. A candidate must secure a majority of the first-choice votes to win in Rondo native representing the first round. If not, the can- Ward 1 didate with the fewest votes is Born and raised in the Rondo eliminated and their votes are neighborhood, Bowie has referreallocated to the voter’s second enced her family’s history in the choice. This process repeats for neighborhood, which goes back multiple rounds until a candidate generations, as to why she’s pasreceives 50 percent of the vote. sionate about representing Ward 1. Anika Bowie was joined by “I come from a family where campaign staff and supporters we’ve made a lot out of a little,” Tuesday night at the Gnome Bowie said in an interview TuesCraft Pub as she secured 40 per- day. “With the power of the peocent of the vote in an eight-way ple, we’re going to make sure that race with James Lo and Omar Ward 1 is a voice for everybody.
We’re going to keep listening. of priorities for office. “I’m all about making sure that We’re going to keep learning, and we’re going to keep inviting peo- we have the resources we need. ple to help us lead on decisions.” That the plan and the vision is goBowie graduated from Central ing to include small businesses. High School and went on to at- It’s going to include people gettend Hamline University, where ting jobs that provide dignity. It’s she received a bachelor’s degree also going to include public safety in criminal justice and corrections that centers wellness,” she said. and social justice. She spent years in the areas of education and ju- Youth leadership movement venile justice reform, which led Reuben Moore, president and her to serve as the Criminal Jus- executive officer of Minnesota tice Reform co-chair at the Min- Community Care, attended Bowneapolis chapter of the National ie’s election night party at Gnome, Association for the Advancement sharing his excitement for several of Colored People. Bowie also races across the metro. served as vice president for the “We had an amazing win by Minneapolis NAACP. Anika Bowie. An amazing win She also has experience in by Cheniqua. An amazing win by community organizing and cam- Jeremiah Ellison. This is a great paigning as she led the campaign opportunity to refresh our politifor the Minnesota Restore the cal leadership in our Twin Cities Vote Coalition and was the po- and put the people first,” he said. Moore states this class of litical director for Keith Ellison’s young diverse leaders will help campaign for attorney general. The Rondo native first ran for transform how people view ecothe Ward 1 seat in 2019, with nomic development, how they the goal of bringing steady jobs approach political engagement, and safe streets. Four years later, and bring people into the process. Bowie continues to hold those Kate Peters was Bowie’s same goals as she shared her list teacher at Central High School
and said that Bowie’s authenticity and ability to listen to constituents will give her an opportunity to create a sense of buy-in when big decisions are being made. “If you have everybody at the table, then you can work it out so that it’s not something people feel is being imposed on them,” Peters said. She emphasized that Bowie utilized grassroots outreach to gain support from voters, despite other candidates having secured more funding. Bowie’s campaign manager, Elijah Henderson, underlined the campaign’s focus on community. “We built a community-centered campaign that emphasized the importance of coming together and recognizing a shared vision,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud of all our team. Every single person who knocked on a door for us, they’re the reason why we won this.” Charlie St. Dennis served as the campaign’s field director. He shared that while door-knocking across the ward, residents continually expressed their desire to have an accessible council mem-
ber in office. “We knocked on tons of doors,” he said. “One thing that we overwhelmingly heard was not about crime, was not about safe streets, was not about any of that. But it was really about accountability and communication. People didn’t know who the city council member was. People want someone that they can count on to reach out to.” Bowie said that if sworn in she would continue to listen to constituents and engage them on projects that are taking place across the ward, specifically the project in Midway, the Reconnect Rondo land bridge, and the Summit Avenue bike trail. “We plan on this being an education campaign. And having the voice of the City Council isn’t just going to public hearings. But it’s continuously being in the community and educating everyone around the initiatives that are happening,” she said.
ELECTION
a socialist and her opponent, campment sweeps. “If Robin and the socialist Scott Graham, was a racist and members have their way with an abusive landlord. Cashman is public policy, Minneapolis may not a socialist and did not seek well follow a self-destructive the DSA endorsement. Graham path of disinvestment akin to insisted the 290 violations he Portland,” predicts Baskins in a garnered as a property manager Facebook post. “Extreme rent were “routine” and contended a control and a collapse in new former tenant who went public housing construction? Bans on with her story about the deplorclearing homeless encampments able living conditions she lived in with open drug use? Taxpayer- “has a political ax to grind.” funded sidewalk plowing and evIn the days before the elecer-increasing similar gimmicks?” tion, representatives from Ken Some candidates who were Foxworth’s campaign demanded not endorsed by the Twin Cities Graham apologize for comments Democratic Socialists of Amer- he made at a fundraiser. Graham ica (DSA) criticized those who did not respond to requests for a were DSA-endorsed because response. Although the city council is the organization failed to initially condemn the attacks perpetrat- now more evenly divided politicaled by Hamas in early October. ly, they do not have enough votes Controversy surrounded the to override a policy veto by Mayor Ward 7 race, which was plagued Jacob Frey. A veto-proof majorby allegations that Cashman was ity requires a two-thirds vote. In
the case of the Minneapolis City Council, that number is nine.
than in previous years. This year’s turnout is especially low because the only races on the ballot were the city council races. About 33 percent of registered voters cast a ballot in Tuesday’s election, the lowest since 2013. Because of redistricting to reflect 2020 census changes in the city’s population, council members faced reelection again this year, two years after the 2021 election. The next Minneapolis election will be the Democratic and Republican primaries on March 5, 2024, to determine the nominee for President. Mayor Frey, as well as all city council members elected on Tuesday, will be up for reelection in November 2025.
Continued from page 1 who started a new job in October, will step down in the coming days, allowing Chowdhury to begin serving the ward this month. The rest of the candidates will take office in January. What do the results mean? The election results come as the city struggles with how best to address public safety, housing, transportation, and climate change. The loss of more moderate council members who argued for a more prominent police presence signals Minneapolis voters in some neighborhoods want to approach public safety differently, in addition to rent control, affordable housing, homelessness, and climate change.
WARD 8
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despite the loss. “As neighbors, we have consensus that we need a public safety system that works for everyone—no matter what we look like, where we come from, or how much money we have,” he stated. “Both homeowners and renters are united in our belief that stable homes and dignified housing are fundamental rights for all of our neighbors—especially those who have been abandoned and marginalized by city leadership to sleep on the streets without care for their ba-
The successful left-leaning candidates support public safety policies that include a mix of policing, drug, and mental health counseling, as well as social services. Additionally, all of the candidates except for Cashman support some form of rent control, where landlords would be able to increase rents by a set percentage annually. All of the leftleaning candidates also support municipal sidewalk shoveling, as well as bike and transit lanes in a bid to encourage more people to use those options to get around. Some council members on the left faced controversy. Councilmember Robin Wonsley, who represents Ward 2, won only 67 percent of the vote, even though she ran unopposed. She faced a last-minute write-in candidate, Michael Baskins, who opposes rent control and supports en-
sic needs or even a recognition attacks on our campaign, ofof their worth as people.” ten fueled by misinformation Allegations that disparities and scare-tactics that are far in campaign financing played beneath the values that we a role in the outcome sur- hold as neighbors,” he added. faced immediately after the “While some of the most conloss. “Undeniably, monied servative forces poured half a and corporate interests were million dollars into this race, I loud and played a big role in am proud that our campaign this election,” said Stevenson was firmly rooted in commuin his concession. “ Corporate nity and our shared values. interests represented by All of “I have witnessed first hand Minneapolis, the Downtown just what is possible when we Council and Mayor Frey’s al- come together and organize for lies, made it so that our peo- our shared values, and I firmly ple-powered campaign was believe that community-cenoutspent 4-1,” the challenger tered power is what delivered an asserted. “Ward 8 neighbors overall victory for a progressive were flooded with mailers and majority in Minneapolis.”
Other significant races In Saint Paul, Anika Bowie was declared the winner in the Ward 1 city council race after leading with 39.71 percent of first-choice votes. Cheniqua Johnson was declared the winner in the Ward 7 city council race, with 41.15 percent of the vote, after ranked-choice tabulation. As a result, St. Paul’s city council will be made up entirely of young, women of color. In addition, Roslyn Harmon was elected mayor of Golden Valley and the first Somali American mayor in Minnesota, Nadia Mohamed, was elected in St. Louis Park.
Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader comments at amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Turnout lower than previous years H. Jiahong Pan welcomes readVoter turnout in the city er comments at hpan@spokescouncil races is markedly lower man-recorder.com.
wing of the council would have Progressives denied a clear the votes to pursue issues about majority Minneapolis Council member environmental justice, workers’ Robin Wonsley, who represents rights, and housing, including rent Ward 2, attended Stevenson’s control and homelessness, if Steelection night party. Wonsley, venson were victorious. who ran unopposed and won Stevenson viewed being ahead reelection with 68 percent of the in the first round of vote tabulation votes, was excited about the pros- as an achievement by itself. “It says pect of working with Stevenson, a lot about our team. It says a lot saying she believed that Steven- about our neighbors and the kind of son would be a “benefit to work- city we want to see,” Stevenson said. “Our fight to see action and true ing-class people in Minneapolis representation of our shared valoverall” if he won the election. If Stevenson had won, it would ues is not over,” Stevenson stated. have bolstered the power of the “And despite our campaign’s loss, progressive wing of the Minne- this election did deliver Minneapolis City Council. Wonsley said apolis a City Council that will be that she hoped the progressive more accountable to those values
and will elect a council president and vice president committed to seeing them done. The power that we built together despite corporate interests pouring money and attacks into our ward, gives me a lot of hope and excitement for what is possible for what comes next in Ward 8 and across our city.” Stevenson said that he had called Jenkins to congratulate her on winning the race, and that he wished her “the best in her next term and hopes she is successful in representing our values.” Cole Miska welcomes reader comments at cmiska@spokesmanrecorder.com.
6 November 16 - 22, 2023
Health
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How to foster gratitude through volunteerism Parenting Today presented by
The holiday season is upon us! It’s the most magical time of the year and a perfect time to begin the tradition of volunteering as a family. Most people volunteer as adults. But there are many benefits to introducing volunteerism to kids from the early developmental years to school age and through the teens. Kids often have a natural sense of altruism and a desire to help others. Volunteering is Handling difficult topics a great way to give back, get Volunteering can introduce involved, and fulfill that innate kids to difficult topics like desire. The key is to find some- homelessness and hunger and thing that your family loves. help explain these concepts The holidays offer the op- in terms kids will understand. portunity to make a difference These conversations not only to others who are less fortu- teach your children about the nate. Traditional volunteer op- world around them, but they portunities still exist, like help- are also opportunities to learn ing at a soup kitchen, but the more about each other and health pandemic has brought various points of view. out creative and safe ways to volunteer. Since gratitude is a Diversity lessons significant benefit of regular Volunteering often teaches volunteering, why not culti- diversity, introducing kids to vate some gratitude within people of different ages, eduyour family this holiday sea- cation, ethnicities and backson? grounds. Kids learn that each person is unique and that A sense of gratitude there is always something to When you introduce kids learn from people who come to volunteering, you teach from different backgrounds them a sense of gratitude. and situations. Often, volunteering involves helping others less fortunate. Family volunteerism So, when kids see others who Volunteering as a family are not as lucky as they are, brings additional rewards. Kids they develop a sense of un- are great imitators. By volunderstanding, appreciation and teering with your kids, they thankfulness for what they do see your empathy and comhave. They gain a new appre- passion and are likely to mimic ciation for the food they eat, it in their own lives. The time the clothes they wear, and the spent together also creates house they live in. memories and builds bonds.
Wavebreak Media Ltd via 123RF Finding the right fit Volunteering doesn’t have to be complicated or costly or time-consuming. Pbs.org suggests that volunteering should be enjoyable and simple to add to your family schedule. Even a young child can make a huge difference in someone else’s life by volunteering. The activity should fit your family’s personality and dynamic. Volunteering ideas • Assist at a food pantry
stocking shelves. Start with an hour and work up to longer periods of time, especially with younger kids. • Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. • Collect and deliver items to your local animal shelter or wildlife rescue, such as toys, towels, or pet food. Or, do something as simple as volunteering to walk your neighbor’s dog, pet sit for an afternoon, or clean out litter boxes. • Bake together and take
the treats to firefighters, police, nursing homes, or local shelters. • Spend time with the elderly. Share a book or a favorite toy, or make a simple craft. Or just talk or watch TV together. Even a tiny amount of time can make a huge difference in someone else’s day. • Host a fundraising event, such as a walkathon or a lemonade stand, with proceeds sent to a cause your family chooses. Both are good ways to jumpstart your child’s positive volunteer attitude.
day items like toothbrushes and toothpaste for a homeless shelter. • Draw pictures or write inspiring messages with sidewalk chalk at a local nursing home or in your neighborhood. • Pack up unused toys or clothes to donate. • Become a penpal. Write letters, draw pictures, or make thank-you cards for nursing home residents, hospice patients, nurses and doctors, teachers and postal workers, or the deployed. • Foster a new furry friend from a local animal rescue. This can be a longer commitment, often requiring weeks or months. So, why not cultivate some gratitude within your family this holiday season? Giving feels good. After all, isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?
Adjusting volunteerism amidst COVID-19 It may be difficult to find a volunteer activity or program that hasn’t been closed to volunteers or postponed due to COVID-19. Here’s a list of safe, simple, and fun ideas that can be done from home. Plus, working on a service project together as a family can bring MSR + Minnesota Departa sense of control back to your ment of Health (MDH) share life. a mission of protecting, main• Create gift bags of every- taining and improving the health of ALL Minnesotans. Our shared vision for health equity in Minnesota, where ALL communities are thriving and ALL people have what they need to be healthy is the foundation of our partnership to bring readers our feature, Parenting Today. Good health starts with family! To view our weekly collection of stories, go to our website or scan the code.
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Pimento on the Lake
November 16 - 22, 2023
Business
7
With a new restaurant, a dream comes full circle Black Business SPOTLIGHT By Chris Juhn Staff Contributor “When I moved to Minnesota from D.C. in 2006 as a corporate executive, my first apartment was at the Calhoun Beach Club,” said Pimento Jamaican Kitchen chef and restaurant owner Tomme Beevas (TB). “This used to be my lake. I would walk around there. It was my backyard when I first moved to Minnesota,” he recalls. “When my then-girlfriend, who’s my now-wife, first visited, I drove her around the lake,” Beevas continued. “I was like, ‘Yo, babe, you should move to Minnesota. We can buy any of these houses. You just pick any one you want,’ because back then I thought you didn’t need more than $200,000 or $300,000 for a house there.” In October, Beevas returned to his old stomping grounds to host a grand opening for Pimento on the Lake, his latest restaurant venture at the Bde Maka Ska Pavilion. “The reason we chose that location is because it’s the crown jewel of the Twin Cities. We have 10,000 lakes, and this is the largest one in the city. And so, it was naturally the right fit. It was always a dream. But I didn’t even know the potential until after it burned down,” he said. “I was thinking that it would be great if we could figure out what opportunities were here. Before I could even reach out, Louis King [owner of Lola’s on the Lake, which was destroyed by fire] reached out and presented the opportunity,” said Beevas. “I was like, ‘Ah, yes.’ God is good. “It was beyond a dream. It was also a coincidence,” said
The other difference is that for the first time we’re also introducing Pimento Market. At Pimento Market, you can get the natural Pimento sauces, Pimento-branded items. But you can also get coffee and beer. You can also get things like products from 20 to 30 women entrepreneurs, and five BIPOC-owned businesses. When combined, Pimento Kitchen and Pimento Market creates Pimento on the Lake, which is a unique experience like none other on the planet. MSR: How has this location been received? TB: The location has been tremendously well-received. At our grand opening, our media outreach went really well. We’ve been testing the products, testing the systems for a few weeks. By and large, Restaurateur Tomme Beevas at Pimento on the Lake Photos by Chris Juhn I’d say that we are well-poised to be able to handle the deBeevas. “Because of the fire, soup, it’s a Cajun chicken noo- mands that come with being Louis wanted to move away dle soup that has the flavor on the lake. We have the right 10 years right there on the lake. Whether it’s good reggae from the restaurant space. He of your grandmother and my systems, the right flavors, the right people, and the right music or hip-hop music or thought it would make sense grandmother combined. to partner with Pimento and The wild rice soup is our communities to be able to be folk music or whatever the genre of music, we know that take it to the next level.” approach to the Indigenous a truly unique space. we’re bringing entertainment to bring people together. We MSR: How is this different continue to bring that same from your other locations? safe-space mindset to the TB: We expanded to include “The biggest challenge lake—both from an operationa beach venue. You can get the is time. Obviously, we wish we al standpoint and from an enregular oxtail and jerk chicken. tertainment standpoint, where But now with the beach menu, could have been open sooner. everybody can come and find you can also get hot dogs, But it’s construction, and a good reason to party. hamburgers, and not just hamrestaurant construction burgers. We’re talking about a MSR: How does your busijerk burger. I’m going to call it at that.” ness impact the area? the future award-winning jerk TB: Our business impacts the burger. It’s just so flavorful. area because it has been withNow, we also have soups roots of the Twin Cities and out a restaurant or a concesas a staple on the menu—like Bde Maka Ska specifically. We MSR: Any big plans for the sionaire for a number of years. our kidney bean soup, which turn up a bit more flavor and winter? TB: Yes, for the winter we With Pimento being here, we is our vegan option. We have heat on the traditional wild our chicken noodle soup. But rice soup. Menu-wise, that’s plan on doing quite a lot. We’re know that folks feel safe begoing to take full advantage cause Pimento has always been it’s not just a chicken noodle one difference. of being on the frozen lake. a safe space, and we’ll continue We’re working with groups to to be that safe space. Neighbors, visitors and figure out how to dig the holes so that people can do lake tourists alike can come and be plunges, and bring out saunas a part of the transformation so that we can have saunas on the lake. We’ll now serve as the hub of entertainment, right on the lake. We’re trying to figure out a party hub of good vibes— the wind direction so we can whether it’s winter or summer further insulate the spaces. in the Twin Cities. This will be a year-round space for the market, regardless of MSR: What would you conthe weather. It is designed to sider your most popular item be a space where everyone at this location?
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who’s walking around the lake or cross-country skiing can stop by and get some coffee on the way to their next destination. MSR: Do you have any plans for events beyond the winter? TB: We plan on doing quite a few events, including parties on the lake. We have a stage out there and we plan on bringing the same vibes that we’ve always been bringing for the last
TB: Interestingly enough, even though we’ve expanded our menu offerings to include our beach menu—things like oysters—the traditional Jamaican food seems to still be our top-selling items.
But it’s construction, and restaurant construction at that. I have enough years under my belt, and I’ve opened enough restaurants now and worked on different projects, to know that construction is beyond my control. This was the least stressful restaurant opening I’ve ever had, even though it’s the largest and the most complex. But because we have the experience now, we were able to weather the storm and plan, manage and build something that’s truly unique for all of us and that will last a lifetime. Naturally, as a Black business, one of our challenges is that we don’t get access to capital at all—period. However, with this project we were able to collaborate with U.S. Bank to figure out how to get capital that was funneled through MEDA and Fortress Capital to make this deal a reality. MSR: What’s your goal for this location? TB: Our goal for the location is to make Pimento the face of the Twin Cities. When people think of us, we want them to think of culture, to think of a destination, to think
of us for food or entertainment. Whether it’s great food or it’s great music, or it’s just the chill vibe, we’re bringing the heat to the Twin Cities. Pimento on the Lake is located at 3000 Bde Maka Ska Pkwy in Minneapolis. For more information, go to www.pimento.com.
MSR: What has been your biggest challenge in getting this location opened? Chris Juhn welcomes reader TB: The biggest challenge is time. Obviously, we wish we comments at cjuhn@spokescould have been open sooner. man-recorder.com.
8 November 16 - 22, 2023 spokesman-recorder.com
Harvest Celebrations Sponsored Content presented by
Harvest season is upon us, and with it comes a time to gather together to connect with loved ones and community members. Harvest Celebrations, in particular, are a great way to celebrate the diversity within our community and learn about cultures and different rituals. Whether we take this time to pay tribute to ancestors or reconnect with cultural customs, food can unite people in celebration of inclusivity, generosity, and gratitude. Let’s make it a Throughout the month of Novem- Indian Work, which offers culturally-based propractice to acknowledge and honor the multitude of ways to celebrate the harvest each fall. ber, SEED round-ups support the Division of gramming and includes their Horizons Unlim-
JENKINS
Continued from page 3
been decided by those who voted for Terry White and Bob Sullentrop, both conservative candidates. Of those ballots, 401 were transferred to Jenkins in subsequent rounds, while 257 of the second and third-round ballots were transferred to Stevenson, according to the city. Jenkins received an additional six ballots from those who voted for write-in candidates, and Stevenson an additional two. Still, the close margin of victory suggests some disaffected constituents. She lost the DFL endorsement to Stevenson, who supports rent control and a more holistic approach to public safety. Jenkins opposes rent control and believes police should play a role in public safety. Perhaps more importantly, she failed to reschedule a vote
ited Food Shelf, a vibrant Youth Leadership Development Program, and their Minozekwedaa Traditional Foods Program, which provides healthy Indigenous meals to program participants, staff, and community. Seward Co-op is ready to help you plan a delicious gathering for any group – large and small, family and friends. We have you covered whether you plan to cook a scratch-made feast, utilize smart shortcuts to cut down on kitchen time, or pre-order catering for an easy and stress-free meal. For more information about Seward Co-op’s Harvest Season activities, go to https://seward.coop/celebrate-the-harvest-season/ or visit Seward Friendship, located at 317 E 38th Street in Minneapolis. The Seward Co-op is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, or shop online at https://seward.coop/togo/.
on rent control that occurred on “I am so grateful to the voters councilmember Sharon Sayles “She is honest. When she said election night party criticized Eid al-Fitr, when three Muslim of Ward 8 for trusting me with Belton. “She really understands she’s going to do something, Stevenson supporters as not city council members who sup- another term on the Minneapo- the importance of not putting a she does it and she follows progressive for trying to oust a ported the bill were absent. lis City Council, and I am ready Band-Aid, nor playing to the rhet- through on it,” said Rucker. Black trans woman from the city council. “What the progressives to continue working for the residid in this race here against Andents of Ward 8 and Minneapolis,” “If you can go said Jenkins in a statement issued drea was just totally wrong,” said by her campaign on Wednesday. Southside resident Al Flowers. against the first an election night par“If you can go against the first African American ty atDuring African American transgender the Creekside Supper Club transgender president of the city council, are at 48th and Chicago, Jenkins you really progressive or what’s touted her achievements durpresident of the your agenda? Because it ain’t ing her time on the city council, city council, are no agenda about African Ameriamong them building the D Line, declaring racism a public health cans.” you really crisis, making Juneteenth a city Also, Jenkins is not likely to progressive or holiday, passing a renters’ proremain president of the city photos and 12 weeks Incumbent Jenkins (center) with her team at Creekside Supwhat’s your agenda? Submitted council come 2024. With the tection ordinance moderates losing ground in the of paid family leave, and secur- per Club in Minneapolis. Because it ain’t council, it is likely that the next ing funding to build 278 affordno agenda about able housing units in the ward oric associated with public safety,” “One of the biggest issues that president will be decided by the African Americans.” and 48 units of senior housing said Sayles Belton. “She knows she has worked on [is] George progressives when all of the at Sabathani Community Center. that it’s important to have good Floyd Square, and she has been new council members take ofThose who attended her elec- and solid prevention initiatives in consistent in terms of having fice in January. Supporters and Jenkins grate- tion night party think she is the place, intervention strategies, and community meetings, asking ful, nonetheless best candidate to represent the also good and responsible policing.” the people who live around the H. Jiahong Pan welcomes Another supporter is Ward square what they think.” Despite Jenkins’ near loss, ward. Among them were former reader comments at hpan@ Some attendees at Jenkins’ spokesman-recorder.com. her campaign is still celebrating. Minneapolis mayor and Ward 8 11 resident Stearling Rucker.
TAXES
December. We’ll just have to see,” said Smaller, who adds that Continued from page 3 she has been busy with orders from all over the United States. remain competitive with subSales taxes on the ballot elseurbs. I look at the big picture.” where in the state also passed, However, other Black-owned but barely. In Bloomington, a St. Paul businesses aren’t sure it will 1.5 percent sales tax increase to make a difference. “I haven’t heard fund a trail renovation, as well as any [of my customers] complain to build a community health and [about the sales tax],” said Carolyn wellness center and renovate Smaller, who owns Bouquets by the ice garden, barely passed, Carolyn on Selby Avenue. “Some- with only 56 percent of the vote. times [customers] don’t even pay The Bloomington sales tax will attention [to the tax increase].” increase to 8.375 percent. But Smaller remains vigilant. Sixty-six percent of the votShe is putting together a display ers in Edina approved extendof gifts for people to buy for the ing the 0.5 percent sales tax to holiday season—journals, calen- fund improvements to Braemar dars, bags and puzzles. “[I might] Arena for another 19 years. notice a difference in [sales in] Meanwhile, voters in
Mounds View defeated a measure to raise the sales tax by 1.5 percent over 20 years to expand a community center and to create a regional amateur sports and recreation facility. Outside of the metro area, Rochester voters barely passed a 0.5 percent sales tax increase to rebuild roads, address flooding, and build a regional amateur sports complex. The sales tax, which the city anticipates raising $205 million over the next 24 years, would also fund affordable housing and workforce programs to help people get jobs. In southwest Minnesota, Marshall voters approved a 0.5 percent sales tax increase to fund new swimming pools.
Rondo Neighborhood Potential Historic District Are you a current or former Rondo resident?
In Beltrami County, which is sales tax increase. The measure, in northern Minnesota and en- which passed with 97 percent compasses the city of Bemidji, of the vote, will raise $80 million over 30 years to replace the current jail. If the measure failed, the county would have increased property taxes instead. The Beltrami County Jail, built in 1989, reportedly no longer meets state standards. In September 2018, Hardell Sherrell died there as his jailers and medical support staff neglected to answer his pleas for help until it was too late. In January, the Minnesota Department of Corrections ordered the county to reduce its inmate population following a suicide attempt. Property tax increases, voters overwhelmingly passed a five-eighths of one percent mostly to fund schools, were
“If we lower the prices by one to two percent, that immediately impacts our bottom line.”
also on the ballot for those living in Anoka, Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Carver, Chippewa, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Martin, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Renville, Rice, St. Louis, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona and Wright counties. H. Jiahong Pan welcomes reader comments at hpan@ spokesman-recorder.com.
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Arts & Culture Honoring the untold stories of America’s first Black generals
November 16 - 22, 2023
9
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By Nadine Matthews Contributing Writer he release of the 2012 film “Red Tails” about the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) servicemen during World War II, was a watershed in more ways than one. Starring Terrence Howard, David Oyelowo, Nate Parker, and Cuba Gooding, Jr., the action-packed biopic was the first feature film made about the woefully under-acknowledged military men. The movie also changed the trajectory of Doug Melville’s life. Co-owner of a lucrative event-planning business at the time, Melville screened the movie along with a group of Hollywood power brokers including Oprah Winfrey. Melville, who is a descendant of one of the men depicted in the film, came away “Invisible Generals” author Doug Melville Photo by Keith Major awed yet disappointed. He recognized Howard’s Determined to ensure the ing painstaking research into character was based on his great story of the extraordinary pro- his family history made more uncle Benjamin Davis Sr., yet fessional and personal hero- painful because of his proximthe character’s name was A.J. ism of his family was known ity to his subjects. Bullard. “Why would you make to as many people as possible, “I found most of Ben Davis, a movie like this and not give Sr.’s papers stored at the U.S. credit to the people who lived Army War College. This was “These stories the story?” Melville wrote in the the institution that in the early are hidden in newly released book “Invisible 20s stated that Black AmeriGenerals” that he wrote about cans were inferior. This instiplain sight. But his family as a direct result of the tution was the reason their we have to bring dismaying experience. lives were so hard, and at the them to light Benjamin Davis, Sr., and end of the day this institution Benjamin Davis, Jr. were the controls all the family archives. because there first Black generals in the U.S. That was very hard for me to are so many of Army and the U.S. Air Force, comprehend,” he explained. them.” respectively. Further, MelMelville learned that for the ville’s great-great-great Uncle entire four years Davis, Jr. was Louis was one of the first Melville switched gears. In ad- a student at West Point, no Blacks to work for the federal dition to becoming a leader in one said a word to him unless government and purchase real corporate diversity, he devot- necessitated by coursework. estate in Washington, D.C. ed years of his life to conduct- No one ever ate with him, and
Black Privilege Publishing/Simon & Schuster
ty of the existence of his heroic great-uncle as exemplified by media coverage. “I guess there were over 500 Black newspapers in the United States at one point, and Ben Davis was one of the few names that appeared more than anybody else. But for the mainstream papers, he didn’t exist at all.” Because of this, Melville feels it’s important that we take responsibility for telling our stories. “These stories are hidden in plain sight. But we have to bring them to light because there are so many of them. We have to ask what did the people before us go through? What stories are right there that we just don’t know? For no one to know these stories is a tragedy.” Melville also became aware of the tragic lack of support given to veterans. “There’s a big opportunity for us as individuals to invest in our veterans’ wellbeing when they get home. That could be donating time, that could be giving a helping hand to the VA or the VFW.” There are certain steps, according to Melville, that we can all take to surface the hidden histories of our families and communities. “You should look up your family’s names and histories and set up Google alerts to see if anybody comes up in a story or appears in anybody’s research.” Perhaps more importantly, he adds, “Talk to people while they’re still alive. Figure out who your legacy is and what they did prior to you being here.”
he never had a roommate. The ry in American history is on the profound cruelty and unfair- couch and nobody’s talking.” Melville further learned ness struck Melville deeply. “Here you have this man that his great uncle, after leavwho’s just trying to live the ing a distinguished yet unrecsame American dream as ev- ognized military career, went eryone else. But because of on to become the director of his race, it’s made it so much civil aviation security, helping to devise measures to thwart harder for him to do.” He was also stunned to re- aircraft hijackings. He was also alize that despite what they named assistant secretary of went through, neither man transportation, all remarkable complained or shared their accomplishments for which struggles with family members. Davis has been unheralded. Melville stated, “I didn’t even “It was astonishing for me as know what they had accom- I found these things out,” he Nadine Matthews welcomes plished because it was never recollected. reader comments to nmatMelville points to the duali- thews@spokesman-recorder.com. talked about. The greatest sto-
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10 November 16 - 22, 2023
Opinion
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MAIL BAG
A survey of reader letters and online comments In response to: “Rush City prison in shambles” by Keith Hapana Crow (Nov. 2, 2023 edition)
Voters Spoke: Climate Action is Here to Stay By Ben Jealous This month’s election results should be a wakeup call to any politician who had been unsure of Americans’ desire for robust climate action and support for a green economy. In states and counties that are red, blue, and everywhere in between, voters favored forward-looking candidates who embraced both the need for and the economic benefits of aggressive climate action. As much of the reporting on this election cycle has already pointed out, reproductive freedom was clearly a heavy driver of Democratic performance on Election Day. That shouldn’t overshadow the fact that, in marquee races, well-funded attacks against strong climate policies from the far right and fossil fuel interests were ignored or rejected by the voters they hoped to sway. And it doesn’t diminish the role that issues like clean energy and a healthy future for our planet and our communities played in galvanizing voters. The climate crisis is here. It’s not politely knocking at our door; it’s banging it down. Americans in every corner of this country are hyper-aware of it, especially after the dangerous and deadly heat waves and wildfires many of us experienced this year. What we’re seeing in our backyards is con-
nected to a larger, global crisis that is affecting all life on this planet we call home. Just-released research shows that the past 12 months were the hottest on record.
“Black and brown voters showed up on Tuesday because they know we’ve fought too long and too hard to let special interests take these freedoms from us.” This fight has always been about our future, but increasingly it’s also about our present. Voters get it. This was especially evident in Virginia, where voters forcefully denied the Republican governor’s bid for full control of the state government. The electoral rebuke of Gov. Glenn Youngkin and his views—in which Democrats didn’t just protect their state Senate majority but also gained control of the state House—effectively ends his push to undo the climate progress enacted under his predecessor. Youngkin sought to roll back emissions standards aimed at
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I’m sorry, but regarding a shower only once a week, I grew up on a hard-working farm in North Dakota during the 60’s and 70’s. We never had running water and got a bath once a week which we were grateful for. We had to haul our water from town, heat it up on the stove, and kept adding boiling hot water to the dirty water as we all took a turn to bathe in a tin tub. Grandma lived with us too. So with six kids and three adults using the same water, you can imagine how clean the water was when the last person got in (the youngest, being me). Be thankful you have running water. In the concentration camps, they got hosed down every few weeks (If they were lucky). So be thankful for your shower once a week. Kori Williams
employed, a homeowner and I have a 700-credit score. People who have not been a victim of their own poor choices or addiction should have to sit 90 days before they spew the garbage from their mouths about not going to prison if you don’t want to suffer the punishment. Get some God and empathy in your lives. To err is human, but to forgive is divine. Sean Don’t do crimes that get you locked up and you won’t lose the liberties that you complain about. Prison is not a country club. It is a punishment! Bob Smith
It is not just Rush City. Actually, they are doing better than Stillwater. Visiting has been cut down to only one day a week and that day is Tuesday. Also, you’re only allowed to bring People make mistakes and along two children at a time to moving Virginia away from the sale of new vehicles with inter- yes need to be held account- visit. Two adults and two chilnal combustion engines as of able and part of that Account- dren are the maximum number 2035. And he has been waging ability is an opportunity to of visitors allowed per visit. If an effort to withdraw Virginia participate in the rehabilitation you have three children (like I do), from the Regional Greenhouse process. I’ve been incarcer- you have to leave one behind. I live almost two hours from Gas Initiative cap-and-trade ated and I know the process. I participated in every program Stillwater, so it’s an all-day program. LaTwyla Mathias, who leads and treatment that I could. I’m event when we’re able to visit. Progress Virginia and worked now 2 years sober full time I have to leave one of my kids to mobilize voters in this year’s election, said that among her organization’s digital ads this cycle—which were shown to voters of color, young voters, sources and the scientific knowand women—the ads focused By Marian Wright Edelman how to provide all mankind with on climate were the top perI’ve shared before the de- the basic necessities of life?” formers. Dr. King went on: “There is “Our research shows that scription of an editorial cartoon climate voters care about free- my father kept pinned up in the no deficit in human resources; dom: the freedom to breathe vestibule of our church that the deficit is in human will… The clean air, the freedom to live made a deep impression on me well-off and the secure have too in a healthy environment, and that I have never forgotten. It often become indifferent and the freedom to make deci- was a black and white drawing oblivious to the poverty and sions for themselves,” Mathias by the Pulitzer Prize-winning deprivation in their midst. The said. “Black and Brown voters artist Herblock that was origi- poor in our countries have been showed up on Tuesday because nally published in the Washing- shut out of our minds, and driven from the mainstream of our socithey know we’ve fought too ton Post in October 1947. The picture showed a group eties, because we have allowed long and too hard to let special interests take these freedoms of well-dressed, happy people them to become invisible. sitting at a banquet table over“Ultimately a great nation is a from us. “By electing climate champi- flowing with place settings, gob- compassionate nation. No indions, we can fight back on grow- lets, and so much food the table vidual or nation can be great if it ing health risks and pollution cannot hold any more: a roast, does not have a concern for ‘the in marginalized neighborhoods, gravy boats, bread and butter, least of these.’” defend our neighbors with se- covered dishes, heaping platters vere medical conditions, make of sides. Hovering behind them There were 44 sure that our communities have and filling the rest of the image million people in an opportunity to get trained in is a crowd of gaunt, wide-eyed, our nation living new jobs so that the transition hungry children dressed in rags. in food insecure There are too many of these to clean energy doesn’t leave households last year. anyone behind, and protect the skeletal figures to count; the These neighbors are progress we’ve made with the starving masses go on and on Regional Greenhouse Gas Ini- into the distance. Back at the likely not choosing table, one of the dinner guests tiative.” between apple or So, as we discuss all the is speaking cheerfully to his pumpkin pie, but fundamental rights that were smiling companions. The capbetween paying on the ballot this year and will tion reads: “Shall we say grace?” for groceries or for Shall we say grace? In his be in 2024—abortion, the right rent, heat, electricity, to vote, gender equality, work- last book, “Where Do We Go ers’ rights, and more—let’s not from Here: Chaos or Commumedicine, or clothing. forget that the results of this nity?” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. week’s elections prove that the wrote: “Not too many years ago, Do we have the will to be right to a clean environment Dr. Kirtley Mather, a Harvard and a habitable planet is a major geologist, wrote a book entitled truly great? As Americans celelection issue for an ever-grow- “Enough and to Spare.” He set ebrate Thanksgiving in a few ing number of Americans, espe- forth the basic theme that fam- weeks, many people will indeed cially those communities on the ine is wholly unnecessary in the be deeply blessed and grateful to be able to gather with family modern world. frontlines of the climate crisis. Today, therefore, the question and friends around a table that Ben Jealous is executive direc- on the agenda must read: Why looks like the one in the cartoon, tor of the Sierra Club, the nation’s should there be hunger and pri- with “enough and to spare.” The tablecloth and menu largest and most influential grass- vation in any land, in any city, at roots environmental organization. any table, when man has the re- might be fancier for the holiday,
with a babysitter all day, and also explain why they don’t get to go see daddy. Two of my kids are very young so they don’t understand why. In fact, my youngest child was born after my husband went in and because I’m only allowed to bring two of my three kids at a time, my family has never even stood in the same room all together! My youngest will be three years old in two months! Needless to say, we do not have even a single family photo either. To have a family photo my husband drew a picture of us all together using individual pictures I’ve sent him. During Covid, only one child was allowed. Inmates are locked down for sometimes days at a time and must go without showering. Everything is blamed on staffing shortages. I guess the MN DOC must really treat their employees like garbage to have a shortage so severe that it has caused inhumane treatment of inmates on many occasions. That is absolutely unacceptable. No one should ever be forced to go six days without showering. The list of reasons something needs to be done ASAP to fix this is endless. Get it together DOC. Angela Sinthavong
A Place at the Table
but in many homes the basic sight of a table with enough food for everyone to eat what they like and go to bed full is an everyday occurrence. Thanksgiving may be the only meal of the year when some families pause together long enough to truly give thanks for the food in front of them. But there are millions of others who never take a seat at the dinner table for granted. There were 44 million people in our nation living in food insecure households last year. These neighbors are likely not choosing between apple or pumpkin pie, but between paying for groceries or for rent, heat, electricity, medicine or clothing. Pandemic-era emergency supports that helped close gaps in food insecurity ended in recent months, but hunger certainly did not. Yet some programs that parents and children rely on for essential food remain at risk for cuts. Until our nation makes a permanent change in “concern for ‘the least of these,’” there will be millions still searching for their place at America’s table of plenty. I end with a grace: God, we thank You for this food for the hands that planted it for the hands that tended it for the hands that harvested it for the hands that prepared it for the hands that provided it and for the hands that served it. And we pray and will act for those without enough food in Your world and in our land of plenty. Marian Wright Edelman is founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund.
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November 16 - 22, 2023
11
Season of giving:
Meals, turkey giveaways, food pantries, and resources for the holidays The MSR has compiled a list of free meals, food, and holiday resources that are available throughout the Twin Cities. Make sure to contact the organizations for additional details or to verify availability. November 18 Joy Community Service Turkey Giveaway 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | 810 W. 31st St., Mpls. Joy Community Service’s turkey giveaway is back to offer free turkeys. Recipients can receive one turkey per family (two turkeys total) on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is not needed, and everyone is welcome. For more info, visit www.joycommunityservice.org.
November 15 nnual Community Violence A Prevention Turkey Giveaway 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Shiloh Temple, 1201 West Broadway, Mpls. Shiloh Cares Food Shelf will once again give away free turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will feature Luana Nelson-Brown, director of the Neighborhood Safety for the City of Minneapolis, and KMOJ’s Walter “Q-Bear” Banks will provide the music. The event will also feature free gun locks from MN OJP, free Narcan kits, and free community resources given out by government, faith-based and community violence-prevention organizations. For more info, visit Facebook. com/ShilohCaresFoodShelf, call 612-302-1463, or email shilohcaresfood@gmail.com.
FOCUS Minnesota Holiday Basket Giveaway 10 - 11:30 a.m. | 550 Rice St., St. Paul This event offers a holiday basket giveaway, including a turkey, while supplies last. No registration is required. For more info, call 651-222-0712.
November 17-18 Thanksgiving Giveaway 4–7:30 p.m. River Heights Vineyard, 6070 Cahill Ave. E., Inver Grove Heights River Heights Vineyard’s annual Thanksgiving giveaway is open to all and offers everything you need for a Thanksgiving meal. There will also be gently used clothing available. For more info, visit bit.ly/RiverHeightsThanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Turkey Basket Drive-Thru 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | PWCC, 1301 10th Ave. North Mpls. Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and St. Paul-Minneapolis Kappas are giving away 100 turkey dinners. Registration is required at bit.ly/PWCCTurkeyGiveaway2023. Thanksgiving Outreach 12–3 p.m. | Life Center, 1812 Park Ave. S., Mpls. Life Center volunteers will offer hot meals and over 200 frozen turkeys at this annual gathering, while supplies last. For more info, visit bit.ly/ThanksgivingOutreachLifeCenter. Tru Breed 13th Annual Turkey Giveaway 1 p.m. | Folwell Park, 1615 N. Dowling Ave., Mpls. Tru Breed & Eternal Kingz will once again serve the community with free turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. For more info, visit Facebook.com/TRUBREEDMC. ■ See THANKSGIVING on page 12
SOE
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The 6-foot-4-inch Milton and the 6-foot-5inch French were both named to the preseason all-SWAC 1st team and 2nd team, respectively. French transferred from Bethune-Cookman and was the SWAC player of the year last season. Williams sat out last season after transferring from Saint Louis. “When you talk about a guy like Joe French, who’s a scorer and a shooter, and then Rashad Williams is a guy that was top five in the coun-
Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
try with three-pointers made,” explained Bozeman. “Milton is a 6-foot-4-inch explosive point guard, a playmaker that can go to the rim at will. [He] can defend, can rebound, can pretty much do it all. “Just super excited about these guys,” said the coach. But the league coaches and sports information directors predicted UAPB to finish tenth in the 11-team SWAC this season. Last season, UAPB lost its final nine games and missed the SWAC tournament. With nine players returning, including Mil-
Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church
2600 E. 38th Street. Mpls., MN 55408 612-827-7928 fax: 612-827-3587 website: www.greatfriend.org email: info@greatfriend.org Sunday Church School: 8:30 am Sunday Worship: 9:30 am
“Winning the World with Love” Grace Temple Deliverance Center
Dr. Willa Lee Grant Battle, Pastor 1908 Fourth Ave. So. Mpls., MN 24 Hour Dial-A-Prayer: 612-870-4695 www.gtdci.org Sunday School 9:30 am Sunday Worship 11:30 am Prayer Daily 7 pm Evangelistic Service: Wednesday & Friday 8 pm
Rev. James C. Thomas, Pastor 451 West Central St. Paul, MN 55103 651-227-4444 Church School 9:30 am Morning Worship 8 & 10:45 am Prayer Service: Wednesday 7 pm "Welcome to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church" Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Doctor Charles Gill 732 W. Central Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 Sunday Worship Service: 9:45 AM Sunday School: 8:45 AM
SWAC schedule Last month, the SWAC announced its ESPN television schedule for the 2023-24 men’s basketball season. Texas Southern is at Jackson State (January
Bethesda Baptist Church
Rev. Arthur Agnew, Pastor
Dr. B.C. Russell, Pastor
ton, the team’s second leading scorer from last season, Bozeman believes that his Golden Lions will have a different end-of-the-season finish this time around. “We’ve got some guys,” the UAPB coach said. “I think fans are gonna be really excited to see us. We can’t wait.”
At the Old Landmark 1118 So. 8th Street Mpls., MN 55404 612-332-5904 www.bethesdamnonline.com email:bethesdamn@prodigy.net
Service Times: Early Morning Service 9 am Sunday School 10 am Sunday Worship 11:30 am Wednesday Prayer Meeting, 6 pm Adult Bible Class 7 pm Children's Bible Class 7 pm
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22); Alcorn State is at Bethune-Cookman (January 29); Southern is at Jackson State (February 5); and Prairie View is at Florida A&M (February 12). All the games are primetime telecasts (8 p.m. CST) on ESPNU. Finally… Former Minnesota WBB associate head coach Shimmy Gray-Miller will be one of three featured WBB game analysts on BTN this year. Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments at challman@spokesman-recorder.com.
12 November 16 - 22, 2023
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THANKSGIVING Continued from page 11
Boss Lady Shoetique 2nd Annual Turkey Giveaway 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Northtown Mall, 398 Northtown Dr., Blaine Boss Lady Shoetique is hosting the second annual turkey giveaway for families in need. The event will feature live performances throughout the day, plus local vendors, light refreshments and activities for kids. For more info, visit bit.ly/ BossLadyShoetiqueGiveaway. Annunciation Church with Thanksgiving Food Drive Due to increasing dietary needs and restrictions, organizers of Annunciation Church’s Thanksgiving Food Drive will deliver Cub Foods gift cards to recipients in need, while supplies last. If you know of any individuals or families who would appreciate some help for Thanksgiving, email Jimmy Dunn at jdunn@annunciationmsp.org. For more info, visit www. annunciationmsp.org.
Thanksgiving Community Dinner 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Faith Deliverance Holiness Church, 1119 Morgan Ave. N., Mpls. Start ANew, Faith Deliverance Holiness Church, Minnehaha Temple #129, and Resource, Justice & Management have joined forces to host a Thanksgiving dinner for the community. All are welcome to attend. To find more info, visit StartAnewMN.org or call 612-389-0008. Thanksgiving Service & Fellowship 2-5 p.m. Dinner | The Purpose Church, 3001 Russell Ave., N., Mpls For more info, visit thepurposechurchlive.com.
November 19 FOCUS Minnesota Hot Thanksgiving Meal To-Go 5 - 6:30 p.m. | 550 Rice St., St. Paul Get a meal to-go while supplies last. No registration is required. For more info, visit focusmn.org/programs or call 651-222-0712.
November 21
Thanksgiving for All Project Mounds View residents in need of a Thanksgiving bag, including a turkey or gift card, should call Ralph Reeder Food at 651-621-6280 to set up an appointment in the month of November. Mounds View families can also register children up to age 12 for toys and gifts by going to www.operationjoymn.org. Registration for toys ends Dec. 4. Other resources: Discounted Groceries
Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities Thanksgiving Food Distribution a.m. | Union Gospel Mission, Men’s Campus, 435 University Ave. E., St. Paul 9 Fare For All Registration for Union Gospel Mission’s Thanksgiving grocery bag and turkey giveaway on Nov. $35 Thanksgiving Holiday Packs 20 is full. But this year organizers will be hosting a second day of giving. People who were unable to No registration is required For more info, visit thefoodgroupmn.org/groceries/pack or call 763register can stop by and pick up any leftovers from no-shows the day before, while supplies last. For 450-3860. more info, visit secure.qgiv.com/for/thanks20. Available at the following locations: • Redeeming Love Church M Health Fairview - Harvest at the Hub 2425 White Bear Ave. N., Maplewood 3 - 7 p.m. | 45 W. 10th St., St. Paul Nov. 13, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a food giveaway with turkey, a resource fair, and a vaccine clinic. • Real Life Church Registration is strongly encouraged. Register at tinyurl.com/HarvestHub. 2353 N. Chatsworth St., Roseville Nov. 14, 3 - 5 p.m. November 22 • Central Square Community Center Loaves & Fishes Thanksgiving Meal To-Go 100 7th Ave. N., South St. Paul 5 - 6 p.m. | St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul Nov. 21, 4 - 6 p.m. For more info, call 612-377-9810 or visit loavesandfishesmn.org. • Community of Grace November 23 4000 Linden St., White Bear Lake Nov. 10, 1 - 3 p.m. Daily Work and Shobi’s Table Gratitude Feast 12 - 2 p.m. | 105 University Ave. W., St. Paul Salvation Army Centers Alone for the holiday? This meal offers a free Thanksgiving meal. Families who need food assistance this holiday can also contact the nearest Salvation Army Pre-register at @Gratitude Feast on Facebook or email Kari at director@shobistable.org. service center for more distribution information: • Brooklyn Park Salvation Army, 10011 Noble Parkway, 763-425-0517 7th Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal • Maplewood Salvation Army, 2080 Woodlynn Ave., 651-779-9177 12-3 p.m. | Fellowship Church, 707 Commerce Dr., Woodbury • North Minneapolis Salvation Army, 2024 Lyndale Ave. N., 612-522-4871 If you’re without a place to go for Thanksgiving, Fellowship Church welcomes you to • Northeast Minneapolis Salvation Army, 2727 Central Ave. NE, 612-789-2858 attend this event for an afternoon of free food, fellowship and fun. This meal is open • South Minneapolis Salvation Army, 1604 E. Lake St., 612-721-1513 to anyone who doesn’t want to spend the holiday alone. For more, visit bit.ly/ • St. Paul Eastside Salvation Army, 1019 Payne Ave., 651-776-8169 ThanksgivingFellowship2023. • St. Paul West 7th Salvation Army, 401 W. 7th St., 651-224-4316
N. MPLS
Continued from page 4
INVITATION TO BID
election since Minnesota passed The whole campaign is one big the “Restore the Vote” bill giving ‘thank you’ to North Minneapolis, back voting rights to more than especially when there was noth55,000 formerly incarcerated ing else on the ballot. “Our numbers tell us that we people who were previously distalked to people, that we lisenfranchised. “I grew up on the North tened to people, and that we Side,” Ellison said. “I know the collaborated with people,” said unique challenges we face Ellison. “It’s a resilient commuhere, and I’m incredibly grate- nity, even though I often wish ful to continue to serve all of we didn’t have to be so resilient. my constituents, regardless of But we are.” their conditions or if they supFarah Habad welcomes reader ported me or not.” “Campaigns are, if nothing comments at fhabad@spokeselse, a series of thank you’s. man-recorder.com. Ward 5 winner Jeremiah Ellison
Place your legal notices in the MSR
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact our office at 612-827-4021 or email at: ads@spokesman-recorder.com Please contact a sales representative who will be able to help you.
A/1 Contract No. 24-113
Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul at 200 East Arch Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55130 for EMERGENCY GENERATOR REPLACEMENT AT SEAL HI-RISE, Contract No. 24113, 825 Seal Steet, St. Paul, MN 55114, until December 5, 2023, 2:00 p.m. Local Time at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud via the Teams App. Bids must be submitted electronically, in a pdf format, to Northstar Imaging, www.northstarplanroom.com A Pre-Bid Conference will be held in conjunction with a tour of the building on November 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Seal Hi Rise Community Room, 825 Seal Street, St. Paul, MN. Immediately following the conference there will be a Pre-Bid Tour of the building. All questions arising from this pre-bid conference will be addressed by addendum, if necessary. A complete set of bid documents are available by contacting Northstar Imaging at 651-686-0477 or www.northstarplanroom.com , under public plan room, EMERGENCY GENERATOR REPLACEMENT AT SEAL HI-RISE, Contract No. 24-113. Digital downloads are no charge, contact Northstar for hard copy pricing. Bids must be accompanied by a 5% bid guarantee, non-collusive affidavit, EEO form and Minnesota Responsible Contractor Compliance Affidavit. The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a performance bond and a separate payment bond. The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AGENCY
JIM ROONEY PROJECT LEADER ((651) 292-6083 JIM.ROONEY@STPHA.ORG
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 16, 2023
Employment & Legals
2 January 26 - February 1, 2023
spokesman-recorder.com STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
IN DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Case Type: Condemnation Court File No.:27-CV-23-15736
State of Minnesota, by its Commissioner of Transportation, Petitioner, vs. Jason White, et al.. Respondents. IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LANDS FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY PURPOSES NOTICE To the Respondents hereinabove named: You, and each of you, are hereby notified that on February 14, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, before Judge Patrick D. Robben, in the Courthouse at Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, via remote hearing, the Petitioner will present a Petition now on file herein for the condemnation of certain lands for trunk highway purposes. This hearing will not be in person at the courthouse. The hearing in this matter will be held remotely via a Zoom call. You must contact Court staff to receive the Zoom link or call-in number in order to appear at this hearing. The hearing before yours may run long. You may be placed on hold in the “waiting room” before Court staff is ready to begin the hearing. Please remain on the line until Court staff permits you to enter the hearing. Each party MUST: · Contact Court staff a minimum of 3 days before the hearing date to receive the link or call-in number to appear at this hearing and provide a valid telephone number and email. The Court’s contact information is below. · Notify the Court if your address, email, or phone number changes. · Be fully prepared for the remote hearing. · Contact the Court if you have concerns about the format for this remote hearing. Visit the Court’s website at www.mncourts.gov/Remote-Hearings for more information on remote hearings. Court contact information: · Phone: 612-348-0198 · Email: 4thJudgeRobbenChambers@courts.state.mn.us Instructions for attending the remote hearing may be obtained from Hennepin Court Administration. A copy of the Petition is attached hereto and incorporated herein. YOU, AND EACH OF YOU, ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, that Petitioner will also move the court for an order transferring title and possession to Petitioner of the parcels described in the Petition in accordance with Minn. Stat. §117.042, as of March 20, 2024. YOU, AND EACH OF YOU, ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, that all persons occupying the property described in the petition must VACATE THE AREA BEING ACQUIRED AND MOVE ALL OF YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY FROM THE AREA BEING ACQUIRED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 20, 2024. All advertising signs or devices located in the area being acquired must be removed by March 20, 2024. YOU, AND EACH OF YOU, ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, that (1) a party wishing to challenge the public use or public purpose, necessity, or authority for a taking must appear at the court hearing and state the objection or must appeal within 60 days of a court order; and (2) a court order approving the public use or public purpose, necessity, and authority for the taking is final unless an appeal is brought within 60 days after service of the order on the party. Dated: October 26, 2023 KEITH ELISON Attorney General State of Minnesota s/Jeffery Thompson JEFFERY THOMPSON Assistant Attorney General Atty. Reg. No. 027107X 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1400 St. Paul, MN 55101-2134 (651) 757-1312 (Voice) (651) 282-2525(TTY) ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Case Type: Condemnation
----State of Minnesota, by its Commissioner of Transportation, Petitioner, vs. Jason White, Leah White, United Wholesale Mortgage, LLC, Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., County of Hennepin, Kimberly A Sisak, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Steven R. Brachman, Debralynn Geary, Melanie Wolf, also all other persons unknown claiming any right, title, estate, interest or lien in the real estate described in the Petition herein, Respondents. ----IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LANDS FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY PURPOSES ----PETITION
Filed in District Court State of Minnesota Nov 7 2023 9:54 AM State of Minnesota Ramsey County
District Court Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-HR-CV-23-1175 Case Type:Harassment
Carter Vincent vs Jasmine Peacock
Notice of Issuance of Harassment Restraining Order by Publication
To Respondent: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a Harassment Restraining Order has been issued on 10/16/2023. A hearing has not been scheduled. You may request a hearing on this matter by filing a Request for Hearing HAR301 with the Court within twenty (20) days of the date this Notice is published. You may get a copy of the HRO from the court administrator’s office at the following address: Ramsey County Juvenile and Family Justice Center 25 W. 7th Street Room B122 Saint Paul, MN 55102 Failure to appear at a scheduled hearing or to get a copy of the Harassment Restraining Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s order. Donald W. Harper Juvenile and Family Court Administrator Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 16, 2023
Senior Supplier Quality Engineer: Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN.
Open to telecommuting from anywhere in the U.S. Mult. positions avail. 25% domestic & intl. travel. Req. Master’s deg in Mech., Biomed., or Manufact. Eng., Eng. Tech. or rel. Eng. fld. & 2 yrs. exp. as Supplier, Qual. or Manufac. Eng. or rel. occupation, or Bachelor’s deg. & 5 yrs. exp. Must poss. a min of 2 yrs. exp. w/each of the following: Supplier Change Process evaluation & implementation; CAPA, Supplier related Product & Process NCMR; Supplier Maintenance & Ctrls., Supplier Audits, Quality Agreements, & Quality Performance Reviews; Supplier & component qualifications & validations, incl. Ctrl. Plans, PPAP, RIR, Gage R&R, DOE, & GD&T; IQ/OQ/PQ, Process Validation, pFMEA & Risk Assessments of suppliers, Test Method Validations, & Measurement System Analysis; Failure investigation techniques, statistical quality ctrls., protocol & report preparation, & non-conforming product ctrls.; GMP for Class II & Class III medical devices; FDA QSR 21 CFR 820, EU MDD 93/42 EEC, ISO 13485, ISO 9001 & ISO 14971. Apply at https:// jobs.medtronic.com/, Req. #23000GUL. No agencies or phone calls. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.
----To the District Court above named the State of Minnesota brings this Petition and respectfully states and alleges: I. That Trunk Highway Legislative Route numbered 187, which has been renumbered 101, and which has been located according to law and passes over the lands herein described. That it is duly covered by Temporary Trunk Highway Order numbered 99766, Supplemental Temporary Trunk Highway Order numbered 100186, and Supplemental Temporary Trunk Highway Temporary Order No. 100187 II. That the Commissioner of Transportation deems it necessary that the State of Minnesota for trunk highway purposes obtain the lands herein described in fee simple absolute, together with the following rights: to acquire all trees, shrubs, grass and herbage within the right of way herein to be taken, and to keep and have the exclusive control of the same and to acquire a temporary easement in those cases which are herein particularly mentioned. It is the intention of the above-named Petitioner to move the court for an order authorizing the Court Administrator to accept and deposit payments, in an interestbearing account, from the Petitioner to the court pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 117.042. Further, it is the intention of the above-named Petitioner to move the court for an order transferring title and possession of the parcels herein described, prior to the filing of an award by the court appointed commissioners, pursuant to Minn. Stat. §117.042. Further, it is the intention of the above-named Petitioner to move the court for an order requiring the parties to exchange any appraisals at least 14 days prior to a commissioners’ hearing, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 117.036. The Petitioner reserves its right to recover costs of clean up and testing and all other damages arising from the presence of pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous materials on the property described herein, from all potential responsible parties, including respondents herein where appropriate, in a separate legal action to the extent permitted by law. III. That the following described lands in these proceedings taken are situated in Hennepin County, Minnesota; that the names of all persons appearing of record or known to your Petitioner to be the owners of said lands or interested therein, including all whom your Petitioner has been able by investigation and inquiry to discover, together with the nature of the ownership of each, as nearly as can be ascertained, are as follows: FEE ACQUISITION Parcel 37 C.S. 2736 (101=187) 901 S.P. 2736-46RW That part of Tract A described below: Tract A. The South 126.2 feet of the following described property: That part of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 7, Township 116 North, Range 22 West, Hennepin County, Minnesota, described as beginning at a point on the West line of said Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter distant 113.50 feet North from the Southwest corner of said Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter; thence North along said West line a distance of 374.20 feet; thence East, parallel with the South line of said Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, a distance of 245.00 feet; thence South, parallel with said West line, a distance of 374.20 feet; thence West, parallel with said South line, a distance of 245.00 feet to the point of beginning; the title thereto being registered as evidenced by Certificate of Title No. 1525315; which lies within the right of way of Trunk Highway No. 101 as now located and established; containing 4178 square feet, more or less, which is encumbered in its entirety by an existing prescriptive road easement; also a right to use the following described strip for highway purposes, which right shall cease on December 1, 2026, or on such earlier date upon which the Commissioner of Transportation determines by formal order that it is no longer needed for highway purposes: A strip being that part of Tract A hereinbefore described, adjoining and easterly of the above described strip, which lies westerly of a line run parallel with and distant 7 feet easterly of the easterly line of said strip; containing 886 square feet, more or less. Names of parties interested in the above-described land and nature of interest: Jason White Fee Leah White United Wholesale Mortgage, LLC Mortgage Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. County of Hennepin Taxes and Special Assessments FEE ACQUISITION Parcel 39 C.S. 2736 (101=187) 901 S.P. 2736-46RW That part of Tract A described below: Tract A. The North 124.00 feet of the South 250.20 feet of the following described tract: That part of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 7, Township 116 North, Range 22 West, Hennepin County, Minnesota, described as beginning at a point on the west line of said Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter distant 113.50 feet north from the southwest corner of said Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter; thence north along said west line a distance of 374.20 feet; thence east, parallel with the south line of said Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, a distance of 245.00 feet; thence south, parallel with
6 columns x 11" STATE OF MINNESOTA
CASE TYPE: PERSONAL INJURY
DISTRICT COURT 1st run: $18.10 PCI = $1,194.60 COUNTY OF From SCOTT Classified FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT 2nd run: $12.06 PCI = $795.96 COURT FILE NUMBER: 70-CV-23-14243 Department/MN 3rd run: $12.06 PCI = $795.96 Spokesman-Recorder Total: $2,786.52
Mustaf Mohamed Abdi, Plaintiff, PHONE: 612-827-4021 vs Antwain Dwayne Scott, Defendant. FOR BILLING
SUMMONS
November 16 - 22, 2023
13
spokesman-recorder.com
said west line, a distance of 374.20 feet; thence west, parallel with said south line, a distance of 245.00 feet to the point of beginning; the title thereto being registered as evidenced by Certificate of Title No. 1193524; which lies within the right of way of Trunk Highway No. 101 as now located and established; containing 4081 square feet, more or less, which is encumbered in its entirety by an existing prescriptive road easement; also a right to use the following described strip for highway purposes, which right shall cease on December 1, 2026, or on such earlier date upon which the Commissioner of Transportation determines by formal order that it is no longer needed for highway purposes: A strip being that part of Tract A hereinbefore described, adjoining and easterly of the above described strip, which lies southerly and westerly of the following described line: Beginning at a point on the easterly right of way line of said Trunk Highway No. 101, distant 177 feet northerly of its intersection with the northerly right of way line of Valley View Road (both as now located and established); thence easterly at a right angle for 7 feet; thence southerly parallel with said easterly right of way line to the south line of said Tract A and there terminating; containing 353 square feet, more or less. Names of parties interested in the above-described land and nature of interest: Kimberly A Sisak Fee Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. Mortgage Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. County of Hennepin Taxes and Special Assessments Parcel 27 C.S. 2736 (101=187) 902 S.P. 2736-46RW The right to use that part of Tract A described below for highway purposes, which right shall cease on December 1, 2026, or on such earlier date upon which the Commissioner of Transportation determines by formal order that it is no longer needed for highway purposes: Tract A. Lot 10, Block 2, LOCHANBURN, according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder in and for Hennepin County, Minnesota; which lies westerly of the following described line: Beginning at a point on the northerly line of Tract A hereinbefore described, distant 2 feet easterly of the northwest corner thereof; thence southerly parallel with the westerly line of said Tract A to an intersection with the southwesterly line thereof and there terminating; containing 299 square feet, more or less. Names of parties interested in the above-described land and nature of interest: Steven R. Brachman Fee Debralynn Geary Melanie Wolf Lessee County of Hennepin Taxes and Special Assessments WHEREFORE, Your Petitioner prays that the Court grant this petition, that commissioners be appointed to appraise the damages which may be occasioned by such taking, and that such proceedings may be had herein as are provided by law. Dated: October 9, 2023 KEITH ELLISON Attorney General State of Minnesota s/Jeffery S. Thompson JEFFERY S. THOMPSON Assistant Attorney General Atty. Reg. No. 027107X 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1800 St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2134 (651) 757-1312 (Voice) (651) 297-1235 (Fax) jeffery.thompson@ag.state.mn.us ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER 100949 MINN. STAT. § 549.211 ACKNOWLEDGMENT The party or parties on whose behalf the attached document is served acknowledge through their undersigned counsel that sanctions may be imposed pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 549.211. Dated: October 9, 2023 KEITH ELLISON Attorney General State of Minnesota s/Jeffery S. Thompson JEFFERY S. THOMPSON Assistant Attorney General Atty. Reg. No. 027107X 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1800 St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2134 (651) 757-1312 (Voice) (651) 297-1235 (Fax) jeffery.thompson@ag.state.mn.us ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 2, 9, 16, 2023
Software Engineer-Test/Verification/Validation: Medtronic, Inc., Mounds View, MN.
From Classified Duties: Responsible for the design and implementation of Department/MN software and web-based applications. Requirements: Bachelor’s Spokesman-Recorder
Degree or foreign equivalent in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Applications, Software PHONE: 612-827-4021 Engineering, Electronics Engineering or closely related IT or engineering field. Requires five (5) years post Bachelors’ INQUIRIES FOReach BILLING THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED the above-named Defendant: experience with of the following: Functional testing to & TEARSHEETS INQUIRIES include breaking down software requirement specifications 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiffs have started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiffs’ PL E A S E C ON TAC T Complaint against you is attached to this Summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are & TEARSHEETS for test plans; Software development with Test Automation AC C your OU N You T Imust NG D Eto P official papers that affect rights. respond thisTlawsuit even though it may not PL EProduct A SE CON TAC T and Frameworks; software applications to include VB yet be filed with@ theBI CourtLand may @SP be no court file number L there I NG OK E S -on this Summons. (Visual Basic) Script, SQL and Java; SDLC with models to ACCOU N T I NG DE P T A NWITHIN -R E C R .C OYOUR M RIGHTS. You must 2. YOU MUSTM REPLY 20 OR DAYS D TOEPROTECT include Waterfall Agile (SCRUM) andESTLC; give or mail to the person who signed this summons a written response called an Answer @ BIand LL I NG @SPOK S - Requirements within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your gathering documentation, testing DE and R maintenance M A N -R ECOR .COM of web or R A M SEY COU N T Y LEGAL NOT ICES Answer to the person who signed this summons located at: mobile application solutions; Front end and back-end web testing F L AT R AT E: $110 Brantingham Law Office on Windows,SU Android, Linux or IOS operating systems; Integrate MMONS 2200 E. Franklin Ave. Test Automation into CI/CD DevOps Tool(s); API Minneapolis, MN 55404 FLAT R ATE:process $110 X using 3 WEEK RUN Please proof, respond with email confirmation to and Integration Test Development for third party/proprietary TOTAL: $320 PREPAI D 3. YOU MUSTads@spokesman-recorder.com RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the applications or tools. Alternate requirements: Master’s Degree Plaintiffs’ Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each or foreign equivalent in the above fields and two (2) years post paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiffs should not be given everything asked The you MSR for in the Complaint, must handles say so in yourbilling Answer. digitally. Bachelors’ experience with each of the above skills. Employer This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices Please proof, respond with email confirmation will accept any suitable combination of education, training, or to 4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE unless you specifically request a hard copy. ads@spokesman-recorder.com TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you experience. *Multiple positions available. To apply, visit https:// do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case.You will not get to tell your side of the jobs.medtronic.com/, select Req. #23000GUF. No agencies or story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiffs everything asked for in The MSR handles billing the Complaint. If you do Classified not want to contest the claims stated in the Complaint, you do not From phone calls please. Medtronic is an equaldigitally. opportunity employer need to respond. A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invo Department/MN committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals in the Complaint. unless you specifically request a hard copy. Spokesman-Recorder are encouraged to apply. 5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal PHONE: assistance. Even if you cannot 612-827-4021 get legal help, you must still provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.
6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate FOR in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota BILLING General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response to the Complaint even if you expect toINQUIRIES use alternative means of resolving this dispute.
& TEARSHEETS LAW OFFICE PL E A S E C O N TACBRANTINGHAM T Jeremy L. Brantingham, MN #0299558 AC C O U N T I N G D 2200 E P E. T Franklin Ave. Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404 BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM
Dated: September 22, 2023
For Sale By Bid Sale 139588, Conveyance 2022-0041: For Sale by bid - MnDOT owned property, 2,963 sf vacant of land located on W Middleton Ave. and May St., St Paul, Ramsey County. To be sold by sealed bid on 2/6/2024 at 2:00 at Central Office, 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul.
(612) 339-9700 ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 2, 9, 16, 2023 SI ZE: 2 COL X 4.25 I NC H R AT E $44.60 PER COL . I NC H TOTAL: $379.10
Bid Form, http://www.dot.state.mn.us/row/propsales.html . Info LandSales. MN.DOT@state.mn.us Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 9,16,23
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14 November 16 - 22, 2023
Sports
SWAC Golden Lions eager to face Gophers again Coach Solomon Bozeman told the MSR, “I’m excited and ready to get back there, man.”
“I think fans are gonna be really excited to see us. We can’t wait.” Minnesota is the second he Arkansas-Pine Bluff Power 5 opponent this season (UAPB) men’s basket- for UAPB. Junior Kylen Milball team will visit Wil- ton (34) and graduate student liams Arena on November 21. Joe French (30) combined for The Golden Lions are the sec- 64 points, but fell at Missouri ond SWAC team to play the 101-79 November 6. The two Gopher men this season. guards, along with fellow gradThe two teams faced each uate student Rashad Williams, other last December with host gives UAPB a very potent backMinnesota winning 72-56, the court, according to Bozeman. first-ever meeting between “We got an explosive backthe two schools. At this year’s court,” gushed the coach. meeting at The Barn, UAPB ■ See SOE on page 11
Diversity gaps remain wide among college coaches Bethune-Cookman MBB Coach Reggie Theus. The former NBA player, head coach, and veteran college coach didn’t pull any punches when he spoke to the MSR after the Gophers-Wildcats contest on November 6. There are plenty of Black coaches who are deserving of a head coaching opportunity if only they got the chance, said Theus. “You just have to be cognizant of the good things that the assistant coachhis season at Williams Arena, Goes are doing.” pher basketball fans will see a total “I think that representation is so imporof eight schools throughout the year tant,” added Wisconsin WBB Coach Marisa led by Black coaches in both men’s (four) Moseley. “I would love for us to get to a and women’s (four) hoops. point where we’re not having to talk about According to the latest NCAA demothe first of anything that has just become graphics, in all sports at all three divisions, part of the fabric of who we are.” including HBCUs, Blacks make up only 11 Way too long and way too often Blacks percent of head coaches and 18 percent are typecast as only recruiters, not Xs and of assistant coaches. In college basketball Os coaches. That, Theus noted, “is the in particular, the percentages are a tad system—right or wrong.” higher: 21 percent of HCs, 38 percent of “When people see me, I want them to ACs (MBB), and 21 percent of HCs, 37 percent of ACs (WBB). These percentages are lower than the percentages of Black basketball studentathletes: 44 percent in MBB and 29 percent in WBB. Among the oft-repeated reasons for the low number of Black coaches is the fact that those who typically do the hiring aren’t Black. “Basically, the Black assistant coaches… hold up the other White coaches,” stated
Rene Haynes
(l-r) Joe French, UAPB Coach Soloman Bozeman, Rashad Williams Reggie Theus Courtesy of the SWAC Photos by Charles Hallman
Wolves’ Reid has faith in his ‘growth mindset’ az Reid is perhaps the Minnesota Timberwolves’ most popular player. The home crowd’s applause meter regularly shoots up a couple decibels whenever the fifthyear forward enters the game. The 6-foot-9-inch Reid is among the long list of undrafted NBA players who played their way into roster spots. Ben Wallace, now a Hall of Famer, became a star in Detroit after four rough seasons in Washington and Orlando. He later became the first and only undrafted NBA player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. No one is predicting Reid will one day join Wallace in that rarefied Hall. But as Wallace did, Reid exhibited stick-to-it-ness in proving that he is a valuable NBA player. Reid told the MSR he attributes making the team to being more mature. “I think I’m in that Naz Reid Photo by Charles Hallman phase in my career where I’m starting to take things really seriously,” he admitted. Reid is more than a handful inside the paint but is adept on the perimeter as well. “I played with a bunch of guards. I always wanted to be like a guard when I was growing up. I had a lot of guards on my [AAU] team, my high school team and college team. I just did a lot of workouts with them as well as post workouts.” Heading into this week’s schedule, Reid averaged 12.3 PPG in his last five games. Last season, Reid scored in double figures 40 times. The Wolves center joined Minnesota as an In this year’s season opener on October 25, at undrafted rookie before the 2019-20 season Toronto, he scored 10 points and snatched four out of LSU. In his first season, Reid swung rebounds in nearly 24 minutes off the bench. between the NBA and the G-League affiliate, As impressive as his stats are, Reid is also playing in 30 NBA games and averaging nine awfully proud of a skill that’s not often talked points. After four years with the team, Reid has about: “My growth mindset,” he said. “That’s become second all-time among undrafted Tim- one of the biggest things that people don’t reberwolves players in points and steals, and first ally notice or understand unless you’re in the in rebounds and blocks. gym here with us every day. “I was able to lose weight, work on my game,” “I’m only in my fifth year,” said Reid. “As time continued Reid. “All that stuff just helped me in goes on, I’ll have to keep progressing and showthe long run.” ing that I’ve been able to do that from year one But he never lost his determination, his de- to now.” sire to make it in the NBA. “I wasn’t really frustrated. It was more just like me getting adjusted Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments and getting acclimated to the NBA.” at challman@spokesman-recorder.com.
coaches. “I think we always tried to use our platform in every single way possible to expand diversity, whatever that diversity might look like,” said Minnesota’s Ben Johnson, the school’s only Black male head coach and one of two Black head coaches overall. “There’s a lot of talented coaches across
“I think we always tried to use our platform in every single way possible to expand diversity, whatever that diversity might look like.” the country, whether it’s at an HBCU or at a Power 5, or a mid- or low-level, that do a really phenomenal job.” On November 6, the South Carolina and Notre Dame women’s basketball teams made history twice when they began the 2023-24 season competing against each other in Paris for the first time in NCAA history. That game also featured two Black female HCs. Events like this shouldn’t be seen as exceptions, but should rather become the rule. “I certainly understand the historical nature of the game in terms of two Black coaches going up against each other in a non-conference game,” said Theus. “Anytime you see Black leaders, Black coaches in leadership positions, I still think that’s important… To me, as important as any message that is sent to the players.” With nearly eight times the number of White college head coaches as Black head coaches, and nearly three times as many White assistant coaches as Black, will these longstanding diversity gaps ever narrow? “We’re closing that gap a little bit,” said Haynes.“I think that what we have to do [as Black coaches] is make it as close as possible. Whether you feel it’s close or far, you make it closer for the next person that comes behind you and make it closer for the next person.”
see a strong Black woman,” noted Long Island University WBB Coach Rene Haynes. Her team played Minnesota at Williams Arena on November 8. This season, the Minnesota women also are scheduled to play Chicago State, Norfolk State, and Grambling State at home, and at Kentucky in non-conference action— all teams that feature Black head coaches. The Gophers men still have non-conCharles Hallman welcomes reader comference home games against Missouri and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, both with Black head ments at challman@spokesman-recorder.com.
Lots happening in prep sports world
By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist
“I think I’m in that phase in my career where I’m starting to take things really seriously.”
spokesman-recorder.com
was recently inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Coach at Anoka Ramsey Kahlid El-Amin, the former Minneapolis North, University of Connecticut, NBA and overseas basketball star and former coach at St. Thomas Academy, recently completed his first game as head coach at Anoka Tamara Moore Ramsey Community College. Courtesy Minnesota North here is plenty going on College-Mesabi Range in local prep sports. Here Outstanding football prospect St. Paul Central junior quarare a few recent outterback and defensive back Al- player, 1998 Minnesota Miss standing happenings. lan Lankfard Jr. has emerged as Basketball and University of one of the state’s top football Wisconsin Hall of Famer TaOfficials making history When the University of prospects for the Class of 2025. mara Moore is at the helm as head coach of the men’s basNorthwestern (St. Paul) played ketball program at Minnesota a women’s basketball game at North College-Mesabi Range. the College of St. Benedict last weekend, Teron Buford, Azzairia Jackson, and James Patterson made history becoming the first all-Black officiating crew to work a game at a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) school. North makes state playoffs Charles Adams, the coach who led the Minneapolis North Polars football team to eight consecutive state playoff appearances (2014-2021)—winning the Class A title in 2016— before missing out last season, had his team back in the Class AAA playoffs last week before their 14-7 loss to Dassel-Cokato in the semifinals.
Ashley Ellis-Milan Courtesy LinkedIn Coaching and managing Former St. Paul Central and University of Minnesota basketball standout Ashley EllisMilan is not only the head girls basketball coach at East Ridge High School, but she also serves as manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Basketball Academy.
Coach in Hall of Fame Charles Portis, the former boys basketball coach who led St. Coach at Mesabi Range Former Minneapolis North Paul Highland Park to the Class AAA state championship in 1999, basketball star, former WNBA
Ronnie Porter Courtesy University of Wisconsin From walk-on to starter Former St. Paul Como Park girls basketball star Ronnie Porter has gone from freshman walk-on to sophomore starting point guard for the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.