Lead paint a hazard in most older homes Grant helps make Northside grandma’s home safe for grandkids

By Sheletta Brundidge

Contributing Writer

Melissa Hudson is looking forward to the summer break from school. That’s because the Camden neighborhood resident will be able to spend even more time than usual with her nine precious grandchildren. She’s planning regular visits to the playground and the Dairy Queen on N. Lyndale Ave with her grandkids in tow.

“I keep three of them five days a week and two of them every other weekend,” said Hudson, 58. “We love to have slumber parties. We eat pizza, have juice boxes, and get under the covers and watch movies. We just have so much fun.”

But recently, an inspection revealed the three-bedroom home that Hudson bought more than 20 years ago showed evidence of lead paint, posing a danger to her young grandchildren. “I didn’t know anything about this until they did testing at my house. I was so scared to hear this,” Hudson said.

Scientists and physicians have long known that lead exposure is especially dangerous for young children and can have serious, long-term effects on their development, including permanent neurological damage. Every year about 200 children in Hennepin County are found to have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health.

The government banned lead paint in 1978, but 75 percent of homes built before 1978 still contain some leadbased paint. Hudson’s Northside home was built in 1918.

But this story has a happy ending. Hudson’s home is now not only safe for her grandchildren, but it also got a major upgrade. Thanks to a grant from Hennepin County, Hudson got 10 old windows that had been coated in lead paint replaced with brand new energy efficient windows.

“In windows in older homes there’s a friction surface, and when they are opened and closed, the grinding creates fine lead dust from the paint that gets on the window sills, wells and the floor,” said Kelly Koch, the Hennepin County project manager who worked with Hudson.

“Windows are the perfect height for little children; they pull themselves up and get the fine dust on their hands and then of course their hands go into their mouths,” she added. “Even if you wash the sills and the floors there can be exposure, and there is no safe level for lead.”

As part of the program, Hennepin County even pays for families to relocate while the repair and replacement work is going on so they face no danger from the hazardous work. Hudson spent three nights in a hotel when her new windows were installed and some peeling paint on her porch ceiling was enclosed.

“We work with families through the whole process. We have our own list with contractors who hold the correct licenses and certifications, so the homeowners don’t have to go out and find the person to do the work,” Koch said.

Up to $15,000 in grant money for lead abatement and remediation work is available for eligible homeowners and landlords who have children under six at home or, like Hudson, have young children who are frequent visitors.

The new windows have been a welcome addition for

Hudson. “It’s safer, number one, but it’s much nicer and we don’t have to worry about this,” she said.

“Any homeowner who might have lead paint should do this.

I don’t want to think of any child who could be harmed by lead. Get it done.”

To find out more about the Hennepin County lead program and if you are eligible for a grant for your home, go to hennepin. us/leadcontrol or call the hotline at 612-543-4182.

Sheletta Brundidge welcomes reader responses to sbrundidge@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Frey

Continued from page 1 the MSR in his City Hall office. Our interview with the mayor took place before the Department of Justice report released on June 16, which found that the Minneapolis Police Department routinely engaged in racist and abusive behavior against Black and Native Americans.

“We campaigned hard to get this new system,” Frey said of his expanded authority. “I think it’s probably the most important accomplishment that I’ll ever have in public service,” said Frey. “The full rollout takes longer, because we’ve got 100 years worth of culture that is built into the bricks and mortar of City Hall just because the law just changed. It’ll take a while.”

The new city government structure features four officials who report directly to the mayor—the city operations officer, the community

Tragedy

Continued from page 1 an hour in a 55-mph zone. safety commissioner, the city attorney and the mayor’s chief of staff. In addition, Frey’s administration created two new offices—public service and community safety.

Officials are not calling this a pursuit but believe that Thompson was impaired. A toxicology report has not yet been released. Minneapolis police spokesman, Adam Kennedy, stated that the trooper was not close enough to stop Thompson, which is why he did not turn on his siren.

“This is a seismic shift,” continued Frey. “It allows us to have more of a clear delineation of authority. I think it’s working.” munity,” stated Frey. “We’ve got a commissioner [Alexander] who’s charged with coordinating the effort and is working his tail off. I think we’re making some really good progress.”

On police-community relations, the mayor said, “It is not a destination but an ongoing journey. I do think we’ve made some very significant improve- being installed to reduce the muscle-memory of police officers. I feel that the programs have happened, and I’m optimistic.” verge of a renaissance. There are some really great things that are happening on West Broadway and in North Minneapolis right now that we’ve never seen before.”

In early June, the mayor led local media on a walking tour of Nicollet Mall to promote the “Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup” recommendations intended to help revitalize downtown. We asked Frey about North Minneapolis, particularly the West Broadway corridor. In recent months, the area has seen the loss of a grocery store and a pharmacy, and several other businesses have left the Northside since 2020.

Even before the pandemic, the city has doubled down on its commitment to economic recovery, according to Mayor Frey. Through his annual budget and using funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed by Congress in 2021, “Minneapolis has invested millions into small businesses, especially on East Lake Street and West Broadway,” noted the mayor.

Frey was reelected as Minneapolis mayor with over 56 percent of the vote in 2021. Now, nearly midway through his second term, we asked his final thoughts on his standing with the city’s Black community.

“First, I’ll say, as mayor you will get hit from every single different angle. But I have felt we have had a really close relationship with the Black community. No community is a monolith. What has been inspirational is the resilience and talent of the Black community over these last several years.

At Monday’s press conference, Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of the Council of American Islamic Relations Minnesota, stated that there’s information still missing in relation to the death of the victims and that an outside investigation is necessary to get to the truth.

“As I heard from the families, this is a pain that they hope will never be brought forth to any family in our state, in our country. That is why we believe it’s important in this moment to ask for an outside independent investigation into this case that will help us get answers,” he stated. “We are in the business of making sure that there’s clarity. But we also understand that based on the history of law enforcement investigating law enforcement, that that’s not usually the best way of addressing any situation.”

Hussein referred to a recent chase that resulted in the death of a six-year-old in Brooklyn Center as an example of how improper procedures from law enforcement could lead to unnecessary deaths.

Law enforcement reported that officers found a loaded handgun in the rental along with MDMA (ecstasy), 2000

Two significant hires by the mayor—MPD Police Chief Brian O’Hara last November and Dr. Cedric Alexander as community safety commissioner last summer—are key to implementing the new structure. “Chief O’Hara is working his tail off to make sure that he’s building out positive relations in the com- fentanyl pills, and cocaine. After crashing his SUV into the five young women, Thompson fled the scene and was found bleeding in a Taco Bell parking lot and taken in for medical care. Toxicology results for Thompson are still pending.

On June 22, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty charged Thompson, 27, son of former state house representative, John Thompson, with 10 counts of criminal vehicular homicide. He received ments. Building trust between police and the communities that they’re charged with protecting and serving, this is what they said that they were going to do.

“Reforms are happening,” said Frey. “Policy changes have already been made. Many of them are now in the process of

The woman sustained severe injuries and was in a coma for two months, with medical bills of more than $2 million dollars. He was released early from prison in January of 2023, despite having similarly fled the scene of an accident in California.

As more information is shared, family members of the five young women are searching for clarity and a sense of justice. Given Derrick John Thompson’s past and his early release, the victims’ families

“While we can’t dictate what the private sector does, we can help advocate and heavily influence,” stated Frey. “The day after we learned of the closure of the grocery store, I had the [building] owners in my office. I’m confident we’re going to be able to get a grocery store back, and we’re gonna work our tails off to get there.

“West Broadway is on the munity leaders, officials, and acknowledge the tremendous turnout that we had for their funeral, which is the largest public funeral in our community’s history.

“We thank all those people who took part in that and who

He added that the city invested $2 million in the Ownership and Opportunity Fund to provide opportunities for BiPOC business owners. “We often talk about equity in a social sense. There’s also racial equity in the business sense. When you have equity that’s being able to have a stake in the decision making process… we need both the social equity and the business equity.”

Farah and other community leaders flocked to the scene of the incident and stayed up with families to console and spiritually counsel them. He shared that he and other mosque leaders reached out to mental health experts for guidance on

“We’ve had broad support, specifically from North Minneapolis. I appreciate it personally, how important that coalition is to getting things done.

“We have a whole lot of work to do,” he said. “Our city has seen tough times over these last couple of years. But I think we’re coming out in the right trajectory.” gation. Currently, an online fund has raised nearly half a million dollars for all five families.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses at challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Farah and other mosque leaders had reached out to the organizers of Launch Good, a Muslim crowdfunding platform, to get the word two counts for every victim. Bail was set at $1 million. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also announced three federal counts in relation to drug trafficking and illegal gun possession. The MSR reached out to former state Rep. John Thompson, but did not receive a response. and community leaders are concerned that Thompson might get off easy.

At the press conference, family members of the young women gave statements in remembrance of their loved ones. Sundus Odhowa spoke about her sister and the immense loss her family is experiencing.

“My sister was the pillar of our family. She had a promising future and was pursuing a computer science degree at the University of Minnesota. While many knew her as a reserved and quiet individual, to me, she was the funniest person I knew,” she said. “It breaks my heart that I won’t witness her getting married and graduating from college and growing old with her.” made it possible. But moving forward, it is our collective responsibility to honor their memories by advocating for justice for them, and to ensure that their legacy is always remembered.”

Abdulahi Farah is a board member and leader at Dar AlFarooq mosque. Having been close to the families of the young women, he spoke to the impact that they made in their local community.

On the night of the tragedy,

Miller

Continued from page 1 miss most about Hamline University when you retire? how to help members of their congregation grieve the loss of the five friends.

DFM: I will miss my students and the many friends I have made.

MSR: What are your plans after you retire from Hamline?

DFM: My plan is to first sit by the fireplace and read, with my feet up and a glass of wine. In all my years in higher education, I have rarely allowed myself to fully relax. It is time I did so.

The mosque held a fundraiser for the victims a week after their deaths, to help ease the loss for their families and pay for future legal fees related to an investi-

After everything settles down, who knows, I might get back on the job treadmill. For now, my volunteer work will suffice.

I’ve enjoyed my time in Minnesota. The community out about this tragedy. Islamic leaders from around the country took to their platforms to share the fund. has been fabulous, and they truly have in that sense.

Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader comments at amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.

James L. Stroud, Jr welcomes reader comments at jstroud@ spokesman-recorder.com.

According to previous reports, Derrick John Thompson was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2020, after fleeing from police in California and hitting a pedestrian with his car.

“This was their home away from home. This was their hangout spot. This was their rec center, this very gym, and their spiritual sanctuary,” Farah said at the press conference on Monday. “We appreciate the support from our com-

I also plan to focus on my physical and mental health. I need to get to know me again, as I have spent many years focusing on the needs of others. I look forward to spending time with my husband, after eight years living apart, and with my son. My son lives in LA, and I hope to travel to see him as often as I can. I also have a young woman for whom I am a legal guardian. We need to get back to understanding each other. When my “house” is back in order, I plan to write a book.

Harmonious Wellness Black Business SPOTLIGHT

By Chris Juhn Staff Contributor

When Kelly Shay launched Harmonious World in 2020, she saw a need for services that support people’s mental health, physical health, and emotional and spiritual wellbeing on a more holistic level.

“I offer more integrative services,” said 41-year-old Shay, “by assisting and supporting people in getting to root causes of imbalances in the body and taking a whole-body approach.”

Starting a business in the midst of a pandemic was challenging. However, this year she moved her business to a space in the ZaRah Wellness Center, on West Broadway in North Minneapolis.

MSR: How would you describe your business?

KS: With harmonious wellness, the primary focus is regenerative health. Regenerative health is a practice that looks at getting to the root, the base, the foundational level of why someone might be experiencing imbalances in the body. It involves looking at tissue glands, and organ health—really looking at cellular health. So, supporting people’s bodies at the cellular level.

Regenerative health is rooted in biochemistry, science and nature, so really understanding the systems and the chemical processes of how things work in the body… If someone has symptoms or is diagnosed with something, then regenerative health looks at different herbs, food and nutrition to support the body. A big part of regenerative health is also focused on detoxification of the body—eliminating certain foods that create acidic environments that cause disease and imbalance in the body.

MSR: How does your business impact the community?

KS: It impacts the community because there are not too many regenerative health practitioners here in the Twin Cities. A friend of mine opened up a