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Inside this Edition...

THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934

September 23–29, 2021

Vol. 88

Read about the Black Master Storytellers Festival on page 7.

www.spokesman-recorder.com

NO. 8

On police amendment,

LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE The power structure and its allies (like the mainstream press) should stop trying to confuse the issue

Through its editorial board and narrative slant, I think the Star Tribune coverage has been biased against the people’s vote on the public safety,” said Minneapolis film maker, artist, story The mainstream press purportedly has been attempting to bring clarity to the proposed teller D.A. Bullock. “From that shameless PR charter amendment put to Minneapolis vot- piece they featured on Judge Anderson, front ers on the election ballot as a way of fixing the page above the fold, to their generous coverage problem of police and public safety. However, of Don and Sondra Samuels as “trusted voice” it seems their efforts at “clarity” have added still more confusion to the effort. The measure was organized by YES Minneapolis and supported by the Minneapolis City Council. It proposes to address the issue of police misconduct by reorganizing the structure of the MPD and create in its place “a Department of Public Safety that employs a comprehensive public health approach purpose of the city’s police department.” By Henry Pan The Minneapolis Star Tribune in particular Contributing writer appears to be in opposition to the measure while not directly saying so. The Strib has also dvocates for police reform gathered at spent lots of ink either unintentionally or inHennepin County Government Plaza tentionally obscuring the community’s conon Friday, Sept. 17 to celebrate a victory cerns around police misconduct. in a legal battle to include a controversial meaSuch misconduct, witnessed worldwide in sure on the city’s ballot. The measure, which apGeorge Floyd’s murder, is after all what the pears on the ballot in Minneapolis as Question amendment was proposed to address, if not indi- 2, would if passed reorganize the city’s police derectly, it was clearly what motivated its creation. partment and put it under a yet-to-be-created Before voters could go to the polls and de- Department of Public Safety, as well as elimicide for themselves, the Minneapolis Star Tri- nate a minimum police staffing requirement. bune declared in so many words that people are Rev. JaNaé Bates, who is leading the Yes for on the whole opposed to the charter amend- Minneapolis campaign in support of Question 2, ment. At least that is what can be inferred from congratulated rally participants. “I don’t think the lede in a story that ran in Sunday’s paper y’all understand what I’m saying. You all, your titled, “Minnesota Poll: Most Minneapolis vot- work, your dedication, your love for people, your ers want reform, not fewer cops.” ■See RALLY on page 5

By Mel Reeves Community editor

and de facto proxy for Black people in Minneapolis. They have avoided the scrutiny that is the benchmark of the fourth estate.” According to the lede in writer Kelly Smith’s story, which was supposedly based on a poll of Minneapolis citizens, “a clear majority of Minneapolis voters oppose reducing the size of the city’s police force, and that feeling is especially

Supporters rally for public safety measure

MN Supreme Court restored the question to the ballot

Yes for Minneapolis rally

Photo by Henry Pan

strong among Black voters.” “They are putting on a full-court last-minute press trying to influence the outcome through what is presented as a neutral and objective poll,” said one observer and Minneapolis resident who wanted his name withheld, when asked his thoughts on the article. “It’s like saying, hey, most of your fellow citizens are on the side of a no vote, so you should be too. It’s a scare tactic to steer people away from the public health approach.” The poll, which took into account the opinions of 800 Minneapolis residents, was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla and paid for by a combination of news agencies including KARE 11, MPR News, Star Tribune and PBS’s FRONTLINE. But the poll raises a big question: Why feature so prominently at the top of Sunday’s front page a survey of 800 prospective voters just as the people are preparing to vote if not to influence the outcome of that vote? “A poll is only as good as the questions asked and the context of the reporting on the opinion thereafter. In terms of policy, I’m not so much interested in the percent of opinion, but knowing why folks hold an opinion. Are they believing lies? Do they know the facts? Have they been frightened into decisions (fear is a form of coercion),” observed Bullock. Smith did not reiterate the facts that the proposed charter amendment allows for a police force and does not call for abolishing the police. Nor does it call for defunding the police. The article appears to have pulled away the ■See CHARTER on page 5

MPD accused of hiding police misconduct evidence Body cam footage showing officers’ assault withheld over a year

By Niara Savage Contributing writer Jaleel Stallings, a Black St. Paul man charged with second-degree murder after he unknowingly fired at Minneapolis police officers during a night of protests last year, was recently acquitted of all eight charges stemming from the incident, following a July trial. Stallings, a 29-year-old Army veteran who claimed he fired at the unmarked vehicle in self-defense on May 30, 2020, can breathe easier after his acquittal by a Hennepin County jury. However, the case raises serious questions about the efficacy of the Minneapolis Police Department. Officers’ intentions Five days after the death of George Floyd and amid escalating

unrest in the city, Minneapolis police officers took to the streets with orders from their superior, Sgt. Andrew Bittell. Before the unmarked cargo van turned down the street where Stallings and other demonstrators were gathered after curfew, Bittell instructed the officers to “drive down Lake Street. You see a group, call it out. OK, great! F*** ’em up, gas ’em, f*** ’em up.” Speaking to his SWAT unit, Bittell added, “The first f***ers we see, we’re just hammering ’em with 40s.” When the unit fired a hail of rubber bullets from the unmarked vehicle toward Stallings and other demonstrators standing in a parking lot, Stallings was struck in the chest. Fearing he was bleeding out and that those firing what he thought were real bullets might be White Suprem-

acist aggressors with bad intentions, that he only realized he had been Stallings returned fire. Gov. Tim firing at police officers when the SWAT team jumped out of the vehicle. He dropped his weapon and laid on the pavement. Body camera footage published by the Minnesota Reformer in early September shows members of the SWAT team jumping out of the vehicle and running toward Stallings, who was on the ground. Officers Justin Stetson and Bittell kicked and hit Stallings in the head and body repeatedly until Bittell instructed, “That’s it, stop it.” But Stetson didn’t stop hitting Stallings until Bittell physically intervened, saying, “Stop, Jaleel Stallings File photo stop. It’s OK,” grabbing Stetson’s hand. Stallings was arrested and charged Walz’s warning that White Suprem- with two counts of attempted secacists were in the area looking for ond-degree intentional, non-premedtrouble rang in the back of his mind. itated murder, two counts of firstStallings testified during the trial degree assault, deadly force against

Hallman selected for Title IX Honor Roll athletes and leaders and members of the Title IX Honor Roll. Hallman was one of 50 individuals selected. The colorful bus is decoFor decades MSR sports columnist Charles Hallman rated with the honoree’s name has been the voice of wom- displayed and pictures of the en’s accomplishments in the featured athletes and leaders. field of athletics. Now, after 40 years in the field of journalism, the Detroit, Michigan native is being recognized for his dedication and hard work by his selection to the Land O’Lakes, Inc. Title IX Championship Tour Title IX Honor Roll. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark legislation that helped pave the way for equal opportunities for women, the bus tour was created to make stops at different sporting Charles Hallman venues to honor 11 Title IX Photo by Angie Andresen By Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald Sports columnist

It’s been quite the journey for Hallman, who honed his journalistic skills at Michigan State University while dabbling in some campus activism. “I worked at a campus radio station as a news reporter, he said. “We even started our own Black campus newspaper called The People’s Choice.” It was during his time with The People’s Choice that Hallman learned all he needs to know about journalism. “I learned how to edit, layout copy, write headlines, and write stories and columns,” he said. “All my print work came from The People’s Choice.” After graduating from MSU in the late 1970s with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and spending ■See HALLMAN on page 5

police officers, two counts of seconddegree assault, use of a dangerous weapon, one count of second-degree rioting, and one count of intentional discharge of a firearm. His mugshot shows evidence of the injuries he sustained from being hit by the officers. Evidence withheld Although prosecutors are required to disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense under the Brady rule, Stallings’ attorney Eric Rice told the Minnesota Reformer that when he requested Brady material, including disciplinary records from the five officers involved in the case, he was told there were none. However, records show that two of the five had been disciplined before. Stetson had been admonished for failing to report his ■See STALLINGS on page 5

McDonald receives Outstanding Media Service Award its annual award that has been presented since 2015. The first two years there was only one Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDon- recipient before the award was ald has for several decades put split into two divisions: print a weekly spotlight on local male and electronic. McDonald (print) and retired and female high school athletes and their accomplishments on WCCO host Dave Lee (elecand off the athletic stage, athletes who perhaps would be virtually ignored by other local media. For his tireless efforts, McDonald in 2020 was honored by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) with its Outstanding Media Service Award. “Recipients are known for their passion, endless enthusiasm, and knack for heartfelt storytelling of the journeys of the participants, member schools and their communities,” Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald said the MSHSL’s description of Courtesy Lifetouch Studios By Charles Hallman Sports columnist

tronic) were last year’s winners. The two would have been honored at halftime of the Class AAA boys’ basketball championship, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic. McDonald is the first Black media member honored by the MSHSL. “It always feels good to be recognized for things that you do. Writing about high school sports for as long as I have is a nice achievement,” admitted McDonald, whose Prep Scene has been a regular weekly fixture on the MSR sports page since 1996. Unlike other media, he makes sure that each prep youngster’s name mentioned is highlighted in bold black type. “I didn’t think I’d be writing this long,” said McDonald, a ■See McDONALD on page 5

September 23-29, 2021

Metropolis

Health & Wellness Living in freedom or fear, the choice is yours

By Dr. Alyse Hamilton Guest contributor The nation of Israel is the most vaccinated country in the world. Current information from Israel, England and the Cleveland Clinic agrees that if you’ve had COVIDs, you already have “robust and durable” or strong and lasting immunity! For those with natural immunity, the vaccine is unnecessary and potentially harmful! That statement is really good news. Sadly, it upsets many of my doctor colleagues. Many things motivate us. Some positive. Some negative. I believe that we African Americans have many motivators. Fear, freedom and love may be three of them. The fear motivator COVIDs have been a major challenge for all of us. Over the past 18 months we went from “15 days to flatten the curve” to constant mandates, lockdowns, social distancing, don’t wear masks, do wear masks, vaccines, boosters, and on and on. During those 18 months, the motivator of Fear was used a lot. There is no doubt that news media have stirred up fear, even trying to terrify us at times. People that are terrified are easily manipulated and often make bad decisions. We must always be able to exercise our hard-won freedoms, freedom to ask, to learn, and to seek answers whenever we choose. I prefer a doctor or health official honest enough to simply say, “I really don’t know” when they don’t. Many are puzzled why we African Americans are the least vaccinated group in America. If you know our history, it’s easy to understand our suspicion of being told what is good for us by government or mandates. Margaret Sanger, the proKKK founder of Planned Parenthood, in her “Negro Letter” of 1939 said, “We do not want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population.” She knew we listened to our pastors, so she convinced many of them to spread her message on abortion. Today, we make up only 13% of the U.S. population, but our sisters and daughters have 40% of all abortions performed! Is Margaret Sanger laughing at us from her grave? Good reason for skepticism Many of us know what happened during the Tuskegee Institutes’ medical abuse of 600 poor Black men in Alabama for a government experiment on the lifetime effects of untreated syphilis. Without “informed consent,” these men were never told exactly what

the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) officials, and later the CDC, were actually doing to them without allowing these men to back out this evil experiment. It was supposed to last six months. Instead, by promising “free health care,” it went on for more than 40 years before it was finally stopped. Like Margaret Sanger, the USPHS and CDC also sought and convinced several Black leaders to promote this evil experiment. Ask me again why many in our community are skeptical of what we are told is good for us, even if it might be. An important motivation for all of us must be our freedom. We must be free to choose, free to question boldly, free to get the information we need without threats or force. We are constantly told to follow the science. What does that really mean? The science before 1492 predicted that Christopher Columbus would sail off the edge of the flat earth. The science before 1897 proclaimed that that malaria, which means “bad air,” was just that. Today, millions more Africans would have died if we hadn’t finally learned and then embraced that malaria was carried by a mosquito, not bad air. The science before 1953 believed that cancer was caused by genetics. We weren’t officially told that cigarettes would harm us until 1964. In their times, many supposed science facts were believed to be true and often followed faithfully. Some proved to be right. Some wrong. Science is rarely if ever settled. Science is not an opinion or a group of people agreeing to something. Science is fact. It is not news stories to terrify citizens. It is facts. And facts often take a long time and constant debate to come out. The best scientific information happens when people disagree and argue the known information not to silence it as misinformation or silliness. On COVIDs, we know far more today than we did 18 months ago. I was disappointed to recently hear President Biden proclaim that there are only two ways to protect ourselves from COVIDs—masks and vaccines. As a medical doctor who focuses a lot on our God given immune systems, I thought what about the science of taking zinc and vitamins D and C? And eating fresh fruits and vegetables and getting sleep and exercise. And using known safe medications like hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin. All that helps prevent and/or minimize COVIDs. In my medical practice, we constantly research studies and information to get closer to the facts, the sci-

ence. Below are a few questions and answers as we know them today. They are up for debate. They can be challenged. That is great. That is how science slowly advances. It is not through threats or fear or mandates. Scientific facts are stubborn and often slowly revealed. Do lockdowns work? Studies completed on Marines during boot camp found that lockdowns spread the virus faster among those locked down! Do masks work? Current data show that cloth masks are ineffective in stopping a virus. Blue surgical masks may help a little. More serious N-95 masks have more effect on slowing an airborne virus. Wearing masks outdoors is not effective. COVIDs die quickly in sunlight. Is the vaccine safe and effective? Google the CDC’s VAERS report to read latest reported bad effects of the COVID vaccines. Knowing the good and the bad helps you freely choose what you what to do. Early reports suggest that for many the vaccines may be effective for a short while. However, Israel the most vaccinated country in the world is experiencing many breakthrough or new delta variant infections in vaccinated people. So what do you do? Ask. Question. Read. Protect yourself with a strong immune system. Eventually, if we are allowed to freely and openly debate and argue the pros and cons of what we think and know, we will get closer to the truth. No matter what, protect your health and love your family. Choose to live in freedom, not fear, and live your best life. God bless. Dr. Alyse Hamilton is the founder and medical director of the Advanced Health and Vitality Center in Edina, Minnesota. Dr. Hamilton offers her patients positive results from her exceptional professional training and an extraordinary passion to provide safe, proven and effective treatments for adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, chronic fatigue and pain, menopause, andropause (male menopause), fibromyalgia and age-related conditions. She partners with her patients to guide them to true health from the inside out. Her goal is to ensure that her patients reclaim their energy, memory and vitality so that they can once again enjoy the things that are missing in their lives. Her practice also offers IV nutritional support with the Myer’s Cocktail and Glutathione, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and the Riordan protocol for high dose Vitamin C infusion therapy.

September 23-29, 2021

Opinion

The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) welcomes and values commentary and feedback from the community. The articles found here are edited for clarity and/or space, but the opinions are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of the MSR.

/11 memories 9 tainted by willful amnesia By Margaret Kimberley

Problem business shielded by money, influence By D.A. Bullock Merwin Liquor on West Broadway has been a longtime trouble spot and a magnet for violence and pathological behavior. All of us on both sides of this police argument have been truly frustrated by trying to figure out a way to ask, beg, convince, aid them to move— whatever it takes—to change that condition. Merwin Liquor on W. Broadway is owned by Louis Dachis; he also owns another extractive corporate entity in our neighborhood called the UnBank (founded by his dad). I’ve often argued that owners of these kinds of establishments that extract and extract and even harm our community, owe a special debt to the community. We’ve wondered out loud— how does a business like this continue to operate like this in our neighborhood? Why doesn’t the City “do something?” We’ve heard this time and time again. Louis comes from a family of wealth and successful business people in Minnesota and was set up quite nicely for his current business success, because, by all accounts, Merwin is a successful business. The Dachis name might

be familiar to you, might ring a bell. Louis’ father was Gary Dachis and is one of six children; one of his brothers is Bruce Dachis. Sound familiar? Yes, Bruce Dachis, developer and businessman, coplaintiff with Don and Sondra Samuels of the current court case effort to stop our opportunity to vote on public safety. Bruce is Louis’ uncle. So how does a couple whose main concern is increasing police to somehow address gun violence in North Minneapolis, and the uncle of one of the problematic gun violence enablers in North Minneapolis, end up as the sole plaintiffs in a lawsuit to keep us from voting on changing public safety and policing? The answer is money and influence. When you think about money, power, and influence, you see how an unlikely combo of three people can seemingly derail a vote for the whole city. You can look at their boards and donor list and see where the coordination and the motives happen. So, when an editorial board, a right-wing judge, an elite Black couple from the community, and a wealthy businessman coalesce around an idea, it’s not some kind of good idea or a broad base con-

sensus. It’s money, power, and influence protecting itself: as always. You can see how a harmful business entity can operate with impunity in our neighborhood, so problematic that it has you begging to keep a raggedy, ineffective police system at status quo, but exists unmolested and untouchable. This is something our press should be dogged about, but they are not. Instead, the newspaper of record—the Minneapolis Star Tribune—publishes editorial board opinions, political cartoons, and puff pieces about judges, not to support the best policy, but to support the best politick for them and their friends. That is wrong, any way you look at it. So how does this become a fight about police staffing? It is actually about the politics of police, not the actual public safety efficacy for you and me. The politics of police—if they can get you to vote for it—means that the consolidation of money, power, and influence will remain. This is in actuality what they are fighting to maintain. D.A. Bullock is a Minneapolis resident and a gadfly. He originally wrote this on Facebook.

The constant demand that we “Never forget!” the events of September 11, 2001, is rather laughable. Forgetting is difficult after enduring 20 years of war propaganda. News stories about that day are plentiful albeit useless, that is to say, they add nothing to our understanding of why the U.S. was attacked and depend upon sentiment, jingoism, and tried and true claims of exceptionalism to maintain fear, hatred, and support for war. The aftermath of September 11 gets surprisingly short shrift, but it is just as important as the who, what, when, where, why, and how of that date. It was just three days later that the Senate and House of Representatives voted to begin what are now called the “forever wars.” On September 14, 2001, California’s congresswoman Barbara Lee cast the lone vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force. It gave George W. Bush broad authority to “use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001…” The 9/11 event isn’t forgotten, but the near-universal approval of the attack on Afghanistan is rarely mentioned now. The corrosive impact of that war on international and domestic law is also swept under the rug. In the past 20 years, presidents have claimed the right to kill anyone they claim is a threat, deny the right to civilian trials, and gather and keep electronic information on everyone in the United States. These assaults on human rights have been largely forgotten, as the shock of the day turned otherwise intelligent people into supporters of aggression. Thanks to the State’s collusion with corporate media, there was even an unwilling-

ness to find out how the attacks were carried out and ascertain who in Bush’s administration should have known what was going to happen. During that summer of 2001, Attorney General John Ashcroft refused to fly on commercial airlines. He obviously knew there was a threat. The shamefully inadequate 9/11 commission didn’t take place until months later. George W. Bush and his national security team garnered fawning media attention but hardly any scrutiny about what they knew and how the attacks were carried out. No one was fired, no one resigned, and hard questions were eschewed in favor of deference to the people who failed their country so badly. Even when there was reporting on links between Osama bin Laden, the U.S. government, and the Saudi royal family, the stories cast suspicion everywhere except

the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Remember that Secretary of State Colin Powell lied at the United Nations about non-existent weapons of mass destruction. Remember that even our popular culture has been impacted and that filmmakers are given access to classified documents if they agree to produce protorture propaganda. The New York Times wouldn’t even print the word torture if the U.S. was the perpetrator. “Harsh interrogation techniques” and other such euphemisms were substitutes for the truth. Twenty years later the U.S. is a changed country and not for the better. Congress still gives presidents broad authority to bomb, change foreign governments at will, and sanction any country that becomes a target. Regime change is acceptable as long as U.S. troops aren’t directly involved in the dirty work. The media follow suit and

Twenty years later the U.S. is a changed country and not for the better. where it should have been directed. They rarely delved into bin Laden’s beginnings as an ally of the U.S. in the Afghanistan regime change effort, and his ties to the Saudi allies that would have embarrassed the Bush family and the entire foreign policy apparatus. It is true that bin Laden relatives and Saudi royals were whisked out of the country when airspace was shut down for everyone else. But tales of evil Arabs predominated instead of real reporting which would have asked hard questions about every president from Jimmy Carter onward who funded jihadists like bin Laden as proxies for U.S. foreign policy designs. By all means, let us remember. Remember the drone strikes, the kill lists, the Abu Ghraib torture, and the Guantanamo Bay prison where men still languish after 20 years. Remember that the rush to war in 2001 was followed by

citizens who object to wars of terror and a growing surveillance state are marginalized. Even politicians who call themselves progressive go along to get along and eagerly vote to support a defense budget that is now more than $750 billion. Memories are limited to September 11, 2001, and not to what happened afterward. The attacks were a pretext for doing what the imperialists always wanted. Glen Ford put his strange experience in perspective. “In effect, Washington was claiming revenge as the motive for crimes that it had long been planning to commit. Precise causality for the specific events of 9/11 becomes near-irrelevant, submerged in the much larger aggression that was conceived long before the towers fell.” Margaret Kimberley is senior editor of Blackagendareport.com.

Does the U.S. tax system favor the rich on purpose? Yes. By Bob Lord

nomics, and the University of California at Berkeley to exWho’s cheating Uncle plore that question. Americans up and down Sam the most these days? Earlier this year, a pair of IRS the income ladder, these anaresearchers joined with econ- lysts found, fail to report all omists from Carnegie Mellon, their income. But the level of the London School of Eco- non-reporting varies enor-

mously. Among Americans in the nation’s poorest 50%, just 7% of income goes unreported. In the top 1%, it’s nearly 20%. What’s going on here? Or is it just deeply but unintentionally flawed? It’s a complicated question. But as a tax attorney, I believe firmly that the flaws are intentional. Let’s examine the evidence. Most of us don’t have the option of leaving income off our tax returns. Our employers report all our wages and salaries on W-2 forms. Our financial institutions report the interest on our savings and the dividends from our stocks on 1099s. But the sort of income that flows to many at the top of our income ladder—business income of partnerships and other special categories of business enterprises—typically doesn’t show up on any form that has to be filed with the IRS. In other words, we have a tax system with a built-in information reporting gap. That certainly counts as a major flaw. An intentional flaw? Maybe, but it’s debatable. So let’s look at the recent and dramatic decline in IRS audit rates on the nation’s wealthiest.

Audits on incomes over $1 million have dropped an astounding 71% since 2010, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities points out. This decline reflects some fairly substantial cuts in the IRS budget—a whack of 19% since 2010—and what could be more intentional than budget cuts? Some might argue that the audit decline on highincome earners might just reflect the unavoidable complexity of their returns, which

transaction,” basically any transaction the IRS identifies as an abusive move to avoid taxes. The penalty for violating Section 6707A? A sum equal to 75% of the tax a taxpayer sought to avoid through the transaction, even if the transaction itself is determined to be legitimate. The failure to disclose also gives the IRS an unlimited amount of time to audit returns for listed transactions, not just the ordinary three years.

The bottom line: Section 6707A unquestionably rigs our tax system in favor of the ultra-rich. can include all kinds of business entities and trusts. But if you keep digging, there’s still irrefutable evidence our tax system is rigged: tax code Section 6707A. No provision in our tax code smacks more of rigging by design. Section 6707A of the tax code imposes a penalty for failing to disclose a “listed

vidual who fails to disclose a listed transaction can be fined more than $100,000. Think about that for a moment. For a person who engages in a listed transaction to avoid several million dollars of income tax, Section 6707A’s penalty limit essentially imposes no disincentive to tax cheating at all. If you’re trying to avoid $50,000 in tax, the threat of a $37,500 penalty over and above the tax due will be daunting. But if you’re trying to avoid $3,000,000 in tax, that $100,000 penalty threat is trivial. Without the possibility of a stiff penalty, even the indefinite audit risk becomes far less threatening. The bottom line: Section 6707A unquestionably rigs our tax system in favor of the ultra-rich. What possible good policy could be served by intentionally limiting the penalty exposure of very rich taxpayers and nobody else? I can’t think of one. Could the intentional rigging of the tax code in favor of the rich be limited to this one obscure penalty provision? Do you wanna buy a bridge?

Sounds like a squeeze for shady filers, right? Those who engage in listed transactions can disclose their abusive transactions on their tax return, a move that will almost certainly trigger an audit. Or they can omit the disclosure and risk a whopping penalty. But there’s a catch. SecBob Lord is a tax lawyer tion 6707A comes with a and an associate fellow at the maximum penalty. No indi- Institute for Policy Studies.

September 23-29, 2021

Charter

or advance awareness of, our news coverage.” “This separation is strict and comContinued from page 1 plete,” he wrote.  “In the newsroom, veneer of objectivity that has been we are firmly committed to bringing loudly and repetitively claimed you fair, complete coverage of the by the Star Tribune. Recently in a campaigns that’s grounded in fact, not note to readers, Star Tribune Edi- opinion… But we know that it can be tor and Senior Vice President Rene confusing at times to some readers.” Opponents, including Minnesota Sanchez wrote that his department and the editorial board—which is governor Tim Walz and U.S. Senator apparently opposed to the ballot Amy Klobuchar, have tried to paint proposal-- “have no connection to, the amendment as a referendum on

Appeals decision to strike language explaining the measure from the NovemContinued from page 1 ber 2021 ballot. Three opponents of the measure, inlove for dignity, your love for jus- cluding former Minneapolis tice, your love for the family of city councilmember Don George Floyd, your love for one Samuels and his wife Sondra another, for your neighbor, for Samuels, executive director of your niece to be safe, that is on the Northside Achievement Zone, filed a lawsuit in an atthe ballot.” The gathering was origi- tempt to thwart its placement nally planned in light of the on the ballot. They claimed latest Minnesota Court of the measure lacks specific

Rally

defunding the police. The move is disingenuous at best; at worst they would have us believe that their reading comprehension skills are not what someone in elected office ought to have. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey revealed yet again his opposition to the proposed amendment when he tweeted his support for the article on Sunday, which raised suspicions among some on social media about collusion between him and the Star

language about exactly what it would do. Because the Court of Appeals decision effectively meant removing the measure from the ballot, activists interpreted it as an attack on their right to vote, in part because their work to secure over 20,000 signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot was briefly blocked by the lawsuit. The ruling was overturned by the Minnesota

Supreme Court on Thursday. “It is tragic and very telling that democratic Mayor [Jacob] Frey was not just complicit, as the right to vote was stolen from residents in his city, but his actions, his powerful friends, his rhetoric sets it into motion,” Bates said of Mayor Frey’s actions several weeks ago when he twice vetoed language proposed by the Minneapolis City Council that would clarify the purpose of the charter amendment with-

counter, police were quick to establish a particular narrative about the events that had taken place, one that asserted that Stallings “did not comply and resisted” as officers approached, and that neither he nor the officers involved were injured. Stallings would later testify that physicians suspected his eye socket was fractured during the beating. Court documents say Stallings also exhibited labored breathing after his arrest from the impact of the rubber bullets striking his chest. The press release claimed a review of body camera footage of the encounter “corroborates” officers’ statements about the incident. But for more than a year, in the absence of access to the footage, members of the public had to either take the police’s word at face value or speculate, as objective evidence of what oc-

curred remained concealed until the footage was made public this month. Footage shows Stallings lying flat on the ground as officers approached and began to beat him. The MPD has faced regular scrutiny for its lack of transparency. ACLUMN sued the MPD in June, alleging the department is illegally withholding police misconduct records. “There is a disconnect between official statements of transparency and accountability and MPD policies that intentionally hide public data. The City and MPD are ignoring the intent and letter of the law to deliberately hide bad police behavior,” Minnesota Coalition on Government Information Board Member Paul Ostrow said in a statement. “Public information is a civil right. Police reform cannot succeed when officer misconduct is hid-

“It really started back in college,” he said. “At student orientation when I was a freshman, I was there with a bunch Continued from page 1 of female basketball players. I got to know them from watching them play. That is how I really became involved.” a couple of years working in Champagne, Illinois, Hallman moved to the Twin Cities area in 1981. He worked “I didn’t want to be typecast at KMOJ and Insight News before as a Black journalist who settling at the MSR. Despite being one of the country’s only reports on sports.” pioneers in promoting and covering He hasn’t looked back since. “My women’s sports, Hallman admits that covering sports was not his original first sports story was women’s basintention. “I always wanted to be a ketball at the University of Minnesota news reporter,” Hallman said. “I didn’t when I was at KMOJ,” he said. “In coverwant to be typecast as a Black jour- ing that story and others that followed, I found that women, especially Black nalist who only reports on sports.” When he eventually switched women athletes, have stories that need over to sports, Hallman had a change to be told just like the men. I figured if I of heart. “I started to enjoy it,” he re- didn’t tell their stories, who would.” Hallman considers his finest momembered. “I was having fun.” It was during this period, the mid ment as a journalist to have been 1980s, that Hallman found his passion in 2006 when Linda Roberts, the for women’s sports, but he pointed former St. Paul Central girls’ basout that the seed was planted earlier. ketball standout who starred at the

University of Minnesota from 197881, became the first Black female basketball player to have her jersey raised into the Williams Arena rafters. This was due to a writing campaign Hallman and former MSR columnist Kwame McDonald started. “We helped to get it done,” Hallman said. “But more importantly, Linda recognized us and thanked us for our support. It’s too bad that it took 25 years after her playing career to do it, but it happened and I’m very glad that I was a part of it.” Of all the people Hallman says he needs to thank, there is one to whom he will always be grateful. “My mother encouraged me to write,” he said. “She supported me throughout my desire to get into the business. Everything that happens to me honor-wise, I always think about her.”

Stallings Continued from page 1 use of force in a case of a group of Black men accused of selling drugs. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, an estimated 50% of wrongful convictions occur because of official misconduct, including Brady violations. Violations persist in part because prosecutors are shielded by qualified immunity, which makes meeting the standard to demonstrate a constitutional right has been violated extremely difficult. Prosecutors may also avoid admitting misconduct by negotiating deals, while courts and state bar associations don’t typically impose discipline for misconduct. In a press release following the en-

Hallman

Tribune. Frey in his tweet also insisted that a Department of Safety could be created without charter change which generated mockery by some. Javier Morillo, for example, noted that the mayor has gone from “the guy who spent a year and a half opposing the creation of a Department of Safety to the guy saying we can do it without a charter change!” “The poll fills in a blank, not because it is the right answer, but because there was blank space there.

Black people’s views on police are far more complex than one question in a poll. But politicians will use this to their own benefit. They don’t really care about the well-being of Black people” said Bullock. “Don’t let anyone convince you that Black people love to be overpoliced and under-protected.” Mel Reeves welcomes reader responses to mreeves@spokesman-recorder.com.

out having to add an explanatory note. Yes 4 Minneapolis sued on the grounds the explanatory note added onto the ballot question was misleading. Rep. Aisha Gomez, DFL-Minneapolis, said at the rally that the measure, if passed, would allow the City to explore alternatives to policing, paraphrasing a quote from Dallas Police Chief David Brown at a 2016 press conference shortly after five of his officers were killed by a sniper. Pointing

den from the public.”

out that police alone can’t handle mental health, drug addiction, and stray dogs, Brown said, “Policing was never meant to solve all these problems. I just asked other parts of our democracy to help us.” “And that’s what we’re talking about today,” said Gomez. Early voting in Minneapolis began last week.

Henry Pan welcomes reader responses to hpan0003@ gmail.com.

protests sometimes quickly escalated to violence. We respect the judicial process as well as the internal investigatory process which is currently active. It is for that reason I will not be commenting further at this time,” he said. Meanwhile, more than a year after the encounter, Minneapolis police spokesperson John Elder told The Associated Press he could not confirm or release any information about possible disciplinary action against the officers involved because the situation is under internal review. The continued controversy surrounding the conduct of the MPD comes as Minnesota’s highest court has allowed a ballot question placing the future of policing in Minneapolis in the hands of voters.

MPD chief excuses misconduct Following the jury’s decision to acquit Stallings, MPD Police Chief Medaria Arradondo pointed towards the “context” of officers’ encounter with Stallings amid a night of protests. “I’m aware of the recent decision by the honorable Judge Koch who as a part of his decision noted context is important, and that the officers had just been through four days of rioting, looting, arson, and the burning of the Third Precinct,” Arradondo told KARE11’s Lou Raguse. Although authorities haven’t indicated that Stallings and other protesters gathered in the parking lot were involved in rioting and looting, Arradondo offered a justification for the firing of the rubber bullets based on the potential for Niara Savage welcomes reader repeaceful protesters to escalate. “Peaceful sponses to niaraalexandra@gmail.com.

McDonald Continued from page 1

“It makes me think about everything,” reflected McDonald, “following my dad around when I first started. “Being with him and him encouraging me when sometimes I wanted to give up, he kept saying, ‘No, keep going. What you’re doing is valuable to the Black community.’” At least two generations of young Black males and females, their parents, their schools and others have told McDonald of their appreciation of his featuring them in print. And the state high school league now has shown its appreciation as well. The veteran Black sportswriter in turn appreciates the opportunity to do his job. “It’s good to be recognized for something that you’re passionate about,” said McDonald. “I’m doing something that I like to do, and that’s very important.”

government and African American Studies teacher at St. Paul Johnson High School since 2001. He has been a Black Press member since graduating from Central State (Ohio) University, an HBCU, in 1987 with a degree in communications and journalism. The veteran sportswriter-photojournalist first started at Insight News (1987-96) then joined the MSR in 1996. “Al McFarlane gave me an opportunity. Tracey Williams [Dillard] gave me an opportunity,” said McDonald of the two Twin Cities Black newspaper owner-publishers. “[They] allowed me to write and take pictures.” His father, the late Kwame McDonald, earlier blazed the path of covering Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes Twin Cities urban prep young people Charles Hallman welcomes reader reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail. that the junior McDonald dutifully fol- responses to challman@spokesmancom. lowed in his own right over the years. recorder.com.

September 23-29, 2021

Business

New self-care business Rocky Robinson is a rockin’ success Black Business SPOTLIGHT By Ashley Lauren Contributing writer In these trying and uncertain times, self-care is key. Audra Robinson is the owner of Rocky Robinson, an online business that offers self-care products for kids and teens, ranging from shampoo, lotion, and lip balm to hand sanitizer and activity/coloring books. Robinson said, “The mission is to celebrate the beauty and brilliance and magic of Black girls.” She added, “It is to help Black girls love the skin they are in.” Robinson grew up in St. Paul and graduated from Central High School. “We were the class that walked out our senior year because we demanded to have a Black history class taught in the school—I’m very proud of that,” Robinson recalled. RR was officially launched on Facebook in 2014. During that time, Robinson explains that she was recruited for a position at Pfizer. In December 2019, she was laid off, which prompted her to work on the RR brand. When Robinson departed the corporate world, she was able to live her dream. She elaborated, “I started working full-time in my business. I say I launched it on Instagram in March 2020.” Instagram helped her business grow tremendously. Launching a business isn’t an easy task. Robinson said, “It took my full attention and dedication to building the brand and the business.” She added, “It took me

understanding what story I wanted to tell and how I wanted to tell it—using, leveraging social media to help position my brand to Black moms and tell the story of what inspired me to start it and why.” Additionally, “It took resources—an investment, finding a manufacturer to make my products so that when I drive the business, I can fill the orders on time and I can get them out to the customers,” Robinson said. She continued, “What inspired me to start my business was I had worked in marketing here in Minneapolis in corporate roles for the last 15 years and a lot of the time, I was the only person that looked like me in the room and that really didn’t sit well with me at all.” Robinson felt compelled to make change. Before Robinson became a full-time business owner, she invested a lot of time working in the corporate sector. She said, “I worked on product launches. My last role was with Pfizer. I worked on brands like Advil, Chapstick, and EmergenC, and was a part of teams that would be a part of the marketplace.” Her work experience inspired her to create the RR brand. She recalled, “One of my fondest memories is my mom— I remember she would always buy my sister and I shower gel, lotion, and a book, and pajamas for Christmas Eve—having those things as our own really always stuck with me.” Robin-

Rocky Robinson owner Audra Robinson Submitted photo son aspired to develop her own line of self-care products: shower gel and lotion. Growing up, “I had shower gel with Barbie on it with blonde and blue eyes as a kid in the ’70s. Now it’s 2021, and it’s still very hard to find products that are relevant to our kids,” Robinson said. Representation is important. Robinson is receiving exceptional feedback about her products. She said, “That goal I had in mind of making Black girls feel seen and heard but also with products that they love really reinforced that for me.” The self-care enterprise is receiving an outpouring of support and positive feedback. There’s special meaning behind the business name. Robinson explained, “Originally, I wanted to name my brand something else—I wanted to name it Girls Rock, because again it goes back to me wanting to empower Black girls and I wanted them to be all they can be.” Rocky is a character that exemplifies “Rocking out in everything in life.” Robinson also developed an activity and coloring book

that showcases Rocky. “I have a friend in town, her name is Dara Beevas and she is a publisher, so I partnered with her, a Black woman, to create the coloring book that empowers girls and there’s activities,” she said. Her customers also expressed they wanted the Rocky character to become a cartoon. Furthermore, customers can expect high-quality and affordable self-care products. “We launched with shower gel, lotion, and lip balm—we added hand sanitizer due to the pandemic,” said Robinson. The fragrances are unique, and she is currently working on new products. The RR products can be purchased online and in vari-

Courtesy of Facebook ous locations. “We’re going to be launching at Region’s Gift Shop, Methodist Gift Shop, Girls Scout Gift Shop,” Robinson noted. Robinson had advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and young people. “If you have an idea, do your research—the barriers to entry are low now. You can literally start your business from your

phone.” She added, “If you dream it, go for it, do your research and make it happen.” For more information visit therocky-robinson-store.square.site. Ashley Lauren welcomes reader responses to alauren@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Arts & Culture

September 23-29, 2021

Black Master Storytellers Festival to celebrate Black joy This year’s fest will be virtual This year’s 31st annual Black Master Storytellers Festival, to be held Sept. 24 and 25 at 6 pm, will be held virtually. The theme for the event is “Black Joy: Stories Celebrating Hope, Resilience & Love.” “It has been through storytelling, which has expressed our feelings, our thoughts, and responses to our lived

experiences, that Minnesota’s Black Storytellers Alliance has kept Black stories alive for 31 years—through the Black Master Storytellers Festival,” said Titilayo Bediako, executive director of the WE WIN INSTITUTE. The festival is a veritable collage of great storytelling and great music. The event will feature

skilled storytellers from around the world, using the richness of oral traditions to evoke images in the mind’s eye that brings the rich African American experience to life. Storytellers use song, dance, drumming, music as well as “call and response” to share the splendor of African and African American history and culture.

(l-r, top-bottom) Gwen Matthews, Nothando Zulu, Danielle Daniel, Robert “Eddie” Robinson, Nunn Above, and Jan Blake.

“In these times when the onslaught of trauma seems to never end, this is an opportunity for the entire family to enjoy the power of inspiring stories and uplifting songs,” said local renowned storyteller Vusi Zulu. The griot, or storyteller, is one of the oldest traditions in Africa. According to organizers, Black folks, even in the diaspora, are oral people who have used storytelling as a way of passing on African traditions, values, and behaviors, and as a way of preserving the culture. Each evening will include a different master storyteller interspersed with music from Minnesota’s own national recording artists, including Gwen Matthews, Robert “Eddie” Robinson and Nunn Above. This year’s storytellers are: Jan Blake, London, UK; Mama Linda Goss, Baltimore, MD; Dylan Pritchett, Richmond, VA; Toni Simmons, Dallas, TX; Atiba Kwabena Wilson, Harlem, NY; Lyn Ford, Columbus, OH; Mitch Capel (Gran’DaddY June Bug), Southern Pines, North

BSA President Nothando Zulu (r) and Vusumuzi Zulu Photo by Edie French Carolina; Elisha Minter, Charlotte, NC; Chetter Galloway, Atlanta, GA; Danielle Daniel, St. Paul, MN; Kristie Lazenberry, Coon Rapids, MN, and Joshua Cheo Gillespie, Minneapolis, MN. The Black Master Storytellers Festival is made possible through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council,

as a result of the legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. All events are free and include American Sign Language Interpreters and are family friendly. For more info, call 612-5295864 or email:nzulu@blackstorytellers.com or visit the website www.blackstorytellers.com.

COMMUNITY ENERGY CENTER

America Runs on Reliable, Affordable, and Cleaner Energy Keep This Vital Resource Accessible

As energy demand grows post-pandemic, public officials are making decisions that might affect your access to safe, affordable and reliable energy. Heat waves and storms are testing America’s energy needs – we cannot take this energy for granted.

Public officials should not diminish this vital resource. To learn more about how energy helps your community, visit CommunityEnergyCenter.org

The Community Energy Center, a cooperative with the National Newspaper Publishers Association and National Association of Hispanic Publications Media, will provide information and perspectives on the integral role of the energy sector in daily life for American families in a wide range of communities.

September 23-29, 2021

AAA:

BULLETIN

School traffic is back; be cautious on the roads

iStock

Minnesota drivers admit to speeding in school zones, cutting off school buses Minnesota roads are more crowded again as millions of students and teachers return to school. AAA is launching its “School’s Open Drive Carefully” campaign, reminding drivers to slow down, eliminate distractions and obey traffic laws when passing bus stops and driving through neighborhoods and school zones.

Free family course on mental illnesses in Eden Prairie and online

• Congestion—more drivers during the morning and afternoon commutes • Pedestrians—students walking to and from school or the bus stop • Buses—picking up and dropping off students • Bicyclists—traveling to and from school

NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness), a non-profit that works to improve the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families, is offering a free educational course that helps families and friends learn about mental illnesses, the brain, treatment, and resources to help a loved one living with a mental illness.

“Drivers should have a heightened sense of awareness from the moment they leave the driveway,” said Meredith Mitts, spokeswoman, AAA—The Auto Club Group. “Students will be walking or pedaling throughout neighborhoods and alongside city streets, making their way to-and-from school or the bus stop. Many of them might not be looking for you, so make sure you’re looking for them.”

There is an in-person course that meets weekly for eight weeks starting Sept. 16, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm in Eden Prairie. The location requires participants to be vaccinated.

Drivers can expect an increase in:

School Zones

According to a recent AAA survey of Minnesotans: • 45% drive through a school zone on their daily commute or regular driving route Residents admit to doing the following risky driving behaviors at least once in the past three months: • 29% admit to exceeding the speed limit while driving in active school zones • 25% admit to using their hand-held cell phone while driving in active school zones School zones are areas with extremely high vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Children on bicycles can be unpredictable and can make sudden changes in direction. When driving through a school zone, lower your speed and increase your awareness, to ensure you can respond to any potential hazards on the roadway. Remember, in Florida it is illegal to use your handheld mobile device while driving through an active school zone.

NAMI is also offering free online course for families that also meets weekly for 8 weeks. Classes start Sept. 13, Sept. 21, or Oct. 5. The classes aim to help participants build communication skills, reduce stress, find support and discover the common stages of emotional responses when supporting someone with a mental illness. To register, for the in-person course in Eden Prairie, contact Marge at 952-200-8780 or Cathy at 253-691-9401. For more information and registration about the online classes, see “classes” at namimn.org, or contact Marilyn at mdornfeld@namimn.org or 651-497-6858.

School bus traffic laws explained

Two Lane Street—All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.

AAA Burnsville, 600 W Travelers Trail, Burnsville, MN 55331 AAA Coon Rapids, 2150 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 AAA Duluth, 2520 Maple Grove Road, Duluth, MN 55811 AAA Maplewood, 1727 Beam Ave Ste A, Maplewood, MN 55109 AAA Rochester, 1535 Greenview Drive SW, Rochester, MN 55902 AAA Roseville, 2483 Fairview Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113 AAA St. Cloud, 3959 2nd St S, St Cloud, MN 56301

Multi-Lane Paved Median—All drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. Divided Highway—Traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus.

Safety tips for students at the bus stop Children should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Parents should teach them to play it SAFE: • Stay five steps away from the curb. • Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals for you to board. Be alert and remove headphones so you can hear oncoming traffic. • Face forward after finding a seat on the bus. • Exit the bus when it stops and look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street.

Free Signs AAA Minnesota-Iowa has free “Slow Down, Watch for Kids” signs available for pick up at their branch locations while supplies last. Branch Office Locations:

—Information provided by AAA

Employment & Legals CASE TYPE: PERSONAL INJURY STATE OF MINNESOTA

DISTRICT COURT

COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Fadumo Jamac, Plaintiff, vs.

AMENDED SUMMONS

Farah Warsame, Defendant.

THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO the above-named Defendant: 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiff ’s Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this summons. 2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this summons a written response called an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person who signed this summons located at: Brantingham Law Office 2200 E Franklin Avenue, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404 3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Plaintiff ’s Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must say so in your Answer. 4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case. You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the complaint, you do not need to respond. A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the complaint. 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 assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help,

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul for VINYL FLOORING INSTALLATIONS AT PHA SCATTERED SITES, Contract 22-065, until 2:00 PM, Local Time, on OCTOBER 7, 2021, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud via the Zoom App. Bids must be submitted electronically, in a pdf format, to Northstar Imaging, www.northstarplanroom.com.

Sealed bids will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul for VINYL FLOORING INSTALLATIONS AT PHA PROPERTIES, Contract 22-064, until 2:00 PM, Local Time, on OCTOBER 12, 2021, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud via the Zoom App. Bids must be submitted electronically, in a pdf format, to Northstar Imaging, www.northstarplanroom.com.

A complete set of bid documents is available at www.northstarplanroom.com, under public plan room, VINYL FLOORING INSTALLATIONS AT PHA SCATTERED SITES, Contract 22-065, or by calling 651-686-0477. Digital downloads are no charge; Contact Northstar for hard copy prices.

A complete set of bid documents is available at www.northstarplanroom.com, under public plan room, VINYL FLOORING INSTALLATIONS AT PHA PROPERTIES, Contract 22-064, or by calling 651-686-0477. Digital downloads are no charge; Contact Northstar for hard copy prices.

The bidder shall be an established Flooring Company and employ skilled craftspersons with a minimum of five (5) years of successful experience specializing in vinyl floor installation work as defined within the bid documents. The successful bidder shall perform on site, and with its own organization, work equivalent to at least 51 percent.

Bids must be accompanied by a $500 bid guarantee, MN Responsible Contractor Affidavit, a Non-Collusive Affidavit, and EEO-1 submittals. The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a satisfactory performance bond and a separate payment bond.

A PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 at 10:00 AM AT THE MT. AIRY HIRISE MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS OFFICE (200 East Arch Street, St. Paul, MN).

A PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2021, at 10:00 AM AT THE MT. AIRY HI-RISE MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS OFFICE (200 East Arch Street, St. Paul, MN).

The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.

The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AGENCY

lose the case. be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under

INVITATION TO BID

you must still provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may 6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or

September 23-29, 2021

Ka Yang Project Leader (651) 292-6089 Ka.yang@stpha.org

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AGENCY

Ka Yang Project Leader (651) 292-6089 Ka.yang@stpha.org

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 20, & 27, 2021

September 20, and 27, 2021

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Position’s Available

Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response to the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.

Sealed proposals will be received by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Saint Paul at Maintenance Contracts, 200 East Arch Street, St. Paul, MN 55130 for CONSULTING SERVICES FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM UPGRADES AT PHA BUILDINGS, Contract No. 22-050, until 1:00 p.m. Local Time on OCTOBER 12, 2021.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 23, 30, & Oct 7, 2021

Prep

volleyball team to a 3-0 victory over the University of St. Thomas at Maturi Pavilion.

Continued from page 10 pleted two touchdown passes to receiver Peyton Newbern in response to Connors’ kickoff return and Howard’s one-yard run. In the second half it was all Cooper. The Hawks defensive unit, led by linebacker Josh Gonleh, defensive backs Dashon Amos and Andre Reese, defensive ends Carter Zirbes and Howard, and defensive lineman Deshawn Ricks, totally dominated by holding the Falcons scoreless in the second half. Cooper place kicker Leo Garcia was seven for seven in extra point attempts.

Saturday, September 18 Running back Shawon Easley scored on a rushing touchdown in the second half to lead St. Paul Highland Park to a 20-14 prep football victory over St. Paul Johnson. Running back Joshua Sims’s touchdown run late in the fourth quarter sealed St. Paul Central’s 22-6 pre-football victory over St. Paul Como Park. Opposite hitter Stephanie Samedy had 12 kills and four blocks, leading the University of Minnesota past Iowa State University 3-0 in nonconference volleyball at Maturi Pavilion.

Thursday, September 16 Outside/opposite hitter Airi Miyabe had eight kills, two aces and one block in leading the University of Minnesota

Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

St. Paul Central running back Joshua Sims (20) and quarterback Cole Fee (2) led the Minutemen past St. Paul Como Park. Photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

A complete set of proposal documents is available through Northstar Imaging under public plan room, at www.northstarplanroom.com, under CONSULTING SERVICES FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM UPGRADES AT PHA BUILDINGS, Contract No. 22-050 or by calling 651-6860477. Digital downloads are at no charge, contact Northstar for hard copy pricing. Proposal Documents will be available Monday, September 20, 2021. A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on September 29, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Mt Airy Hi-Rise Community Room, 200 East Arch Street, St. Paul, MN 55130. All questions arising from this pre-proposal conference will be addressed by addendum, if necessary. The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities in the bidding process. AN EQUAL STEVE AHNER OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER PROJECT LEADER (651) 292-6069 Steve.Ahner@stpha.org Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder September 20,, 2021

Report Card Continued from page 10

in racial hiring and ownership: Phoenix’s Monty Williams and James Jones became only the second Black head coach and general manager duo in NBA history to reach the Finals, and six Blacks own a minority stake—one in the Suns and five in the new champion Milwaukee Bucks. “I’m not concerned about the NBA” in racial hiring, reaffirmed Lapchick. “They’re had the best record in diversity in terms of race by far.” But the TIDES director and longtime diversity advocate considers the NBA no different from their fellow pro leagues in needing improvement, especially in gender hiring “at all levels. I think at the team level, they could work harder. I know they work hard but could improve.”

a great pick.” This year’s NBA RGRC, in addition to grading team owners for the first time, also graded C-suite executive positions and vice-president positions. The percentage of people of color in such positions was 24% at the team C-suite positions in 2020-21, and 25.5% team V-Ps. Team senior management saw a slight increase of people of color from 30.5% to 31.3%, but substantially increased from 35.9% to 41.9% in team professional staffs. Tru Pettigrew and Sianneh Mulbah are the Minnesota Timberwolves Black C-suite members as chief diversity and inclusion officer and chief Charles Hallman welpeople officer respectively. comes reader responses to But the report also point- challman@spokesman-recorded out special achievements er.com.

Abria Pregnancy Resources is currently hiring qualified individuals who are interested in Clinic Coordinator, Client Care Nurse or Client Advocate/Educator for our North Minneapolis Clinic. Please visit our website at supporters.abria. org under the tab “Get Involved” for more information. Putting a choice for life within reach.

Sr. Sales Rep-CRHF for Medtronic, Inc. in Mounds View, MN. Req. Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engr., Biomedical Engr. or health care related field & 5 yrs. progressive post-baccalaureate sales exp. for cardiac rhythm mgmt. medical devices. Must possess min. 5 yrs. exp. w/each of the following: Selling implantable products in hospital environment to interventional cardiology, Cardiothoracic & Vascular surgeons; Operating Room procedures, protocols & the function of devices & algorithms; teaching & educating medical personnel, peers & technical support personnel; selling & servicing products to incl. Pacemakers, Implantable Defibrillators, Cardiac Resynchronization Pacemakers, Cardiac Resynchronization Defibrillators & Insertable Loop Recorders; clinical study discussion, reviewing published data & supporting the implant/follow up of research; account, inventory, expense, & budget coordination; & ability to work in operation room & answer call 24/7. Must be insurable (car insurance) & have valid driver’s license & must be able to travel regionally 25% to 50% in the Las Vegas/Northern Arizona territory. Must be able to provide sales & service support to various hospitals & clinics in the Las Vegas/Northern Arizona territory on a 24/7 basis. To apply, visit https://jobs.medtronic.com/, select Req. #21000O02. No agencies or phone calls please. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Director of Venture Capital for Medtronic, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN. Req. MBA plus 5 yrs. exp. w/marketing, sales, investment banking or business development. Must possess a min. 5 yrs. exp. w/each of the following: Implantable cardiac medical devices; sales & market research of medical devices used in Cardiac Rhythm Mgmt. or Cardiac Surgery; exp. & detailed understanding of operating room & catheterization laboratory protocols & procedures for medical device implantation surgeries; collaborating w/all key medical technology stakeholders incl. physicians, allied health professionals, public health experts, innovators, business leaders & CEOs w/in hospitals & broader healthcare delivery system; developing business plans that identify & evaluate new business opportunities; Health Economics & reimbursement for medical device therapies; & FDA 21 CRF part 820 medical device regulations, ISO13485 & ISO14971. Requires 50% travel. To apply, visit https://jobs.medtronic.com/, select Req. #21000NZO. No agencies or phone calls please. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

September 23-29, 2021

Sports NFL’s actual practices belie gestures of racial healing

Pettigrew to oversee Wolves/ Lynx diversity, equity, inclusion Tru Pettigrew joined the Minnesota TimberwolvesLynx organization over a year ago as diversity, equity and inclusion advisor. Later last year he was hired as vice-president of player programs, focused on diversity and inclusion. Earlier this month Pettigrew received his second promotion in less than a year as chief diversity and inclusion officer. His new job will oversee the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy for all franchises: Wolves, Lynx, Iowa Wolves (G League) and T-Wolves Gaming (NBA 2K League) as well as support equity training and planning for the parent company, Taylor Corporation. “It’s something that I believe needs to be seamlessly integrated into the fiber of the DNA of any organization,” declared Pettigrew in a recent MSR interview. He and officials in the organization started talking with him about his new position “a couple of months back,” he recalled. “The more we talked about it, the more we all realized it made sense to move forward in this direction.” Pettigrew played a critical role last summer in convening team discussions after the murder of George Floyd and the aftermath of racial unrest that occurred locally and nationally. He has over two

Tru Pettigrew decades of experience in facilitating community dialogue around race relations and social justice for groups and organizations. “I’m extremely proud to know that they are taking [it] se-

Photo by David Sherman thing that you do. “I will say I believe that the Timberwolves and Lynx have fostered a culture and environment to encourage that courageous and uncomfortable conversation so that we

“It’s not just a one-off. It’s not a flavor-of-the-month type of thing that you do.” riously,” said Pettigrew. “I know how important this work is.” He also pointed out that diversity, equity and inclusion can’t be the focus only when something happens. “We’ll all get excited and up in arms,” noted Pettigrew. “It’s not just a one-off. It’s not a box chat flavor-of-the-month type of

all can be comfortable,” said Pettigrew. “But I do still think it will be a case-by-case basis, based on the level of comfort that people will have in engaging in those conversations.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Cooper defeats Armstrong

Opening kickoff return sparks victory for Hawks

Friday September 17, 2021 David Connors returned the opening kickoff return 82 yards for a touchdown and caught a pass for another score from quarterback Joe Russell in the third quarter, leading Robbinsdale Cooper to a 49-14 prep football victory over archrival Robbinsdale Armstrong last

The Minnesota Vikings, along with the rest of the National Football League this season, are participating in social justice “messaging” such as social justice decals on players’ helmets, on-field signs, PSAs. Even the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” will be played before games as part of the league’s 10-year, $250-millon commitment to combat systemic racism. Yet this is the same league that Whiteballed Colin Kaepernick in 2016, now going on six seasons, for kneeling during the U.S. national anthem to call attention to racial and social injustices. It’s the same league that historically operates a slave-owner environment where the majority of owners are White men and 70% of its players are Black. The NFL until recently practiced “race-norming” to keep them from rightfully paying former Black players for concussion-related injuries. Race-norming is a practice that would deem Black players worse in cognitive functioning than Whites and therefore presumed that Blacks suffer less impairment from playing. “[Race-norming] is an inherently anti-Black form of scientific racism that is evidence of slavery’s afterlife,”

Dr. Robert Turner Submitted photo co-wrote Notre Dame Professor Tracie Canada and Chelsey R. Carter in a July Scientific American article. Robert Turner II, a George Washington University assis-

“Race-norming is an inherently anti-Black form of scientific racism.”

Turner admitted. “I am trained as a sociologist and to see things, to take a critical examination of how do people make decisions. I didn’t recognize some of the issues…until much later, until and well after I finished the game. “I started playing football in the 70s and played throughout the 80s,” said Turner. “I never saw it from a capitalist lens, from a lens of thinking about how people were perceiving my Black body, or what the Black body meant in all of society. I was just a kid thinking about how much I love the game. “But once you start to think, you peel the layers back and you start to look at it a little differently,” continued the professor. “You start to understand instead of asking the question about athletes being exploited in football. You start to think about what is football and what it truly represents in society.” But to expect the NFL to go cold turkey and fully abandon its racist ways is perhaps unthinkable: “We’re going to see an ongoing tension.. The NFL owners are in lockstep— they protect the shield [the league’s logo] and are not very progressive when it comes to racial politics,” stressed Turner. “The fact that…70% of the players in the league are Black, I think it’s going to be a really tough time for the management and owners…to find the right balance with what they’ve always done, and that’s protect the shield.”

tant medicine and health science professor, wrote in his 2018 book “Not For Long: The Life and Career of an NFL Athlete” that Black overrepresentation in the NFL is problematic, and for its Black players doubly problematic. “I have a full chapter around race, in terms of the way athletes either assimilate or take an Afro-centric approach to these issues,” said Turner in a recent MSR phone interview. A former college and pro football player from the 1980s, Turner added, “There’s actually today probably more pressure on the Black athletes than there has Charles Hallman welcomes been in the past.” reader responses to challman@ What he didn’t know spokesman-recorder.com. then, he knows better now,

Robbinsdale Cooper receiver Nehamaih Ponder’s block frees up space for David Connors’ 82-yard kickoff return for a TD against Robbinsdale Armstrong. Friday evening before a capacity crowd at Cooper Stadium. Offensive linemen Corey Deloach, Jeramiah Hoskins, AJ Rhines and Brenna Vierzva not only provided Russell with

enough time to connect with Key’Von Cager for another score Shawon Easley of St. Paul Highland Park (26) scores in vicbut paved the way for running tory over St. Paul Johnson. back Camden Royal’s two touchThe score was 14-14 at terback Jamen Malone comdowns and tight end Jaxon Howhalftime as Armstrong quarard’s one-yard run for paydirt. ■ See Prep Scene on page 9

Gophers volleyball player Airi Miyabe against the University of St. Thomas. The Gophers won.

Social justice commitment graded in NBA report card By Charles Hallman Sports columnist Social initiatives and diversity in C-suite sports executive positions were graded for the first time in this year’s NBA Racial and Gender Report Card (RGRC). The results show the league leading the way, though even they have room to improve. The annual report by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) released August 25 gave the NBA a Bplus overall grade, A for racial hiring and B for gender hiring. “Bonus points that impact the overall racial and gender grades…[are] based on crucial social initiatives and hiring milestones,” wrote TIDES Executive Director Richard Lapchick on ESPN.com. He later told the MSR,

“These reports coming out every year are like no other. The pandemic affected racial awakening and affected sports in America. The NBA has clearly taken the lead for that area in terms of social justice commitment.” The NBA Foundation, the NBA Social Justice Coalition and the Kareem AbdulJabbar Social Justice Champion Award, all established after George Floyd’s death in May 2020, were given high marks by TIDES. “It not only honors my friend by calling it after him,” explained Lapchick of Abdul-Jabbar, a longtime friend and NBA legend, “but also it is a great honor to whoever accepts it.” Carmelo Anthony, now with the Los Angeles Lakers, was the inaugural winner of the award that will be given annually to a current NBA player who

Richard Lapchick

File photo

pursues social justice, equality, respect and inclusion. “I happen to be on the [selection] committee that chose all of the finalists,” added Lapchick. “The level of players chosen [by their respective teams] was amazing. Any one of them could have been picked. Carmelo Anthony was ■ See Report Card on page 9