• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Mayor-elect Jacob Frey meets the community

by Ivan Phifer
January 1, 2018
11
SHARES
225
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

The newly elected Minneapolis mayor, Jacob Frey, has wrapped up a slew of listening sessions ahead of taking office on Jan 2. According to press materials, the purpose of the listening sessions was to highlight Frey’s commitment to improving police-community relations, increase the city’s affordable housing, and build an inclusive local economy. The events were chaired by Council Vice President Elizabeth Glidden and Abou Amara and facilitated by Dave Ellis.

After a virtual listening session on Facebook on December 19, Frey’s policy committee met with community members at the Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) in North Minneapolis on Thursday, December 21. “We are in a transition month,” Glidden stated at the meeting. “There are major issues that aren’t being mentioned that we need to bring to the mayor.” Added Amara, “This doesn’t work unless we have you [the community members] feeding into this conversation.”

Some of the questions attendees answered included “What would make Minneapolis a great place to live?” and “What issues do you think need to be addressed?” Many community members at the meeting stated that the most pressing issues were with regards to police-community relations, income inequality, and youth education.

Community members took turns expressing their concerns (Ivan B. Phifer/MSR News)

The next listening session was held on Dec. 29 at public housing high-rise Horn Towers at 3121 Pillsbury in South Minneapolis, where over 100 people packed the community room. This listening session included residents of the building who expressed concerns about the complex while welcoming Mayor-elect Frey to the high-rise.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Lisa Anderson, one of the Horn Towers’ 20-year residents, stated that issues such as safety and security are important. “We deserve to live in a safe environment. Violence is a real problem over here. I’m not just speaking up for myself, I’m speaking up for all of us who live here [in Horn Towers].”

Sarah Kuhnen, neighbor of Justine Damond, who was shot by a Minneapolis police officer in July of 2017 after reporting a possible assault, echoed concerns over safety but in a broader sense. “Residents and police experience trauma on a daily basis, and we want them supported better with wellness training. That doesn’t just happen once, but happens annually and semi-annually along with de-escalation training.”

More than a few Somali residents urged Frey to work with immigrants regarding issues of identification. Maria Cisneros, a community organizer who lives in the Central neighborhood, encouraged Frey to focus on safety and was supportive of the Somali residents.

Cisneros shared that she survived a robbery during which she was stabbed. She linked the issue of safety to the call from local immigrant communities to create a municipal I.D. “Immigrants without a state-issued I.D. because of their immigration status do not feel safe calling police,” she said.

Mayor-elect Frey listening to event participants. (Ivan B. Phifer/MSR News)

Cisneros stressed that immigrants who lack I.D. are often taken advantage of when it comes to housing, as well. “Some living in substandard conditions are afraid to report issues like [pest] infestations,” she said.

At the end of the listening session, Frey stated that he will continue to follow the issues and serve the stated needs of the community. “These issues are important, and as mayor, I intend to see that these concerns are addressed,” he said. Frey has plans to hold town halls in each ward in Minneapolis following his inauguration, which will be held on Monday, Jan. 8 at 9:30 am in the City Hall Rotunda, 350 South Fifth Street in Minneapolis. Visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us for details.

An inauguration party for Mayor Frey and Minneapolis City Council members will take place Jan. 13 at First Avenue in Minneapolis. For more info, visit www.mplsdowntown.com.

 

Ivan B. Phifer welcomes reader responses to iphifer@spokesman-recorder.com.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

 

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Trump’s high stakes strategy is perilous

Next Post

St. Paul inaugurates its first Black mayor, Melvin Carter III

Ivan Phifer

Ivan B. Phifer is contributing writer at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. He can be reached at iphifer@spokesman-recorder.com

You Might Also Like

Newark deputy mayor nominated for Mpls police chief
Local

Newark deputy mayor nominated for Mpls police chief

Featured

Mayor’s ‘community work group’ releases public safety recommendations 

image of old building on american banknote
Featured

Congress passes $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan; Biden set to sign first legislative victory (updated)

empty bar
Local

Mayor Frey closes Mpls. indoor bar areas to fight the spread of COVID-19

Advocates use Super Bowl to highlight housing crisis
Local

Mayor Frey’s budget acknowledges underserved Black community

Blevins family demands immediate release of shooting video; Frey aims for end of July
Local

Blevins family demands immediate release of shooting video; Frey aims for end of July

Next Post
St. Paul inaugurates its first Black mayor, Melvin Carter III

St. Paul inaugurates its first Black mayor, Melvin Carter III

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

The Latest News

Bees can learn, remember, think and make decisions

Bees can learn, remember, think and make decisions

Black woman shopping for produce

The impact of food insecurity on Black women’s mental health

Plenty of action at St. Paul City Conference track and field meet

Plenty of action at St. Paul City Conference track and field meet

 Lynx rookie forward finds much to learn

 Lynx rookie forward finds much to learn

Call of the wild: Hunting for edible mushrooms is not just a White man’s hobby 

Call of the wild: Hunting for edible mushrooms is not just a White man’s hobby 

One Minnesota’s transformative budget

One Minnesota’s transformative budget

Minneapolis
◉
88°
Fair
5:30 am8:51 pm CDT
ThuFriSatSunMon
90/68°F
86/66°F
88/68°F
90/66°F
90/64°F
Weather forecast Minneapolis, Minnesota ▸
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Apr 6
April 6 @ 7:30 pm-June 3 @ 9:00 pm Recurring

Wit by Margaret Edson

Apr 14
April 14 @ 9:00 am-August 12 @ 5:00 pm

Paper Is People: Decolonizing Global Paper Cultures

May 31
10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring

Preserving Nature Photos by Walter Griffin: REFLECTIONS

Jun 1
5:00 pm-7:00 pm

Metro State University one 1 Open House

View Calendar

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...