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INSIGHT NEWS November 1 - November 7, 2010 • MN Metro Vol. 36 No. 44 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com
North YMCA series builds leadership
Photo courtesy YMCA
Henry Crosby
By Marcia Humphrey Contributing Writer Are you a business owner or professional interested in stimulating discussions related to leadership and business strategies from some of our most dynamic community members? If so, make plans to be at the North Community YMCA Youth and Teen Enrichment Center next week and take advantage of this opportunity to sharpen your personal skill set,
while helping to positively impact the lives of children. On Wednesday, November 10th, from 11:30am-1:00pm, North Community YMCA Youth and Teen Enrichment Center, located at 1711 W. Broadway, Minneapolis, will host its first Business leadership Speaker Series Luncheon. The event will kick off with a brief networking session and the featured speaker will be University of Minnesota Basketball Coach, Tubby Smith. Following the presentation, there
will be a question and answer session. Who is the Y today? According to North Community YMCA director Henry Crosby, this event promises to be the first in a series of relevant and informative networking forums designed to examine issues of interest to business professionals. In addition, Crosby’s goal is to highlight the YMCA’s significance
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Tubby Smith
A Touch of Soul at the Ordway By Chris Garner Contributing Writer A touch of soul was brought to the Ordway October 19 as African American community members gathered for “Taking Our Place Centerstage- A Community Partnership Commitment of the Ordway.” The event was held in conjunction with SoulTouch Productions, St. Paul Foundation, and Ordway
Philip Emeagwali
Flashman Photography
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Doris Hines and her son Gary Hines
Dorothea Burns, Ordway, Board Member and Patricia A. Mitchell, Ordway, President and CEO
Let’s make North High great By Scott Gray President and CEO, Minneapolis Urban League Over the past weeks, the proposed decision by Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson to close North High School in 2014, and perhaps by next summer if enrollment continues to dwindle, has sparked heated debate on both sides. The school district points to dwindling enrollment which is currently hovering at 265 students; soaring per pupil expenditures because of the low enrollment at a school designed for over 1,000 students; and academic underachievement. The community’s response is that the plan to close the city’s oldest high
Scott Gray school seems calculated as feeder elementary and middle schools were closed in recent years, school boundaries redrawn, and little effort was made to determine why parents in growing numbers were sending their children to other schools and limited strategic actions taken to address concerns
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Twins Cities Black Film Festival
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about the long term educational viability of the school. Clearly, both of these viewpoints offer elements of truth and are supported by facts. For instance, findings reports such as the Itasca Project suggest that “to maintain competitive advantage we will need to address the achievement gap and looming workforce shortage.” School district officials correctly assert that one out of every four Minneapolis Public School students, and probably more, will not earn a diploma - resulting in thousands who will face employment challenges in a shifting economy that requires higher order skills. The Economic Policy Institute’s study notes that Minneapolis unemployment rates reflect the highest racial disparity in the nation. All of these viewpoints indicate a critical need
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Newquist helps people learn, navigate information superhighway
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for our community to focus on the greater good when it comes to the North High School issue. Granted, closing the school to the dismay of the community may save the school district money, but in the end, the bigger question must be will the educational outcomes for the students who are forced to attend other schools significantly improve. It is not difficult to close a school, note a tremendous amount of saved dollars, and assert the action was a win-win simply because some of the students may end up at a school with more resources. Closure of a school in any community across this nation is but a surface solution, while too often, root-cause issues which foster these nagging educational gaps never quite make it to the discussion table.
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A Nigeria without oil By Philip Emeagwali Part 3 of 5 Excerpt from Nigeria’s 50th anniversary lecture at the Embassy of Nigeria, Paris. . Lecture video and audio are posted at http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=d1mClXleezY and emeagwali.com. I wish to look back to 1960, and forward to 2060, to share my thoughts about the challenges to, and opportunities for, building a stronger Nigeria through technology. In the past 50 years, Nigeria has grown economically stronger through its use of technology to discover and then recover petroleum. Fifty years ago, Nigeria had only one oil well. Fifty years later, that first oil well is empty and abandoned. Do the math: “How many oil wells will Nigeria have left in 50 years?” Empty oil wells are not abstract, intangible things. They’re as concrete as Nigeria’s first oil well: the Oloibiri well, that now exists only on postcards. We treat our oil wells like we treat snails: We take the flesh and leave
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“Uncle Ron” Washington rises to the top
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the shell. And we leave the shell for our children, and they leave it for their children, who will earn income by converting it into a tourist attraction. Fifty-year-old oil wells are drying up everywhere, from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia to Russia. Perhaps in 50 years, Nigeria will no longer be one of the twelve members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Our petroleum was formed millions of years ago, when our pre-human ancestors crawled on four legs. And today we’ve discovered nearly all the oil that can be discovered. Yet Nigeria’s future is being written by its few oilfields. Oil revenues account for 80 percent of Nigeria’s budget. The nagging question is: What will we do when that 80 percent is gone? What is our Plan B when our Plan A fails? Searching for more oil is not the answer. These are tough questions that we prefer to ignore but our children must answer. To prepare our future leaders for “a world without oil,” I advise newspapers and schools to sponsor essay competitions that ask,
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2010
Voters Guide
Additional statements from the candidates
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Ellison receives 100% rating from the Human Rights campaign US Rep. Keith Ellison (Minneapolis) received a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in its Congressional Scorecard for the 111th Congress. The scorecard rates members of Congress on their support for legislation affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. “I am honored to have my
Specialize, prioritize, capitalize How star performers stay on top Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com One characteristic common to top performers is an ability to set and reach their goals. They don’t have more time than anyone else; they share a clock with the rest of us, a straight-up 24 new hours every day. But they use those hours effectively and that ensures their success. Accomplished professionals know they can’t do it all. They learn to specialize, prioritize and then capitalize in order to succeed. Dr. Anne Moore at Tria keeps my family’s aches and pains at bay --no small feat in a household comprised of avid athletes and old people. People trust Dr. Moore because first, they like her, and, importantly, she specializes: she focuses her professional time and energy on sports medicine. She might also have knowledge about music and art and staining a deck, but if she tried to be an authority on each of those topics, it would hinder her from becoming an expert in the area that matters most to her. By specializing in a specific industry, genre, sport or product, energy and time is invested in developing deeper knowledge, better insights and improved competency in that area. Becoming the goto-guy for a certain type of information strengthens the capacity to take on greater challenges in that area. Specialized does not mean single-minded. Michael Jordan never reached the heights in baseball or golf that he was able to achieve in basketball, but that doesn’t keep him from playing other sports. Specializing means letting someone else pitch, if you’re being paid to catch. It means sometimes you delegate, letting people who specialize differently do their thing for you so that you can do your thing better. Once a specialty reveals itself, prioritize within it. Arrange tasks according to importance or urgency, and tackle each one in order. A salesperson delays writing a report in order to meet a prospective client for lunch. An analyst, on the other hand, will likely postpone a lunch with his buddies because he has to meet a reporting deadline. Star Performers realize that no one is perfect. The pros at the Art Institute of Chicago took a high tech look at Picasso’s paintings and discovered that he changed his paintings numerous times between initial sketch and finished masterpiece. How long did Michelangelo work on the Sistine Chapel? Was it perfect? Did he think so? The difference between the Star Performer and the Average Guy is only partly a difference in God-given gifts; a bigger differentiator is an ability to work for progress, not perfection. Julie Desmond has 15 years recruiting and career counseling experience, and currently leads Job Search workshops in Minneapolis. Please send your job search and career planning questions to julie@insightnews.com.
work in Congress recognized by the tireless advocates for equality at the Human Rights Campaign,” Ellison said. “My life’s work is based on the principle that all Americans, regardless of race, class, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, must be guaranteed equal rights,” Ellison stated. “In light of the recent horrific tragedies within
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US Rep. Keith Ellison
the LGBT community, I can hardly think of a more critical time to combat division and hate by raising a message of equality and inclusion and I thank HRC for their dedication to this work,” Ellison concluded. “Congressman Ellison is a leader on equality issues and rightfully deserves a 100% rating for standing
up time and again for the LGBT community,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “As we work to rid our laws of discrimination and extend basic protections, Congressman Ellison is a true champion,” Solmonese concluded. For each two year session of Congress since 1989, HRC has published a Congressional Scorecard that includes key
Congressional votes and cosponsorship of pro-LGBT legislation. It is a critical tool to assist fair-minded Americans in assessing the relative support or non-support of Members of Congress and to advocate for pro-equality legislation. Congressional scores, including Congressman Ellison’s, can be viewed online at www.hrc.org/scorecard.
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AESTHETICS Twin Cities Black Film Festival showcases unique talent
By Alaina L. Lewis Contributing Writer For years the Twin Cities Black Film Festival has celebrated African Americans in the arts and entertainment field by showcasing movies from around the world that explore and promote our unique cinematic endeavors. This year, the festival, founded by Natalie Morrow eight years ago, brought with it a dynamic opening-night film produced by Effie T. Brown entitled, The Inheritance. This project is one of a few Black horror films which stars Golden Brooks, Darrin Dewitt Henson and Shawn Michael Howard. The feature was made here in Stillwater, MN in 2008. Apart from the usual exploration of urban Hollywood’s best, this year’s festival put an emphatic lens on local talent, which paved footprints towards tomorrow’s greatest filmmakers and their majestic works that gave
Africa From 1 “If you’re an editor who’s been informed that the last oil well in Nigeria has dried up, what headline would you use and what would you say in your editorial?” I posed this same question to my friends and they e-mailed these headlines:
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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Andrew Notsch Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Technology Reporters Shanice Brown Ivan B. Phifer Christopher Toliver Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Brenda Colston Julie Desmond S. Himie Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie Ryan T. Scott Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.
cause for celebration. Tye Green, Lee Jordan and Keelia Washington were on hand to supply the festival with unique pieces that covered a diverse scope of understanding, while also kneeling to the universal voice within all of us. Green premiered her television series TH3M to audiences on the festival’s closing night, and was welcomed by a unanimous applause for her pivotal piece that explores the lives of six dramatically diverse women in the LGBT community. “I wanted it to be seen by a vast majority of African Americans because I feel that often times our community has a preconceived notion of what being lesbian or gay is,” said Green, “I think my film does an incredible job of shedding a defining light on the reality that apart from our sexual orientation, we all love, cry and bleed the same way. We are all people at the end of the day.” TH3M was produced by Angela Barrett, and the film stars
many of our local up and coming artists including Chantel SinGs Katana Matthews, and Constance Anderson. Lee Jordan spent years working for a local casting agency, Walden Entertainment, which put him in the center of some of Minnesota’s finest productions. When he participated in
filmmaking competition presented by the Minneapolis Public Library system he discovered his calling as a writer and director and this, he said, lead to the creation of his film entitled We Turn The Page. “I have 30 grand nieces and nephews who need to learn about their family history as well as their African American history. To me, making films would give
1. “The Goose is Dead.” 2. “The End of Nigeria’s Curse.” 3. “Oil Tanks Exhausted, Think Tanks Needed.” I am forming a think tank that addresses futuristic questions, such as: “What are the challenges to, and opportunities for, a Nigeria without oil?” The answer lies within the soil of our minds. If we do not understand our past we are bound to repeat our mistakes. Africa’s history is more than dusty facts and faded images. Once upon a time, West
Africa was on par with Europe in terms of intellectual capital and development. Ten centuries before Christopher Columbus set sail for the Americas and Mungo Park sought the course of the River Niger, Timbuktu loomed large in the European imagination as one of the most mysterious and remote places on Earth. Timbuktu, which emerged from the River Niger, was a metaphor for the end of the ancient world. Timbuktu was great not because of its petroleum reserves, but because of its unsurpassed intellectual capital and the
collective knowledge and wisdom of its people. Nigeria will join the world’s top 20 economies, not because of its petroleum revenues but through the technological knowledge of future generations. For Nigeria to join the top twenty economies, it must turn its brain drain into brain gain. As a center of intellectual excellence, Timbuktu attracted the best brains and inspired the ancient West African proverb: “Salt comes from the north, gold from the south, and silver from the country of the white man, but the word of God and the
Andrew Durand
Chenea Love Green and Kevin Moore in “A Laugh and a Ponder”
me the opportunity to share that with them in a way that would be entertaining and educational and inspire them to do something positive with their lives,” Jordan said. “With my film, We Turn The Page, I wanted to show audiences a part of our history that gave focus to a time when African American’s weren’t allowed to read, or even go to a library. We’ve come far, and are continuing to meet our challenges with a positive response. Sharing these stories gives us a foundation, and with foundation brings selfesteem. Having a healthy self esteem, and being able to see how you fit into the big picture in life will help us grow and move in the right direction,” he said.l Adhering to the same defining angles, Keelia Washington presented her directorial debut by showcasing her film, Tomorrow’s Mourning, a poignant piece draped in poetry, about one woman’s struggle to pick up the pieces of her heart and keep
her relationship in balance, after miscarrying a child. The film stars actress Chenea Love Green and local hip hop artist Kevin Kaoz Moore. “I wanted to do a piece that encompassed spoken word poetry and also examined the inner struggle a woman and a man go through after a miscarriage,” Washington explained. “I have friends who have had miscarriages and I wanted to help build awareness on the subject, as well as produce a piece that explored the emotional road of how one copes with and overcomes such a tragedy.” With a balance of genres and an array of dynamic pieces, this year’s festival was by far one of the best since its inception. Natalie Morrow should be commended for her continued efforts of fostering the endeavors of Black filmmakers and their desire to tell the world their stories. For more information please visit www.tcbff.com
treasures of truth are found only in Timbuktu. “ For Nigeria to build the Timbuktu of tomorrow and become a top twenty economy, it must control critical technologies, and not merely purchase them. It must turn its brain into brain gain. Nigeria needs men and women of ideas, technological visionaries and futurists, to help its people answer the larger question of who they are, where they’ve been, and where they want to go. It was Britain’s superior maritime technology that enabled it to shape Africa’s
destiny with over 500 years of slave trading and colonization. Slave trade lead to brain drain needed for growth while colonization yielded brain gain that increased development. While the United States was beginning to profit from the brain drain flowing from Europe and Africa, Timbuktu was being physically and intellectually sacked by Moroccan invaders and slave traders from the Americas. Timbuktu lost the human capital needed for growth and development and never recovered as a center of intellectual excellence. Technology will allow Nigeria to do more with less, without depleting its natural resources, but with greater reliance on technology. The future is for us to create, but first we must outline our vision. Foot soldiers, not generals, will lead our war against ignorance. The foot soldiers are our 100 million young Nigerians whose weapon is knowledge. Their collective intellectual capital will enable them to build a stronger Nigeria using technology knowledge. My 50year vision for Nigeria is to tap into the creativity and innovation of our young people. Our young people have the potential to uplift humanity. Technology is all around us and we humans are constantly inventing and reinventing new tools, techniques, and technologies. Our journey of discovery to the frontier of science reaffirms humanity’s goal to endlessly search for new knowledge, and to demand more of itself and its people. Philip Emeagwali has been called “a father of the Internet” by CNN and TIME, and extolled as a “Digital Giant” by BBC and as “one of the great minds of the Information Age” by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. He won the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize, the Nobel Prize of supercomputing, for reprogramming 65,000 subcomputers as an internet that helps recover more oil.
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The pledge to cripple health care for Blacks By Lesley Russell House Republicans’ “Pledge to America” contains one particularly specific public policy proposal worth worrying about—the pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act of 2009. This comprehensive health reform law, designed to fix our broken health care system over the coming decade, in particular provides a unique opportunity to address the health care disparities that African Americans experience from birth to death in the form of higher infant mortality, higher rates of disease and disability, and shortened life expectancy. The “Pledge to America” would replace health care reform with a grab bag of isolated measures that mostly benefit those who already have health care coverage. These piecemeal measures will do nothing to address the hurdles such as lack of health insurance, lack of access
to preventive care, and other barriers that black families face in getting access to the care they need. Let’s take a closer look at their pledge to understand just how devastating their proposals would be to blacks. The pledge will not improve access to health insurance coverage for African Americans Twenty-one percent of African Americans, including 11.5 percent of children, were uninsured in 2009, the last year for which complete data is available. This represents an increase of 818,000 people without insurance over the figures for the previous year. What’s more, African Americans are the least likely to be able to afford insurance. Of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, they are most likely to be poor—26 percent live in poverty—and the median annual income of an African-American household is $17,000 less than that of the average American household.
Conservatives who want to repeal the Affordable Care Act have no plan to expand coverage to help those who cannot afford health insurance. They want to repeal Medicaid expansions, repeal financial help to small businesses struggling with the costs of employee coverage, and repeal the tax subsidies that will help working families
purchase coverage through health insurance exchanges. Their pledge does contain a claim that Republicans will make it illegal for an insurance company to deny coverage to someone with prior coverage on the basis of a preexisting condition, eliminate annual and lifetime spending caps, and prevent insurers from dropping your coverage just because you get sick. They never mention, however, that all of these protections are already enacted in the Affordable Care Act. The pledge will not rein in the excesses of the health insurance industry to protect African Americans Nor will their pledge rein in the excesses of the health insurance industry to protect African Americans—and indeed all Americans—from the excesses of the health insurance industry, which ACA will deal with effectively and fairly in the coming years. Specifically, conservative proposals do nothing to rein in
the discriminatory practices and price-gouging behavior of the health insurance industry, such as those that recently saw one insurer, Anthem Blue Cross of California, attempt to increase premiums by 39 percent in the insurance marketplace for individual insurance policies. What’s more, the pledge would do nothing to ensure that health insurance plans spend premium dollars on health care. In contrast, the Affordable Care Act requires that at least 80 percent of premium costs are returned in benefits. The pledge will not improve access to primary care for African Americans More than a quarter of African Americans do not have a regular doctor, compared with only one-fifth of white Americans. Twenty-two percent of African Americans report having little or no choice in where to seek care, and many of these people end up—inappropriately—in hospital
emergency rooms. A primary care provider and a facility where a person receives regular care substantially improve the health of Americans with access to such care. The Affordable Care Act’s emphasis on primary care will particularly benefit people of color, especially those who live in areas that are currently medically underserved. Conservatives have no plan to improve primary care or increase the primary care workforce. They want to repeal the provisions in the new law that will boost primary care capacity, establish more school-based clinics and more community health centers targeted to the needs of the communities they serve, and develop and expand the socalled medical home model for Medicare and Medicaid patients. Medical homes—health care settings that provide patients with
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Ordway From 1 Center for the Performing Arts in efforts to attract and retain a more diverse crowd to the Ordway. Patricia A. Mitchell, Ordway President and CEO, stated that the Ordway is set out to build relationships and partnerships in ways in which the African American community cannot gain from
Insight News • November 1 - November 7, 2010 • Page 7 the Ordway, but that Ordway can continue to gain from the African American community so that they enrich others on African American culture and talents. In the height of hit performance Lee Breuer and Bob Telson’s The Gospel at Colonus, along with their partnership with Robin Hickman, founder and creator SoulTouch Productions, the Ordway has been compelled to ensure that they increase their African American attendance
as well as engage African American youth and adults in the arts. “We are building on a tradition of engagement and commitment,” said Hickman. “We’re going to take it deeper because that’s what SoulTouch is. When we talk about taking our rightful place center stage, we’re not just talking about coming to the Ordway and taking our place. The Ordway is committed to honoring our center places in the community, our centerstages.”
“Today is about celebrating who we are and coming together and really talking about some things that we need to do to inspire young people,” said Jessica Brooks, Ordway Audience Coordinator. The “working” luncheon, as it was called, gave guests the opportunity to voice their opinions on ways to not only improve African American attendance at the Ordway, but the education of future African American artists to come. Each table was given a set
of key topics to discuss and instructed to identify challenges and opportunities to engage more deeply with the Ordway. Many came to the conclusion that in order to see a true change in how the African American community engages with the Ordway they must encourage the importance of the arts to their peers and influence them to become a part of the enrichment process. The event not only celebrated the work that the Ordway is doing in the
community, but the work of community leaders in the Twin Cities. During the luncheon community members and guests enjoyed inspirational music from jazz great Doris Hines accompanied by her son Gary Hines, founder and creator of The Sounds of Blackness , as well as music from up and coming artist Samia Butler. They also had the chance to partake in food courtesy of Elite Catering and capped the lovely lunch off with cupcakes from Sweet Sylvia.
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Forbes: World’s most powerful women in 2010 (TEWire) - Congratulations to Michelle Obama who ranks #1 as the world’s most powerful woman. Among the Forbes Top 10 most powerful women in the world are
two other sisters: Oprah Winfrey and Beyonce Knowles. Wow! That should make you proud to be a Black woman. Sisters are incredible!
Three out of ten! That’s awesome when you think about the One Nation March (10-2-10) held recently - and many of the programs we often attend - where
not even one Black women’s organization that works for the rights of women and their families had a slot to speak on behalf of Black women at an event billed as “most diverse”. Fortunately, while many people are just talking, the sisters are working! The sisters are studying. The sisters are planning and executing their plans on behalf of our people. Sisters are succeeding often without a lot of help from our other half. We should all encourage our sisters to keep up the great work. We should be proud of these high achieving, high-powered sisters! A little over 40 years ago, Black women could not even vote. We had almost no rights, and
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Michelle Obama
now, we head major corporations. We have thriving businesses across the country. We are media moguls. We are running for more
and more elective offices and winning. We are shining our lights and mentoring our young sisters wherever we are. Dick Gregory often says that the two most powerful forces in the Black community are the Black church and the Black woman. It is fair to ask if the church would survive without the Black woman. Sisters are getting wise about the church, too. We do not just go to church to do all the work for the men anymore. More and more women are heading churches these days. Black women seem to be leaving no stone unturned! Young Black women now have role models in many areas that just a few years ago were not open to them. Top Advisor to the President! Surgeon General! Domestic Policy Advisor! Head of Xerox! First Lady of the United States of America! Also Known as the Most Powerful Woman in the World! How could any Black woman not be proud of how far we have come in such a short time-and under such adverse conditions. No other women have been as denigrated as have Black women. No women have had to work harder or have more demanded of them than Black women-yet, we are making it. We must encourage, strengthen, and support one another, so that we can keep on getting up and moving forward. Every sister should belong to at least one Black women’s organization, so that our collective work can make a greater impact on the quality of life for our communities. We may not make the news on a daily basis, but Black women are making a difference not only in our communities, but also throughout the world. When “Most Powerful Woman in the World” was added to Michelle Obama’s name, every little Black girl in the world had that title potentially added to her name! No gangsta rapper, no male chauvinist of any race, creed or color, no person who engages with just any women other than Black women can ever compete with the title “Most Powerful Woman in the World”. Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women.
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North From 1 In recent years, societal issues have entered into the school yard more intensely, confronting educators with a range of personal, peer, family, environmental, and school risk factors unlike ever before. Consequently, if these risk factors are not countered with asset-building and learning environments that engage students, desired educational goals and preparation for a future career ladder will not be achieved. I believe that the North High School issue presents an opportunity for our community to identify, pilot and reform educational systems and processes ultimately of benefit to all schools in this county. Improving educational outcomes, classroom
Insight News • November 1 - November 7, 2010 • Page 9 learning and student engagement is a challenge facing all schools nationwide whether public, private or charter. Thus, if as a community we can design an educational framework that achieves better results in these areas, then we will finally unlock the pathway to opportunity for more students, today and in the future. Consider the possibilities if all stakeholders decide to focus on creating solutions that address the widespread underachievement that is paralyzing segments of our community. Ponder what could occur if North High School is viewed as an opportunity to test in this current small setting evidencebased learning techniques, innovative curriculum approaches and career development programs that have proven successful in other educational settings. Add greater corporate, parental and community support, the tracking of trends
so that replication opportunities are noted, and certainly, all of this deliberate action will offer answers to educational and learning disparities that go much deeper than the mere closing of a school building. In view of shifting demographics in Minneapolis, and an aging population that will be exiting the workforce in large numbers in years to come, preparing individuals with skill sets essential for full participation in a globalized knowledge economy is a community educational, economic and social issue that must be proactively addressed. As a community, we must unite and hone in on what can work to equip people with essential basic, technical and soft skills that meet employer human resource requirements, now and in years to come. The Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) is not suggesting
that it readily has all the answers (and we all must acknowledge that the challenges and issues facing this school system and others nationwide are multidimensional, even understanding that there are a range of factors not within the direct control of school leaders). Nevertheless, in our own efforts to continuously improve learning outcomes for students who attend MUL schools, students who have not achieved levels of desired success in traditional learning environments, MUL has spent the past months searching for approaches which can better support student success. These strategies certainly could be offered in collaborative partnership with the school district in this quest for solutions to diminish underachievement. Full support to pilot these best-practice educational initiatives can help our community determine how to effectively aid our youth to once
again appreciate learning. For example, MUL is working to create a College Readiness Career Development framework that can help students better understand the relevance of academic disciplines required in school as aligned with higher education and career aspirations. The America’s Career Resource Network Association in its report, The Educational, Social and Economic Value of Informed and Considered Career Decisions, details extensive evidence of benefits gained from career development principles infused throughout the curriculum, especially for students with a range of potential barriers and risk factors. Research shows that identifying career interests, matching the academic requirements to those choices, and determining education and training options allows students to find meaning in their school participation, and even excel. Transitioning from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school presents challenges for some students, and often learning gains are lost during summer recess. It has been noted that the 9th grade can be pivotal for students who may eventually contemplate dropping out of school. As a solution, MUL is creating an 8.5 Program; a summer program for students as they prepare to enter high school. This enrichment program will engage students through sessions focused on financial literacy, career development and future aspirations; introduction to workplace skills and the corporate sector; learning to use technology, while also strengthening basic academic skills. Realizing, as the US Department of Labor reports, that 75% of all jobs will require some level of postsecondary education, MUL is developing its 13th Year program. The MUL 13th Year will blend the completion of high school with college training in targeted occupational clusters so that students will have earned an associate degree or certificate, thus positioned for entry level jobs on their chosen career ladder. During 9th and 10th grades, students will take regular classes; and beginning in 11th grade, co-enrollment would commence blending high school and college classes. The 13th year classes will center on college courses leading to the award of an occupational certificate or
associate degree in a job sector that offers career progression. The 13th Year program would also prepare and encourage students to pursue higher education at local universities in the State of Minnesota. Both of these programs are key elements in MUL’s Project Ready, an intiative which offers students academic, personal and career development support at crucial points in their educational and employability journey. Retooling education in response to both the 21st century challenges and opportunities is necessary if we are to prepare the next generation for the world of work that is evolving all around us. Such initiatives could very well be the solution for North High School and the community it serves. The question surrounding what to do with North High School is not an urban school issue; at its core it is not even an ethnicity issue. This is an educational issue, one that has been allowed to fester much too long nationwide, placing this country at the bottom of lists which compare educational systems amongst developing countries, and on lists which assess math, science and academic achievement globally. Let’s reshape the challenges facing North High School into opportunities for all of our schools. Instead of swiftly closing the school, why not allow a team of education, leadership and quality management evaluators to document strengths as well as opportunities for improvement; then pilot appropriate educational and career development modifications to clearly identify what works, ensuring that the school receives the resources necessary to improve. Lessons learned can then be used to improve educational achievement county-wide, with possible application state and nationwide. North High School affords us an opportunity to use inventive thinking and innovative programs to formulate a strategy aimed at leveling the educational landscape and elevating learning outcomes for more of our students. Instead of closing this school, let’s forge a gateway to boundless opportunity and the greater good. Appropriately, I end with this quote from Booker T. Washington: “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.”
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TECHNOLOGY Broadband Access Project leadership profile
Newquist helps people learn, navigate information superhighway By Ivan B. Phifer MMMC Technology Reporter A graduate from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, with a degree in English and a minor in Art History, Amber Newquist is the Team Lead for the computer centers at Lifetrack Resources and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority: Glendale Townhomes. Lifetrack Resources, 709
University Avenue West, St. Paul, and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority Glendale, 92 St. Mary’s Avenue SE, Minneapolis, are among the 11 partner sites in the University of Minnesota’s innovative Broadband Access Project (BAP). The Broadband Access Project is a $3.6 million initiative of the University’s Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) to improve high-speed internet access, awareness and
use in four federally-designated poverty zones in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Broadband Access Project supports development and enhancement of the 11 community-based public computer centers for underserved populations, including African and African Americans, Latino, Asian/ Pacific Islander immigrants, and American Indians. Newquist’s role is to supervise the apprentices at these centers. Additionally, she trains the apprentice staff and those individuals who step into the computer labs. Prior to this position, Newquist was the Operations Manager for the Art and Architecture Library at the University of Kansas. On April 16 this year, she won the KU Libraries Employee of the month
Health From 6 timely, well-organized care and enhanced access to providers— are associated with a reduction in health care disparities for adults and better access to preventive services. The pledge will not provide better preventive health services for African Americans Chronic diseases, many of them preventable, place a high burden on African-American communities, where 48 percent of adults suffer from a chronic disease compared to 39 percent of the general population. Obesity is debilitating and is often a catalyst to chronic disease. Seven out of 10 African Americans ages 18 to 64 are obese or overweight. As a consequence they are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as whites. In addition, they are more likely to suffer complications from diabetes, such as end-stage renal disease and lower extremity amputations. African Americans
For over 80 years, Hallie Q. Brown has been the Lighthouse of the Community...
...this is why we shine so bright.
The Hallie Q. Brown Early Learning Center is currently accepting applications for enrollment. We are a licensed daycare and preschool program with a 4 Star Parent Aware rating. We feature licensed and trained staff, Project Early Kindergarten (PEK) curriculum and a sliding fee scale. We gladly accept Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Contact us today for a tour and more information. Hallie Q. Brown Community Center 270 N. Kent Street St. Paul, MN 55102 651-224-4601 www.hallieqbrown.org
award. But of her present role she says, “It stood out to me because it was helping the community.” Earlier Newquist worked as a supervisor in the Learning
and Technology Service Center at her school. She supervised student employees. She provided maintenance for computers. She trained faculty one-on-one— often in emergency situations. This experience has helped her awareness of the Broadband Access Project (BAP), while, in her own words, “My degree helps me write and communicate efficiently.” Newquist sees BAP and her role in it as beneficial to the communities: “Because we are bringing technology to groups of people that may not have had access to it before.” Quoting the testimony of an individual who had benefited from BAP, she says, “At Lifetrack Resources the other day, I had a guy tell me how great it was to have the lab there because the library limits them
to one hour. And he said, ‘It can take me more than an hour to fill out a job application. It is very helpful because not only can I stay for longer than an hour, but the apprentices can help me as I continue to apply for jobs.’” Newquist brings her unique social experience to the Broadband Access Project, having always been in a position where she interacted, on a one-on-one basis, with either the public, or members of a University committee. Currently she is also looking at her higher education options. “I’m trying to decide if I do go back what it would be for. It may be another bachelors, or masters. It may be related to something more technical,” she said.
experienced 29 percent higher death rates from cardiovascular disease than white adults, and 40 percent higher death rates from stroke. Their age-adjusted death rate for cancer is approximately 25 percent higher than for white Americans, primarily due to late diagnosis. Black women are less likely to receive prenatal care in the first months of pregnancy and older African Americans are far less likely to receive pneumonia or flu shots. African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV in the United States. Better access to prevention and early interventions would help keep the African-American population healthier throughout their lives. Yet conservatives would repeal the provisions in the Affordable Care Act that will enhance preventive care and remove the co-payments and deductibles for approved preventive services such as immunizations, screening for colorectal cancer and diabetes, and mammograms. Among the programs that Republicans want to repeal are demonstration projects
to develop comprehensive models for reducing childhood obesity, and increased funding for a nurse home-visiting program to help improve the health and well-being of mothers and their children. The pledge will not improve the lower health quality and health care disparities that African Americans experience African Americans are less likely than white Americans to get timely access to care and good quality care, and may face some inherent biases within the health care system. Defining and measuring health care disparities is a prerequisite for understanding and addressing them. If the Republicans repeal the new health care law, they will repeal requirements that federally funded programs collect and report data on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health literacy, and primary language, using methodologies that will ensure health care disparities can be measured. They will also undo the provisions that establish the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services and a network
of minority health offices located within HHS that elevate the Office of Minority Health at the National Institutes of Health directly into the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Suluki Fardan
Amber Newquist
Conclusion The Affordable Care Act makes significant advances for African Americans’ health coverage, quality of care, and access to health care services. It represents an important milestone toward the ultimate goal of eradicating racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care in the United States. House Republicans’ “Pledge to America” represents a devastating rollback of much-needed changes to our nation’s health care system—a step backward that will ensure that African Americans continue to receive poorer care and live in poorer health than the rest of the nation. Lesley Russell is a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. To read more about the Center’s analysis of the Affordable Care Act go to the Health Care page of our website.
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Insight News • November 1 - November 7, 2010 • Page 11
SPORTS “Uncle Ron” Washington rises to the top
Three African-American men have managed a team in the World Series. Ron Washington, the most recent of the three (including Cito Gaston and Dusty Baker), is leading the Texas Rangers through the big show, and for everyone’s viewing pleasure, he’s taking a few familiar spirits with him: the spirits of imperfection, honesty and hard, diligent work. From the first moment that the Insight News primary target market saw, or sees, Ron Washington on their HD television screens, they may have to do a double-take to make sure that Washington is not their long lost relative. If Washington doesn’t look like everyone’s favorite “Uncle Ron” while he stands there in the dugout flipping sunflower seeds off of his lips, then collard greens ain’t good.
You can feel a genuine feeling jumping off of the screen when watching Washington, and his players confirm that observation in what they have to say about him. Trust, respect, aggressive, and fundamental are the words that come from Washington’s players and fellow coaches, with regard to his treatment of them, as well as his coaching style. “I just let them go,” says Washington. As a matter of fact, the Ron Washington original BlackEnglish statement, “That’s the way baseball go” has been turned into a fan and media slogan for t-shirts and such. Now who doesn’t want to play for the cool Brotha that sports lean, tinted specs, a seventies Shaft-style mustache, coolly flips sunflower seeds while strategizing through the game, and says, “That’s the way baseball go”? That may not sound like one of your uncles, but it sounds like a few of mine. It’s ideal that Washington is the leader of this Rangers team, as the team is built of several players considered troublesome by other outfits. None of the redeemed stars of the Rangers is more celebrated than their best
YMCA
result in stronger community relations.
From 1
What is the Y’s core focus? Crosby stresses that the YMCA’s focus --youth development, social responsibility, and healthy lifestyles-- remains unchanged and is growing even stronger. He proudly adds that his facility has the distinction of being the first of its kind; it is the only YMCA in the nation whose primary emphasis is on children. Rather than being an adult swim and fitness facility, the North Community YMCA offers a progressive after-school program, designed to be an intervention resource and to give kids constructive after school options. The program’s structure, which also includes tutoring, ensures that homework completion
Mr. T’s Sports Report By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com
within the community; not only to youth and their families, but to local businesses and civic organizations as well. He explains, “(As an organization, we are) focused primarily on being a better community citizen and serving people…” Crosby readily acknowledges that for his vision to be fully realized it will require broadening partnerships and making new connections within the community. This is why he is opening the doors of his organization for professionals to enjoy lunch together, and engage in beneficial conversations that will ultimately
Wikimedia Commons
Ron Washington
player Josh Hamilton. Hamilton is a recovering alcoholic and drug abuser. During the American League Championship Series in which the Rangers defeated the much disfavored (in Minnesota) New York Yankees, Hamilton was selected MVP, and his teammates held an initial locker room celebration in which they showered ginger ale rather than the traditional champagne, in his honor (of course they broke out the “loose juice” later on, but it’s the thought that counts). I’m always good to insert a movie quote that fits (a girl told me that is prioritized. After homework, children have the opportunity to rotate through various activities throughout the week, such as arts and crafts, computer lab, technology, music production, swimming and gym time. What is the Y’s role in strengthening the community? Crosby enthusiastically explains that, in addition to serving kids, the North Community YMCA is also fast becoming a valuable resource for organizations desiring to host events. Various foundations and civic organizations, including United Healthcare, and Minneapolis Foundation, are already using the facility regularly. Crosby anticipates this interest will continue to grow, especially as events like the Leadership Speaker
only dudes do that…call me a dude), and in this case “Attitude reflects leadership,” from the movie ‘Remember the Titans’, fits like a hush puppy. It takes the “cool uncle” type of leadership that Washington provides to engender that type of considerate team attitude. Washington’s attitude comes from a genuine place. It is likely that in viewing the World Series we will not only hear about Hamilton’s former drug abuse, but about the honest admission from Washington of having used cocaine during the 2009 season. Uncle Ron isn’t perfect, but he sure is honest and genuine, and the management of the Rangers couldn’t get around the feelings that Washington’s better angels promote. During a period in sports and society where there is all too much tidal wave-like pouncing upon the occasional slips of imperfect human words and actions, the Rangers did the right thing with regard to Washington’s admission, and are reaping the righteous – not selfrighteous – rewards. As far as Washington’s in-game abilities to manage, he has brought the attitude of Series, bring increased traffic. He’s the first to admit that he wants to show off his beautiful facility to the business community so they can see, firsthand, that North Community YMCA is an ideal venue for business meetings and professional functions. Don’t miss your opportunity to attend the Business Leadership Speaker Series Luncheon on Wednesday, November 10th, from 11:30am-1:00pm. Individual tickets may be purchased for $50 and ten-seat corporate tables are available for $500. Not only will you gain personal and professional insight, a portion of the ticket amount is tax-deductible helps to continue the work of enriching the lives of young people. For additional information, contact Henry Crosby at (612) 588-9484 at
doing the right thing on the field to a team that historically has embraced the “everything is big in Texas” attitude of the team’s history. Washington brought the mind frame and flexibility of “small ball” to the Rangers, and combined it with their build for powerful pitching and big home runs. “Whatever the game asks you to do, that’s Rangers baseball,” said Washington. The result of Washington’s all around management approach is the Texas Rangers’ first birth
into the World Series. It certainly could be that Washington gained strong influence of his approach to management during the longest stop of his playing career. Naturally, that stretch of time was with the Minnesota Twins, from 1981-1986. And with his warm, “keep it real” nature, it’s no wonder Washington originally hails from New Orleans. I keep telling you all that there’s something in the (Mississippi) water. Here’s to “Uncle Ron”.
Page 12 •November 1, 2010 - November 7, 2010 • Insight News
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Manufacturing careers website offers resources for job seekers, educators Students, job seekers and teachers interested in exploring careers in manufacturing have a new online resource: www. MNManufacturingCareers.org. “Visitors to the Minnesota Manufacturing Careers website will be able to research manufacturing careers, learn about education options and find manufacturing employers,” said
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Dan McElroy. “In addition, educators will find an abundance of resources and creative ideas for guiding student exploration and inciting interest in manufacturing.” Minnesota Manufacturing Careers is a part of ISEEK, Minnesota’s comprehensive career, education
and job resource. DEED supplied manufacturing-related labor market information and salary information. MinnesotaWorks.net, the state’s job bank, partnered with ISEEK to promote manufacturing jobs, internships, apprenticeships and volunteer opportunities on the manufacturing portal. Minnesota Manufacturing Careers
was funded by the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association and Metro Alliance for Customized & Continuing Education. For more information about manufacturing in Minnesota, fast facts, event-planning ideas and education, go to: www.tinyurl.com/ MNManufacturersWeek. DEED is the state’s principal
economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit www.PositivelyMinnesota.com.
New grantmaking guidelines for unrestricted and field of interest funds The Saint Paul Foundation new grant guidelines highlight its continued commitment to the broad East Metro community. Rather than narrowing its grant guidelines to focus only on specific sectors or issues, The Saint Paul Foundation has revised its grant guidelines to better include and reflect the diversity and breadth of services that are critical for creating a vibrant East Metro community. “Our new grant guidelines reflect the inter-connected nature of our
Calendar Kwanzaa Community Church: One ministry, two locations Kwanzaa Community Church, PCUSA has moved from 2100 Emerson Ave. N. into a new church building in the Folwell and McKinley neighborhoods. The new church location is at 3700 Bryant Ave. N. in Minneapolis. Last Sunday October 31, Kwanzaa Community Church held its first worship service at the new building. The new sanctuary allows plenty of room for growth. “Through the gift of an additional church building, we were blessed with the uncommon opportunity to expand our ministries. We are now in the unique position of being one church with two buildings; enabling us to introduce our ministries to a larger part of the Northside, including the McKinley and Folwell neighborhoods,” said the Rev. Alika Galloway, CoPastor of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa Community Church is the only African American Presbyterian church in the state of Minnesota. Kwanzaa is a radically welcoming church, committed to the liberation of mind, body and spirit for all of God’s children.
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community and philanthropy,” said Scott Jones, board chair of The Saint Paul Foundation. “Today, nonprofits do not typically operate in silos; they operate across sectors, and we have reflected this in our newly defined and broadly inclusive grant areas.” The grant guidelines will be used for decisions made at the April 2011 meeting. Applications to be considered for the April 2011 grant round should be received before or close to January 1, 2011. The Foundation’s grantmaking
remains focused on Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties. “We remain unflaggingly committed to the community of Saint Paul and surrounding areas,” said Carleen Rhodes, president and CEO of The Saint Paul Foundation. “With dedication to our local community, we will continue to support the many different causes, issues, and initiatives that help create a vibrant community.” To help the nonprofit community understand the refinements to its grant
PHONE: 612.588.1313
Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, andrew@insightnews. com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Andrew Notsch. Free or low cost events preferred.
Events Come and See Weekend with the Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis - Nov 5-6 — Are you a faith-filled woman interested in working towards social justice? Are you being called to an urban monastic experience? Explore life at an urban monastery with the Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis, MN. Women ages 18-45 are invited to join the Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis, MN for their Come and See Weekend, Nov.5-6. 1527 Fremont Ave. N., Mpls, MN 55411 Contact: Sister Katherine Mullin, mullinkf@aol.com Christian Meditation: Saturday Morning Meditation - Nov 6, 13 & 20 — These one and a half hour meditation
guidelines, The Saint Paul Foundation will be hosting a webinar on Monday, November 1, 2010. Information about the webinar, along with details about the new grant guidelines, is available at www.saintpaulfoundation.org. The Saint Paul Foundation is the community foundation for Saint Paul and surrounding areas. It connects and supports donors, nonprofits and partners to enrich lives and communities through philanthropy. Since 1940, The Saint Paul Foundation has granted more than
FAX: 612.588.2031
sessions include a short reading or teaching from The Cloud of Unknowing, a book about the quest for God, as well as two 25 minute sitting meditations and a walking meditation. FREE 1890 Randolph Ave., St. Paul. For more information or to register for a class: www.wisdomwayscenter.org Annual Holiday Bazaar at Luther Memorial - Nov 6 — Beautiful handmade gift items. Homemade baked goods. Men’s Corner with tools and more. Granny’s Attic with gently used household items. Café Stuga with great food, including our new menu item the Hmong Delight meal. Fresh homemade eggrolls. Sat. Nov. 6th Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Ave. N., 55412. Vessels of Valor - Arising and Shining in God’s Glory - Nov 6 — Guest speaker Bishop Keith Jenkins. Nov. 6 @ Harvestime Global Ministries, 7308 Aspen Ave. N. Brooklyn Park, MN. 2:30pm with reception to follow. Please RSVP by Oct. 30, contacting Prophetess R’Gina R. Sellers at 952.846.9579 or
$600 million to nonprofit organizations contributing to the health and vitality of the community. In partnership with Minnesota Community Foundation which has granted more than $140 million to nonprofit organizations since 1949, the two Foundations strive to create vibrant communities where all people can find hope and opportunity. For more information, visit www. saintpaulfoundation.org.
EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com
email: celebrations22@aol.com African Origins of Civilization - Nov 6 — Join us on Sat. Nov. 6 as Brother Ashra Kwesi presents “African Origins of Civilization” at Best Academy 1300 Olson Memorial Highway, Mpls MN admission is $5.
MN 55107. More details at cherokeeparkunited.org.
www.
Attend City Meeting to Have Your Voice Heard - Nov 9 — Do you want your voice to be heard? Attend one of the city meetings on Tue., Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Village Creek Community Police Station. The meeting will give members of the Brooklyn Park community the chance to provide input on the redesign of street banners and also about opportunities to enhance public spaces. At Village Creek Community Police Station; 7608 Brooklyn Blvd.
Africans in the Bible Who Shaped Our Faith” Bible Study - Nov. 7, 14, 21 & 28 — Cherokee Park United Church will host a bible study “Africans in the Bible Who Shaped Our Faith” on Sundays November 7, 14, 21, and 28, from 6-7:30 p.m. Child care available by registering in advance. To Hallie Q. Brown register, contact Community Center Pastor Tim Substitute Teacher Johnson at 651227-4275 or DEPT: Early Learning Center cpuc@usfamily. SUPERVISED BY: Youth Program Manager net. Cherokee TITLES SUPERVISED: N/A Park United FLSA: Non-Exempt SALARY GRADE: $10-13/hour Church, 371 Baker St W (1/2 POSITION SUMMARY: block east of This is a substitute position designed to fill in as needed on a short or long term basis for permanent teaching staff. Substitute Teacher parSmith), St. Paul, ticipates in long and short range activities for students in accordance with curriculum objectives and engages students in developmentally appropriate activities. Assists with ensuring that the classroom is appropriately staffed and maintained to provide a safe and secure environment for each child.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Works with teaching staff to implement program curriculum and coordinate students activities. 2. Plans and supervises the arrangement of the classroom environment in accordance to program goals and philosophy. 3. Maintains a safe and healthy environment, including safely managing developmental activities for the participants. 4. Keeps all appropriate records such as records, attendance, time sheets and accident reports. 5. Maintains open communication with parents/guardians of the program participants regarding the developmental needs of the participants. QUALIFICATIONS: Education: Associates degree or equivalent in early childhood development. B.S. in Early childhood Development preferred. Licensing and Certifications: CPR and Meet all applicable licensing regulations. Valid Driver’s License and proof of insurance. Minnesota Teachers’ License (preferred). Work Experience: 5 years of Child Care Center or related experience required. Other Requirements: • Dealing with confidential information. • Tight deadlines. • Dealing with unfavorable weather conditions. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Ability to work effectively with employees, colleagues and manager. • Agree to mandated child abuse reporting guidelines. • Ability to relate to children from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements and references to: Hallie Q. Brown Community Center ATTN: Human Resources 270 N. Kent Street Saint Paul, MN 55102 651-224-7074-Fax hr@hallieqbrown.org
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Insight News • November 1 - November 7, 2010 • Page 13
INSIGHT NEWS
Boyd Morson
Voters Guide Mark Stenglein
Gail Dorfman
Brooklyn Park Central District City Council
Hennepin County Commissioner 2 nd District
Hennepin County Commissioner 3 rd District
Boyd Morson BP-when you’re caught in the crevices of life, our decisions and choices are gifts to our children for generations to come. Yet, most of our decisions and choices are made by elected officials who unfortunately care more for themselves, their self interests, and/or special interests than for humanity. Meanwhile our seniors and retirees on fixed incomes and middle class families are truly struggling to survive as they juggle to pay utilities/ bills, and property taxes. With state cuts, off-the-chart unemployment, loss of jobs, foreclosures and decreasing property values. This is our time, our opportunity to rise above these challenges and re-ignite our spirit of Brooklyn Park going beyond race and ethnicity. Out of our decisions and choices we can regain humanity and find our identity and self-worth in collaborative relationships with each other. It’s Time and Yes- I’m Ready
Mark Stenglein I’m eager to continue listening and collaborating with you to find innovative solutions to the issues facing our neighborhoods. I’ve worked hard at building coalitions and strong working relationships with the community, and our partners at the city, state and federal level. Projects like the Lowry Avenue Corridor renovation, the new Lowry Avenue Bridge, NorthPoint, increased library hours, Target Field, and the future Heritage Commons Public Housing complex are the result of those effective partnerships. I will continue to work on strategic projects like the Bottineau Transitway to expand transportation options and access to jobs. Hennepin County is partnering with school districts to leverage resources to increase graduation rates and ensure, from early childhood to postsecondary, all kids get a quality education and graduate from high school. Working together we can create opportunities to improve lives and make our community a great place to live, work and play.
Gail Dorfman Democratic-Farmer-Labor As county commissioner, I have worked hard to deliver real results for our communities – to end homelessness, develop a transit system for the future, build health communities and provide access to services for people in need. I seek reelection because these are tough times and our work is far from done. We face significant challenges; challenges that require hard work, experience, an understanding of our community and fierce determination. I am more committed than ever to work with residents, business owners and community leaders to overcome these challenges and to continue to deliver real results for Hennepin County. I respectfully ask for your support on November 2nd.
State Auditor Pat Anderson Republican The State Auditor is the Taxpayers’ Watchdog. We work directly for the taxpayer
2010 Part 2
Pat Anderson
Rich Stanek
Toni Carter
ferreting out waste, fraud and abuse in government spending. And right now, we need a strong, active watchdog watching out for your tax money. The state is broke and facing a 20% gap in it’s next budget. This is an unprecedented shortfall between proposed spending and tax revenues. Most of those dollars are passed down to local units of government (schools, counties and cities). We need an active Auditor, clear thinker and problem solver who is not afraid to lay out issues and propose potential solutions. Unlike the current Auditor, I have saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars which is why I have been endorsed by most newspapers over the current incumbent. My goal is to bring fiscal responsibility to government, to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
view their work not simply as a profession, but as public service, are connected to the community, and work closely with community leaders. I have been a law enforcement officer for 27 years, and always have worked in service to the residents. For 4 years the Sheriff’s Office and local police have partnered to target violent crime, especially the lethal combination of guns, gangs, kids, and drugs. From Dec.2006 to Dec.2009, we reduced violent crime by more than 25%, but violent crime is back on the rise. I will target violent crime through collaborative prevention and intervention. I will advocate for public safety funding as a budget priority, because it’s a core function of government. Crime prevention reduces costs across criminal justice agencies, and the overall cost of government.
Hennepin County Sheriff
Ramsey County Commissioner 4 th District
• supporting Central Corridor LRT into construction, with the three essential stations along University, and initial parking and business mitigation options in place; • streamlining access, i.e. simplifying childcare applications to help adolescent mothers complete school; • implementing juvenile detention alternatives – maintaining safety and improving youth outcomes (detention center population reduced 69% since 2005 / 66% for youth of color); • preserving core services while maintaining excellent financial ratings; and • redesigning services for enhanced outcomes, sustainability and equity. Additional priorities for upcoming years include helping people find/keep good living wage jobs; attending to our fragile safety net; and collaborative and aligned planning in major community initiatives, i.e. Promise Neighborhood and Sustainable Communities. I’ll continue to work resourcefully toward Ramsey County and metropolitan area goals of health, well-being and growing achievement and prosperity for all.
Rich Stanek There’s a natural connection between being a law enforcement officer and serving in elected office. In my view, the best officers
W. (Toni) Carter As Commissioner for Ramsey County District 4 I’ve worked for positive and cost-effective solutions, including:
Page 14 • November 1 - November 7, 2010 • Insight News
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