‘Letter to the Editor’ Archives
Awards Neglect Community Newspaper Excellence
It is a disservice to the public that the Page One Awards (recently taking place) don't acknowledge community newspaper excellence. As an alley contributor who has written for a handful of community papers over three decades, this publication is an oasis. To be sure, while its activist bent is clearly leftist, editorial integrity avoids the pitfall of being de facto propaganda. Rather than forward a publisher's vested agenda, the alley holds the community's well being first and foremost, informing and acting on behalf of the same. It does readers immense good to remain in existence all these years. Dwight Hobbes Editors’ Note: Page One Awards contest is an annual event put together by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists. The awards contest recognizes and celebrates outstanding journalism in Minnesota. Learn more about the event and the worthy winners at https://www.mnspj.org/2025/06/26/mnspj-2025-page-one-awards-winners/.
Letter to the Editor: Cartoonist Delight!
Kudos to the alley editorial staff for publishing Fire Boy by Jude Anikpo. We’re delighted to see another comic gracing these pages!Jude’s action-packed, nicely-designed panels are inspiring and fun. We hope other artists will be encouraged to share their creative work with the neighborhood – we know you’re out there!In the meantime, we eagerly await Fire Boy II. Dave Moore & Linnea HadawayEast Phillips
Encampment Safety: Is Private Security Really a Solution?
from Letter to the Editor The vital issue of security at homeless camps in our city is finally being raised by the City Council Public Safety Committee. The Public Safety Committee is tasked with a difficult job, made more challenging through past neglect of issues. The attention of the new members of the Public Safety Committee to the difficult problems posed by homelessness is appreciated. A proposed solution is to hire private security. Would the security at the camps be armed, and if so what would their liability be? What kind of complaint system and accountability will these private security guards be held to? Recently a man was shot and killed in one of the Nenookaasi Camps. The threat was known by camp members and police. The police did not try to intervene or de-escalate in any way. How will using private security be better than a professionally trained MPD officer? If the MPD can’t get it right, why do we think private security is the answer? Even considering [...]
