‘The Rand Report’ Archives
The Rand Report: Why were homeless misplaced during Glow?
By Rand Retterath Rand Retterrath On July 27, 2019 large portions of the Midtown Greenway were cleared for an event. Care to know what it was? It was the Midtown Greenway Coalition Greenway Glow 2019. Through registration, ticket and alcohol sales, pledges and more they raised nearly $23,000. They say it is for the “Greenway.” PLEASE do not be confused! The money goes directly to the Greenway Coalition EXCLUSIVELY. Care to know what was cleared? People were cleared, homeless people as well as their possessions. I have a problem with that. Many years ago, the Executive Director looked me in the eye and said, “Unlike some, we do not think homelessness is a crime.” Apparently, that is true only as long as they are not seen. One week later, the Powderhorn 24 took place. They found an ability to co-exist over the course of the 24 hour event and set up / clean up periods. Local residents grudgingly find ways to deal with trash, [...]
The Rand Report: Join neighborhood board
By Rand Retterath Rand Retterrath I invite all of you to participate in your neighborhood organizations. For me it is Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association Inc. Others in the area include East Phillips Improvement Coalition (EPIC), Phillips West Neighborhood Organization (PWNO), Ventura Village, and Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization (CANDO). MPNAI is a volunteer-based community organization advocating for a vibrant, safe, and healthy neighborhood. MPNAI partners with 7 local neighborhood non-profits to implement a variety of projects We also partner with CANDO, EPIC and PWNO. Our annual events include Phillips Clean Sweep, National Night Out, Midtown Festival at Open Streets, and an Annual Community Meeting and Dinner. MPNAI has financially supported KRSM Radio, MadDads, New American Youth Soccer Club, Somali TV, St Paul Arts, Phillips Aquatics Centerand others. Currently, we are working on a traffic flow analysis. MPNAI [...]
Cano: Here are four things to do to show we all matter
By Rand Retterath Rand Retterrath This issue I”™d like to focus on a comment made regarding my 2020 article. Nicole H. posted this response to that article: “This is such a crock. Neighborhoods are not representative of their residents (say what?). The city is requiring work to be done to get money. You act like the money is expected or entitled. (This isn”™t for me personally, it”™s for the communities and part of the participative government experience that has existed in this city for decades.) ”¦. You should write about how the white power base are losing power and have created false narratives. Every single one of your points can be argued yet you will never see it because you are full of the kool-aide. (I assume she means that I am white and it mitigates my ability to understand much of anything.) I agree with Nicole. I should talk about the white power base losing power; we all should. But to do that means that we must [...]
