‘Cover Stories’ Archives
MAIC nears modernization
by Lee Egerstrom Editor”'s note: Reprinted courtesy of The Circle. The Minneapolis American Indian Center (MAIC) launched a major fundraising drive in January for new roofing, other repairs, and to make improvements to help the center provide services for the community. Mary LaGarde, the MAIC”'s executive director, said in late December she was still assembling a committee of civic officials, American Indian leaders and other backers to conduct the drive. The center has secured $5.5 million of the $15.2 million project, LaGarde said. That includes $5 million provided by the Minnesota Legislature in the past year”'s State Bonding Bill and a $500,000 grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation. Most of the project involves modernizing equipment, such as electrical, heating and air conditioning, and repair or replacement of the leaking roof. The center, at 1530 E. Franklin Ave., was built in 1975 and shows the impact of more than 40 years of [...]
INSTRUMENT OF CHANGE
Outgoing Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin reflects on public service Tesha M. Christensen“I feel good looking around at all the things I helped do,” observed Hennepin County District 4 Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, who left office in December 2018 after 28 years of service. “The county is a pretty amazing instrument and I”'ve put energy into making it an instrument of change.” by TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN EDITOR”'S NOTE: This is part one of a two-part series that originally appeared in the Longfellow/Nokomis Messenger. When outgoing Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin drives through the district he”'s served for 28 years, he”'s proud of the work he”'s accomplished. “I feel good looking around at all the things I helped do,” observed McLaughlin, who lives in Standish-Ericsson a few blocks from the train station at 46th and Hiawatha. “The county is a pretty amazing [...]
Residents storm city hall to protest
Phillips community not given a voice at meetings on public works expansion BRAD PASSAs part of a protest by Phillips residents who have been ignored by city staff and council members, a Native American Drum group performed a prayer and request for understanding prior to the Transportation and Public Works Committee meeting on Dec. 4, 2018. Throughout this process, the city has ignored its own principals and civic engagement, and sought to railroad its own plans for the neighborhood. by Carol Pass, EPIC Board president Neighborhood residents continue to oppose the city”'s plans to expand its public works facility into the Roof Depot/Sears site in Phillips neighborhood (1860 E. 28th St.) that would further increase pollution and illness in the area. Instead, they support a plan fashioned by local residents themselves that bring jobs, affordable housing, an indoor aquaponics urban farm, solar energy, and a bike repair shop to the location along the Midtown [...]
