the alley Newspaper | News & Views of Phillips Since 1976

City Council Candidate Questionnaire

Written by the alley on 01 October 2021

This year, the alley asked the City Council candidates who want to represent Phillips in City Hall some questions about issues that are important to the people of Phillips. These questions were adapted from suggestions by Phillips residents and alley contributors.

Adapted Minneapolis City Hall photograph, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Micahmn/photos

The alley reached out multiple times to all candidates running for Ward 6 and Ward 9 City Council. Candidates were given a deadline for responses as well as a word limit.

We received completed questionnaires from three Ward 9 Candidates: Jason Chavez, Mickey Moore, and Brenda Short. We received no responses from candidates running for Ward 6 City Council. Responses from candidates are presented in alphabetical order and have not been edited.

Ward 9

1. How long have you lived in Ward 9? What do you love about Phillips?

Jason Chavez: I was born and raised in the East Phillips Neighborhood located in the 9th Ward. What I love about the Phillips Neighborhoods is its diversity, culture, and perseverance despite the obstacles. Displacement, pollution, and hardship are all too familiar here, but we always have the determination to fight back to get on our feet. The people in the Phillips Neighborhoods are what the community looks like, strong, courageous, and friendly. … Read the rest “City Council Candidate Questionnaire”

Wouldn’t it be Good? Yeah, But it Isn’t

Written by the alley on 01 October 2021

By MARTI MALTBY

Those of you who have read these columns regularly have probably noticed that I like quoting songs, books, plays and anything else that strikes me. Yesterday I watched a clip from the Live Aid concert in 1985 and heard Nik Kershaw sing “Wouldn”™t It Be Good”. I don”™t know what he had in mind when he wrote the song, but on that day the song took on new meaning. Live Aid was, after all, a worldwide fundraiser to deal with a famine that was devastating Ethiopia and killing millions. Kershaw sang:

Wouldn’t it be good to be in your shoes
Even if it was for just one day?
Wouldn’t it be good if we could wish ourselves away?
Wouldn’t it be good to be on your side?
The grass is always greener over there
Wouldn’t it be good if we could live without a care?

This was just the chorus. The verses add even more poignancy as they are sung by someone who is suffering an unknown fate, and are addressed to anyone who has better life. Kershaw may have felt like he was singing on behalf of the starving millions to the billions who had enough t at least survive, or he may just have been singing his current hit single, but either way, the song has an eternal resonance.… Read the rest “Wouldn’t it be Good? Yeah, But it Isn’t”