In Memory of Jeff Veigel, A Community Treasure
Minneapolis recently lost a cherished community member, Jeff Veigel, co-owner of Isles Bun and Coffee — home of the beloved Puppy Dog Tail. Jeff passed away in April, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, generosity, and the world’s best cinnamon rolls.
Jeff and his wife, Catherine, have owned and nurtured Isles Bun into more than just a neighborhood bakery. Featured recently in the Star Tribune for their irresistible cinnamon rolls, the shop has long been a gathering place for East Isles locals and visitors from across the Twin Cities. But it wasn’t just the baked goods that brought people in — it was the atmosphere Jeff helped create: welcoming, joyful and full of life.
Jeff’s smile greeted generations of patrons, many of whom became friends. He and Catherine have been tireless supporters of the local community, always showing up, always giving back. The warmth of their shop reflects the warmth of their hearts.
As we mourn Jeff’s passing, we also celebrate the joy he brought to our community. His spirit lives on in the cozy hum of Isles Bun and in every shared coffee, every gooey Puppy Dog Tail, every neighborly chat.
Our hearts go out to Catherine, the staff, and the whole Isles Bun family. Thank you for sharing Jeff with us. He will be dearly missed — but never forgotten.
Mike Erlandson | East Isles
Correction
I wanted to send a quick correction regarding the April Fools piece “Making Uptown Great Again.”
The story about MyPillow moving into the old Urban Outfitters space is slightly off — it’s actually the old Victoria’s Secret location.
Michael Latour | Lowry Hill
Rise Up Revealed
Thank you for your timely and comprehensive article on the status of the YWCA in Terry White’s piece, “The Rise Up Center Has Yet to Rise!”
All my neighbors have been trying to figure out what is happening and why there has not been progress. I texted and emailed your detailed article to multiple folks.
FYI — it easily could have been the front page story. Your newspaper has become a key source of local information for my household.
Terry Harris | East Bde Maka Ska
Wow — brilliant piece.
Your article “Making Uptown Great Again” is exactly the kind of polished garbage that keeps this place broken. But hey — April Fools, right? That’s the excuse? Because nothing says comedy like mocking a community that’s still bleeding.
Because what Uptown really needs right now is to be held down and brutalized just a little bit more, right? Maybe throw in a few more kicks while it's down. That’ll fix everything. Maybe that’s your version of "restoring order?”
The way you framed this whole mess — Uptown didn’t fall apart in a vacuum. It was crushed under the weight of a system that let a man die under someone’s knee, and then tried to pretend everything could go back to “normal.”
Eric Rech | Wedge
Dearest Dorothy
Every Dorothy Richmond column is a delight. I’m a sucker for an engaging personal essay, and Dorothy’s never disappoint.
They’re deliciously candid, succinct, frequently droll, sometimes touching.
Her most recent contribution — about a youthful friendship with an older gentleman who shared her passion for the written word — was the best yet. I was impressed — but not surprised — to learn that its author was mad for H.L. Mencken, whose sardonic take on the human comedy is often evident in Dorothy’s prose.
How fortunate for Mr. Gurman and Dorothy Richmond that God allowed both to play a long-ago and long-running proverbial chess match. Winners all ‘round, including those of us who could read about it years later.
Susan C. Jones | Kenwood
Mahalo from Minneapolis!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Herb Wilson’s letter to the editor last month, “Aloha from Volcano.”
Since his son, Craig, took over as editor, I find myself reading the paper cover to cover. He has elevated the Hill & Lake Press to new heights — it truly is a gem for our neighborhood.
His father said it best when he wrote that, under his son’s leadership, the paper chronicles “the present, while celebrating the past and charting the future.”
Keep up the good work, Craig. I’m a fan — and I can now say I know someone who’s a Native Hawaiian!
Lori Mittag | Kenwood
Why is “Republican” Elizabeth Shaffer Asking for the DFL Endorsement?
As the former Minneapolis DFL Vice Chair and small business owner, I think the city is better off when Republicans run for office in Minneapolis. A diversity of thought is healthy, and it’s also beneficial for DFL candidates to be able to differentiate their progressive ideals against conservative candidates. However, when a Republican runs for office, they should run as a Republican … not as a Democrat.
Elizabeth Shaffer is seeking the Minneapolis DFL endorsement even though she aligns closer to Republicans with her anti-labor stances and efforts to re-criminalize cannabis. In her current role as a Park Board Commissioner Shaffer recently backed a plan to make marijuana usage in parks a crime, something that has historically harmed Black residents at disproportionate levels.
She also sided against union workers during the Minneapolis Park Board strike last summer. Labor support is a core DFL value, it’s literally part of the party name. That could be part of why her opponent (Katie Cashman) is the only union-endorsed candidate in this race. Beyond her conservative stances Shaffer has also donated thousands of dollars to Republicans.
This seems to be less about her actual political ideology and more about viability in a deeply blue Ward 7. Over 87% of voters in Minneapolis voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 so it seems like the most electable path for Elizabeth Shaffer is to make you think she’s a Democrat (even though her political stances and donations to Republicans would lead you to believe otherwise).
I have no problem with Elizabeth Shaffer running for office, but she should be honest about her political affiliation and run as a Republican. Pretending to be a DFL candidate is a disservice to voters and to the DFL as a whole.
Mike Norton | East Bde Maka Ska
Response From Elizabeth Shaffer to Mr. Norton Regarding False “Republican” Label and Other Claims
The headline of Mr. Norton’s letter and his “supporting logic” is not only disingenuous but dangerous to our community.
It is unfortunate that today, more than ever, our political culture is full of half-truths and misinformation aimed to destroy.
First, his accusation that I have “donated thousands to Republicans over the years” is false. Over the course of my lifetime, I have contributed to one Republican candidate, over ten years ago . . . who happened to be my brother. No regrets.
Second, he questioned my leadership during the MPRB strike last summer. As commissioner, I supported the established union and management negotiation process — which ultimately resulted in a historic agreement with LIUNA 363, providing an average salary increase of $11,000 over two years. I am pro-union and am focused on forging strong relationships with workers AND businesses to ensure a strong local economy and great jobs for Minneapolis.
Third, I voted to support the prohibition of smoking in our parks via policy. Additionally, Commissioner Rucker and I worked together on an ordinance approach (allowing enforcement through citations, like a parking ticket). Even though it failed, many communities around us, including St. Paul, use this ordinance approach to enforce smoking restrictions in parks. In the interest of transparency, it’s also important to share that Mr. Norton is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Baja Ontario, a THC edibles company.
According to the Minnesota Re- former, Mr. Norton has also formed an exploratory committee as a first step toward seeking to replace U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in the south metro’s Second Congressional District — which includes communities like Northfield, Eagan, Lakeville, Cottage Grove and Red Wing, far outside our Hill & Lake community.
I am a local Democrat committed to representing my ward on the City Council. In order to move our city forward, it’s time that we hit reset in the way we dialog with each other. Having to have this conversation is just another example of why I am running for City Council.
Elizabeth Shaffer | Minneapolis Park Commissioner, District 4 | Ward 7 City Council Candidate
Paula Chesley for Ward 7
I am wholeheartedly supporting Paula Chesley for Ward 7 City Council. I hope you will too! As a resident of Ward 7 since 1979, I have a long perspective on the many changes to this area. Like many of you, I’ve really loved living here but now find myself in mourning for our vibrant, safer and friendly neighborhood of the recent past.
If you’re like me, you’re desperate for a savvy new leader who will have her finger on the pulse of Ward 7. You want someone: who focuses her efforts locally; who thoroughly researches issues, listening, asking and answering questions in the process; who formulates and implements reasonable and creative solutions; and who regularly and effectively communicates with constituents and colleagues alike. If so, Paula is your candidate.
In her community service work as well as professional life, Paula is not only very smart and caring, but she is also highly responsive! I have spoken with Paula about local politics for years and know her to be both progressive and sensible. I strongly believe her political viewpoints are the best match for our ward and city at this critical juncture.
Because she engages with people who think differently than her, she is a bridge-builder and buffer in these polarizing times. I strongly encourage you to visit Paula’s website www.pau-laforward7.org to learn more and then make the sensible and responsible choice by supporting her election!
Terry Campbell Lindeke | Kenwood
Elizabeth Shaffer for Ward 7
It is time for the constituents of Ward 7 to step up and support a candidate who will work for a safer, more functional, equitable and fiscally responsible city government. As a longtime resident of Ward 7, I believe Elizabeth Shaffer is the candidate to best represent our area on the Minneapolis City Council. Having worked with Elizabeth as a volunteer on various neighborhood concerns for several years, I’ve seen firsthand her ability to find sound solutions and to lead with vision and competency.
If you want responsive, thoughtful and respectful representation, guided by high principles and compassion, she is a stellar candidate. Elizabeth shows up for you, answers your calls and effectively resolves issues. She will work tirelessly (no exaggeration) to bring a project to fruition, while giving consideration and context to a satisfactory resolution.
Elizabeth excels in collaborating with others. On the recent campaign to restore historic Thomas Lowry Park, her leadership and vision truly made the difference in accomplishing its success. She led the coordination of multiple agencies and interests in a professional and caring manner.
Her current leadership on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has been productive as evidenced by this past year’s twenty projects and/or initiatives she successfully led. Just this month, she spearheaded the successful effort to restore The Mall Park to a roadway, so important to our community.
Please take time to read her credentials and recent accomplishments on her website www.elizabethshaffer. com, or give her a call regarding issues. It is so important to have responsive, well-informed council leaders who will address the changes needed to revitalize our city. Elizabeth Shaffer is the candidate who can best represent Ward 7 and give us hope for a brighter future.
Suzanne C. Payne | Lowry Hill
Katie Cashman for Ward 7
We all talk about the loss of businesses from our neighborhood. I long for the day when Uptown sidewalks are busy again with folks coming and going to a vibrant mix of new and old businesses. We all have compassion for the struggles of business owners over the last five years.
Our Council Member Katie Cash- man has met with many local businesses, and championed funding for a variety of business-support programs. Every time I was in Katie's presence over the last two years, she was engaging directly with business owners and explaining the available support.
Katie also recognizes the struggles of employees who have no union representation. Thinking of both business owners and their employees — many of whom are our neighbors — Katie promoted the widely mischaracterized concept of a Labor Standards Board.
This is not a union, and it is not about promoting specific policies or minimum wages. This new board would have created a public setting where business owners, employees and community members can find ways to work together during these tough times, for the greater good.
Katie’s hard work with her council colleagues and the mayor was initially very successful and the proposal was moving forward, until the mayor vetoed it, and Council Members Jamal Osman and Andrea Jenkins changed their votes to uphold the mayor’s veto.
Public safety is also key. All of us were eager for the council to provide funds to hire more police recruits, and it has, funding many new positions. Katie also made the motion to make police work more attractive, by raising their salaries, and wrangled her council colleagues to push both actions across the finish line.
Katie has also secured funding for an expanded Safety Ambassador Program, in neighborhoods including Uptown, and for an additional Crime Prevention Specialist in our 5th Precinct. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the Mayor’s team is “slow walking” both of these funded public safety initiatives and will give no timeline for the delivery of either.
Still, there are those who are unaware — or unwilling to admit — that Katie has done everything in her power to listen and respond to the needs of Ward 7 residents. Some even bear false witness, accusing her being a wild-eyed radical.
In fact, Katie has shown herself to be a pragmatic, effective council member. Based on new software that helps ward offices track, organize and respond to resident requests and feed- back, her office has allegedly tracked the most resolved cases of any ward in the city.
Katie Cashman has an outstanding record of listening and responding to the people of Ward 7. I urge you to support Katie at the Ward Convention on May 10 and to vote for her in November. I'll be door knocking for her.
Jim Hawkins | East Isles
