Violence Interrupters in Uptown
Given all the recent news about violence interrupter programs city wide, I read with interest about the sudden violence interrupter program in Uptown (“The Mystery of the Missing Violence Interrupters,” March issue).
How was the decision made for the violence interrupters to come to Uptown for such a short duration? How are the violence interrupter con tracts decided? Has anyone seen them yet? And why is a City Council member telling them where to go? Is it in deed because the City Council can, in fact, address public safety concerns voiced by their constituents?
I’ve frequently heard the ball being punted back to the mayor’s office because they are allegedly solely re sponsible for public safety under the new strong mayor system. While I agree that their presence is needed, this strikes me as a bit of an eleventh-hour decision.
Our city needs to wake up to the idea that residents need accountability for how it spends our taxpayer dol lars. The violence interrupter pro gram, once a promising component of comprehensive safety, is now riddled with lack of oversight from the Council, and corruption.
When will our elected officials hear the pleas of businesses, visitors and residents who have zeroed in on public safety challenges as a primary impediment to what would be a thriving commercial corridor adjacent to our neighborhoods? Longtime businesses in Uptown continue to pack up and move to more stable parts of Minneapolis or its first-ring suburbs. Our current Council is not delivering on a core responsibility of city governance.
Quinton Courts | East Isles
Thank You Molly!
The last edition oozed with challenging the invested leadership in our community to look inside. “We have met the enemy and it is us.”
You walked into the lion's den with Molly Mogren Katy’s opinion article. She should be Queen. She absolutely nailed it.
And I say this from a financial perspective. The reason I live here (financially) is due to the real estate law of value. Location, location, location. No matter how bad things get, proximity to the lakes and the sports stadiums won’t change.
Where do you find three Cathedrals lined up in a row as one goes to go watch the Twins?
My daughter lives in Linden Hills and 44th and 50th and France rock. Our real estate crushes theirs. We can do this. Thank you. Thank you.
David Larson | Lowry Hill
Kenwood Plant Sale Coming Up
Kenwood School is busy getting ready for its annual Plant Sale, held on the school playground May 2nd - 4th. The sale is open to the community and offers a wide variety of annual flowers, pollinator friendly plants, greenery, herbs, vegetables and hanging baskets.
Parents plan the sale and fifth grade kids unload plants and set it up. Proceeds help fund the annual fifth grade trip to northern Minnesota. This year's trip will bring Kenwood fifth graders to the YMCA Camp Widjiwagan in Ely near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This trip has been a treasured tradition for 5th graders at Kenwood for many years. The kids travel with school friends, learn new skills, and find joy in the beauty of the natural world in northern Minnesota.
Plant Sale Hours:
Friday, May 2nd – 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 3rd and
Sunday, May 4th – 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Amy Sanborn | East Isles
Aloha from Volcano
Aloha, I am Herb Wilson, the father of editor Craig Wilson. I live in Volcano Village, on the north slope of Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii Island. Over the years, I have had the privilege of receiving the Hill & Lake Press, which I have read eagerly to keep up with the goings on in Craig’s community. I am always impressed with articles submitted because they are as entertaining as they are informative, largely due to the wit and skills of the writers.
Most recently, I was impressed with an article by Susan Lenfestey about the 2025 Luminary Loppet winter spectacle. It has me wanting to experience the event in person, de spite the fact that as a Native Hawaiian, I am intimidated by your Minneapolis winters and have always visited my son during your exceptional summers. Craig’s recent visit to Volcano Village and Kilauea Volcano reward ed him with one of our most spectacular eruptions in a while — a fountain of lava. But, because of your hills and lakes and the intrigue inspired by your writers, I am planning more vis its to Minnesota and seriously considering a visit during the next Luminary Loppet.
I wanted to share with your readers that in ancient times, when Hawaii was being settled by Westerners and the written language and printing press were introduced by Christian missionaries, our indigenous people were captivated by the new tool, like we are by social media today. More than 200 local newspapers sprung up across the islands, reporting the happenings of the day and sharing stories that had previously been preserved in songs and chants. Although written in the Hawaiian language, these news papers are the source for academic research today!
That said, it doesn’t surprise me that Craig Wilson (a Native Hawaiian) is attracted to the Hill & Lake Press, which serves the same purpose of chronicling the present, while celebrating the past and charting the future. And the passion of its contributors and interviews with politicians demonstrate the same fervor that Indigenous Hawaiians had more than 100 years ago. You are concerned and guarded about your natural environment, your classic buildings, your parks, even your neighborhoods and street intersections!
While many of your ancestors may not be indigenous to Minnesota, you are all the collective "melting pot culture” of the Minneapolis that has evolved over many generations. You have every right to be proud and concerned about your present and your future.
The Hill & Lake Press is but one vehicle for voicing and preserving your culture. Embrace it! Keep up the good work!
Herb Wilson | Volcano, Hawaii
