First They Came…
My son shared this poem with me, and I was struck by how much it speaks to what we’re experiencing in Minneapolis. I hope your readers find it meaningful.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.
— Martin Niemöller in 1946
Ginny Llop
Lowry Hill
U.S. Citizenship: Once a Treasured Privilege
I am a resident of Lowry Hill and have been involved in many local nonprofits as a volunteer.
My most recent years have been spent working with immigrants learning English and preparing for the U.S. citizenship test. It has given me great joy over these last seven years and has been a truly eye-opening and rewarding experience.
I have had the privilege to meet people from Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mexico, Ecuador, Haiti and Cuba, to name a few of the countries my students have come from. I learned their stories and heard about their journeys to the United States.
All had difficult lives and traumatic journeys to get here, and yet they remained positive and hopeful. Everyone was excited to be in the United States, which gave me a deeper appreciation for what we often take for granted in our country.
All the students I have tutored were working many hours in difficult jobs, such as housekeeping in local hospitals and hotels, cooking in restaurants, cleaning people’s homes and caregiving for elderly or disabled Americans.
They were also supporting families and using their free time to study for the U.S. citizenship test — a test I would not have passed until I started helping others prepare.
The 100 questions (now 128 under the new administration) include items such as: “The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.” I am not sure many Americans could answer that.
The old test also included a geography section, which I thought was valuable.
One question asked: “Name one of the longest rivers in the United States.” That was removed from the current test.
Along with learning the answers to 128 questions on U.S. history, civics and government, applicants must also be able to write sentences in English and show they understand English through conversations with immigration officers.
Many of my students came from small villages and had no formal schooling. They worked countless hours to spell difficult vocabulary words so they could write a simple sentence like: “Lincoln was president during the Civil War.”
They were inquisitive and genuinely interested in how our government works, and they were excited to vote in elections and give their children better opportunities.
I take great pride in the fact that none of my students has failed the exam. The smiles on their faces when they pass are life-affirming.
In the current state of our country, we are removing opportunities for wonderful new citizens who want to work and participate in the democracy that was once our pride.
Now many are too scared to leave their homes, despite having a U.S. passport. Let us work to curb the unnecessary cruelty and violence directed at immigrants in our city.
Searcy Lillihei
Lowry Hill
Thank you for publishing the Hill & Lake Press
I am of the age when people still read newspapers.
I lived in Southwest Minneapolis for more than 30 years. I sold my house when Linden Hills became a suburb of Edina and am now an apartment dweller at Highland Gables on Douglas.
I looked forward to the Southwest Journal, which, as you know, is no longer with us.
I grew up in an apartment on the North Side of Chicago where we read two newspapers a day.
People move for love or money. I moved for money — a job.
I have lived in Minneapolis for almost 50 years. Yes, I’m old.
Anyway, thank you for all the work you and your team do on the paper.
Jim Crue
Lowry Hill
Minneapolis Parks Deserve Leadership, Not Politics
Many Minneapolis residents remain uncertain about whether the new commissioners on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will put politics aside to deliver mission-focused, nonpartisan governance of our park system.
Concerns are justified. In 2017, political activists recruited and helped elect a majority of commissioners who knew little about the park system and yet were eager to change it.
The politicized board soon lost sight of the MPRB’s core mission to protect natural resources and provide recreational opportunities.
During the challenges of that term, from 2018 to 2021, observers witnessed a decline in effectiveness, credibility and civility as some commissioners prioritized personal interests over their responsibility to constituents. The board became less independent, transparent and accountable.
Some of newly elected President Tom Olsen’s recent actions, taken before the first meeting of 2026, have heightened concerns that history might repeat itself.
Olsen is pushing two resolutions before mostly new commissioners who have little historical context for why the previous board made these decisions.
One would restart a pilot closing sections of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway to automobiles. The other would reverse a decision to delay consideration of closing roads near The Mall Park in Uptown. Both issues are complicated and involve other agencies and differing interpretations of community input.
More troubling than the timing and limited notice is Olsen’s criticism of those who disagree with him, using labels such as NIMBYism, misinformation and fearmongering. At-large commissioners such as Olsen are elected to represent all Minneapolis residents, not a subset or special interest.
The election is over. It is time to govern, not campaign. As Minneapolis and Minnesota weather a chaotic, violent and unconstitutional federal occupation, we need leaders who listen, communicate clearly and model respect while working to unite people.
A new board can bring new ideas rather than recycling old, divisive ones that would further strain our park system and ignore years of community input.
We should expect commissioners to govern with good faith and inclusivity, learning from the past and drawing on the experience of incumbents to strengthen our park system in alignment with the MPRB’s core mission and values.
Constance Pepin
Park District 6
Why I’m Supporting Anders Folk for Hennepin County Attorney
I am writing to inform your readership about an excellent candidate for Hennepin County attorney: Anders Folk.
I support Anders, a lifelong Minnesotan, because of his experience as a career prosecutor and his balanced approach to fighting crime and protecting victims. He began his career in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and later served as senior counsel to the
deputy attorney general of the United States, where he worked on federal criminal policy, law enforcement strategy and justice reform. He also served as an assistant U.S. attorney and became the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota, where he led major prosecutions, including the federal case against Derek Chauvin’s co-conspirators.
Anders also brings the perspective of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was a judge advocate prosecuting and defending service members under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
He promises a nuanced approach to prosecuting violent criminals, including juveniles, emphasizing that in some cases prosecuting juveniles as adults is necessary for public safety. He is committed to honoring the perspectives of victims and their families.
Anders understands the importance of building relationships with system partners to achieve the best outcomes and keep Hennepin County residents safe. Those who have worked with him praise his judgment and compassion.
The level of violent crime in Hennepin County and recent encounters with ICE underscore the importance of the county attorney role, as prosecutors have attempted to hold ICE officers accountable amid claims of absolute immunity and withheld evidence. We need someone with Anders’ experience, judgment and legal expertise as Hennepin County’s chief legal advisor and prosecutor. I am proud to support him.
Mitch Kern
Kenwood
Poor Trees!
I was happy to see Susan’s article about the severe pruning that Xcel inflicts on trees. As a friend of all trees, I share similar concerns, though I do not hold much hope for change. Most utility easements give power companies wide discretion on what and how they trim, typically following the mantra “clearance, not appearance.”
In March 2025, Xcel increased its clearance requirement from 6 feet to 10 feet because of wildfire risk. A majority of wildfires begin with downed power lines. Even without that, most people prefer reliable power during storms over aesthetically pleasing trees.
Species selection is also an issue. Elms, lindens, hackberries, poplars and maples grow tall enough to reach or overhang power lines. One solution would be planting species that mature at lower heights, though that sacrifices some shade benefits. Another would be to revisit burying power lines, as Susan mentioned.
Poor trees — the compromise she illustrated may be the best we can get.
Thomas Regnier
Lowry Hill
