Melody Hoffmann

Charlie! Nice work you do!

Thanks for posting. This documentary is fascinating and filled with such rich Minneapolis history. Also fun fact: the documentary host/narrator, Dr. Williams, moderated the mayoral forum at Capri Theater last week.

Spiced Up Civics Spiced-Up Civics is a Minneapolis-based, youth led web series where candidates discuss hot topics over hot wings 🔥

A young journalist from St. Paul is interviewing local candidates (Park & Rec Board, City Council, Mayor) over chicken wings with Midwest hot sauces.

youtube.com/@SpicedUpCiv...

Ugh what a cute little house. I want it (in LaLa Land).

Jazz Hampton just made a video to say there are 15 days left until Election Day (he said more in the video, I'm sure). And WOO BOY. 15 days. That is so soon. Oh and the sun sets at 6:19 p.m. tonight. Happy Monday!

I just want to remind readers that Amir Atkins, 11 years old, was killed on the Northside this summer by a 16-year-old. Her statement was a lie and a punch to the gut to the Northside still reeling from that tragedy.

It really did. What a refreshing space to hear the candidates in. The forum was hosted by the African American Leadership Forum for anyone reading along!

How ranked choice voting works Voters in several Minnesota cities will use ranked choice voting — or instant-runoff voting — this fall to decide local races. Instead of selecting just one candidate, they rank them by preference.

I think anything that came after "as a Black woman" in that supportive, lively room was going to get a strong reaction. But as we have learned, ranking your favorite candidate three times in a row does not help them win, as answered here:

I noticed the audience was very "fair" in their responses, in that they would clap for/respond to a strong response no matter who was saying it. The candidates were respectful and the moderator had a rebuttal rule that the candidates all used wisely. Well done all around.

I do not love this moment because it's good voting advice.

I love these moments because they show candidates as humans, as people who are connected as more than opponents, and as people who have actual reactions to what each other says.

Epilogue: In closing Brenda Short said: As a Black woman I need you to rank me first, second, and third and the audience had a loud and fun reaction, as did DeWayne Davis. @taylordahlin.com has had a "DeWayne Davis reaction camera" before. Curious if she had a shot of him then. I love these moments.

The live skeeting at this forum has now ended here. The moderator has applauded the candidates for being "models of decency"

Fateh: affirms what Davis said, communities are neglected when the times get tough. He has seen in at the MN Senate level.

Economic disparity: Davis says when times get tough, the Northside is the first place where economic pull back happens and he will use his political capital to make sure that doesn't happen.

Looks like we are in the clear. That was nerve wracking.

Vibe check: 90 minute program feels long. People felt ready to wrap at 7 p.m. but questions from the audience came in at 7 p.m. Rallying until 7:30 p.m.

Hampton rebuts with "l teach this" (small biz classes) and could do this better, not to say you haven't tried your hardest.

Hampton says a biz owner had to get a second loan because of a licensing delay. 6 weeks vs. 6 months. Also makes a analogy to needing a "new Vikings coach." Frey rebuts with "I have run this city during very hard years" which he has said before.

Small business owner issue question. Davis says despite one-stop shop City has (that Frey talked about), they have a hard time getting questions answered by/licensing info from the City.

Frey: "we will stand with our neighbors." I have worn a bullet-proof vest for multiple days. "Our police officers will not cooperate." // Davis: we are going to have to put our skin in the game in a way we didn't anticipate and the City will have your back

How will you protect people from ICE? Short: I will go to jail to support the community Fateh: we need to strengthen our separation ordinance Hampton: prepare in advance legally, prepare our residents, the only thing ICE can do is pick up trash (yes he said that)

Fateh: we need to engage with biz owners before City passes legislation, starts construction.

Short: educate the Black community on how to get grants, run businesses. Davis: "when times get tough, people abandon the plan" are you going to stay in the fight? Start investing now. Start by finding out who owns the abandoned lots.

Black economic investment/growth without gentrification question! Hampton: start small, localized investment

Davis: third spaces for kids is so important (libraries, parks). Short: "my job today is to make sure kids are ok"

Fateh: talking about North Star Promise which sends students with families with incomes less than $80k to college

Hampton: Stable Homes Stable Schools has a $3.2 million shortfall. Black children have a lower graduation rate, they go to other schools outside of MPS, I would be the first mayor in 25 years with a kid at MPS

Public school community question: how to support the children? Especially Black children who are hurting the most (paraphrasing). Frey is talking about Stable Homes Stable Schools

Short rebutted Fateh's idea to build tiny homes due to the cost. Fateh responds/rebuts that maybe if the City didn't pay millions in police settlements we'd have money to build tiny homes. Audience has a strong "ohhhh daaanng" response.