Hennepin County

The Hennepin County Board and the UN Flag: Tearing down a flag and diminishing our community, with scarcely a public notice

By Dick Bernard, Outside the Walls

NOTE TO READER: This long post is an effort to convey information, and opinion, about a specific issue I wasn’t aware of, in a community other than my own. I was not seeking to find the issue. To some, the issue described may seem small and insignificant, and it was and remains a non-mandatory issue for the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners – they can do what they wish to do. Nonetheless, to this writer, the voluntary action described illustrates simply one example of a careless action, ignorance of history, and a (possibly) inadvertent and very negative change in tone of leadership in our civil society.

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Outside the Walls

A new approach to tax forfeitures

By Jeff Skrenes, North by Northside

The previous post outlined the problem of tax-forfeited properties in north Minneapolis being scooped up by slumlords. A good discussion happened on the North Talk Facebook page that helped shape a few ideas for a solution. What follows is based on my current understanding of the issue, and may change as things develop.

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North by Northside

Twin Cities janitors, security officers prepare for possible strike

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota

Janitors and security officers marched through Minneapolis skyways Thursday to demonstrate their determination to get a fair contract.

More than 6,000 janitors and security officers, frustrated with takeback demands by employers, plan a Feb. 9 strike vote. They demonstrated their determination with a march through Minneapolis skyways Thursday.

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6,000 SEIU Local 26 janitors, security officers seek new contract

By Staff, Minneapolis Labor Review

Hundreds of SEIU Local 26 members and supporters marched through the downtown Minneapolis skyways December 17. Local 26 members work as janitors and security officers for contractors who service downtown Minneapolis buildings. [The "skyways" are heated, enclosed bridges which connect much of downtown Minneapolis one floor above street level so people can move about downtown in the winter without going outside--except during the march, when the SEIU folks filled the skyways!] (Photos by Rafael Morataya)

With contracts set to expire December 31, hundreds of SEIU Local 26 members who work as janitors and security officers marched through the downtown Minneapolis skyways December 17 calling on the 1 percent to support living wage jobs and health care for their families.

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Libraries offer free classes on 'eBook basics'

By Margo Ashmore, Northeaster

Jill Smith (wearing a lanyard at right) tried to help Cheyenne Mercier get on line with her Kindle. Claire Burgoyne is in the snowflake sweater. (Photos by Margo Ashmore)

“It’s harder than I expected it to be,” said Claire Burgoyne, one of about 15 people who brought their Kindle e–readers to the Columbia Heights Public Library to learn how to access eBooks on Saturday, Jan. 5. While most of the new users were older, young Cheyenne Mercier was also wrestling with getting on line with her new device.

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Minneapolis' 311 won't accept reports on Hennepin County properties

By Jeff Skrenes, North by Northside

Paint is peeling from the 800 West Broadway building, the former future home of the YWCA. While chipped paint isn't generally cause for a blog post, the condition of this property brings up an ongoing issue with our 311 system. Some friends of mine tried calling this in to 311 and were told the report wouldn't be filed because the property is owned by Hennepin County. It's unclear what would happen if such reports were filed using email, the 311 website, or their smartphone app. Would they just disappear into the bureaucratic ether, never to be heard from or responded to again? Or would a city staffer contact the person who submitted the report to inform them of its status? If it's the latter, why couldn't the staff person contact the county instead?

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North by Northside

Truck company owner pleads guilty in prevailing wage case

By Staff, Workday Minnesota

Gary Francis Bauerly, owner of WATAB Hauling Co., pleaded guilty Monday in Hennepin County District Court to felony theft by swindle over $35,000 for not paying his workers prevailing wage required for road work for federal, state and local governments. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said the case is a warning that violations of the prevailing wage will be punished.

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How are immigrants and refugees faring in Minnesota?

By Cynthia Boyd, MinnPost

More than 80 community members and service providers attended the "Speaking For Ourselves" kick-off event held on Monday, Dec. 17. (Photo courtesy of Amherst H. Wilder Foundation)

Is there a kind of caste system among the foreign-born in Minnesota where the undocumented are treated as outcasts? What about incidence of domestic violence, access to medical care and food, unemployment and sex trafficking among the state’s immigrant and refugee populations?

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Connections to Independence builds bridges from foster care to positive futures for youth in Minneapolis

By Makula Dunbar, TC Daily Planet

From left: Lina, DeVante and Tiffany at Connections to Independence

Makula Dunbar

Contrary to how most people view it, Tiffany — a teen who’s just become familiar with the foster care system — says it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to her.

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Hennepin County commissioner candidates participate in forum on "equity"

By Margo Ashmore, Northeaster

Thirty-six year old Blong Yang points out that there’s a Hennepin County Commissioner who’s been in office 34 years, and that Mark Stenglein, the District 2 Commissioner whose resignation opened up

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