Opportunity waves
Our new state flag strikes me as the equivalent of a corporate logo. I see however that “Minnesota” is missing from it. That must be so that we can sell off the naming rights later.
Julia Bell, St. Paul
Litany and a question
— We have gone from an $18 billion state budget surplus to a long term $6 billion deficit.
— The federal government is now investigating Minnesota autism services providers for possible Medicaid fraud.
— The federal government is investigating a possible scheme to defraud the Minnesota Housing Stabilization Services Program.
— The Twin Cities Light Rail Green and Blue Line extensions are well over budget.
— Gov. Walz, a 12 year congressional representative, runs up $430 thousand in legal fees to prepare for a Congressional hearing.
— The Minnesota Department of Education provides $250 million in grants for meals to children during the Covid epidemic with few delivered.
When will state government provide the honest and cost effective programs and services Minnesota taxpayers deserve?
Richard M. Ryan, Woodbury
How long will it take?
The July 20 edition included a column headed, “Trump finally realizes that the Russian despot isn’t reliable.” It says he made this startling discovery decades after practically everyone else. How long will it take more Americans to recognize that a good share of Trump’s signed executive orders will not serve most citizens well?
Mary DePrey, Roseville
Toward a more perfect union, with emphasis on ‘toward’
The July 23 column by William Hine, “Perfection isn’t what made America great”, is a refreshing, and insightful reflection on the essence of the American political experiment. Indeed, “perfection” has not been attained, but that was never the goal. The goal was not for perfection, it was for an approach to perfection, “a more perfect union.”
The staggeringly unique contribution to world political history by the Framers, in addition to recognizing the absolute sovereignty of the people, was their creation of a constitution that institutionalized the process toward perfection. Yes, we have made every error a people can make toward itself and to others, but we have learned a little something along the way as well. This lesson has allowed us to get nearer to perfection. For example, would any Black person want to return to live in the America of 1950? Or would any Black person in 1950 want to live in the America of 1900? How about those living in 1900, would they want to return to the slave’s life of 1850? Clearly, during each 50-year period things got better, sometimes not much better, but nevertheless, better. No perfection on this trajectory by a long shot, especially if you are the one enduring endless racist inhumanities.
The best in our nature condemns these failures and attends actively and hopefully to a better present and future. With all our failures we can find special hope in the process. In our rage we should never lose sight of this fundamental. Endless exposés of social failure without reflecting on the unique potential and opportunity that brought millions of immigrants to America deeply distort historical reality. Alas, any recognition of this potential has too often been vilified as one pejorative “ism” after another. Though balance comes more nearly to the truth, it is seen as caving to the ‘isms’.
It is common in recent decades for social commentators and historians remind us of past failures on the road to perfection. But the reminding is often narrow and excessive. By narrow I mean biased to the point of near blind prejudice. Case in point, the “1619 Project” that views the Declaration of Independence as pure hypocrisy, and indeed all of America’s history as nothing more than a consistently vile travesty against Black people. The Project’s neglect of the full context, and its utter disregard of the process toward perfection, is too distorted to be very constructive. The treatment of the matter would be enhanced and better balanced with less expression of fiery hate of our past and more acknowledgement and celebration of the process.
Louis Lavoie, Plymouth
Go for the gusto
A recent letter writer made an intriguing proposal regarding the planned raising of the railings on the Mendota Bridge, in which he suggested that bicyclists should walk their bikes across the nearly mile-long pedestrian/bikeway rather than have the state raise the railings. Cyclists have pointed out that MnDOT lowered the railing from 54 inches to 42 inches during the bridge’s 2024 rehabilitation project. This has prompted concerns among bikers that the lowered railing could post a hazard to both bicyclists and pedestrians. The main concern seems to be that, in the event of an accident or collision with another biker on the narrow pedestrian/bikeway, a cyclist could potentially be thrown over the bridge and into the river below during periods of heavy winds. As it now stands, next year MnDOT plans to raise the railings back to their previous height of 54 inches, at a cost of $2.5 million.
I’ve bicycled across that bridge hundreds of times over the years. It’s one of the most unpleasant sections of trail anywhere in the state. The pedestrian/bikeway is quite narrow and windy. There have always been concerns from cyclists that a mishap or collision could occur on the bridge. Those concerns have only increased with the lowering of the railings.
The proposal that cyclists walk their bikes across the bridge, thus saving the state $2.5 million is an idea that has merit! However, I don’t think it’s possible to pass a law to require cyclists to walk their bikes. Bikers might be coaxed into walk their bikes on a voluntary basis. I can envision a concession stand being set up on either end of the bridge. The concession stands would rent life jackets to concerned cyclists. That way, if they go over the railing, they’ll be able to float down the river and be rescued. Under this plan, the state would save $2.5 million, and the concession stands would offer some up and coming entrepreneur the opportunity to supply life vests to wary cyclists. Hey, it would also add a spirit of adventure when crossing the bridge, a little tonic for tedium in our humdrum lives. Why be tepid about life? Go for the gusto and save the state some money.
M.L. Kluznik, Mendota Heights
An approach to fixing St. Paul’s rent-control problems
The latest rent dispute on Ashland Avenue in St. Paul could have been avoided, along with most other St. Paul tenant/landlord problems in recent years. The landlord-abuse issue came to the forefront in 2021 when the Saint Paul Housing Justice Center collected enough signatures to have a referendum placed on that year’s ballot. It called for a 3% cap on rent increases. It would retroactively impact existing landlords, large and small. That vote and future City Council decisions were made by those either with conflicted interests, both the tenants and landlords, or by those simply not understanding the rental business.
The abuses tenants have experienced are large monthly rent increases without adequate early notice from “predatory landlords.” This was usually done by larger, out-of-town developers who initially offered new rental units, inexpensively, in order to quickly obtain occupancy and initiate cash flow. Later, large rental increases would follow, without much notice given to the tenants.
St. Paul now finds itself in yet another bad situation that rewards newer construction by not limiting those properties to any rental cap. At the same time, it penalizes owners of older properties by not allowing more than a 3% rent increase.
One thing I learned early on was that the most important asset for a landlord was to keep good tenants. The same holds true for tenants who have good landlords. The open market creates this dichotomy. A landlord will keep the rent as affordable as possible for his best tenants.
So back to Ashland Avenue and fixing our rent control mess going forward:
The City should require, through ordinance, that landlords be required to offer an initial lease term to renters, a minimum three-year lease. The leases would have to reflect total rents for each following year. This would require the landlord to plan for future expenses and be open and honest to his renters. At the same time, his tenants would be allowed to terminate their occupancy annually, for any reason. The lease term can also be extended annually by mutual consent. All other lease terms would apply.
This approach will improve stability in the market and for tenants, It will help as well with lenders’ and developers’ confidence. That will then both increase new development and help stabilize the City’s tax base.
John Mannillo, Mendota Heights
The writer, a former landlord and developer, is involved with the In$ight St. Paul group.
Gratitude for the way West Seventh Pharmacy did business
On June 30, our neighborhood said goodbye to a trusted friend, West Seventh Pharmacy. After 110 years of service to the people of St. Paul, it closed its doors for the final time.
For so many of us, West Seventh Pharmacy was more than a place to pick up prescriptions. It was a thread in our neighborhood’s history and a constant in daily life. During Jeff Johnson’s 25 years of ownership, it became an especially familiar and deeply valued presence. Jeff and his team remembered your name, asked about your family, and made sure you had what you needed. Their kindness and consistency made the pharmacy feel like home.
On behalf of Riverland Community Health, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Jeff and the entire West Seventh Pharmacy team. Your commitment to this neighborhood has been extraordinary, and your presence will be deeply missed.
In recent weeks, some community members have found themselves navigating a gap in care. We’re grateful for the trust Jeff has shown in pointing several of his longtime customers our way. That trust is not taken lightly, and we’ll do our best to honor it with care that feels like home, as he did for so many years.
David Thorson
The writer is CEO and chief medical officer of Riverland Community Health
Garbage gaffe
One of my neighbors, some renters, put electronics waste next to their garbage containers; I presume that they expected it to be picked up by regular trash collection. After a month of not being picked up, it then appeared in the alley next to the garage of another neighbor. Rather than properly dispose of the electronics waste, the original owner obviously chose an easier solution for the waste. I told my neighbor where the electronic waste originated from and then I reported what happened in a very detailed manner on St. Paul’s concern/incident form and submitted it.
I realize that it’s limited what the city can do. Neither my neighbor nor I saw the renters transfer the electronics from their property to hers. So, I didn’t expect the city to cite the renters for this. I did presume that the city would remove the electronics and properly dispose of them, though.
What happened instead? After nothing happened for about two weeks, I reported it again. Then, the city sent a letter to the victim telling them to remove the electronics promptly or she would be fined $450 and also charged additional money for the city to clean it up.
Here’s what it states on St. Paul’s “Property Code Enforcement” page: “If materials are illegally dumped in the public right-of-way the City’s Public Works Department will remove the items. If materials are left on the property, including the boulevard or alley, the owner must arrange pick up with their garbage hauler, or remove the items and properly dispose of them.” That’s right, the victim (the property owner) is responsible for properly disposing of illegally dumped items in both the alley and the boulevard next to their property. I contacted a St. Paul code enforcement person to confirm this. Yes, this is correct.
After reading St. Paul’s property code enforcement rules on illegal dumping, I was embarrassed for both the City of St. Paul and myself. For St. Paul, that they would further punish the victim of an illegal action. For me, because my actions that were meant to help my neighbor instead led to her being threatened by the city for a code violation. I apologized to her that my actions hurt instead of helped her. My question is, what will the City of St. Paul do to right their very inappropriate actions against a homeowner, my neighbor? She maintains her property to a very high standard and, in other ways, is a good neighbor to have.
The residents of St. Paul have endured a lot over the past few years. Although some things have improved to a limited extent, St. Paul still seems to be part of the problem with the lingering negative issues present in the city. We are especially discouraged when the city adds to our burdens. Please don’t do things that encourage yet more good residents to leave. Correct and apologize for your mistakes. This is definitely one of them. Stop punishing innocent victims and correct this injustice.
Dale Carlquist, St. Paul
Inspiration
Thank you, Pioneer Press, and especially Mary Divine, the author of the obituary/article about Wendi Ward, the owner of Practical Goods in St. Paul.
We live in trying times, of so many wars, a loss of care for the poor, disdain for the immigrant, and a disregard for our common home, the Earth. How inspiring to know that there are (or have been people) of Wendi’s caliber, living her truth, committed to peace and also committed to our common home, our planet. May she rest in peace.
Pat Schober-Branigan, St. Paul
More humor and humanity
Although I often disagree with Joe Soucheray, I do read his articles. I very much enjoyed the article about his battles with the “mulch mountain” in his driveway. I understand that he is going for a “crank” vibe, but it gets tiresome – especially when there is no balance. I miss the days when Joe Soucheray’s articles appeared alongside Ruben Rosario’s humanity focused articles (may he rest in peace). I also miss Molly Guthrey’s family focused “Daily Juggle” articles. To restore some balance to the Local Section, I am respectfully requesting that the Pioneer Press add a weekly article alongside Joe Soucheray’s articles that counters his testiness. We would all benefit from more humor, humanity and positivity.
Kelly Anderson, St. Paul
Sainted
I was standing in line in Siren to buy strawberries from a vendor. When the ground is uneven, I use a cane; but that day I pulled my collapsible cart. It would enable me to transport the berry pails over to my car while using the handle to steady myself. While I was waiting, my granddaughter drove past and saw me. She told her 6-year-old son, Jackson, that they should help me get the berries to my car. We loaded them in the trunk and I collapsed the cart and returned it to the trunk. Jackson looked up, worry on his face. “GiGi, you don’t have a cane! You can use my head for a cane.” He stood ramrod straight, I put my hand on his head, and we carefully walked from the back of the car to the driver’s door. He was certainly a SAINT that day.
Joyce Glover, Grantsburg
Related Articles
Artist of Suni Lee sculpture in St. Paul, now stolen, hopes it’s returned to community
Little Africa Festival & Parade includes debut of deli, market, gallery
St. Paul City Council extends state of emergency in cyberattack for 90 days
Midway Cub Foods staying open through August
Festival of Nations to return to St. Paul in 2026 with a new name
Leave a Reply