Letters - Sep 2025

Keep up momentum by keeping funds local
Amidst worrisome headlines, it’s a rare relief to see that the Minneapolis Foundation is receiving a court-ordered return of promised funds after suing the federal government. The foundation will be able to apply the funds to their work of “delivering healthy homes, clean water, and clean air… to communities who need it most” (Rybak 2025). This time, a feared loss has been contained to a reminder of the work’s importance.
In addition to refusing to crumble under defunding, the Minneapolis Foundation’s aim underlines the exciting possibility of an even faster and more expansive energy transition for all. Just as our city is fortunate to have the foundation, so too are we fortunate to have a Climate Equity Plan that promises more green jobs and resilient neighborhoods.
The 2025 Franchise Agreement can fuel progress on the plan, but only so much. A reinforced agreement would be especially paid for by major polluters, be inclusive of renters, and be designed to help close racial wealth gaps.
The goal of electrifying homes and buildings across Minneapolis by 2040 is purposefully ambitious, but also easily achievable through cooperation that puts the public first and leaves no neighborhood behind.
Theresa DeGross

THEY CAME FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
In our city, there are clearly wounds that have not yet healed from the murder of George Floyd. One of which being a rebuilding of trust between the public and our police department. What we saw on Lake Street is an example of this continued tension.
Particularly when Chief O’Hara and Mayor Frey try to ask us to not believe our eyes. As well as contradicting the coverage of local journalists, like Taylor Dahlin, who posted photos of ICE on site. They came for our neighbors.
Both seem to be very focused on insisting that this was an operation related to an alleged criminal matter and not immigration. But I, and many other residents, find it hard to trust the intentions of the federal government in this current moment. Especially when masked federal agents show up armed to the teeth, names covered. As if entering a warzone, not a city where people live and exist in peace.
Mayor Frey also addresses this in one of his statements: “It’s not surprising that these reports were met with panic and confusion. Donald Trump’s cruel immigration policies have created an environment of understandable fear.” Though the mayor seems more than willing to take the Trump Administration at their word as long as they say “criminal” and not “immigration”.
Maybe if he was on the ground and witnessing the events with his own eyes; he would feel a little differently. This type of violent federal activity should have no place in our city.
Eli Sherman
North Loop

WE NEED MORE FOOD OPTIONS
Longfellow has become a neighborhood with almost as few everyday services as the near North Side. While we DO have some great grocery stores and Target, we're missing:
• a police precinct
• a Chinese take-out
• a pizza place
• a sub shop
To me, these are essential stores and services, and apparently nothing is being done to remedy this. We still have too many empty lots and not enough store fronts for businesses like those above to come into the neighborhood.
When I first moved back in Minneapolis (after 15 years in New York), Longfellow boasted a Kentucky Fried Chicken, several pizza and Chinese take-out/restaurants. Now other than Wendy's and McDonald's, we don't have many options for affordable easy places to get bring-home food. I'm not a junk food junky per se, but it would be nice to be able to get a nice pizza or hamburger when one doesn't want to cook! Yes, Parkway is good, but it's a bit too far to grab and go pizza... especially since I don't drive.
Barry Margolis
Longfellow