Political Speeches at Lowry Bridge Opening

Post and videos by the Hawthorne Hawkman.

Every so often, I find myself turning into the north Minneapolis version of C-SPAN.  We have these great events, like the opening of the Lowry Bridge, and of course a parade of politicians have to have their say.  Most of the time, what's said is predictable (thanks to the community and the workers and the fellow politicians and the businesses and the children, etc.), although even in this set of speeches we have a few surprises.

In any case, these are our community leaders, and what they have to say at an event like this should be recorded and readily available.  That's where this blog comes in.

Several of our speakers touted the new bike lanes, and there was that surprise...

Public Commentary from the North High MPS Meeting

Post and videos by the Hawthorne Hawkman

This post will encompass the remainder of those who spoke out during the public comment period of the School Board meeting where North High was saved*.


(*if we get 125 incoming freshmen by March of '11. Let's not lose sight of that.  Otherwise, it will close for one year and reopen.)

More videos and commentary after the jump...

Congressman Keith Ellison on North High School

Post by the Hawthorne Hawkman, image from the Keith Ellison Wikipedia page.

Over 250 people gathered at the North High School auditorium tonight to voice their support for keeping the high school open.  Minneapolis superintendent Bernadeia Johnson and six school board members were on hand to (hopefully) listen.  More posts are sure to follow, but here are Congressman Ellison's words regarding North High:

October 18, 2010

Dear Students, Community Members and Supporters of North High School,

As a long time resident of North Minneapolis, and someone deply concerned about the viability and growth of this neighborhood and all neighborhoods that make up North Minneapolis, my position is that North High School should remain open until we have had a true community wide dialogue regarding education, housing and public investment with a clear commitment to the near north section of Minneapolis.

When I reflect over the last half decade, I do not recall forthright conversations about the future of North High School.  What has taken place though is...