Gallery: Brooklyn Park City Council East District Special Election
Xp Lee wins special election for seat on Brooklyn Park City Council
Xp Lee, a Minnesota Department of Health employee that leads COVID-19 community initiatives, has won a special election to become the next East District representative in the Brooklyn Park City Council.
With all 10 precincts reporting Tuesday night, Xp Lee finished with 45.5 percent of the vote. LaDawn Severin came in second with 34 percent of the vote. Benjamin Osemenam and Abraham Baha received roughly 10 percent each.
His election ushers in a new era in Brooklyn Park politics as for the first time, the city which is 56 percent people of color, will have its city council with a majority of people of color seated.
The election in the East District was triggered to replace Lisa Jacobson who was elected mayor on August 10, 2021. Lee will serve out the remainder of Jacobson’s term which ends on December 31, 2024.
The city’s three districts are each represented by two councilmembers who serve staggered terms. The East District has had only one representative since Jacobson’s election as mayor. The other East District councilmember, Terry Parks, is up for reelection in the regular cycle in November’s election.
The East District is the city’s wealthiest and more conservative part of overwhelmingly progressive Brooklyn Park. All homes that face the Mississippi River in the city are in the district. Homes in the district are almost twice the city’s median value of $224,000.
WATCH: East District Candidate Forum.
City races are nonpartisan, but Lee campaigned as the DFL endorsed candidate while Bah garnered a critical endorsement from the city’s former mayor Jeff Lunde, a Republican, who is now a county commissioner representing the area. When Lunde got elected county commissioner he endorsed fellow Republican Lisa Jacobson to succeed him. Jacobson went on to beat Hollies Winston by two votes. Bah also publicly endorsed Jacobson in her mayoral race last year but the mayor did not return the favor.
Lee’s election brings the number of Hmong Brooklyn Park councilmembers to two, at least through November when Susan Pha who represents the West District has announced she will instead run for the Minnesota Senate.
Special elections typically feature low turnouts and this race was no exception.
1,763 people cast ballots in the election, a turnout of about 11 percent. In the 2020 general election that had a nationwide record turnout when East District voters last voted for a councilmember, 13,119 voted. That election pitted Lisa Jacobson against Benjamin Osemenam. Jacobson won by receiving 7,674 votes to Osemenam’s 5,096.
Mshale Photojournalist Jasmine Webber contributed to this report.
Brooklyn Park East District Feb. 8 Special Election: 600 have already voted absentee
Voters in the East District in Brooklyn Park on Saturday, February 5, 2022 braved subzero wind chills to take advantage of weekend absentee voting in-person to cast their ballots for the February 8, 2022 special election. The election is to fill a vacant seat in the city council.
The Feb. 8 special election will fill the seat left vacant by Lisa Jacobson who was elected mayor on August 10, 2021.
75 people participated in the exercise on Saturday according to City Clerk Devin Montero. 600 people in total have voted as of Monday morning.
The four candidates in the ballot are Abraham Bah, Xp Lee, Benjamin Osemenam and LaDawn Severin. The four participated in a Mshale candidate forum on Jan. 20.
Polls will open at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday and close at 8:00 p.m.
Polling place finder: Visit the City of Brooklyn Park website @ www.brooklynpark.org/elections/
‘Expedition’ aims to take Minnesotans to Ghana without leaving Twin Cities
The Ghanaian Association of Minnesota (GhanAM) will be hosting an event on Sunday Feb. 13 to celebrate the culture of the west African country. Known as the Urban Expedition: Ghana, the event will be held at the Landmark Center in St. Paul from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
“The Urban Expedition is a perfect opportunity for us to promote and share our culture,” said GhanAM President Isaac Owens. “This time of year, is very important for Ghanaians, [because it’s close to March 6, Ghana’s day of independence] and we took this opportunity to share Ghana with the local community, as well as support the Ghanaian diaspora in Minnesota.”
The event will feature traditional live music, food, art displays, and a fashion show. The goal is to bring Ghana to Minnesota, allowing attendees to “travel to Ghana without leaving St. Paul,” according to Isaac Owens,
Urban Expedition is a project of the Landmark Center, a nonprofit organization founded in 1892 to create, promote, and preserve educational programs that spotlight Minnesota’s cultural diversity. One of the ways that it achieves this is by partnering with local organizations like GhanAM to host community events.
The series of events is designed to simulate cultural immersion. Attendees can experience various cultures from around the globe without having to travel. In a recent interview with Devin Graf, the center’s programs and marketing manager, Graf said that Urban Expedition has been running for the past 18 years.
“We have a deep appreciation of global cultures here at the Landmark Center, and our program strives to reflect that,” she said. “The events are free, so they’re an accessible option for most families and individuals. In addition, by partnering with local organizations, we boost their local presence. This is a great program that is enriching the arts and culture scene here in St Paul.”
This will be the second year GhanAM is having an exhibition at the center. The organization was founded by two Ghanaian University of Minnesota students in the 1950’s, according to Owens. Since then, it has expanded to hosting concerts, events, and networking sessions to preserve and promote Ghanaian culture across Minnesota.
To ensure a meaningful experience at the event, Owens says he has recruited Ghanaian talent from the Twin Cities and beyond.
“We have applicants from as far as St. Cloud,” he said. “I think the fact that we have such a dedicated applicant pool is what ensures we can produce the best experience. We are committed to accurate cultural representation and authenticity.”
In addition to traditional music, fashion, and dance, attendees will get a chance to enjoy Ghanaian cuisine.
“We will be serving a variety of our most popular dishes, including jollof rice, roasted chicken, and meat and vegetarian pies,” Owen said.
Urban Expedition: Ghana
Date: Sunday, Feb. 13 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Landmark Center 75 5th St. W., Saint Paul, MN 55102
Admission: Free
MN Senate District 40: Finance reports show parity between the two main contenders
Candidates for the 2022 state senate and house races have submitted their campaign financial reports for 2021 as required by state law, and the main contenders in Senate District 40, Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley and Susan Pha, each raised just over $11,000 in cash from individual donors.
According to campaign finance reports each campaign submitted this week, Hiltsley raised $11,150 in cash from individual donors while Pha raised $11,960 in cash from individuals.
Five single donations of $1,000 were given to the Hiltsley campaign and three to the Pha campaign.
The Pha campaign ended the reporting period with more cash on hand, $10,405 than the Hiltsley campaign which closed the reporting period with a cash balance of $8,732.
None of the campaigns received any contributions from PACs (political action committees. That is expected to change as groups and special interests make up their mind on who to support in advance of the DFL Senate district conventions in the Spring. Both Hiltsley and Pha are expected to seek the DFL endorsement.
Both candidates announced their candidacies in the second half of last year so the money raised reflects the early stages of what is expected to be a hotly contested race. The average raised by the outgoing incumbent during an election year in the largely safe Democratic district was around $20,000.
Senate District 40 includes all of Brooklyn Center and the southern half of Brooklyn Park. State Sen. Chris Eaton who has represented the district since 2011, announced in August 2021 that she will not be seeking reelection.
This story has been updated to give clarity on how many $1,000 single donations each candidate received as opposed to how many individuals gave the the maximum allowed $1,000 during the reporting period. Individuals can give multiple times to reach the maximum $1,000. Story clarifies how many gave $1,000 in a single donation.
Minnesota names assistant commissioner to lead new Health Equity Bureau
Dr. Brooke Cunningham, a general internist, sociologist, and assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota, has been named to lead a new Health Equity Bureau housed within the Minnesota Department of Health.
MDH made the announcement in a Tuesday press release that said the new bureau will also house Center for Health Equity, the new Office of American Indian Health, proactive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts.
During the pandemic the state health department has increased its focus on the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on people of color. On Tuesday it said the new bureau will lead the department’s equity work.
Dr. Cunningham practices internal medicine at the Community-University Health Care Clinic (CUHCC), a federally qualified health clinic that serves a diverse patient population, including many low-income families. As an educator, she teaches about race as a social construct and the mechanisms through which racism affects health.
In her research work, Dr. Cunningham has examined factors at both the provider and organizational levels that impede or facilitate efforts to address health equity. In 2019, she received a National Institutes of Health Career Development Award for a project that aims to improve white physicians’ ability to knowledgeably, safely, and effectively communicate about racism with Black patients.
Since fall of 2020, she has co-directed the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Thread, which aims to prepare future physicians to advance health equity and antiracist clinical practice.
“The pandemic continues to demonstrate with shocking clarity the systemic issues underlying Minnesota’s health inequities as well as the troubling health conditions and outcomes magnified by those inequities,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said. “The creation of this new bureau builds on what we have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects our deepening commitment to health equity in all aspects of public health.”
Dr. Brooke will be joining the department as an assistant commissioner and her start date will be March 2.
Here are the endorsements in Brooklyn Park’s East District City Council race
Brooklyn Park City Council East District February 8 special election could usher in a historic people of color majority on the seven-person council once the votes are counted.
Most voters have yet to cast their ballots even though absentee voting has been going on since Dec. 27. 255 votes have been cast as of the morning of Jan. 31.
Voters can vote at City Hall in-person all of this week until Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and this Saturday (Feb. 5) from 10:00 am to 3:00 p.m. The last day to vote absentee before the election is Feb. 7 at City Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Feb. 8 special election will fill the seat left vacant by Lisa Jacobson who was elected mayor on August 10, 2021.
There are four candidates in the race; Abraham Bah, Benjamin Osemenam, Xp Lee and LaDawn Severin. The four have met in two candidate forums. One by the League of Women Voters and the latest by Mshale.
You can view the League’s forum at this link and Mshale’s forum at this link.
The state’s sixth largest city is divided into three districts each represented by two council members. The mayor is elected city wide to comprise a seven-person council. The mayor has one vote on the council like the rest of the council members.
Currently there are two Black men and one Asian woman on the council. A win by either Bah, Osemenam or Lee will for the first time see the Brooklyn Park City Council have a majority people of color. The city is 56 percent people of color.
A number of notable Brooklyn Park and metro area residents have already made their endorsements in the Feb. 8 race. Endorsements can help signal to voters what a candidate’s positions on the issues are, or underscore the type of support the candidate has.
Below, we’ve put together a list of the endorsements we are aware of in the race, compiled from a combination of press releases, social media posts and candidate websites. Information will be updated as needed.
Abraham Bah
Public figures: Commissioner Jeffrey Lunde – Hennepin County Commissioner and former Mayor of Brooklyn Park; Pastor Samuel Vansiea – Senior Pastor at Joy World Universal Church; Imam Mohammed Dukuly – Imam at Masjid Al-Ansar Islamic Community Center; Bishop Harding Smith – Spiritual Church of God; Rev. Francis Tabla – Pastor at Ebenezer Community Church; Hassanen Mohamed, Former chair of the Brooklyn Park Human Rights Commission and a former Planning Commissioner.
Organizations: None.
Benjamin Osemenam
None. Candidate Osemenam said he is only seeking the endorsement of voters and Brooklyn Park residents and “not special interest endorsements.”
Xp Lee
Public figures: Rep. Kaohly Her – Minnesota House of Representatives; Rep. Samantha Vang – Minnesota House of Representatives; Rep. Fue Lee– Minnesota House of Representatives; Councilmember Susan Pha – Brooklyn Park City Council; Councilmember Terry Parks – Brooklyn Park City Council.
Organizations: Minnesota DFL Party; DFL Veterans Caucus.
LaDawn Severin
None. Candidate Severin said she has not reached out to any individuals or organizations for endorsements at this point.
Voting requirements and info: Visit the City of Brooklyn Park website.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah takes charge at the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings on Thursday introduced their new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after conducting eight initial interviews for the position.
Isaac Owens, the president of the Ghanaian Association of Minnesota said the Ashanti people of Ghana name a male child born on Sunday Kwesi.
“If you have Mensah as your last name, it means you were the third-born in your family,” Owens said.
Adofo-Mensah was one of two finalists for the Vikings job and he was the Vice President of Football Operations with the Cleveland Browns for the last two seasons and seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers prior. His contract with the Vikings is for a four-year deal worth a reported $12 million.
His hiring brings to five the number of Black general managers in the 32 team league.
The new GM met with reporters at the Vikings practice facility in Eagan. Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf introduced him during the event on Thursday.
“Kwesi has a strong leadership presence, a unique background and a variety of strong football experiences, which we believe are significant strengths as he assumes this role,” Wilf said. “He immediately stood out to us in his interviews because of his long-term success and his comprehensive information gathering and his intentional decision-making processes. He is a tremendous leader.”
The Vikings organization is also in search of a head coach and the owners had indicated they will first hire a general manager so that he can participate in the search for one.
“From the moment I jumped on the interview it was just an immediate fit,” Adofo-Mensah said. “It just felt right. I really do believe that I was meant to be your general manager.”
Also present at the event was his mother whom she called his “superhero” and his fiancée who he said went on Etsy and bought a vintage Vikings hat after the interview.
Adofo-Mensah, 40, received his undergraduate degree in economics from Princeton and a master’s degree from Stanford. Before moving to the NFL, he worked at Wall Street for a combined eight years as an associate portfolio manager at Taylor Woods Capital and at Credit Suisse as a commodities’ trader.
“I know my background is unique but when you think about this job, it is about making decisions, building a consensus in the building, combining different sources of information into one answer and having everybody behind it,” Adofo-Mensah said. “Along those lines, I don’t think there’s many people more qualified than I am.”
Minnesota’s rental assistance to stop accepting new applications on Jan. 28 as funds run out
Friday January 28 is the last day to submit applications for COVID-19 emergency rental assistance in Minnesota, the state’s agency in charge of the program announced on Tuesday.
In a news release, Minnesota Housing said the program is approaching the limit of its available funding. In total, it will distribute an estimated $450 million to low-income Minnesotans who have fallen behind on rent payments because of the coronavirus pandemic.
As of January 20, the agency said the state has made more than 77,350 payments, helping more than 46,000 households catch up on their housing costs.
“We realize the decision to close the program will affect many households that continue to struggle to make rent,” said Minnesota Commissioner Jennifer Leimaile Ho. “Unfortunately, the need for help is greater than the funds available.”
Application Deadline Announced: RentHelpMN applications must be submitted by Friday, January 28 at 9:00 p.m. to be considered. If you are behind on rent, you may apply to get caught up and be protected from eviction. Visit https://t.co/ZmxpMARmcW to apply. pic.twitter.com/wDt8u1AoE9
— Minnesota Housing (@mnhousing) January 25, 2022
Applications received by Friday’s deadline will continue to be processed after the deadline. Renters who are behind on rent may apply for up to 18 months of rent and utilities including up to an additional month of upcoming rent, subject to available resources.
Minnesota has requested additional funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to meet the ongoing need for rental assistance, but Ho says she doesn’t expect Minnesota to receive more funds.
Tenants who owe back rent can apply for assistance online at RentHelpMN.org or call the 211 helpline (651-291-0211).
Brooklyn Center announces search for new police chief
The City of Brooklyn Center is officially looking for a new chief of police, the city announced Tuesday.
The city’s police department has been led by Interim Chief Tony Gruenig since April 13, 2021 when then Police Chief Tim Gannon resigned after one of his officers, Kim Potter, fatally shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright two days earlier. Potter was convicted last month for that killing.
Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott who announced Gannon’s resignation said at the time “We’re hoping that we’re turning over a new leaf now.”
DRI Consulting (DRIC) has been chosen to lead the national search for a new chief. The city described DRIC as a Minnesota-based consulting form of organizational psychologist that “has advised public safety agencies for decades.” The firm will work with the city’s leadership and hiring team in conducting the search.
The city said in a news release that it anticipates the search to be completed by late spring.
A number of factors are being considered for the new chief, the city said, and chief among them is a candidate that is a “strong transformational leader with an equity-focused lens.”
The city stated that some groundwork has been covered already in anticipation for starting the search, including engaging community and stakeholder groups to include interviews with what it called “key community stakeholders.” City staff and the police department have also been included in the interviews.
According to the city, it plans to continue engaging community members to solicit input on what is valuable and necessary in a new police chief.
The city is inviting input in the following ways:
- Before Tuesday, February 15 – use this confidential online tool to share input https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BCChiefofPolice
- Attend a virtual community meeting to provide input on what Brooklyn Center needs in a Police Chief.
- Monday, February 7 (7-8 p.m.)
- Thursday, February 10 (6-7 p.m.)
Zoom link will be provided, closer to event date. Visit the City of Brooklyn Center website for more. www.ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us
- Directly to DRIC: [email protected]
Seven restaurants sue Minneapolis over vaccine mandate
A group of Minneapolis restaurants and bars are suing Mayor Jacob Frey and the city over the mayor’s orders mandating that customers show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test in order to eat and drink on site.
The orders went into effect on Wednesday.
The plaintiffs Smack Shack, Gay 90’s, Sneaky Pete’s, Wild Greg’s Saloon, Urban Forage, Jimmy John’s and Bunkers Music Bar & Grill claim in their suit that the mayor’s orders requiring them to verify COVID-19 vaccination or negative status is “without authority, ultra vires, and as such should be declared null and void.”
When Mayor Frey announced the mandates on Jan. 12 alongside Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul, he described it as the next critical step “to avoid closures, we want to stay open, and we need to stay safer.”
However, in their lawsuit filed on Thursday, the owners of these establishments allege that “Minneapolis bars and restaurants are being used as pawns to further Mayor Frey’s agenda of pushing for and convincing the public to get vaccinated.”
The city has not yet issued a comment on the lawsuit.
