Wow, I love it when you write what I've been thinking! You cover it all here, and so well. A basic tenet of "liberalism" is that you do not blame an entire group of people for the actions of a few, but that seems lost on many of the de-funders and DSAers. So all cops are racist, all landlords are unethical, all developers mistreat their construction crews, everyone supporting the centrist DFL candidates is a Republican, all wealthy people are greedy elites. Nuance is not their strong suit! If we were to flip that around, which I won't do, we'd be pilloried. I'm not sure how we get out of this mess, but I'm glad you're calling it out.
You bring up important points about the challenges of running a grocery store. It’s not as simple as just stocking shelves and selling food. The city hasn’t demonstrated to me that they can manage anything efficiently, let alone a complex business like grocery stores.
If Mpls wants to address food deserts, provide tax incentives to private business. That’s as deep as we should go.
Terry, thank you for your thoughtful writing. It is like a breath of fresh air. I only wish that it would be picked up by the mainstream press and circulated to a wider audience. There must be others out there who learn from history and who care. Yesterday, I went to an event at the Ivy Building about the history of Seward neighborhood and its contributions to local politics - some great, some not so great. I was surprised at how limited the thinking among a lot of the participants were: they do no want to learn about other parts of the Midwest in the Rust Belt, about "core rot" (apparently, a foreign term, I mentioned.), or anything that is against their predjudices. Smart people learn from other people's mistakes. Others learn only from their own.
According an this article in The Atlantic, food deserts are a result of the Reagan administration's decision to cease enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act of 1936, which essentially eliminated price discrimination by suppliers to smaller retailers. The law is still on the books and just needs to be revived by the executive branch. Good luck with that.
"A fractured Minneapolis DFL is unlikely to inspire these voters. What might? Leaders who acknowledge the city’s real problems—and are honest about the trade-offs their policies will require" I think this is one of the things that drives me a little bit bonkers when I read some of the things that Wonsley or Chavez post. They not acknowledge the downside or the trade-offs to their ideas. I.e municipal grocery stores.
I am hopeful that Minneapolis voters actually pay attention to who is running for City Council in the coming election- and get off their collective butts and vote in November. It is imperative that we un-elect City Council Far Lefty DSA'er, and replace them with pragmatic moderates - such as CM's Rainville, Vetaw, and Palmisano! By electing at least 4 more moderates, the tide will begin to turn, and our City will be able to head in a direction that will actually benefit residents and businesses. Common sense in governing is a good thing!
We see this on the far right, just say anything, since no need to have any of it be factually based....lying comes fast and easy. ** Just do/say anything to" gin up" the base, with hopes that not enough will notice the errors or challenge. In terms of approaches, the DSA' ers here, those in positions of drunken, undeserved power and influence, use the same tactics...exactly, as the worst MAGAs.
How far does that go in Mpls...pretty far. With any other job, this group would have been fired in short order for all manner of major ethical lapses and a complete failure to do the jobs that were brought in to do.
The only remedy now, responsible and ethically imbued DFL officials, and people showing up for the local election this fall.
**** Minneapolis Council Member Robin Wonsley should recant claims against Mayor Jacob Frey
Great points! Here is Robin Wonsley's recent Facebook post about the "food apartheid " in Ward 2:
Posted yesterday on Facebook by Robin from Minneapolis
-----
"Food insecurity is an extremely serious issue in Ward 2. Nearly 1/4 of UMN students experience food insecurity, which is unacceptable. While the private market price gouges and takes advantage of students, my office has been working with the community to deliver a solution.
Last year, I brought forward a directive to research various models that other cities have used to create municipal grocery stores. While the private grocery market fails to meet residents’ basic needs, local governments must step up. The research showed that this is possible.
The over-priced Dinkytown Target, Fresh Thyme, and the overall lack of options contribute to ongoing stress and hunger among UMN students. Our students and community members deserve better.
I am actively taking steps to address food apartheid in our Ward, and I look forward to using all tools at my disposal to deliver affordable, fresh food for residents in Ward 2 and across the city."
Of course Wonsley failed to mention that virtually all of these municipal grocery stores are failing. Most have lost millions and lack product on the shelves. We could return to working with our business owners and finding out what they need. Is it police protection or perhaps a break on rent. Maybe it's a somewhat more educated employee along with some community outreach.
Wonsley's prouncements are ONLY about trying to get votes from these U of M students. The residential ones, 1/2 of those that will NOT be staying on in Mpls after they graduate, and even less in W2.
When I read her stuff and can see that she goes straight to the DSA handbook when she weaves in white supremacy into most situations, and now even "apartheid" when talking about meals for U of M students?! all of it, just exploitive, inflamatory, and just dumb.
So, when I Iisten to Wonsley and her followers on the Council any time, on everything they open their mouths about or place their fingers on the keyboard about, all I think about is this, The Emperor, the one with his new clothes in Washington. All of same.
Wonsley won by LESS than 20 votes in 2021. Many of her votes will be gifted to her, again, by students who will not be shopping here in Mpls, because they will not live here, and are never going to shop in a City owned grocery store anyway, because there will not likely be one.
Wonsley is not going to care about any of the important details, like how lean the profits are in the retail food business, why many of our stores close due to the problem of theft and shoplifting, AND the difficulty getting staff to work at some of these locations, especially into the evening hours, due to concerns about crime. None of that will matter.
If Wonsley gets through, she will be rewarded and applauded by the DSA org/ party, satisfied by the results of her all " grinning up efforts. " That will be all that matters, recognition from them.
Thanks, Judy. I'm flattered. This election season has already been brutal. I respect those who put themselves into the fray. I'm recording a podcast this morning that discusses some of the recent race changes. Mariam Demello has decided to stay in the race for Ward 11 city council and Billy Menz has ended his campaign for District 1 park board.
Terry, thanks for writing this... I guess... I follow "all things local politics" pretty much obsessively, and as I've been reading about Mamdani's no-details non-plan for NYC, I've been ignorantly chuckling to myself that even our resident extremists here in Mpls aren't talking about going down this road... so now I know better, I suppose.
Here's the thing - My wife spent the last almost 40 years of her career working in grocery wholesaling and marketing for the company that was the big ol' local firm SuperValu, that is now owned by UNFI, an outfit from the nation's northeast. So for decades I've been a fly on the wall eavesdropping on conversations at company events, plus just listening to her vent (as we all do about our work!) over the dinner table.
Speaking as a guy who is a Ph.D.-educated research scientist, and then a legally-trained patents portfolio manager, for the same number of years together as my wife's grocery career, it boggles my mind that anyone without deep, DEEP experience in the grocery industry thinks there is even the tiniest of chances that government could possibly re-invent that business, from supply chain to retail outlets, and have anything - ANYTHING - about that enterprise actually work. Grocery folk are running an incredibly complex system at laughably small profit margins, and it is mind-boggling how complicated it all is.
I have a pretty big ego, and think, like most blowhards, that I could run a whole bunch of things in government better than the folks running them today, and same for running some part of this or that corporation. But the grocery biz would scare the hell outta me, and I would never even contemplate accepting the assignment of running a Municipal grocery store - even if I had free reign on who to hire to plan and implement stuff for me and all I had to do was to supervise real experts.
The socio-political problems of getting stores to locate in certain locations, keeping them viable once they're there, keeping selection both broad and healthy, keeping prices within reach, etc. - These are all real problems. But every one of them is more tractable if one views it as an opportunity for government to perform some "tweak" or another to the system of food supply we have today. Anyone who thinks "Municipal grocery store" is the answer, truly does not understand ANY of the questions.
I would look forward to a more indepth look at some of the proposed special interest platforms proposed by the DFL. It's like the more we say do not discriminate the more we actually do. Many members will not just refuse to listen to an alternative idea, they will vilify anyone that has one.
The idea of the redistributing all the wealth from the rich to everyone is also flawed because there is a misconception that all wealth is money and can spend. Much of wealth is in ownership which can diminish in value with a snap of a finger. The other problem is that at some point the money will run out without planning and proper management.
This "everyone should be equal and fair thing" is really not what the majority of people want, if it was no one would play the lottery. The possibility of winning means the player wants a step up which in equal and fair cannot exist.
We have adopted an idea that intent is everything. In some ways this is good because it allows quicker assistance but without oversight and proper management, again we run out of money. Maybe this is an educational issue because management used to keep a discreet or not so discreet eye on their staff to ensure that they were doing their job and not robbing them. Now when you ask a manager why they are not doing this seemingly obvious task, the response is "I don't want them to feel like I don't trust them". Somehow we as a society changed, this was a tool to show the value of an employee that is now only seen as a way to hurt people.
I also do not understand the concept of "we should not want". Dreams are something to reach for and use to set goals for ourselves. If everything is given and is easy it loses value and desire along with pride of achievement.
There is also the renaming of situations to be more inclusive or rather show more need. It's confusing and actually dishonest. There is a difference between "insecurity" and "need" and we should really start recognizing it. This also kind of turns us all into either victims that do not have what they should or evil greedy people that have too much.Why can't we start empowering people instead of labeling them?
Here's a good idea for the Socialists in City Council who want to create a Socialist run grocery system in food deserts, how about incentives and funding or low-interest loans for people who want to open new grocery stores and create family businesses in their food desert neighborhoods. The trouble with Socialism is that they want to run everything and usually fail at most everything they run. Just ask all the failed nations that have tried it. You want to create equity and close the wealth gap? Tax the rich and Instead of making it hard for small businesses in this town to DO business, give them a hand.
Wow, I love it when you write what I've been thinking! You cover it all here, and so well. A basic tenet of "liberalism" is that you do not blame an entire group of people for the actions of a few, but that seems lost on many of the de-funders and DSAers. So all cops are racist, all landlords are unethical, all developers mistreat their construction crews, everyone supporting the centrist DFL candidates is a Republican, all wealthy people are greedy elites. Nuance is not their strong suit! If we were to flip that around, which I won't do, we'd be pilloried. I'm not sure how we get out of this mess, but I'm glad you're calling it out.
You bring up important points about the challenges of running a grocery store. It’s not as simple as just stocking shelves and selling food. The city hasn’t demonstrated to me that they can manage anything efficiently, let alone a complex business like grocery stores.
If Mpls wants to address food deserts, provide tax incentives to private business. That’s as deep as we should go.
Terry, thank you for your thoughtful writing. It is like a breath of fresh air. I only wish that it would be picked up by the mainstream press and circulated to a wider audience. There must be others out there who learn from history and who care. Yesterday, I went to an event at the Ivy Building about the history of Seward neighborhood and its contributions to local politics - some great, some not so great. I was surprised at how limited the thinking among a lot of the participants were: they do no want to learn about other parts of the Midwest in the Rust Belt, about "core rot" (apparently, a foreign term, I mentioned.), or anything that is against their predjudices. Smart people learn from other people's mistakes. Others learn only from their own.
According an this article in The Atlantic, food deserts are a result of the Reagan administration's decision to cease enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act of 1936, which essentially eliminated price discrimination by suppliers to smaller retailers. The law is still on the books and just needs to be revived by the executive branch. Good luck with that.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/12/food-deserts-robinson-patman/680765/
Thank you. I was unaware of this. I would wager our local elected s and candidates are also not aware if this.
I read that article as well. Makes perfect sense to me.
"A fractured Minneapolis DFL is unlikely to inspire these voters. What might? Leaders who acknowledge the city’s real problems—and are honest about the trade-offs their policies will require" I think this is one of the things that drives me a little bit bonkers when I read some of the things that Wonsley or Chavez post. They not acknowledge the downside or the trade-offs to their ideas. I.e municipal grocery stores.
I am hopeful that Minneapolis voters actually pay attention to who is running for City Council in the coming election- and get off their collective butts and vote in November. It is imperative that we un-elect City Council Far Lefty DSA'er, and replace them with pragmatic moderates - such as CM's Rainville, Vetaw, and Palmisano! By electing at least 4 more moderates, the tide will begin to turn, and our City will be able to head in a direction that will actually benefit residents and businesses. Common sense in governing is a good thing!
We see this on the far right, just say anything, since no need to have any of it be factually based....lying comes fast and easy. ** Just do/say anything to" gin up" the base, with hopes that not enough will notice the errors or challenge. In terms of approaches, the DSA' ers here, those in positions of drunken, undeserved power and influence, use the same tactics...exactly, as the worst MAGAs.
How far does that go in Mpls...pretty far. With any other job, this group would have been fired in short order for all manner of major ethical lapses and a complete failure to do the jobs that were brought in to do.
The only remedy now, responsible and ethically imbued DFL officials, and people showing up for the local election this fall.
**** Minneapolis Council Member Robin Wonsley should recant claims against Mayor Jacob Frey
https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-council-member-robin-wonsley-should-recant-claims-against-mayor-jacob-frey/600302863?utm_source=gift_email
Great points! Here is Robin Wonsley's recent Facebook post about the "food apartheid " in Ward 2:
Posted yesterday on Facebook by Robin from Minneapolis
-----
"Food insecurity is an extremely serious issue in Ward 2. Nearly 1/4 of UMN students experience food insecurity, which is unacceptable. While the private market price gouges and takes advantage of students, my office has been working with the community to deliver a solution.
Last year, I brought forward a directive to research various models that other cities have used to create municipal grocery stores. While the private grocery market fails to meet residents’ basic needs, local governments must step up. The research showed that this is possible.
The over-priced Dinkytown Target, Fresh Thyme, and the overall lack of options contribute to ongoing stress and hunger among UMN students. Our students and community members deserve better.
I am actively taking steps to address food apartheid in our Ward, and I look forward to using all tools at my disposal to deliver affordable, fresh food for residents in Ward 2 and across the city."
-----
Of course Wonsley failed to mention that virtually all of these municipal grocery stores are failing. Most have lost millions and lack product on the shelves. We could return to working with our business owners and finding out what they need. Is it police protection or perhaps a break on rent. Maybe it's a somewhat more educated employee along with some community outreach.
Wonsley's prouncements are ONLY about trying to get votes from these U of M students. The residential ones, 1/2 of those that will NOT be staying on in Mpls after they graduate, and even less in W2.
When I read her stuff and can see that she goes straight to the DSA handbook when she weaves in white supremacy into most situations, and now even "apartheid" when talking about meals for U of M students?! all of it, just exploitive, inflamatory, and just dumb.
So, when I Iisten to Wonsley and her followers on the Council any time, on everything they open their mouths about or place their fingers on the keyboard about, all I think about is this, The Emperor, the one with his new clothes in Washington. All of same.
Wonsley won by LESS than 20 votes in 2021. Many of her votes will be gifted to her, again, by students who will not be shopping here in Mpls, because they will not live here, and are never going to shop in a City owned grocery store anyway, because there will not likely be one.
Wonsley is not going to care about any of the important details, like how lean the profits are in the retail food business, why many of our stores close due to the problem of theft and shoplifting, AND the difficulty getting staff to work at some of these locations, especially into the evening hours, due to concerns about crime. None of that will matter.
If Wonsley gets through, she will be rewarded and applauded by the DSA org/ party, satisfied by the results of her all " grinning up efforts. " That will be all that matters, recognition from them.
Thank you Terry! I wish you’d consider running again. You just have such an incredible clear thought process that the city desperately needs.
Thanks, Judy. I'm flattered. This election season has already been brutal. I respect those who put themselves into the fray. I'm recording a podcast this morning that discusses some of the recent race changes. Mariam Demello has decided to stay in the race for Ward 11 city council and Billy Menz has ended his campaign for District 1 park board.
Terry, thanks for writing this... I guess... I follow "all things local politics" pretty much obsessively, and as I've been reading about Mamdani's no-details non-plan for NYC, I've been ignorantly chuckling to myself that even our resident extremists here in Mpls aren't talking about going down this road... so now I know better, I suppose.
Here's the thing - My wife spent the last almost 40 years of her career working in grocery wholesaling and marketing for the company that was the big ol' local firm SuperValu, that is now owned by UNFI, an outfit from the nation's northeast. So for decades I've been a fly on the wall eavesdropping on conversations at company events, plus just listening to her vent (as we all do about our work!) over the dinner table.
Speaking as a guy who is a Ph.D.-educated research scientist, and then a legally-trained patents portfolio manager, for the same number of years together as my wife's grocery career, it boggles my mind that anyone without deep, DEEP experience in the grocery industry thinks there is even the tiniest of chances that government could possibly re-invent that business, from supply chain to retail outlets, and have anything - ANYTHING - about that enterprise actually work. Grocery folk are running an incredibly complex system at laughably small profit margins, and it is mind-boggling how complicated it all is.
I have a pretty big ego, and think, like most blowhards, that I could run a whole bunch of things in government better than the folks running them today, and same for running some part of this or that corporation. But the grocery biz would scare the hell outta me, and I would never even contemplate accepting the assignment of running a Municipal grocery store - even if I had free reign on who to hire to plan and implement stuff for me and all I had to do was to supervise real experts.
The socio-political problems of getting stores to locate in certain locations, keeping them viable once they're there, keeping selection both broad and healthy, keeping prices within reach, etc. - These are all real problems. But every one of them is more tractable if one views it as an opportunity for government to perform some "tweak" or another to the system of food supply we have today. Anyone who thinks "Municipal grocery store" is the answer, truly does not understand ANY of the questions.
Hi Jim, thank you for adding your insights. I don't have nearly the same level of experience, but my research confirms what you're saying.
I would look forward to a more indepth look at some of the proposed special interest platforms proposed by the DFL. It's like the more we say do not discriminate the more we actually do. Many members will not just refuse to listen to an alternative idea, they will vilify anyone that has one.
The idea of the redistributing all the wealth from the rich to everyone is also flawed because there is a misconception that all wealth is money and can spend. Much of wealth is in ownership which can diminish in value with a snap of a finger. The other problem is that at some point the money will run out without planning and proper management.
This "everyone should be equal and fair thing" is really not what the majority of people want, if it was no one would play the lottery. The possibility of winning means the player wants a step up which in equal and fair cannot exist.
We have adopted an idea that intent is everything. In some ways this is good because it allows quicker assistance but without oversight and proper management, again we run out of money. Maybe this is an educational issue because management used to keep a discreet or not so discreet eye on their staff to ensure that they were doing their job and not robbing them. Now when you ask a manager why they are not doing this seemingly obvious task, the response is "I don't want them to feel like I don't trust them". Somehow we as a society changed, this was a tool to show the value of an employee that is now only seen as a way to hurt people.
I also do not understand the concept of "we should not want". Dreams are something to reach for and use to set goals for ourselves. If everything is given and is easy it loses value and desire along with pride of achievement.
There is also the renaming of situations to be more inclusive or rather show more need. It's confusing and actually dishonest. There is a difference between "insecurity" and "need" and we should really start recognizing it. This also kind of turns us all into either victims that do not have what they should or evil greedy people that have too much.Why can't we start empowering people instead of labeling them?
Here's a good idea for the Socialists in City Council who want to create a Socialist run grocery system in food deserts, how about incentives and funding or low-interest loans for people who want to open new grocery stores and create family businesses in their food desert neighborhoods. The trouble with Socialism is that they want to run everything and usually fail at most everything they run. Just ask all the failed nations that have tried it. You want to create equity and close the wealth gap? Tax the rich and Instead of making it hard for small businesses in this town to DO business, give them a hand.