Access To Democracy

Jerri Neddermeyer is one of the most fascinating people in Eagan. She is an artist, a potter, a writer, a poet, a musician, a teacher, an entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Eagan’s newest arts nonprofit – Art Works.

In this interview with Mike Supina (also a council member of City of Eagan) we discuss the value of the arts in our community, and how artists sometimes have to push back against attempts to devalue their work. We also learn how an artist reconciles the expression of their creative spirit with producing art as a marketable commodity. Lastly, we talk about the progression of Art Works from the dream stage to an institution that today occupies a prominent build right here in the heart of Eagan, filled with beautiful art and creative people.

Will Phillips, AARP Minnesota State Director, is interviewed by guest host Bill Raker. AARP is a non-profit, non-partisan social impact organization with nearly 640,000 Minnesotan members. Phillips explains the “Age-Friendly Minnesota” program and how it positively impacts citizens of all ages in many ways, while primarily focusing on the needs of the increasing number of aging Minnesotans, noting that in 2020 the number of adults older than 65 outnumbered the school-age children in the state. He describes an “age-friendly community” naming the nine such communities currently in MN, and explains how an interested community can join that group. AARP and other organizations are working towards having the legislature make permanent and independent with dedicated funding the “Governor’s Council on Age Friendly Minnesota.”

Prof. Richard Painter was the Chief Ethics Officer in the administration of president George W Bush. He is well known on national media and we are honored that he has appeared on Access to Democracy on several occasions. Prof. Painter is a tenured faculty member of the University of Minnesota Law School, and is active nationally in several organizations. Alan posed the question as to whether Prof. Painter thought that disciplinary or criminal action was appropriate for either former Attorney General William Barr or Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Guiliani. Responding in the affirmative in each case, Painter went on to discuss important First Amendment issues involving Facebook and other social media platforms.

Eagan Police Chief Roger New, who has been a regular guest on Access to Democracy over the years, interviewed with guest host Michele Engdahl to discuss topics ranging as from the special burden that the Derek Chauvin trial placed on local police departments, to a new monthly meeting of Dakota County police chiefs focusing on future preparedness. Speaking from his office in the new, expanded Eagan Police Headquarters, the Chief even volunteered to become a future guest host on our show.

Rep. Angie Craig, representing MN CD2, discussed some of the leading issues facing Congress with guest host Rick King, former Thomson Reuters executive. Rep. Craig, who makes periodic visits to our show to keep her constituents advised of the latest events in Congress, also mentioned her success as a freshman in Congress in getting bills passed, her bipartisan efforts on pending legislation with members of the opposite party, and the fact that her opponent in the last election announced that he is running once again. Redistricting may play a role in the 2022 election.