Access To Democracy

City of Eagan Councilmember Gary Hansen, joins “Access to Democracy” host Steve Francisco to discuss Eagan’s robust and diverse economy and the several reasons why the city was recently ranked 11th best city in the U.S. by Fortune magazine.

Parks, schools, public safety and public services make Eagan a desirable place to live and work, but Eagan faces growing challenges in providing affordable housing.

This interview also explores Eagan’s role as a regional South metro transit hub. Councilmember Hansen also discusses the role of citizen advisory committees that afford Eagan residents opportunities to be more involved in local government.

In this special edition, ACCESS TO DEMOCRACY and EAGAN TV (ETV) host a one-hour program featuring a forum of Cynthia Callais, Bianca Virnig, and Jay Miller, DFL candidates running in the Primary Election for MN House seat 52B. Opening comments from Forum Moderator Bill Raker, provides background and context for the event. Following the candidates’ introductory remarks, moderator Raker asks a series of selected questions designed to highlight candidates’ positions on important issues Minnesota’s elected officials will be facing in the next legislative session. A fourth candidate Chris Whitfield was invited to the Forum but was unavailable to participate.

You can find info about the candidates and the primary elections here https://www.dfl52.org/52bspecial.html

Jean Ketcham co-founded “Aging but Dangerous” mostly for women over 50 years in age, to inspire and educate about the years ahead. 

They featured many educational forums, and participated in events such as 107 women sky-diving on a single day, visiting adult stores, a shooting range, and this year came up with a 2024 calendar modeled after the “Calendar Girls” calendar from the 2003 movie featuring Helen Mirren.

The 2024 Fierce & Fabulous sports tastefully nude women aged 50 to 80s as models. The calendars are available on their website at https://agingbutdangerous.com

Dakota County history comes alive as our guest Matthew Carter talks with host Bill Raker about the founding, background, mission and events of the Dakota County Historical Society (DCHS).

Matthew explains how the DCHS is governed, funded, and operated for the benefit and enjoyment of the community and the visitors who come to the museums it oversees, Lawshe Memorial Museum in South St. Paul, LeDuc Historic Estate in Hastings, and Sibley Historic Site in Mendota.

Learn about some of the main features and unique aspects of each of the three museums. Matthew’s knowledge and enthusiasm make the discussion lively, interesting, and educational.

Sami Rahamim, Communications and Community Affairs Director for the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Minnesota and the Dakotas, sits down with host Steve Francisco to discuss the impact of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel on our local Jewish community.

The impact of Israel’s war on Hamas on the civilian population in Gaza is also explored, along with steps being taken by the U.S. and the international community to get humanitarian aid to innocent Palestinian civilians who are caught in the crossfire.

Sami and Steve also discuss whether Israel will re-occupy Gaza and whether the two-state solution is still a viable option for long-term peace between Israelis and Palestinians.