Access To Democracy

Drs. Chaunda Scott and Charles Crutchfield, conduct a lively and informative discussion with Alan Miller about the book originally started by Walter Scott (Scott’s father) which chronicled and memorialized the history and participants in the history of the black community in Minnesota.

 link to Julie Ethan’s book 


 Free discussion and activity guide 

Julie Ethan, a former Eagan resident, is the the author of “How Can Half the Country Be So Stupid,” a memoir on politics and her friendship with Benjamin Gross, a well-known liberal activist in Dakota County. Ethan, a caucasian, and formerly a conservative evangelical Republican, and Gross, an black American whose political career dates back decades, found common ground as they forged a decades-long friendship. They shared some of that history in their first visit to Access to Democracy, and reinforced the enduring bond between them.

A rare politician who has never lost an election, Lisa Nemer Noah has led Senate District 51 of the Minnesota DFL since 2018, during a period when the district saw all its candidates succeed, at state, local and congressional levels. Lisa has been involved in politics since her youth in Crystal MN, when her mother was active in the party. She shared an update on the local officials, some of her hopes for the future, and her pride that the percentage vote in the November 2020 election in the district was the highest ever.

The Eagan City Council, with stable membership over the past 12 years, will welcome Mike Supina, as its newest member following his election in November 2020, and the retirement of long-time member Meg Tilley. In his first Access to Democracy interview, Supina, an architect who presently has his own consulting firm, discussed his long involvement with city commissions, and the challenges he foresees in this time of pandemic. He will take the oath in January, and shared some of his hopes for the city, including climate action, sustainability, inclusivity and connectivity.

Prof. David Schultz, of Hamline University and Hamline Law School, the author of hundreds of articles on politics and 40 books, is frequently sought after by the media for cogent opinions on current political topics. Prof. Schultz has been a frequent guest on Access to Democracy for over a decade, and shared with us his opinion on the results of the Presidential election, why the Democrats lost members in the House and barely maintained their numbers in the Senate. He also spoke of the local elections, and had some projections for the future.