I find it a bit troubling. Even during the elections in November a misconception that the northside has become some warm, fuzzy sort of place with nary a crime taking place was spewed from the lips of many a candidate; not the case. Its still got issues and they're likely not going to disappear anytime soon without quite a bit of intervention and how do you spell it, chutzpah? There's been a freaky upswing in crime lately and there consistently remains a large number of blighted, muisance properties in and around the area on Lowry and Penn where a brand-spankin' new development is slated to take place - for seniors no less. I can't imagine elderly pedestrians walking down Lowry Avenue or attempting to cross it. The only business worth a darn on that corner is North End Hardware and God bless 'em - they've remained for all these years and the guys that work there even know stuff. I know I've ranted about Lowry Avenue before, but as a refresher the fun starts at the world's creepiest SuperAmerica at Upton Avenue and runs all the way to Lyndale. The SuperAmerica only allows you to be in the store for two minutes. There's 6 inch bullet-proof glass between you and the 'I hate this job and I'm not too friendly' cashier that has to scream your total at you AND you have to prepay for your gas, even in broad daylight, so if you plan on getting some cash from the machine or writing a check you can pretty much guarantee you'll be booted out of the store due to the alotted two minute time frame. And that last minute gallon of milk you remembered you need? Forget it. By the time you prepay, then go pump your gas, then run back in, grab the milk...I'd sooner drive to Cottage Grove. They had a full-time uniformed cop in there a while back, but apparently can't afford it now and it certainly isn't because they're spending it on inventory. Can anyone else name a convenience store in this city that still stocks Cashmere Bouquet soap; and just one bar? Simply put, Johnson already won the November election, but there's a sneaky unspoken element that somehow because she's Alice's daughter she knows what she's doing. Last I checked she's a one-term council member, and we all know NOBODY can get done in just one term. I guess I would hope she'd concentrate on solving the problems in her ward before attempting to take on the additional responsibility and public glory of a bid for the council presidency. JHarmon Cleveland
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