DeWayne Davis
BY ED FELIEN
Next year, the city of Minneapolis will elect a mayor and a city council to four-year terms.
We understand Omar Fateh, Emily Koski and DeWayne Davis are challenging incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey. We sent Koski this questionnaire, but she did not respond by press time. We did not know Fateh was running until past our deadline. We will offer all candidates an opportunity to respond to our six questions in our January edition.
Here are the responses to our questionnaire from DeWayne Davis:
Why are you running for Mayor?
A: We need leadership that treats everyone with dignity; a city where everyone has the opportunity to earn a living wage; and a community where we can all walk all the streets of Minneapolis safely and securely.
What has Frey done wrong?
A: We need leadership that responds to the needs of all of our community members. Leaving anyone behind is unacceptable. Each of us must step up if we want all of our neighbors to share in the prosperity our city has to offer.
What will you do differently?
A: Our values are shaped by our life experiences. As a pastor, I have been organizing and advocating for a range of social justice issues long before my decision to run for office. I will work to center anti-poverty policies and advocacy in my approach to governance.
What is your solution to the homeless problem?
A: Homelessness is a symptom of poverty and a lack of affordable housing. Encampments reflect a specific failure of our social safety net to be accessible, culturally responsive, and adequately funded. Real solutions require meaningful partnerships across jurisdictions and collaboration between many partners.
Should the city re-examine the Terrance Franklin killing by the MPD? (southsidepride.com/2020/03/02/justice-for-terrance-franklin/)
A: There is a long list of failures that led to Terrance Franklin’s death. However, the city is not the appropriate party to investigate the conduct of MPD officers in that case. I would support an independent review of the case by the Minnesota BCA.
Does the city have responsibility for removing sand from Lake Hiawatha that was dumped on city streets in the winter and has flowed through storm sewers into the lake and reduced the depth from 33 feet to a sandbar in spots?
A: Lake Hiawatha has been a popular recreation destination for decades and we need to make sure it stays that way for future generations. I will work closely with neighborhood leaders, Park Board Commissioners, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to ensure the long-term health and safety of Lake Hiawatha.
