Jason Franzen

My position on the flag conversation is that I think we should always be flying the current adopted flag. The reason I feel that way is that it respects democracy. I feel going back to the old flag would be very disrespectful and it would be undermining the democratic process that yielded the current flag. The new flag wasn’t my favorite of the options however it has since grown on me especially post metro surge. I saw the flag become the symbol of perseverance and unity and it really stuck with me and made me proud of our new flag. The pain and suffering we endured from metro surge was felt all across the state and right here at home in Mounds View. The flag was a central symbol of light in the darkness that was metro surge. We will likely do a proclamation and a flag dedication in the near future to cement our commitment to flying this flag and I would also like to see us adopt an ordinance stating we will fly whatever the current adopted flag is further reinforcing our commitment to democracy and the state and the place we call home. In regard to the old 1983 flag there had been attempts to change it for years. I don’t have any real attachment to it other than it’s all I have known. After 43 years It was time for a change. The old flag also had some racial undertones to it that does not reflect my values or our values as a city. I will admit I never saw the flag that way but have since learned about its history and nowhere in my conscience do I want us to be one of the cities who go back to that. Mounds View is a city where EVERYONE is WELCOME. We have done tremendous work to address our own racist past, and we will continue to work on it. We will continue to be a beacon of what is possible when good government works to serve its people and I think we are doing just that and the old flag does not fit in that equation.

🇺🇸 A CNN panel struggles to explain how Tennessee redistricing is racist, despite the fact a white man is likely to be replaced by a black woman. Problem is, the white guy is a Democrat, the black woman is a Republican. Inconvenient diversity.

House Democrats just voted down an amendment that would have required the removal of deceased voters from the statewide voter registration system.