An open letter to the mayor: Treat community concerns about unhealthy food like your own

Oh

By Dickelle Fonda

Mayor Biss;

   A few days ago some of our friends overheard a conversation you were having with a woman outside of Collectivo regarding the controversial issue of Popeyes locating a Type 1 sit down restaurant at Dodge and Dempster.   What struck them from this conversation was your response to this woman who seemed interested in having other healthier options at that corner; they quoted you as saying  ” I do not eat that food”, to which she replied “of course neither do I or people I know.”   Then apparently you followed up your statement with “but the market wants something else”! This conversation was later verified with the woman who asked you this question.

   So my question to you, who for years has expressed your support for health and equity issues in our city, is why is it not ok for you, and no doubt your own family, to eat that unhealthy food, but it would be ok for members of our neighborhood and our children coming home from ETHS, who are living in an area that city has already designated as having health disparities, to eat the food that you would not touch???

 At this point, as I’m sure you know, there are other viable property tax paying investors who could buy that building, offering a lease to buy option to one or two BIPOC and woman-owned local well-established businesses in our community.  These are businesses that offer healthy food  and health care options for customers.  All that is needed for that to happen is for you and councilwoman Harris to encourage the City Manager and his zoning staff to deny Mr.Poonja’s new proposal to put in a Type 1, “sit down at a table and be served by wait staff type Popeyes” — the first and only such Popeyes in the U.S. Frankly no one really believes it would function as a Type 1 once it is there; but by then it’s too late and the city has no recourse!!  

 If denied, that would then open up the option for a well-funded investor, the Heartwood Center, to purchase the property, pay property taxes on it and make the legal arrangements for 4 Suns to lease to buy that corner.  

As someone who has lived, raised a family and worked in this 2nd ward neighborhood for 45 years and has been actively involved in our community for most of those years, I am aware of the power that you can and do wield in this city.  I am asking that you use that power to do the right thing for our community and for the residents who live in proximity to what is already a fast junk food jungle!!!

    Best in health;

Dickelle Fonda