Access to Democracy was founded by ALAN MILLER in 1999. It was then featured on Minnesota’s Burnsville Eagan Community Television (BECT) and is now exclusively featured on Eagan-TV, as well as websites of cities throughout Minnesota. The program also has a Youtube Channel here (ATDinMN).
We conducted over 3000 half-hour interviews by early 2024, hosting elected officials from all political persuasions, legislators, members of the judiciary, academics, authors, artists, psychologists and therapists, athletes, and many other notables who shared their knowledge and expertise with viewers. There were also several special shows of varying length, as well as hosted political debates. The popular program is now viewed nationwide on this website.
The program was co-produced by Alan Miller and Sharon Miller until 2022. In early 2022, Mr. Steve Francisco, a long-time host in our show became a co-producer, and Alan is transitioning to be a Co-Producer Emeritus, now pursuing the publication of his novels.
SHARON MILLER retired from ThomsonReuters as a legislative editor, to become one of the hardworking volunteer co-producers of Access to Democracy.
This grandmother of seven also has served as an Election Judge in Eagan for over two decades now, she is an avid reader when not solving crossword and Sudoku puzzles, and regularly exercises several times a week, participates in a Ladies Club. In her spare time she also critically edits the novels her husband, Alan, writes.
Co-Producer and host STEVE FRANCISCO worked for many years as a Congressional staffer in Washington DC, and also worked in labor, politics, the nonprofit sector, and in academia as an adjunct professor at Hamline University.
A lifelong aviation enthusiast, he also worked as a flight attendant and trainer for Sun Country Airlines. Steve was previously a host in our program and in 2022, he returned as a co-producer and host of “Access to Democracy.” He enjoys interviewing many diverse guests who contribute to our community. Steve and his wife, Bonnie, live in Eagan, MN.
Co-Producer and host BILL RAKER recently retired as President and CEO of Firefly Credit Union, he is internationally recognized as a leader in the credit union and financial world.
Building Firefly to ten locations through the Twin Cities, he quadrupled its net worth to well over a billion dollars. He is widely sought as a speaker and panel member in the financial world. Bill has become very active with AARP as a lecturer and speaker.
Close supervision of the two-legged staff was generously and lovingly wielded by Katie Miller, who doggedly kept them on their toes. We are sad to report that Katie passed on 12/26/2024 after 14 years of service. She will be forever a part of us.
Don’t have cable TV? You are not a resident of Burnsville, MN or Eagan, MN? No Problem! You can watch our shows right on our website or on our Youtube Channel!
Our Webmaster Avi Meshar (A W Meshar & Associates) lends his expertise to this project and its various offshoots, enabling us to present this valuable service to the public.
Our Program Hosts
HON. PAUL ANDERSON served with distinction for almost two decades on the MN Supreme Court until he retired in 2013, after years of service on the Court of Appeals. He is widely sought for speaking engagements and conferences, and is a nationally known and respected jurist.
HOLLY JENKINS A community activist and former guest and host, she is now associated with the travel industry. She returns as a host after a two-year absence.
RICK KING is a visionary board member and retired senior executive, with extensive technology and cyber security expertise in rapidly changing environments. Innovative strategist with extensive experience in secure digital transformation, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate integrations. He serves on the board of directors of Huntington Bancshares, American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio and chairs the Minnesota’s Metropolitan Airports Commission as well as the Technology Advisory Council for the State of MN.
DR. RICHARD LOGAN who was a very popular professor at the University of Wisconsin, spent a good deal of time in Africa during his teaching days. He is now retired from academia, is an author of note, and the son and grandson of Methodist Ministers. He is the international President of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, and past President of Or Emet, the Minnesota chapter of that organization.
DON SHELBY is a multiple Peabody and Emmy award winner, and one of the most respected and popular media personalities in the Midwest.
DANE SMITH was one of the area’s best known journalists with both the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, until he moved on to become the President of Growth and Justice, a progressive think-tank. Recently retired, he continues to serve as the President Emeritus of that organization.
Dr. Geoff Thompson is a retired Mayo Endocrinologist who recently headed the Mayo Hospital unit in Abu Dhabi. He resides in Rochester, MN and brings into our show noted Mayo doctors to share their expertise.
