After my brief end of summer reprieve, I back into the true New Year talking to the most fascinating political candidate we have for the Peterborough municipal election on October 24. Acclaimed visual artist Alex Bierk is one of the candidates in Town Ward 3(Two are elected) along with Dean Pappas, Brian Christoph, Joy Lachica, and Vickie Ann Karikas. Son of the legendary artist, David Bierk, an acclaimed international artist in his own right and (have to mention it)the step-brother of Sebastian Bach, Alex gave me an in-person interview at the Commerce Building at 1291/2 Hunter St., the closest I have been in any literal sense to the Corner of Hunter and George yet for any interview. We discussed everything from his struggle with campaign signs, how he wants to “listen to his community”, his great insight on drug rehabilitation, the struggle of a homeless artist we both know and other issues he wants to focus on. Apologies beforehand, but you can unfortunately hear our neverending battle with one truck outside the windows, plus the usual downtown noises. Notes: in reference to our discussion on AA-https://tanag.substack.com/p/maia-szalavitz-on-the-toxic-cult. Opening track “18 and Life”bt Skid Row(Instrumental)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G3bjcsKxYQ Poem by Nick Taylor “Foul Mouth” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L480g_x9ak&t=99s. Closing Track: “Slave To The Grind” Original Backing Track-Skid Row https://youtu.be/cO_G65ucs2o(David Bierk did the album cover). Also a note to “You and Me On The Subway Station” painting by Alex Bierk, 2011