19 years ago this week in Metro Times: Mary Wreford interviews Joseph Collins, co-founder of the Institute for Food and Development Policy, about the Reagan administration’s role in world hunger. Collins comments on Reagan’s economic program, which stresses private ownership, reliance on market forces, and increased trade: “Relying on market forces does not work in Third World countries because most of the people are too poor to be customers. As long as the population lacks purchasing power, they cannot go to the market and buy food.” What was happening: REM at the Fox Theatre.

Eight years ago this week in Metro Times: Lisa Martino investigates the efforts to attract consumers to Ferndale. Locals identify the reasons behind the empty storefronts as lack of adequate parking, landlord problems, lack of promotion by the city and poor management. Merchants maintain that it’s not the sign of a failing downtown. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Joan Stefanski says, “We’d love to create a walkable downtown. There is work to be done and there are businesses to be recruited.” What was happening: Labor Poets honor Detroit labor leader Bernard J. Firestone at Alvin’s.

Four years ago this week in Metro Times: The paper runs several articles on Detroit’s mayoral candidates: 31-year-old Kwame Kilpatrick and 70-year-old Gil Hill. Jack Lessenberry calls Kilpatrick astonishingly young and intelligent, but questions whether he’d work for regional cooperation in the metro area. Lisa M. Collins and Ann Mullen report that Kilpatrick is incommunicative about whom he’d choose for administrative positions like police chief. News Hits analyzes both candidates’ “ludicrous” smear tactics, and concludes by asking if there isn’t a third choice. What was happening: Spiritualized at the Majestic Theatre.