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Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
I’ve been a resident of Robbinsdale for four years along with my co-parenting who grew up here in Ward 2. We have chosen to raise our daughters here, and we are here to stay! My work experience and drive is what makes me the perfect candidate for public service. Having worked for smaller family businesses, my professional career is steeped in labor, tech, hospitality and service. In all of my roles, I've been a leader and an asset for the business by forming strong relationships. Today I proudly pay my dues as member of the NCSRCC, Local 322. As a union carpenter I have a fundamental understanding of what goes into larger-scale projects. My unique background and perspective is what Robbinsdale needs as we plan and build for the future.
Accessibility, safety and the Energy Action Plan will be my top 3 priorities. Improving how we cross our streets will be at the top of my list. I plan on adding crossing features and improving timing systems on major heavily stressed routes. As both a homeowner and a renter here in Ward 2, I see the immediate need to modernizing the way we heat and cool. Working with all parties to reduce energy waste through incentives and grants making the adaptive change an economic benefit to the end user.
Life happens. I currently live in an apartment and at times of my life I have depended on social services and public transportation. I have not forgotten what it is like to be behind. I can talk with anybody and understand where they are coming from and empathize with their situation. While using the budgets of the taxpayers to improve Robbinsdale, I will have every one of our neighbors in mind. As a member of the working class I will do what is right and fair for all of us.
As I’ve been listening to our neighbors unique perspectives on the issues over the past few weeks, I am beginning to understand the importance of transparency in politics and local government. Technology is a great tool for sharing what’s happening at city hall. Updating city websites and adding a social media presence will be a step in the right direction to increase engagement. When I’m elected I plan on active engagement with everyone from Ward 2 to through email polling and direct contact.
I strongly support the reduction of pollution with logical and safe public transportation. After meeting and talking with many of our neighbors regarding the latest Blue Line plans, the concerns I hear, I share myself. We need to find solutions with little impact to our current roadways that do not negatively impact our businesses and most importantly do not impede our vital emergency services. If approved, it needs to be safer, and more secure then any other light rail line in the twin cities.
I care deeply about Robbinsdale, and it's future. I believe that fresh ideas & perspective will contribute to the strength of Ward 2 & the city overall.
-Electric rapid busses on Bottineau Boulevard instead of light rail, and enhancing all pedestrian crossings at Bottineau.
-Increased promotion & continued strategic development of the downtown Robbinsdale area.
-Enhance & re-develop our public spaces, parks, trails, & their overall connectivity.
Treating each community member as an equal. We are all neighbors, and share a common interest in the overall prosperity of our area.
Communicate effectively with with my neighbors in Ward 2 on an ongoing basis. Accountability starts with listing to the voters, and ends with professionalism & leadership from the city council seat.
I do not support the current alignment on Bottineau Boulevard.
I have been a homeowner in Robbinsdale since 2007, living here with my wife of 20 years and raising two teenage children. I love our city, and want to support the things that make us unique. As someone who has been on the Planning Commission and is currently on the Community Advisory Committee for the Blue Line Extension, I have experience listening to residents and representing their ideas and opinions. I will always work to do what’s best for Robbinsdale and the residents of Ward 2.
First, keep our historic water tower, which is an icon in the metro area. It symbolizes our historic downtown and independent businesses. Second, I will address traffic and pedestrian safety in our community. I think there are ways to make people feel safer on streets and at crosswalks. Lastly, it’s important to get what’s best for Robbinsdale with regards to Light Rail or refuse support. It’s a large project that will have an outsized impact on our city, our voice needs to be heard.
I utilize my website and social media as a way to engage with the community. I will continue to make myself available at city events or while visiting local businesses. I’ll also have meet ups and town halls where people can share their feedback. I will visit with residents of Copperfield Hill, Beach South, and The Reeve so their voices are heard. Plus I am a runner and use the Parkway and local streets throughout our neighborhoods. Just get my attention and I’m happy to talk.
I think Robbinsdale does a good job of having open meetings where residents can attend. Recordings of meetings and transcripts should be easy to find for residents that want to find them. I like the information that’s shared on social media and other methods like the Birdtown Brief. I do think it’s important for the community to know they can have an impact by working with the city council. I will make myself available for feedback and always respond.
I believe this is a complicated issue with no simple solutions. As frustrating as it is, there is no viable option in the previous rail corridor. I took the bus to work for many years, and appreciate the benefits of using mass transit. However, as the route is currently planned, I cannot support it. I would need to see specific updates with regards to design and planning. My goal is to listen to the voices of our community to achieve what’s best for Robbinsdale.
My work brings people together to develop collaborative solutions to shared challenges, including access to resources, affordability of opportunity, and equity of outcomes. This experience is critical in building safe, vibrant, and welcoming neighborhoods. I have experience in state, local, and regional government, and advising governing boards of colleges and universities and non-profit organizations. I was honored to serve as a local elected official for a suburban Maryland community outside of DC, where I led efforts to create a citizens’ commission on quality of life and to preserve our tree canopy. I grew up in Minnesota, went to Gustavus, and earned a PhD from the University of Michigan in public policy and higher education.
Safety is number one: people need to feel safe in their homes, walking in their neighborhoods, and commuting and running errands. This is about much more than just policing—it also includes managing traffic, promoting pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and building community supports. Affordability of government is a priority when residents are facing the squeeze of inflation, increases in utility bills, and their overall cost of living. Sensible public transit that aligns with new realities.
Members of the council must be visible around town, including at all types of events that appeal to different members of the community. Engagement also means saying hello to others when out for a walk and taking a genuine interest in their lives and well-being. Encouraging residents to get involved with city commissions and task forces is important, but we must also ask, what’s missing? Who is being left out? How can we engage residents who haven’t always felt welcome or like they belong?
Number one is to comply with open meetings laws, including those that guide communication among the council and prohibit business outside of formal, announced settings. Related is acknowledging any potential conflict of interest on a matter before the council. Compliance with rules on use of public funds, including purchasing and contracting. Promoting equal opportunity in hiring of city employees and contractors. Answering questions from residents and responding to inquiries from the press.
Covid radically changed the calculus on commuter rail that moves people into and out of downtowns. The original Blue Line to the airport, and the Green Line connecting downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, were sensible projects. But the Blue Line extension through North Minneapolis and Robbinsdale is no longer sensible, and it most certainly does not justify the significant cost and years-long disruption to Bottineau Boulevard/County 81. Large sunk costs do not justify continued expenditures.
