My Voice on the Minneapolis City Council

Intelligent Investment

This is the key to everything I stand for.  It is how I’ve lived my life and what I believe in.  I not only want to provide better basic municipal services, but I want to do this more effienciently. Minneapolis needs to have the flexibility to implement new programs and goals while monitoring and modifying outdated and failing ones.  Our quality of life and sustainability of the city is dependent on our government’s ability to efficiently provide services to our people.  Safety, development, parks, business, jobs, schools, the environment… Funding these things depends on our ability improve upon what we’ve built.   I believe we need to be proactive in our investments rather than reacting with expensive band-aids for dysfunctional policy.

Traffic Congestion

Traffic Congestion counts the Twin Cities over $975 MILLION in wasted person-hours and fuel costs.  In fact, we are in the top 10 for “Worst Congestion” of all U.S. Cities.  We can do better.

I will ensure that roads are maintained better to reduce full construction projects and, when there is no other option, improve the efficiency timing of major projects.

• ·         Removal of most “No Turn on Red” signs

• ·       Add bike lane to uptown (recommended on Garfield to reduce bike accidents and congestion on the Franklin/Lyndale intersection)

• ·         Reacess and optimize light timing

• ·         Make traffic lights “flash” yellow for major roads and “flash” red on cross streets during off-hours

• ·         Open up Nicollet Avenue/Move or Modify K-Mart

Business and Development:

Business is the key to a strong city.  We need to do whatever is necessary to make sure well-run, profitable businesses continue to grow and succeed.  However, Uptown Minneapolis should also have a concentration of small local businesses, galleries, and coffee shops that make us unique and foster the progressive culture of the area.  Strong, well kept businesses make for a stronger, safer, and more fun community.

•   Carefully choose development projects to ensure they align with the “Uptown Culture”
•   Ensure developments meet high standards for efficiency and long –term development goals

Public Safety:

I believe we are all safer if we look out for one-another.  I think we all benefit when we know our neighbors and have a shared sense of “community.”  It is also important for individual officers to start investing personally in our neighborhoods by living here and meeting the people.  I believe we are all safer and stronger when we know and respect each other. Police should seek a more proactive rather than reactive approach to crime.

•    Encourage and assist neighborhood crime-watch groups and help people come together to form stronger communities.
•    Incentivize Minneapolis Police officers to live within the city and make a personal investment in our communities

Taxes:

As a local homeowner I am as fed up with increased taxes as you are.  However, Minneapolis must seek to run more efficiently by auditing city programs and allowing employees to help find ways to cut costs and save their jobs.  We cannot operate in the “red” and must start making proven investments in proven programs that make our community safe and deliver a higher return on investment.

Environment/Healthy Living:

I feel it is important to keep the Parks Board separate of the City Council.  I believe in making long-term investments to save money and be more progressive in the future.  That means encouraging sustainable improvements and energy saving on municipal buildings while encouraging landlords and homeowners to do the same. 

·         Community gardens and other events

·         Build a healthy community with events, parks, and trails

o   Healthy concessions at local parks

o   Workshops