Pledge of Accomplishment

As a Minneapolis Council Member I pledge to accomplish specific projects.  If you wish to view my general policy stances please see MY PLATFORM or ABOUT ME.

At this point in time, I feel comfortable promising to you.  (projects to be done my first year bolded below)

1.       Provide a voice for our community

a.       Create an online tool for Uptown residents to voice issues and vote on them.  I will bring popular supported issues to the council.

2.       Make smart investments

a.       Improving City efficiency and prioritizing municipal spending for the long-term will ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely and we get a return on our investments. 

b.      I will hold every existing city program accountable to its success, start new ones with transparency and clear goals, and eliminate ones that are failing to bring a return on our investment.

c.       Meet with ALL City Services department managers and get “micro-managed” cost-cutting plans from each of them.  Where do you see waste/How can we optimize your division?  How can we cut long-term costs? 

d.      Post services budget and open up Minneapolis accounting records for public review

3.       I will support locally owned businesses and help restore Uptown’s shopping culture

a.       Hypocritcal, shortsighted projects that damage local businesses while proping up large conglomerates should not be tolerated. 

                                                               i.      18+ club rule is a prime example of a program that hurts local businesses, damages long-term viability of the city, and hypocritically excludes large companies like the Target Center from restrictions.

b.      Seek property tax leniency for new businesses along key shopping areas

4.       No, No Turn on Red!

a.       Over $975 Million (fuel + person-hours costs) is wasted in the Twin Cities annually due to congestion.  I will make sure Minneapolis does its part to reduce these costs by eliminating nearly all “No Turn on Red” signs, improving stoplight “timing,” and making sure our traffic system operates efficiently and reduces the time it takes you to travel on all city roads.

b.      I will work with the county to make sure road construction projects are scheduled better and completed before starting new ones to ensure minimal impact on residents’ commutes.

c.       Install a bike lane up Garfield Ave S without taking away parking

d.      I pledge to move or modify Kmart and open up Nicollet Avenue

5.       Politics will not rule my decisions

a.       Science, facts, understanding, and majority voice will dictate laws, not special interests groups

b.      I will do what is best for Uptown and put our community’s interests above my own

c.       I have the skills to accomplish real changes needed to make our community stronger and our lives better

6.       I will make our community stronger and safer

a.       Support neighborhood groups and (socialization… knowing one another)

b.      Encourage Minneapolis police to live within the neighborhoods they patrol, they should invest in the community as we have

c.       Community Gardens

d.      Find commonality between conflicting parties and get things done