Public safety isn’t optional. It’s fundamental to our city. In order to promote the livability of our communities, we cannot ignore anti-social behavior that violates our laws, whether it is graffiti, destruction of public and private property, or encampments. It is unacceptable that copper wire theft has left much of Ward 7 in the dark, with intersections, crosswalks and sidewalks not lit for safe public use. Encampments create an unsafe situation for residents and neighbors alike. During my time at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board the Street Reach team has demonstrated a compassionate, effective program with residents who may try to seek shelter on public park lands. At the same time, we must encourage Hennepin County to provide sufficient shelter options and resources so displaced residents have a safe place to stay.

We must support our police, with the recruitment and training of new hires and investigators as our top priority. More cops reduce overtime shifts, and more investigators can help solve property crimes. We also must strengthen our alternative response programs including the behavioral crisis response team. Not every emergency is best addressed by dispatching an armed officer. As council candidate, I see improved safety in our streets and communities as my top priority, while also ensuring that our public investments are accountable for results. A safe city is a healthy city.

For Minneapolis to continue to thrive, we need to be a hub of commerce and innovation. In today’s mobile economy we cannot afford to be anti-business, letting our jobs move to the suburbs or even worse, out of state. We need to create opportunities, not barriers for our business leaders and entrepreneurs. On the front lines of this work are the small Ward 7 neighborhood businesses whose perspective and needs will get my full attention and unwavering support. I will promote pragmatic and holistic city policies that will help promote economic growth and great paying jobs today and into the future.

The next four years will continue to be challenging as city revenue tied to commercial property values continues to reset. We cannot assume that we can continue to increase spending by placing higher tax burdens on our constituents. We should examine zero-based budgeting, where we evaluate all our current spending in reference to our highest priorities and core city services. No matter what, we will need to take a hard look at the city budget and be prepared to make difficult decisions. Also, the city council’s recent budget maneuvers to show preferences to specific budget recipients and bypass standard procurement protocol is unprecedented and not acceptable.

Minneapolis leads the nation in green spaces and parks, including miles of trails that connect our lakes, creeks and river. We need to leverage and protect our natural assets with greater support and coordination across our various units of government. I currently serve on a joint committee of city, park board and watershed leaders working together to improve the water quality and shoreline habitat of the Minnehaha Watershed, a critical corridor. We need to bring this approach to other crucial areas of overlap, such as stormwater management. I will strongly support environmental justice efforts related to Green Zones, as well as diseased tree removal and replanting on private property.

Having thirteen wards seems like a lot after my representation on the park board, which divides the city into six districts. During my time on the park board, I have been able to gather representatives across geographic and economic boundaries to discuss park issues in a way that fosters cross-neighborhood, authentic relationship. I brought together leaders from my district’s thirteen neighborhoods to discuss strategies for tree watering and volunteer invasive strategies. I was able to work closely with my district colleagues around common initiatives like making the Midtown Greenway a regional trail. If elected to the council, I will look for opportunities for residents of various wards to respectfully discuss common issues, brainstorm solutions and will work closely with my adjoining ward councilmembers.