Copyright Star Tribune
For the last two decades I’ve watched politics drift away from its intended purpose. Political parties have become entrenched in ideology, treating governance like a competitive sport while real progress gets left behind. Many of my neighbors, who encouraged me to run, share the same frustration that the Minneapolis City Council has wandered far outside its core responsibilities. Instead of focusing on maintaining infrastructure, ensuring fiscal stability and fostering safe, vibrant neighborhoods, it has become distracted by issues that do little to improve daily life here at home. Public safety is one of the fundamental responsibilities that the current council has neglected. I see it firsthand as I teach my young daughters how to ride their bikes, and I can’t help but notice how unsafe our streets have become. Years of political division and “defund” rhetoric have created an adversarial relationship between the council and the police, leaving the Second Precinct understaffed and our neighborhoods underserved. We can and should strengthen other safety measures, like mental-health responders, community outreach and housing stability, but we must also recognize that a fully staffed, well-trained and professional Police Department is essential. The rise in mass shootings, both at schools and encampments, is a tragic reminder that public safety cannot be managed through ideology or neglect. Additionally, Ward 1, like much of Minneapolis, is feeling the strain of the housing crisis. But we’re also uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. Our neighborhoods already have the foundation for incremental growth, single-family homes with deep lots, existing infrastructure and walkable streets that could easily support ADUs, “mother-in-law” apartments, duplexes and triplexes. Ward 1 is built for the kind of “missing middle” housing that can strengthen our tax base and create lasting affordability. Right now, the only real path for adding housing in the city comes from large, developer-owned apartment buildings. While those projects add units, they’re first and foremost financial products for Wall Street, not homes for Minneapolis residents. If Ward 1 homeowners and small, owner-occupied landlords were empowered to pull their own permits and build additional units, we could create real housing options that keep wealth local and growth sustainable. The council’s core responsibility should be to make it easier, not harder, for residents to invest in their own neighborhoods. Despite all the rhetoric from City Hall about the housing crisis, the policies we see are punitive and do little to create new housing. It’s time for a plan that addresses the real problem: the shortage of homes. Any serious housing plan must be paired with a transit and infrastructure strategy that reflects how people in Ward 1 actually live. Too many of those decisions are now being made by county and state bureaucrats designing transit infrastructure around a 9-to-5 suburban commuter model. The result is a network built for people passing through, not for those of us who live here. City leadership has stood by as these projects reshape our neighborhoods without meaningful local input, failing to advocate for Ward 1 or ensure that investments strengthen our communities. We deserve better. Our streets should evolve alongside our neighborhoods. Ward 1 already has the people and layout for great local transit, but without strong city leadership pushing back against one-size-fits-all state and county designs, we’re left with dangerous “stroads” that serve no one. We need a City Council member who will advocate for flexible, people-centered infrastructure that keeps neighborhoods safe and connected. I’m running for office because I want to bring the council back to practical, local governance that puts people first and delivers measurable results. The council must reclaim its core responsibilities of standing up for residents, demanding infrastructure that reflects neighborhood needs, and ensuring safety and stability for all. Ward 1 is one of the most vibrant parts of the city with its arts and maker spaces, breweries, restaurants, mixed neighborhoods and great parks. With the right leadership, we can make it even stronger.
