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Contact Phone
651-321-2158
I believe that community service is extremely important and if you want to make a positive impact, you have to be willing to step up. I have done so I as a youth baseball and basketball coach, as a member of the Little Canada Planning Commission for 7 years, and as a member of the Little Canada City Council for the past 18 months. I feel that a bring a strong presence of collaboration and cooperation to the Council which are both imprtant qualities. My professional experience in govenrment and public policy for the past 15 years have given me the tools to be a strong advocate for community voices and good governance. Finally, I feel that I am a strong empathetic listener and I always try to put myself in others shoes, even if we disagree.
My top priorities will be to work with state and local officials to continue to improve our infrastructure for greater public safety including a possible pedestrian bridge over I-35 to make it safer for folks to get from the east to west side of town, and vice versa. I also want to continue exploring the possibility of building an indoor community space. Community evernts such as Canadian Days bring our community together in great ways, and I want to expand those opportunities when it gets cold.
Over the coming weeks, I hope to have more conversations with neighbors throughout the community about their concerns and hopes regarding the trajectory of the city. Proactive conversations allow more people to come to the table to collaborate. I have made strides over the years to work with and get to know many diverse organizations in the city including the Department of Indian Works and the Hmong Senior Center. It is important that all voices are represented at the all levels of government.
The city has made several steps to make sure that the community is more informed about the happenings around town. Much of this work has come from the city's new Community Engagement director and have included initiatives that include weekly email updates that anyone can sign up for. It is also important for officials and staff to meet neighbors in their community to hear their opinions. We are especially doing these events when there are projects that may directly impact property owners.
I bring a long-time resident and community-participant perspective to the table that will represent the input of those I am endeavoring to serve; residents, business-owners, schools, and organizations.
My top priority is to listen to those in the community. From there items of importance emerge.
1. Respect for others & their well being through partnerships with our schools, law enforcement, fire safety & organizations.
2. Keeping our city and its natural resources clean and well-maintained.
3. Keep our city solvent and financially-responsible to its constituents through appropriate growth and enhancements; city center, safe pedestrian bridge over Highway 35E&694; and proper street changes.
It is great to see the growing participation in our annual Canadian Days celebration every summer! I think this is a wonderful way to come together and highlight our diversity of residents perhaps in specifically allotted times during the weekend & in the parade on Sunday.
Listening to each other at a city hall event would be great also!
In a partneship with Ramsey County as well we have flags to put up on our lightpoles to highlight our diverse groups that live within our community.
The government is truly for the people and by the people so these vital aspects of transparency and accountability are imperative for a flourishing community in conjunction with its governing body.
I will make certain to keep all information in high regard for the people of our community and always share when advised and permitted.
I will do my homework in preparation for meetings and attend accordingly.
Most importantly I will bring the input of those I would be privileged to serve!
In the first full-term that I have been privileged to serve the City of Little Canada, I have brought a fresh perspective to a previously long-serving Council and advocated for change in the form of affordable housing – some already built during my tenure, some pending, and better walkability and biking access, particularly across 35E. I have advocated for more community engagement, an indoor public gathering space, a more cohesive city center with focus on revitalizing the Rice Street Commercial Corridor, as well as a pedestrian bridge spanning 35E. Our land acquisition activities have been preparing some of these redevelopment opportunities, and my continued tenure can see some of these projects and further enhancements come to fruition.
*Accessory Dwelling Units are a top priority to add to our city ordinances. This is the one of the most consistently raised issues among residents in the last four years, and it also addresses several critical shortcomings in metro area housing.
*Expanded public transportation options are also critical for Little Canada.
*Engage with Little Canada businesses to revitalize the Rice Street Corridor. Increase the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the area to draw customers and businesses.
From the beginning, I have advocated for the development of a new commission or committee of diverse community members to oversee the activities of the city to make sure that we are always being inclusive, respectful, and responsive to the rich tapestry of diversity in our community, which extends beyond the cultural. In just the last few months, this program is getting started, which is exciting. I have also suggested including neurodiverse activities. All really are welcome here, and it shows.
I strongly advocate for complete transparency of all Little Canada's financial accounts/activities by posting everything in a clear, easily accessible, and user-friendly format on the City's website. Residents should be able to know where every dollar is spent and why without any confusion. When situations arose where a new fee could be compounded to a certain fund to "soften" the impact, I have insisted that all new fees were clearly categorized and identified as such without ambiguity.
