[Forwarded on behalf of the Lickness campaign. - David Brauer, list manager] Sixth Ward Community Leader Barb Lickness Seeks Election to Minneapolis City Council Barb Lickness announced today her candidacy for Minneapolis City Council representing the sixth ward. "Minneapolis is experiencing some very exciting growth citywide," said Lickness, "and some of the most challenging changes are happening in the sixth ward. I want to use my experience in both business and neighborhood revitalization to make these changes positive for all our residents and businesses." The sixth ward is made up of the Phillips and Whittier neighborhoods plus a portion of Stevens Square and the Cedar Hi-Rises. A homeowner in historic Whittier, Lickness has a record of neighborhood advocacy throughout the ward in addition to nearly 20 years experience in business. "As the diverse population in this area continues to grow it will need the benefits of both private and public development," she predicted. "By achieving a balance between public and private interest our neighborhood renewal efforts will succeed in creating a stronger more stable city". For the past seven years Lickness has been a Neighborhood Specialist for the Neighborhood Revitalization Program in 13 South Minneapolis neighborhoods. During that time she worked on the development and implementation of NRP projects totaling $45 million. "Over the next 10 years, a substantial amount of additional NRP money will be spent in the 6th ward," she said. "We need to use all available resource to maximize these dollars for our neighborhoods," she added. "It will take the combined efforts of the city, the Metropolitan Council, the State of Minnesota, the Federal government and private developers to give this investment its maximum impact. As the council member from the 6th ward I will be able to help make this happen." Lickness worked for the Gelco Corporation for 12 years where she became director of operations managing a staff of 120 people and a $150 million annual budget. When G.E. Capital purchased Gelco in 1988, Lickness worked on the team that merged three companies. She then went on to open and run her own business for five years. "The sixth ward has a great mix of business and residents," said Lickness. "It is the kind of blending that brings stability to our inner city areas with jobs for nearby residents. We need to find ways to expand this type of private investment in our city." In addition to her business and public management experience, Lickness has been a volunteer leader since her high school days. She has served as a volunteer with organizations such as the YMCA, Junior Achievement, and United Way to name a few. She chaired the Whittier Alliance Community Safety Committee and the Whittier Park Development Task Force, initiated the 28th and Harriet/Grand housing development project and served on the Whittier Affordable Housing Cooperative Stabilization task force. She was instrumental in bringing the new school to Whittier, chaired the $1.8 million Phillips/Whittier Governor's After School Program and has been an ambassador for Nicollet Avenue's "Eat Street" businesses. She also worked with the Phillips neighborhood to implement the Franklin re-design and the Franklin Artworks projects. Lickness is also an advocate for gay and lesbian rights, education programs for immigrants and is an active supporter of ethnic small businesses. "The full diversity of our population makes the sixth ward a truly international center," she said. "It is a most exciting place to live." Lickness, her husband Kevin and their 10-year old Godson Blake have a home in Whittier. 1/18/01 _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
