Residents of Minneapolis deserve a fresh voice in City Hall. My campaign
theme is "Common Sense Leadership: More Access than Excess." Isn't city
goverment in place to serve the citizenry, at the discretion of voters,
rather than the other way around? Let's get back to some basic needs such as
getting the streets plowed around the clock when necessary, collecting the
garbage, fixing the pot-holes, building truly affordable housing, and keeping
property taxes low. Right now, your property values are increasing, forcing
you to pay more property tax (It's another hidden tax!)
Let's not delude ourselves into thinking we're better off than we really are.
We know there is a housing crisis. The latest statistic available shows
that CARAG (my neighborhood) is at least 70% rental. Between 1997-2000 the
average cost of an apartment increased by 32%. To be "affordable" you must
earn a minimum of $32,000 per year to rent a 2-bedroom apartment.
Furthermore, 45% of duplexes and 3-4unit structures city-wide are
sub-standard. Close to 6,000 people in Minneapolis wait to be told there is
a place for them in a public housing high-rise owned and operted by
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. MCDA owns over 1000 lots around the
city. Senior Citizens want more housing options that will be alternatives to
nursing homes and help them find a satisfying balance between daily living
issues and medical needs. Did you know that over 72% of Hennepin County's
food stamps go to residents of Minneapolis?
Let's stop the bickering, roll up our sleeves and go to work on the real-life
issues in front of us: affordable housing, meeting essential city services
and take a serious look at our financial health. I recommend that we demand
fiscal accountability in all city departments, from the top on down.
Taxpayers deserve to get their money's worth and benefit from their hard work.
As a professional Social Worker, I am ethically bound to work in the best
interest of my clients. Expect no less when I am elected!
Shirley Carlson, LGSW
Candidate, 10th Ward City Council
32-year resident of Minneapolis / 20 year resident of Ward 10
Employed at Walker Methodist Health Center
Masters Degree in Social Work, University of Minnesota
BA Degree, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota
CARAG Neighborhood Association, Executive Committee, Treasurer
Board of Directors, Midtown Greenway Coalition
Chair Election Judge
CAMPAIGN OFFICE phone & fax: (612) 824-7597
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
