Third Ward Neighbors In Action
P.O.Box 18503, Minneapolis, MN 55418 ❖ Message line: 651 251-0545
P R E S S R E L E A S E
April 17, 2001
Minneapolis, MN
For Immediate Release
For more information: Frances Guminga, 612-781-1191, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Third Ward Neighbors In Action Announces Alternative Candidates
for Minneapolis Third Ward Council Seat
Two alternative candidates have announced their intentions to run for
Minneapolis’ Third Ward City Council. They are Makeda Zulu-Gillespie, a
resident of the Jordan neighborhood in north Minneapolis, and Valdis
Rozentals, a resident of the Saint Anthony West neighborhood in northeast
Minneapolis. Information on each candidate is included below.
Rozentals and Zulu-Gillespie responded to newspaper ads seeking candidates
which were placed in community newspapers by a group of Third Ward voters
and property owners who formed Third Ward Neighbors In Action (TWNIA).
TWNIA is a non-partisan, political action group that formed in 2000 to seek
candidates who would provide a choice for Third Ward voters. TWNIA’s purpose
is to identify and introduce to the public alternative candidates for Third
Ward City Council and to identify and discuss issues of importance to the
community.
-----------------
Makeda Zulu-Gillespie
Working to collectively unify and enhance our community
Candidate for Minneapolis Third Ward City Council
“The most valuable asset of any community is … the people.”
▸ I want to collectively unify and enhance our community:
▸ Strengthen our neighborhoods by improving delivery of city services
▸ Revitalize our community with neighborhood input and approval
▸ Increase employment, transportation and housing opportunities
▸ Maintain a consistent relationship with neighborhood organizations,
residents and the city.
▸ I will work to have the kind of community families can live and grow in
with pride. I have always had a commitment to people and families. That
commitment is reflected in my nine-year leadership with the Metropolitan
Minneapolis YMCA.
▸ I have always had a commitment to people making a positive change in their
lives and others. That is reflected by my gubernatorial appointment to the
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. Our charge included identifying viable
methods for prevention of youth crime, separation of youth and adult
offenders and prevention of juvenile offender recidivism.
▸ I am a past member of the Jordan neighborhood’s board of directors. I
have been involved in leadership roles with programs such as
Skywalkers/Transition Plus partnership (teaches youth transferable job
skills), the Garden Project (community vegetable garden to reduce food
costs), Youth in Government (teaching youth about state government) and
Youth Achievers (introducing youth to career and college opportunities).
Change is scary at times, but always wonderful when you are the one
initiating change. Change must be reflected in our elected officials.
Democracy is a participatory process. Progress will happen when you get
involved. Today, make the decision for change.
Thank you.
Makeda Zulu-Gillespie
You can reach this candidate at 612.522.3290, by E-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
or by mail at 2321 Fremont Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
--------------------------
Valdis Rozentals
A citizen in partnership with others
Candidate for Minneapolis Third Ward City Council
“We have many resources to build strong communities. It is how we choose to
use these resources that will determine our quality of life.”
▸ Work to streamline efforts to provide safe, affordable housing for all
Third Ward constituents. Concentrate efforts on expanding the opportunities
for ownership.
▸ Build realistic and achievable plans to revitalize our business corridors.
Bringing the diverse Broadway corridor project to the head of our efforts.
Revitalize the many businesses in the area.
▸ Hold our city accountable for financial decisions. Make fiscal budgeting
logical and sensible to allot more resources to community development and
neighborhood priorities.
▸ Improve our ward’s greenways, parks and street scapes so they may be
enjoyed by all ages.
▸ Finalize plans for the upper Mississippi riverfront project with specific
concerns to citizen involvement and respect for existing homeowners and
businesses.
The City of Minneapolis is one that is diverse and vibrant. We have many
resources to build strong communities. It is how we choose to use these
resources that will determine our quality of life. I believe that we, as
citizens, have the right and the responsibility to take an active role in
government.
As I look at the city, I fall back on my involvement in the past. The
schools where I have volunteered, the houses I have helped build and the
cultural events that I have participated in. From this viewpoint I feel we
could have a strong community for all regardless of race, creed, culture or
sexual orientation.
As a single father and homeowner in the St. Anthony West area, I know what
it is like to work hard to keep a home in this great city. I hold no special
interest affiliations aside from my desire to see our neighborhoods grow for
all who live here. I want government to be “of the people, by the people and
for the people.”
Thank you.
Valdis Rozentals
You can reach this candidate at 612.623.4005 (office), by E-mail at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or by mail at 506 University Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN
55413.
_______________________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
http://e-democracy.org/mpls
