People need to get out and vote! Voting is the most precious thing we have in our country. It is part of the democratic process and our vote should be treated like we treat money, or better yet gold.
Here is the link to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office to find your polling location:
https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us
After speaking with some people in their teens and twenties, it seems they got motivated to vote. Originally, I don’t think they were going to, but knowing someone in the race seems to help. When people have a personal connection to who they align with, they know that person will be real with them (or not).
I am so thankful for all the support I’ve gotten along the way. This experience, though stressful, has been extremely rewarding. If nothing else comes of it, I will have met some new people and have new issues to get behind. We can all make a difference TOGETHER.
Should I become mayor, I want to help people’s voices be heard. Every person I’ve talked to has a different issue (and some the same). Here’s a list of items that seem to be important issues for our council to take note of:
Airport noise for those that border it is intolerable
Light rail - keeping EP safe and keeping crime diverted from here when we will have more transient people coming through
Continuing to support our Police Department and people feel that consequences for crimes need to be tougher
Rental rates are sky-high - Putting a moratorium on rental increases to stave off inflation
Development is out of control - too many high density complexes
There is no ‘Housing Crisis’ when it comes to availability - it’s rent and the housing market are out of control
Bringing in new businesses to make the EP Mall more attractive
Stopping the screening for HRA vouchers so that it’s more equitable for everyone to be eligible for Federal funds to help pay rent and do upgrades to their homes in tough times
Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship to build better and smarter
Energy diversity - people definitely want to be good conservators of the environment, but don’t want to be pigeon-holed into one form of energy
Smart development that doesn’t impact our natural green spaces - too many trees are being knocked down in order to build apartment complexes and high end neighbourhoods. People are concerned about the wildlife displacement, lack of tree canopy and natural heritage habitat being destroyed
‘Carbon neutral’ plan by 2050 in the form that it is now - installing ordinances to put sanctions on people to adhere to a very rigid energy plan.
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan that focuses on Transit Oriented Development (high density housing focused on less cars and more public transit)
Diversity and Inclusion plan is important, but not being carried out the right way
No matter who you support your vote is your voice.
Make it count.