Issues
Brooklyn Park holds immense potential. We offer a sense of community, a haven for families, and a springboard for opportunity. However, to truly thrive, we must broaden our vision of what development means in our suburb. We need to create a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive suburban community. We will achieve this by focusing on:
1. People and Place:
• Resident-Centered Decision Making: We must prioritize resident engagement through regular meetings, surveys, work groups, citizen commissions and accessible feedback channels. Your voice shapes your community.
• Vibrant Mixed-Use Development: We must encourage development that integrates housing, businesses, and amenities within walking distance. This fosters a sense of community and reduces car dependence, creating a more walkable and connected environment. It builds community.
• Investing in Public Spaces: Parks, plazas, and community centers are the lifeblood of suburb. Our investment in these gathering spaces must promote interaction and build a strong sense of community. We need more beauty in our environment. We need to build spaces that residents want to enjoy throughout the year.
2. Sustainability and Resilience:
• Smart Growth Strategies: By prioritizing compact, infill development, we can minimize sprawl and protect valuable natural spaces. This ensures a healthy environment for generations to come. We should consider higher standards for new buildings and find ways to refresh and renew aging development.
• Environmental Stewardship: We must implement sustainable practices like green infrastructure, energy efficiency programs, protection of our watersheds and aquifers, and promoting renewable energy sources. This protects our environment and prepares us for a changing climate.
• Disaster Preparedness: Developing plans and infrastructure to better withstand natural disasters and extreme weather events will ensure the safety and well-being of our residents.
3. Economic Development and Opportunity:
• Supporting Local Businesses: Programs and incentives that attract and retain small businesses that cater to the specific needs of our community are the lifeblood of our city. We strengthen our local economy and foster a unique identity by welcoming these businesses.
• Investing in Job Training: By partnering with educational institutions, other units of government, and businesses, we will enable job training programs that equip residents with the skills needed to thrive in the modern economy. This creates a skilled workforce and fuels economic prosperity that attracts new and more successful businesses.
• Promoting Affordable Housing: A variety of housing options at different price points attracts residents with diverse incomes, creating a more vibrant and inclusive community. We must avoid the mistakes of the past by considering the entire life-cycle housing needs of our residents.
4. Social Equity and Inclusion:
• Accessibility for All: All community spaces and services will be accessible for people with disabilities. Facilities that are easy to use by people with disabilities are easier to use by everyone.
• Celebrating Diversity: Programs and initiatives that celebrate the rich tapestry of our community will foster a welcoming environment for all residents. Learning about the other cultures and histories of our neighbors in Brooklyn Park creates understanding, trust and community.
• Bridging the Gap: To the extent we can as a local unit of government, we must address social and economic inequalities within our city. We must recruit other governmental agencies, social action groups and charities to resolve these inequities. Everyone deserves access to opportunities for success.
By working together, implementing these principles, and harnessing the collective energy of our residents, we can build thriving suburbs that are not just places to live, but vibrant communities where everyone can flourish.
Imagine a Brooklyn Park...
• Where children's laughter echoes in safe parks, not gunshots.
• Where families can relax on their porches, not fear stray bullets.
• Where businesses flourish, attracting investment, not boarded up from crime.
This isn't a dream, it's a reality within reach. But we must work together. Crime isn't just a police problem, it's a community challenge.
Let's attack the root, not just the branches. Poverty, lack of opportunity, and even mental health issues can push people towards crime. We need to:
• Invest in our future: Fund programs that steer young people away from violence, offering them hope and a path to success, not desperation.
• Bridge the Gap: Advocate for equal education and economic opportunities. Everyone deserves a shot at achieving their dreams.
• Partner with other government agencies to provide job training, better schools, and mental health resources.
Empowerment, not just Enforcement: Law enforcement is crucial, but we need a smart approach.
• Community Policing: Officers building trust with residents is vital. We need preventative measures, not just reactive ones.
• Youth Programs: Teach conflict resolution and teamwork. Empower young people to be part of the solution, not the problem.
• Data-Driven Policing: Allocate resources effectively by identifying crime hotspots with smart strategies.
• De-escalation Training: Ensure everyone feels safe by equipping officers with the best de-escalation techniques.
Revitalize our Community:
• Light Up the Night: Improved lighting in community parks, business parks. and corners of the city will less activity deters crime and creates a sense of security.
• Meet your neighbors.
• Clean Streets, Green Spaces: Enhance parks, plant trees, and clean up neglected areas. It fosters a sense of ownership and pride, while offering positive outlets for youth. Studies show such efforts lead to a significant decrease in crime.
Be the Change:
• “See something, say something.” Make calling out bad behavior and reporting it to the authorities the “right thing to do.”
• Volunteer with youth initiatives. Be a mentor, a role model, and offer positive activities.
• Speak Up! Advocate for change. Get involved in neighborhood watch programs, and demand action from your local representatives.
This isn't just about safety, it's about building a stronger Brooklyn Park. Let's create a vibrant, thriving community where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to contribute. Together, we can make this a reality.
We have witnessed increasing levels of disfunction, lack of respect and inability of government leaders to collaborate on solutions to the challenges facing our city. This not only diminishes public trust in government but also hinders progress on critical issues that affect all of us. We deserve city leaders who treat each other with respect, listen to our concerns, and work together to find solutions.
A healthy democracy thrives on open communication and the consideration of diverse viewpoints. Unfortunately, the current climate seems focused on scoring points and winning arguments rather than on collaborative problem-solving. This not only diminishes public trust in government but also hinders progress on critical issues that affect all of us.
The core purpose of the City Council is to represent the people they were elected to serve. This means actively listening to the concerns of constituents, whether you agree with them or not. Councilmembers must engage in respectful dialogue, consider all sides of an issue, and work towards solutions that benefit the greater good.
We deserve a government that functions with civility, respect, and a genuine desire to hear our voices. Let us move beyond unproductive arguments and focus on the collective task of building a better future for all.
As a community leader, I will:
• Rebuild trust by increasing transparency, accountability, and communication with residents.
• Promote collaboration with open, honest dialogue, shared problem-solving, and consensus-building among city officials.
• Strengthen Ethics by implementing robust ethics guidelines and enforcement mechanisms
