Photos
Photos from the campaign trail.
Proposed Summit Avenue Regional Trail Plan
Other candidates and myself united today to show support of the repeal of the proposed Summit Avenue Regional Trail plan.
Campaign trail
I door knocked in the Southwest area of Como today. It's a beautiful fall day.
Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary
When I first decided to run for city council, I was excited to start campaigning. My first picture was at Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary. Now, months later, I stopped and took another picture. I am still excited about campaigning. There are less than 40 days left until election day.
Marydale Park festival
I went to the Marydale Festival this year. The North End Neighborhood Organization puts it on every year. Fun day!
St. Paul Chamber of Commerce
The St. Paul Chamber of Commerce invited all of the ward’s candidates to a meet up. Each candidate sat at a table and then members would get 3 minutes to talk to each candidate.
Door knocking on the east side
I started door knocking in the Como area in April. I have now made my way through the North End to the East Side.
White Bear Avenue parade
On Saturday, September 16, we were in the parade. It was very small, only going for 6 blocks. Thankful they had a parade though.
Harvey the Rabbit and the North End Free Pantry
While door knocking in the North End, I saw Harvey the Rabbit and the North End Free Pantry. https://www.facebook.com/Northendfreepantry?mibextid=LQQJ4d
I want to be a fair representation for all people
Some candidates want to have an exclusive group in city council. I want everyone in the city to have representation. #citycouncilward5 #saintpaulcity
Urban Roots
Urban Roots invited candidates that have wards on the East Side to have lunch and speak about their campaigns.
Larpenteur and Rice Street Summer Block Party
I had a table set up and so many people stopped by. It was a beautiful day and kids and adults came out to enjoy the event.
Saint Paul Police Department’s Safe City Nights at North Dale Community Center
The Saint Paul Police puts this event on at different locations throughout the summer. It’s a fun event and people get to talk to officers. It’s a great way for the community to get together.
Visiting and driving by some businesses in Ward 5
I visited some businesses in Ward 5 today. One is very successful after putting a million dollars into it and spending over $27,000 on a security system. They also employed someone to clean the areas around the pumps. Marathon, on Arkwright and Maryland, has been closed for over a year and the old Polly’s Coffee shop has been closed for over 2 years. Sadly, the east side store (the old Payne Ivy drugstore) is closing in January. The store just can’t make it after the city took away their tobacco license. I talked to the worker and he said he hardly gets one customer anymore. 🥺
Como Community Council ice cream social
The Como Community council hosted an ice cream social at the Historic Streetcar Station. It was a good turnout, good music, and really good ice cream.
Payne Phalen Council Community cookout
I went to the Payne Phalen Community council cookout. It was so good to see people from the community and the people working to make it better. Good food and I won a beautiful pot of flowers 🌸🌸
Door knocking in Como Area
I am almost done door knocking in Como area. I am meeting so many great people.
The Freedom Hmong Festival in Saint Paul
I attended the festival and had so much fun. Also, I met people that were so welcoming to me. The Hmong American community contributes so much to St. Paul.
Friends of parks and trail’s annual meeting
I went to the annual meeting of Friend’s of Parks and Trails. Met several people that have been part of this group for 20 years. Also, a City Planner was there to discuss long term plans for roads for pedestrians, bikers, and cars.
Natural Garden Cleanup Event
Two dedicated people worked on the plot of land on Maryland and Rice this morning. My daughter and I pulled weeds for about an hour and a half but these two stayed a few hours. The goal was to pull Canada Thistle weeds. A lot of weeds got pulled out today.
Listening House
I visited the Listening House on Maria avenue today. I met with 2 directors, Mary Margaret and Molly. Both were extremely knowledgeable about homelessness. The Listening House began in 1983. A small group of women had a vision to create a space where “street people” could tell their story. They knew more was needed than food, clothing and shelter. They understood the power of hospitality and compassion. Over the years, Listening House became homeless, moving from one place to another. They are now moving to the old Savoy’s building at 421 East 7th Street. They work with businesses and residents in the area so that everyone is satisfied with the Listening House (resource hub). Some people that come there during the day, do work. But, they can’t afford an apartment or housing. Some people that come there do live in a house nearby, but they like the social aspect. I am thankful for the Listening House. 👏😊
Swede Hollow Art Crawl
On Saturday, June 3, the art crawl was at Swede Hollow. It was so hot outside but worth going. So many artists of all kinds were there.
Waterfest at Phalen Park
On Saturday, June 3, Waterfest was at Phalen Park. There were food trucks, singing, Ramsey County kiosks, and other fun events.
District 66b town hall meeting
The town hall meeting was held at Falcon Heights town hall. It was held to let people know what bills have been passed.
Asian food festival
On Saturday, May 20, I attended the Asian Food Festival at Aldrich Arena and it was packed! While I was there, I talked to a group that is against the Rush Line BRT. This line will run from 35E, east on Maryland avenue, north on White Bear Avenue and go all the way to White Bear Lake. They say that this line will destroy most of the Bruce Vento Trail, have 89 buses running every weekday and there will be construction of multiple bridge overpasses. Their website is www.norushline.com if you want to read more about it.
Mosaic church tiny community.
Today, I met with a representative at Mosaic Christian Church to talk about their tiny house community. The church is located at 540 Wheelock parkway east. Several years ago, they started a food shelf in Johnson High school.. after that, they created “park safe” where they allowed homeless women to park their cars in their parking lot at night and then they started looking into creating a tiny house development. They worked with the city, churches and settled (an organization seeking to create a creative environment for homeless people to live). Several churches donated the tiny houses (they are about $30,000). It was quite amazing and I hope more churches decide to do the same. ☀️👏
Doorknocking and admiring beautiful tulips
Door-knocking in Como/North Dale area. I saw these beautiful tulips and had to take a few pictures.
Pickup and party at Orchard Rec Center
Como Community Council District 10 hosted a pickup and party event. We picked up trash in the neighborhood and visited with people displaying information on Prodeo Academy (located in St Bernard’s school; como historical neighborhood project; a seed library; a block nurse program; watershed; and more. Plus, they grilled hot dogs and provided other snacks.
Stopped at Conny’s Creamy Cone
Finally, I was able to stop at Conny’s Creamy Cone when there was no one else in line. 🥰
Walking For a Purpose and Mai Vang’s eggrolls
Walking for a purpose and the Eggroll Queen united in raising money for the homeless. Todd Feske is the founder and has been helping homeless people with their basic needs, homing, and caring for them. He is instrumental in getting tiny homes for the homeless. He is an amazing man.
Earth day event at Arlington Recreation Center
A wonderful event put on by Payne-Phalen District 5 council.
Walking on Arcade Street
I was doorknocking today and passed by my old school, Johnson High School. With the boundary change in ward 5, Johnson High school, Smok’n Outdoors (old Romolo’s), Phalen park auto, and other small businesses are now included in the ward.
1-4 unit housing study
I attended a meeting organized by Saint Paul that was about the 1-4 housing study. The city wants to zone property for housing that will accommodate 2 to 6 housing units in one building. While it sounds ok, I am concerned that most people won’t be able to afford the licenses, plumbing, electricity, variances etc. and developers will start purchasing houses even more. Our neighborhoods will be filled with housing owned by people that don’t even live here. Anyone that wants to review the project website it’s at: stpaul.gov/1to4study and email concerns by Thursday, to 1to4housingstudy@ci.stpaul.mn.us
A walk at Lake Como on Easter Sunday
Today, I decided to go for a walk at Como lake. As I am walking and thinking, I realize how much I have learned since I decided to run for city council. Council members have a big responsibility to make decisions and policies that will benefit people now and in the future. The residents need to be the focus for every council member. I am really excited to start walking in neighborhoods and talking to people that live in this community. 😃
The main Saint Paul Fire Station on Randolph Avenue and 7th Street
Today, I met with Saint Paul Fire Chief, Butch Incks at the station on Randolph Avenue and 7th street. I heard he was a nice guy, and he definitely is. He grew up near Rice Street and went to Como Park High School where he played several sports. He joined the military after high school and then became a firefighter. He was named Chief by Mayor Carter in 2019. Some quick facts: Amount of firefighters: 434 Retirement age: Usually around 55 Schooling: High school diploma or GED Amount of fire stations: 15 (16 after another one is opening soon) Besides the EMT, Advance life support, and paramedics, the Saint Paul Fire Department does HAZMAT response, Specialized rescue missions, and helicopter response to areas outside of the city. They also contract out for fire protection at 3M in Maplewood, The U of M, Saint Paul campus, the State Fair grounds, the Veterans Administration Medical Center and surrounding areas. ALS service is provided to Falcon Heights and Lauderdale. Fire Explorers are a group of young men and women from the age of 14 to 20, with an interest in learning about careers in the firefighting and emergency services fields. They gather weekly to learn and experience what the FIRE and (EMS) careers are about. At this time, there are about 10 young people in explorers. The Saint Paul Fire Department EMS academy (emergency medical services) is a tuition free certification program. There is an income guideline to be accepted. More information can be found at: www.stpaul.gov/deparments/fire-emergency-medical-services/paramedicsems-operations/ems-academy
Kickoff at Chances
I had a kickoff at Chances Tavern on Payne avenue. I served Mama's Pizza from Rice Street and Front. It was a success!
Visiting businesses along Rice Street
We stopped and talked to owners of small businesses on Rice Street. Sadly, I learned that Long's Auto Sales is moving in two months to Hwy. 61 and County Road E in White Bear Lake. On a good note, another Car Sales business bought the spot on Rice Street. Keystone is a food shelf that supplies food to many residents in the North End community.
Boundaries have changed
The northeast boundary for Ward 5 has changed, with more of the east side included in it. I am standing at the corner of Larpenteur and Arcade.
Eastern district police meeting
While at the police meeting, I met Paul Skytte. He is a neighborhood activist in the Hillcrest/Hayden Heights area.
Small Businesses on Rice Street
Met some business owners, employees and patrons along Rice Street. Had fun talking about things they are concerned with and getting advice from some also.
