City Council Candidates Are On The Ballot —What Has Changed Since 2021?
By THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MINNEAPOLIS
Because of the redistricting process completed in 2022, every Minneapolis City Council member will be up for reelection this year to serve a two-year term; only in 2025 will Council candidates be back on the ballot for the traditional four-year term. Also, this will be the first election for the thirteen City Council members following major changes to the City Charter (the city’s constitution).
Charter Amendment No. 184, passed in the municipal election of 2021, has redefined our city structure. Before this process, the Government Structure Work Group described the city “as a complex patchwork of existing laws that has been in place since 1920.” Known for years as a “weak mayor-strong council” system, Minneapolis has been transformed into an “executive mayor-legislative council” form of government. But what does that mean? What role will the City Council play now?
In the 1980s Mayor Don Fraser failed to pass a strong mayor charter amendment after multiple attempts had been made in previous decades. As a compromise, he devised a proposal which passed: an executive Committee made up of the Mayor, the City Council president, and up to three City Council members. Together they had a say in hiring or firing department heads.… Read the rest “City Council Candidates Are On The Ballot —What Has Changed Since 2021?”
Meet Ismail Said, New Recreation Supervisor at East Phillips Park
By MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND RECREATION BOARD
Hello! In case you’ve not yet met him, East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center’s new Recreation Supervisor is Ismail Said. Ismail takes over from Jeanne Whitehill, who is now at Lynnhurst Park.
Ismail grew up in the Twin Cities with his five siblings and parents, who immigrated from Somalia in the 1990s. He started at Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board as a Youth Program Specialist.
Ismail is excited to be working for the Minneapolis Park Board to support and work with youth and families from a range of different backgrounds. He also looks forward to being a part of sports recreation and community building.
Next time you’re in the building, stop by and say hello. Or drop Ismail an email at isaid@minneapolisparks.org.
For park hours and a link to browse and register for activities and programs for all ages, visit the East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center page at www.minneapolisparks.org
Related Images:
Peace House Community: Wisdom in Unexpected Places
By MARTI MALTBY
Occasionally, you come across wisdom in such an unexpected place that you don’t notice it until later. It’s like driving past something quickly and then thinking “Did I just see …?” I had this experience recently when I ran across one of the best commentaries I’ve ever heard about what matters in a relationship.
Some of you will remember the television series MythBusters, where Adam Savage and his colleagues would test famous but questionable stories to see if they were scientifically possible. Since MythBusters went off the air, Adam has started a live podcast (complete with video feed) where he answers fans’ questions, many of which involve his time on MythBusters. The setup is pretty simple: Adam sits at a workbench and reads questions on his computer monitor as they come in, looks directly into the camera, and speaks to whoever asked the question. In one podcast, someone asked him if he imagines an actual person behind the camera when he gives his answer, or does he just speak to a camera lens. Adam replied that he pictures his wife sitting there, and that this helps him stay focused on the reason behind the question.
Adam explained that most of the questions are about why he and his colleagues had tested certain myths instead of others, rather than the mechanics of the test.… Read the rest “Peace House Community: Wisdom in Unexpected Places”
