All posts in the topic Introduction (Short link)
Summary
- There are 13 posts — by 13 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Ken Yokanovich at Apr 17 16:06 UTC
I am Roger Toogood. I have lived in Roseville since 1959. I was involved in
helping to get Central Park established and participated on the Vista 2000 task
force. I am the retired CEO of Children's Home Society of Mn. where I served
for 27 years.
I have served on the Board of the Roseville Citizens League for a number of
years and am the immediate past chair. I am pleased that Imagine Roseville 2025
is in process so we as a community will have a Strategic Plan in place. As a
Board member of the RCL I have been involved in a number of areas important to
the City. I volunteered for the Transportation sub- committee because of a long
standing interest in having our City streets improved from the perspective of
traffic flow as well as getting highway 36 upgraded from Interstate 35W to 35 E
from 2 lanes to 3 each way.
Other areas that are important to me are:
-#1- Economic Development
-#2- Environmental Matters
-#3- The changing population situation and its potential positive or negative
impact on the City.
-4- Housing
-5- Possible meager with Lauderdale and Falcon Heights
-6- Development of a City Center by tying Rosedale and Harmar together through
either a bridge over 36 or a tunnel.
-7- etc etc
My name is Jim Doherty. My wife and I have been Roseville residents for the
last 29 years. I retired from Wells Fargo 18 months ago. I have been a member
of Roseville's Planning Commission for the last couple of years and am
currently also on the Public Infrastructure and Safety Subcommittee of the
Roseville Visioning Process. I am interested in a wide variety of issues but
by way of my background, probably have some knowledge of land use, economic
development, and general finance issues.
I must admit that I am disappointed that the topic of Twin Lakes has surfaced.
As a Planning Commission member, my views on Twin Lakes are part of the public
record. That notwithstanding, Twin Lakes has been an extremely divisive issue
and I see very little positive that will result of a continuance of that
discussion. Further, a recent introduction focused on political issues, such
as who supported what and who should and should not remain in office. My
understanding is that this is an issues, not local politics, forum. In my
view, nothing will kill this process faster than it becoming a political forum.
Thank you,
Jim Doherty
Hello, I'm Mary Jean Turinia Anderson, have lived in Roseville for fifteen
years and am looking forward to the forum as one more means of sharing
information, ideas, opinions with other Roseville residents. I recently retired
from
state government as director of equal opportunity for the Dept of Human
Services. I previously served on the Roseville Human Rights Commission and am
currently a member of the Police Civil Service Commission. I believe that
government can and should be a powerful positive force and support for people,
and
that in order for that to happen, people need to be involved at all levels. I
have a particular interest in the community impact of demographic changes
from age to economic status, and in housing and health resources. Looking
forward to informative and stimulating exchanges,
MJ
Hello all!
My name is Mark Traynor, and have lived in Roseville for 6 years with my wife
and two young children. In my time here, I have been on the Planning
Commission, the Brimhall PTA and the Roseville block nurse program board. I
also am a current member of the Imagine Roseville 2025 Steering Committee.
I am general counsel for a health plan company called UCare which specializes
providing health care coverage for folks on Medicare, Medicaid or
MinnesotaCare.
The main issues I am concerned about are: (1) continuing to make Roseville an
attractive place to raise families and educate kids while supporting our
longtime residents with options to stay in the wonderful community they have
helped build; (2) encouraging balanced development that recognizes the need for
Roseville to remain competitive and to grow and diversify our tax base while
addressing impacts like traffic (including encouraging mass transit
alternatives); and (3) beginning to heal the divisive political dynamics that I
have seen since I have moved here by talking about issues and solutions,
avoiding personal comments, and being respectful.
I believe this forum is an interesting test for our city to address my last
concern. I am hopeful that it will be part of the healing rather than harden
the current division that appears to afflict our community.
I look forward to talking with all of you!
Hello to everyone! My name is Dan Roe, and I am currently doing many things in
Roseville. Politically, I am running for city council to (hopefully) fill Dean
Maschka's open seat on the council. Otherwise, I am serving on the Planning
Commision, as well as the HRA's Rental Licensing Citizen Advisory Group, and
active in the local League of Women Voters as one of a few and growing number
of male members. I believe strongly in participative democracy, and I find the
League an excellent way to stay involved myself, as well as promoting active
involvement by others. I have helped out with a new citizen ceremony, and it
is truly inspirational to see the enthusiasm of those who have worked so hard
to become US citizens.
I moved to Roseville in 1990 from Edina, and I have really felt that Roseville
has been my home ever since. I began to get seriously active in Roseville civic
affairs in 2003, when I ran unsuccessfully for mayor. I am always amazed by
the terriffic connection so many people feel to our city, and the way they
exercise that through volunteering for park committees, parent-teacher
organizations, and other ways.
Like other current candidates, I do not intend to use the Roseville Issues
forum for campaigning, but appreciate the chance to keep tabs on what folks are
interested in and talking about in our city.
The Imagine Roseville 2025 "community visioning" process that is underway right
now is very exciting to me. I hope that everyone will participate in some way.
The big challenge after that process ends is how to turn our community VISION
into a REALITY. While I have thoughts on that subject, I am curious to see
what others think about taking the output of this visioning process and
implementing it as individuals, and as a city government.
Greetings all. It is quite exciting to scan through the archives and read all of your introductions. Of the seven local Issues Forums in the E-Democracy.Org family each one has its own flavor and style. Your online forum seems more deeply connected into local decision-making structures and committees than anything I've seen anywhere online around the world. Very exciting. I'm Steven Clift, Board Chair of E-Democracy.Org. As a founder of E-Democracy.Org back in 1994 (with the world's first election-oriented website) I am interested in how we, as "citizens" (inclusive of all), can use the Internet to promote public participation from anywhere at any time in local democracy. For the last decade plus I've been an "e-democracy" consultant and public speaker <http://publicus.net> as a way to support my volunteer role with E-Democracy.Org. I also have a blog about democracy online <http://dowire.org>. Before 1997, I coordinated North Star, our state government's home page <http://www.state.mn.us>. While I am a fourth generation Minnesotan on both sides, my best connection to Roseville is that my sister-in-law Eileen teaches band in your elementary schools. I live in Minneapolis with my wife and our 10 month old son. Anyway, as Board Chair, our e-door is always open to suggestions and input <email obscured>. While each local forum may seem like an island, you are not. Folks in St. Paul, even Brighton, England share the same rules and technology. Each community is its own center of innovation and one of my jobs to help us learn from one another. So welcome Roseville into the family of local Issues Forums where citizens can have a voice and we can learn from each other through one simple e-mail address. Steven Clift Board Chair, E-Democracy.Org P.S. I'd love to see some more introductions.
Hello,
My name is Tom Robbins. I've lived in Roseville for 3 years, and I was very
happy to come across these e-democracy forums. Currently, I work as a Project
Manager for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, but I also have "past
lives" in accounting, non-profit administration, television production, and
information technology. My wife and I were initially reluctant to move to "a
suburb" (we previously lived in Uptown, Minneapolis), but we have enjoyed the
conveniences and smaller city feel coupled with the immediate access to both
major metropolitan areas. Roseville has one of just about everything.
My local interests include balancing the needs of the city with the development
that will inevitably occur (as everyone knows, we live in a development
culture). All change brings pros and cons. Striking a balance between these
poses a tremendous challenge for everyone. Providing a forum so people can get
answers to their questions (and suspicions) remains an important part of forums
like this one.
Hello everyone!
Tom Robbins
Hi All!
I grew up in Saint Paul and moved to far distant Falcon Heights with my wife
and first child in 1988.
I have always been passionate about politcs on every level.
As an early adopter, I have joined internet discussion groups since 1994,
starting with a car buff group called The International Merkur Owners Network
which is still going strong - love cars and have owned 57 Merkurs over the past
16 years.
I joined the E-Democracy St. Paul, Minneapolis and Minnesota forums in their
infancies and feel that I am a pretty good, albeit intentionally provacative
participant. I have taken many hits for my outspokeness, often from what we
internet vets fondly describe as "newbies", idealogues and people with very
thin skins.
The problem I have most often is misinterpretation of my edgy satire and
cynicism (even after 25 years, my wife often "doesn't get me") but I believe my
jaundiced views which are thoughtfully written and more puckish than
intentionally "mean" are generally respected on all the forums to which I
contribute.
The last thing I will ever do in just about all life situations is to sniffle,
pick up my ball and go home.
People who hate my stuff don't have to read it. I like to think that is their
loss, but it's a free country.
The worst memory I have in politics came at the very end of my second tough
race against Rep. McGuire in 1996. After the Pioneer Press endorsed me in 1996
a fellow named Blois Olson wrote a last minute attack piece that was dropped
district-wide on the Sunday and Monday before the election, giving me no chance
to respond.
I felt it was pretty nasty and wasn't necessary as I only got 44% versus 47% on
my first try in 1994.
Ironically, I was the only District 54 candidate who refused to sign a pledge
introduced by John Marty promising no last minute attacks. It insulted my
sense of decency to be asked to sign a pledge not to do something that would
never occur to me. Ah well, as Blois told me later, "Paul, it's not fair, it's
politics."
The best memories of politics are too numerous to cite. From the early memory
of seeing JFK in a campaign parade on University, to the "rush" I get from
knowing many public figures and having good dialogs with them, politics will
always course through my veins, even though the thought of running again is out
of the question since Health and Redistricting have elmintate the possibility.
I write a blog called "wogsblog.com" using a childhood nickname derivative of
"Polly Wog" because I was and am pretty round and I walk with my feet pointed
out and my "friends" thought I resembled a frog. Infortunately, the moniker is
akin to our "N" word in Australia and other British colonial places. Oh well.
I am disabled and have end-stage liver disease caused by a nasty vice.
My wife works for 623 and serves on our City Council. Politically, we live in
a house divided, mostly, anyway.
My oldest son just started at the U of M, my middle son is a Junior and the
apple of my eye, the youngest girl, is a Freshman.
I strongly believe in participation in the democratic process and I hope that
people who disagree with me respect my opinions, as I really DO try to respect
theirs.
It is exciting to have a Roseville Forum and I'm sure it will grow into a great
place to discuss the local issues.
I look forward to contributing my 2-cents and hope that people who are new to
this format will give it some time.
Warning -- I am not patient or critical enough to go back and edit my stuff, so
I make a lot of typos and produce bad grammar.
One final note. A month without a warning from my moderators is a month that
I am on vacation. ;-) - that's a winking smiley -- old school internet.
Cheers!
Paul Kuettel
Not So Bad of a Person
Falcon Heights
Hi Roseville Neighbors. I have been on the forum list for a while, but rather quietly observing for a time. I guess this thread is my cue for a quick "hello" and intorduction. My name is Kristen Olson and I have lived in Roseville for the past 6 years. I live in an apartment in the very NorthWest corner of Roseville. I am a single mom, my son just turned 5. I am a political and environmental activist, and law student on hiatus. For Roseville, I am most interested in improvements in quality of life for children. For example, I would never let my child ride his bicycle around here. Of the times (I can count on my hand) I have seen children riding their bikes around where I live, the last time I saw the child get hit by a cab, and I had to stop to call 911. I, myself, would like to bike to the park and ride at Rosedale in order to commute, but I fear for my own saefty too much to try! I feel like we have more then enough commercial, and industrial, development in Roseville (and traffic, and toxics that go along). I'd love to see some more community development occurring, and some clean up and beautification done west of Hamline (Planting trees, not buildings). I'd love to see Roseville become a leader in sustainable development, if we must go on building our commercial infrastructure. Do a google search on "green buildings" and see what cities like Santa Monica in CA, and states like Washington are doing. We have plenty of quantity. Let's go for quality. peace, Kristen Olson Steven Clift <email obscured> wrote: Greetings all. It is quite exciting to scan through the archives and read all of your introductions. Of the seven local Issues Forums in the E-Democracy.Org family each one has its own flavor and style. Your online forum seems more deeply connected into local decision-making structures and committees than anything I've seen anywhere online around the world. Very exciting. I'm Steven Clift, Board Chair of E-Democracy.Org. As a founder of E-Democracy.Org back in 1994 (with the world's first election-oriented website) I am interested in how we, as "citizens" (inclusive of all), can use the Internet to promote public participation from anywhere at any time in local democracy. For the last decade plus I've been an "e-democracy" consultant and public speaker as a way to support my volunteer role with E-Democracy.Org. I also have a blog about democracy online . Before 1997, I coordinated North Star, our state government's home page . While I am a fourth generation Minnesotan on both sides, my best connection to Roseville is that my sister-in-law Eileen teaches band in your elementary schools. I live in Minneapolis with my wife and our 10 month old son. Anyway, as Board Chair, our e-door is always open to suggestions and input . While each local forum may seem like an island, you are not. Folks in St. Paul, even Brighton, England share the same rules and technology. Each community is its own center of innovation and one of my jobs to help us learn from one another. So welcome Roseville into the family of local Issues Forums where citizens can have a voice and we can learn from each other through one simple e-mail address. Steven Clift Board Chair, E-Democracy.Org P.S. I'd love to see some more introductions. Steven Clift Ericsson, Minneapolis More info: http://forums.e-democracy.org/Roseville/contacts/stevenclift
Just a quick note to thank all of you for taking the time to be a part of this
effort to listen to citizens' thoughts and wisdom regarding our community.
Thanks, too, for all the rest you do in service in Roseville.
Brief Introduction: I'm Tammy Pust - mother of three; believer in the value of
public service; 18 year resident; attorney (now in Mpls); children and youth
advocate; dog owner (Buddy = Jack Russell = escape artist and hater of dog
outfits); member of Roseville City Council; hard worker; proponent of the
Imagine Roseville 2025 community visioning process; community volunteer;
present and former lots of things.
I know you're time is valuable. So is your input. So what do you think on any
of the following topics:
1. I'm hearing from some that there is a need for a "community gathering
place" in Roseville. Do you agree? What would that look like to you? Given
that nothing in life is free, are you willing to invest your tax dollars to
make this happen? At what level?
2. Prairie Restoration Project in front of City Hall (currently obscured by
large dirt pile associated with construction of County Road C) - environmental
revitalization v. eyesore? How do you see it?
3. Light Rail in Roseville? Good thing or bad? Doable or pie-in-the-sky? Do
your answers depend on how close it might be to your own home?
Thanks for your thoughts. tlp
My name is Steve Baird. My family and I have resided in Roseville since 1993.
I have two children enrolled in the Roseville Schools.
Currently, I am serving on the Transportation and Transit Subcommittee of
Imagine Roseville 2025. Regarding Light Rail, it is my understanding that the
Northeast Corridor is reserved for a busway/walking/biking path rather than
Light Rail. I think LRT is important, but as Karen Shafer has pointed out, it
is hideously expensive and dependent on Federal matching funds. I would be
willing to settle for a dedicated busway from White Bear to downtown
Minneapolis running through our fair city.
Regarding a community center, I am certainly envious of Shoreview's facility.
However, as a property tax payer, I feel tapped out right now. Unless the
Legislature shoots some additional aid to cities and school districts, I am
quite hesitant to take it on. I would have to see what the cost per household
would be.
Hi, my name is Kris Williams. I am a relatively new resident to Roseville (we
bought our house in August 2005). I am a member of the Roseville Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT). We are a group of about 12 people who are
trained to assist police, fire and other emergency response personnel in the
case of a disaster or emergency. (We're also the people who assist in
directing traffic for the parade, fireworks, Run for the Roses et cetera). I
am also a Skywarn Spotter.
My husband grew up in Roseville, his father was a police officer for over 20
years.
I firmly believe that we all need to be involved in politics, in watching what
our cities/counties/states/federal governments do and hold our elected
officials accountable for their actions. I didn't know about this site until
now.
Welcome Kris, thank you for taking a moment to introduce yourself.
I chuckled aloud when I read the part about being new to Roseville since you
moved in August of 2005. :) That's coming up on 3 years. Perhaps the
experience of living here has been SO enjoyable that time has flown by so
quickly.
Thank you for your service to the community.
I agree with your comment about being involved. I personally like to think
of it as being involved in the community rather than "politics." I wish I
could be more effectively involved myself. Two children, a spouse, two
jobs, leave little in the way of spare time.
By the way, what is a "Skywarn Spotter?"
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