Post in Ninth Ward E-News - Friday, May 16, 2008

Ashwin Madia served in Iraq and is raising veterans' issues as he campaigns for
US Congress in Minnesota's third district.

On Friday May 30th, join Council Member Gary Schiff for Breakfast with Gary
featuring a panel of experts who will discuss issues faced by returning U.S.
veterans. Speakers include Ashwin Madia
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashwin_Madia> , a U.S. Marine and Iraq war
veteran now campaigning for Congress.



As thousands of troops return home this year, military families share the joy
and anxiety of homecoming, the adjustments of living together again, and often
cope with anger, depression, PTSD
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-traumatic_stress_disorder> , injuries,
grief, and other challenges. Local governments are coping with health care
costs and the prospects of increased homelessness.



Panelists will include Guy Gambill, a veteran's advocate who lobbied to pass
sentencing mitigation legislation for combat vets; Major Cynthia Rasmussen, a
combat stress officer who has spoken out against poor service for veterans
<http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/02/11/told_to_wait_a_marine_dies/>
; and Brock Hunter, a U.S. Army veteran and defense attorney who has advocated
for legal recognition of combat trauma in criminal trials.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/us/27vets.html?ei=5090&en=63b2789172842f6f&ex=1359090000&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all>



Breakfast with Gary is a monthly event open to the public on the final Friday
of the month at the Mercado Central (1515 East Lake Street), from 7:30 to
9:00am. $5 buys breakfast.



Greenway bridge named Martin Olav Sabo Bridge





The Midtown Greenway bridge will be named in honor of Martin Olav Sabo, former
Congressman and bike and transit advocate.

On Sunday, May 18th former U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo will be honored
with the naming of the Midtown Greenway's bike bridge over Hiawatha. A
celebration will take place on the bridge from 3 - 5 pm with a ceremony
beginning at 4 pm.



"Representative Sabo earmarked $2.9 in federal funding to ensure safe passage
for thousands of bikers and to unite the Phillips and Longfellow
neighborhoods," said Council Member Schiff, whose ward includes the bridge.
"His lifetime of advocacy for transit and our city makes him long overdue for
this honor."



The council action approving the naming of the bridge
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2005-meetings/20050819/Docs/08_Midtown_Greenway_Bridge.pdf>
states, "It is fitting and proper that a piece of city infrastructure be named
to thank and honor Congressman Sabo for his achievements." The bike bridge
across Hiawatha Avenue is the last link in a bike trail extending across all of
Hennepin County.



Minneapolis has the second highest percentage of people who bike to work of 50
major U.S. cities, and has nearly one hundred miles of bicycle trails and
on-street dedicated bicycle lanes.



More police officers habla espaol





In an effort to reach out to Minneapolis ' growing Latino community, over 50
employees of the Minneapolis police department are enrolled in Spanish courses
this year. The classes, which range from beginner to advanced conversation, are
aimed at providing officers another way to overcome language and cultural
barriers.



Officers who have been through the classes also say that knowing some Spanish
helps them feel more confident and safer because they are able to defuse
situations that may arise out of a misunderstanding and to get people the help
they need. "It's important for more police officers to speak Spanish so we can
communicate with people," One of the most important aspects of my job is to
create trust. When I try to speak their language, it puts them at ease," said
Sgt Thomas Ryan. "We want them to know we're here to help them."



Children's Hospitals sign workforce agreement with city





Todd Schilling, Vice President of Knutson Construction (left) and Dr. Alan L.
Goldbloom, CEO of Children's Hospitals & Clinics (right) look on as Council
Member Gary Schiff signs a precedent setting workforce agreement.

With a $200 million expansion
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/childrens_hospital.asp>  underway,
Children's Hospital has signed an ambitious workforce employment plan with the
City of Minneapolis. The wide-ranging plan sets the highest goals ever for
utilization of women and minority owned construction firms, and breaks
precedent for setting goals despite the lack of city subsidies in the project.
To read the agreement, click here
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/ward9/docs/childrensworkforce.pdf> .



"This agreement demonstrates the commitment that Children's Hospital has to the
economic as well as the physical health of Phillips," Council Member Gary
Schiff said. "Local hiring is key in our plan to fight poverty." Phillips has
one of the highest poverty rates
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/neighborhoods/phillips_poverty.asp#TopOfPage>
in Minneapolis.



The project aims to employ at least 30 Minneapolis residents from zip codes
55404, 55406, 55407, 55408 and 55409. In addition, subcontracting goals are set
for small underutilized businesses at 13% for minority-owned and 11% for
women-owned.  In addition, the plan sets goals for unskilled minority
contractors at 20%. The plan includes street cleanup with Minneapolis
Streetwerks <http://www.emerge-mn.org/ventures.html>  crews; construction
classes at Roosevelt and North High Schools; and an internship program for a
resident of Phillips neighborhoods.



"This major renovation and expansion at both campuses will help solidify
Children's position as one of the finest pediatric hospitals in the nation,"
said Alan L. Goldbloom, CEO of Children's. "The new facility will provide more
space, better technology and a family-centered and healing environment that
will match the quality of care we continue to provide children and families in
our community."



Schiff called on Children's Hospital to match the contracting goals met by the
Midtown Exchange
<http://www.midtowncommunityworks.org/exchange/projsummary_jobsdiv.php>
project in his 2007 State of the Ward address.

While there are no city subsidies in the project, the city helped finance the
expansion with low interest bonds that are available for non-profits. Projects
that utilize city financing are usually never required to set minority
contracting goals.

Construction on the expansion began in April and will include the City of
Minneapolis' reconstruction of the 2500 block of Chicago Avenue this summer.
Construction on the Children's Hospital expansion is expected to last through
January of 2011.

Southside foreclosure forum with Keith Ellison





Over 3,000 homes are projected to go into foreclosure this year in Minneapolis.

On Friday, May 30, 2008 Congressman Keith Ellison will talk to south
Minneapolis residents about the foreclosure crisis and what is being done
federally and how homeowners, tenants, and neighbors concerned about foreclosed
and vacant properties can access resources, information and policy and advocacy
information. Foreclosure counselors, tenant rights advocates, and
community-based organizations will be available to offer free advice and answer
questions confidentially. Lenders and foreclosure counselors will also set
appointments if residents would like a more detailed discussion.



The forum will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Sabathani Community
Center located at 310 East 38th Street in the Second Floor Banquet Hall, Room
218. Food will be provided. The event is cohosted by Mayor R.T. Rybak, Council
Members Schiff, Glidden and Lilligren and Julie Gugin from the Minnesota
Homeownership Center. Renters with foreclosure questions can call (612)
728-5767 for information. Homeowners having trouble making mortgage payments
should call 311 or (612) 673-3000. To access this information in Spanish, call
(612) 673-2700.

Unsubscribe from E-News
<mailto:heidi.quezada@ci.minneapolis.mn.us?subject=Unsubscribe%20me%20please!>
/ Subscribe to E-News
<mailto:heidi.quezada@ci.minneapolis.mn.us?subject=Subscribe%20me%20please!>  /
Learn About the Ninth Ward <http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/ward9>