• Home
    • Watersheds
  • About Us
    • LWV UMRR Board
    • Background
    • Contact Us
  • LWV Positions on Water
  • Blog
  • Upcoming Events
    • LWV UMRR Calendar
    • Past Meeting Materials
  • Membership
  • Donate
  • Annual Meeting 2023
  • Annual Meeting 2022
  LWV Upper Mississippi River Region

LWV ABC Blog

CMAL Study of County Governance

3/3/2022

0 Comments

 
LWV ABC Program held on February 14 via Zoom:
CMAL has completed its study of county government research regarding the accountability, visibility and accessibility of county government in the metro area, as well as the relation between county government and other levels of government.  The purpose of the study is to update CMAL's position on county government in the metropolitan area. 
LWV ABC Vice-president Julie Trude presented the report and the consensus questions  developed by the study committee.  LWV ABC members then voted on the questions.    Our votes will be tallied, along with the consensus statements responses of all local Leagues who are members of CMAL, and will determine CMAL's position on county government in the metropolitan area.   This decision will be made at the May 14 Annual Meeting of CMAL.
The County Government Study by the Council of Metropolitan Area Leagues (CMAL) Report is available here for viewing prior to the meeting.
CMAL Timeline for 2022:
    • January 15: County Study Report and proposed consensus questions unveiled.
    • February-March: Metro area LWVs hold consensus meetings and report results to CMAL.
    • April 9: If deemed appropriate, CMAL Board adopts revised position on county government.
    • May 14: CMAL delegates vote on revised position at CMAL Annual Meeting.
The meeting was not recorded, but here is a copy of the PowerPoint that Julie used in her presentation. >>>>>
lwv_abc_feb_pp_jt.pdf
File Size: 842 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

We will provide an update to this story if/when the position changes are adopted.  
0 Comments

The History and Legacy of the Indian Residential School at the University of Minnesota Morris

1/2/2022

0 Comments

 
January 10 at 7pm LWV ABC is honored to host Janet Ericson, Acting Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Morris and Jennifer Smith, Director of Indian Education for Minneapolis Public Schools.  

 Dr. Ericson will introduce the background of the Indian Residential schools that operated at Morris and the challenges with learning more about them, including locating any unmarked burials, if they exist. She will  summarize what has been learned from various partners in this work over the last few years.  UMN Morris alumni, Jennifer Simon, who is 
Director of Indian Education for Minneapolis Public Schools and serves on the UMN Morris American Indian Advisory Committee, will then speak on the “Impact & Trauma of Boarding Schools on Our Youth Today." 
From the University of Minnesota Morris website: We recognize that "The social, emotional, spiritual, and cultural devastation from boarding school experiences have passed down to Native American individuals, families, communities and Tribal Nations today." 
Click here to join the meeting on January 10 at 7pm
Picture
Janet Ericson, Acting Chancellor, University of Minnesota Morris
Picture
Jennifer Simon, Director of Indian Education for Minneapolis Public Schools
​The University of Minnesota has named Janet Schrunk Ericksen as acting chancellor for the Morris campus.
Ericksen has most recently served as vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for the Morris campus. She assumed the role of acting chancellor on July 1, 2021. 

Ericksen began her career at UMN Morris in 1998 as an assistant professor of English. Since then she has held a variety of administrative roles, including director of the Honors Program, chair of the Division of the Humanities, and interim chair of the Division of the Social Sciences. Ericksen was named vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean in 2020. Additionally, she has been an active participant in University of Minnesota governance, including as a University Senator and two terms as a member of the Faculty Consultative Committee.

Ericksen is a member of the University of Minnesota Academy of Distinguished Teachers, a recipient of the University of Minnesota Morris Alumni Association Teaching Award, and the author of Reading Old English Biblical Poetry (U Toronto Press 2020).
  Jennifer Simon (Mnicoujou Lakota) is an enrolled citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.  She was raised on her home reservation with her large extended family and tight community.  She moved to Minnesota for college and attended University of Minnesota Morris and later Minnesota State University where she earned a masters degree.   While attending college, Jennifer worked as a student worker and graduate assistant in UMM Minority Student Program and MSU’s Institutional Diversity programs that led to her ongoing work in higher education equity, most recently at Augsburg University that moved her and her family to the metro area in 2007. 

​In fall of 2019, she made the decision to continue her commitment and passion of equity and working within her community with a move from higher ed to Prek-12 public education as the Director of American Indian Education with Minneapolis Public Schools.  Jennifer is also an adjunct faculty member of Augsburg University and as a former athlete she continues coaching and mentoring young athletes on the side.  Jennifer and her family, including what she sees as her greatest joy in life, her son, Isaiah and her daughter, Mariah, reside in Brooklyn Park.
For further information:
​https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2016/06/sad-legacy-american-indian-boarding-schools-minnesota-and-us/ 

​https://www.minnpost.com/national/2021/07/federal-government-looks-to-address-the-legacy-of-indian-boarding-schools-including-in-minnesota/

​https://morris.umn.edu/morris-boarding-schools

​https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/the-history-of-minnesotas-native-american-boarding-schools/89-78048d07-1af1-475f-bf15-0a47fc59bfe6

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/10/26/a-reckoning-monastic-order-apologizes-for-native-boarding-school

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/06/22/us-official-to-address-legacy-of-indigenous-boarding-schools​
0 Comments

LWV ABC Goes Virtual for the Winter

12/1/2021

0 Comments

 
​The big news is that we are planning to hold only virtual meetings from December to March, possibly April if winter weather or Covid continue to play havoc with the option of in-person meetings.  You will be informed of these virtual meetings in our LWV ABC newsletters that go out to our members and friends nearly monthly.  
Our December meeting will be fun - we'll start off with a session of League Lingo Bingo and socializing at 6:30, and then at 7:15 we'll have a discussion on voting rights legislation being passed by state legislatures, and in the US Congress now.  Here’s the Zoom link to join the meeting.  (credit for graphic to the Brennan Center)
Picture
January, February and March will also be virtual meetings - mark your calendars for the second Monday of the month.   We also have Book and Film Club meetings on the first Wednesday and third Wednesday, respectively.  
0 Comments

Fridley is Growing!

10/31/2021

0 Comments

 
This blog post was provided by Julie Trude, LWV ABC Vice President.  We will add a link to the video from this session when it is available.  

Left photo: Scott Hickock, Community Development Director for City of Fridley, with Gretchen Sabel, LWV ABC President
Right photo: INCOMPARABLE in Fridley City Hall lobby is formed from the letters of Columbia Arena which sat at the site of Fridley City Hall (2019) from 1968 to 2015.   
Photos by Julie Trude
Fridley is Growing!
 
Scott Hickok, the Community Development Director of Fridley, shared vital information on Fridley’s growth in population and tax base at Fridley City Hall on October 19 for our October in-person program.
 
As you drive the major corridors in Fridley, including University Ave., Highway 65 and East River Road, you have been observing change with the construction of several modern apartment complexes and townhomes.  Near the North Star Commuter Rail Station, Taylor developed a new complex with a swimming pool and activities building, 265 new units of which 100 were set aside for seniors (and a few of those offering rent assistance based on income). The former Holly Center site offers another new apartment with 260 units and 10,000 square feet of commercial space. This private redevelopment alone, is valued at $60 million, a substantial increase from the old retail center.
 
A former FMC site was a costly site to prepare with environmental clean-up. The city assisted in the site preparation and Hides developed 1.7 million square feet of new industrial space on East River Road. These projects, among others, have added one-half billion dollars of taxable property value to Fridley in the past 5 years! That is a huge transformation for an aging first-ring suburb. A fun project included development of “Forgotten Star,” a local brewery, re-using the former smoke stacks from a destroyed FMC building.
 
The new housing options plus turnover of existing housing stock has increased Fridley’s population and reduced the average age of its residents. The 2021 Morris Leatherman random sample survey revealed that over 45% of Fridley’s households are headed by an adult under age 30. Fridley is a community of many one-level homes that allowed residents to age in place, skewing their population to older residents until recently. Today only 18% of all residents are at or over the age of 65.
 
Fridley has become more diverse as it population grew. The 2020 census shows a population of 29,590; growth of 8.75% since 2010. Fridley is now the 4th largest city in Anoka County. The census also reports that 42.7% of this population is listed as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People-Of-Color), while 57.3% of the population is white and Latina (11.1).
 
Fridley’s resident satisfaction survey indicated high satisfaction and positive attitudes towards the community and neighbors. Most indicated they liked living close to family or a job, the city feels safe and offers a small-town feel. In fact, 98% of resident feel safe in their community, have regular contact with neighbors, and those surveyed state there is a high level of acceptance to newcomers of diverse backgrounds.
 
The major area of concern seemed to be neighborhood parks, even though satisfaction was at 90%, a drop from 95% in a previous survey. As a result, another study is occurring that seeks resident involvement in local park upgrades and potential amenities as 91% agree the appearance of parks affects the value of homes.

 
0 Comments

Fridley – A city in transition:  Joint meeting of the City of Fridley & League of Women Voters ABC

10/3/2021

0 Comments

 
 Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Time: Social time begins at 6:30 pm (There will be packaged snacks.)
            Presentation is from 7:00-8:00
Location: Fridley City Hall, Council Chambers*, 7071 University Ave NE, Fridley, MN
 
October Monthly Program Meeting
    Note date change!
We won’t be meeting on our traditional second Monday of the month. Rather, check out our special program below with the City of Fridley.
Picture
Program: Learn about Fridley’s transition from a city with an aging population to a city that’s welcoming to young families and providing varieties of housing and other amenities to make Fridley a vibrant community for the future. Presentation topics will include 2021 Resident Survey results, community development updates, and Park System Improvement Plan updates.  Fridley’s experience with this transition will be applicable to other cities in our area as we move from development to re-development. 
 
*For those in the City of Fridley, the program will also be broadcast on Fridley Municipal Television, Channel 17 and will be shared on the LWV ABC website when available.  We will not have a virtual attendance option for this meeting. 
 
Our thanks to Alyssa Kruzel who was the Community Engagement Specialist at City of Fridley, for making these arrangements.  Alyssa will soon be on to a new position with MN DOT, so we will be hosted by Scott Hickock.

0 Comments

Redistricting: What to expect and why it matters!

9/4/2021

1 Comment

 
September 13 – We will be returning to Andover City Hall for our September meeting!  The topic is Redistricting, an important activity that happens every 10 years following the Census. Learn about the processes, the issues, opportunities for reform, and more.
THIS WAS A VERY INFORMATIVE MEETING!  WATCH THE VIDEO on the Spotlight on Issues page of our website, https://my.lwv.org/minnesota/anoka-blaine-coon-rapids-area/lwv-abcs-spotlight-issues
​
(Post edited 103/21 to add this link for the video.)
Picture
Monday, Sept 13, 6:30 pm
Andover City Hall -- Council Chambers
1685 Crosstown Blvd NW, Andover
COME IN PERSON OR YOU CAN ATTTEND VIRTUALLY – SEE INFO BELOW

This will be a ‘hybrid’ meeting – you can choose to attend in person or attend virtually – we will send connection information to our members on the morning of the 13th.  (If you are not a member and would like to also participate virtually, email us at lwvabc@gmail.com.)  If you do attend in person, please wear a mask as we are following CDC guidelines.  No light supper, but we will have wrapped snacks.  Doors open at 6pm. 
 
We will also be presenting our Friend of League Award to Paul Linnell and the Anoka County Elections staff. They’ve been invited to join us at this program to be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments and service to the electorate of Anoka County to ensure safe and accessible elections.  (Who has been awarded Friend of League awards in the past?  Click here to find out!)
1 Comment

Transition of the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts                       LWV ABC Meeting on August 9 in Fridley

7/31/2021

0 Comments

 
We met at the historic Banfill-Locke House in Fridley on August 9 for an update from Executive Director Abby Kosberg on changes in store for this arts organization. They will be losing their home at the Banfill-Locke House, but Abby described planning that’s underway for locating a new space, new funding, new partners, and expanded arts services to the communities.
 
North Suburban Center for the Arts is the new (and old!) name of the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts.  Anoka County has helped to support this arts organization since 1988 but that funding ends on December 31 and the organization is losing its home at the Banfill-Locke House.  Abby's challenge is to lead this organization into a new space and new funding, which will be challenging! 
 
Picture
Abby Kosberg speaking at Banfill-Locke on August 9
Click here to see the video
Picture
Update as of an August 27 posting to the organization’s Facebook page:

“We're so excited to announce that we've found a home for the North Suburban Center for the Arts! We will be moving just down the road to Fire Station #3—a decommissioned fire station that has sat vacant since 2018 when then City of Fridley relocated its fire department to City Hall. The fire station sits at the corner of East River Road and 77th Way NE.”
 
Read about the campaign to fund the renovation of the new building, support staff, and ensure that programming remains accessible to the community at www.northsuburbanarts.org/new-home 





Picture
0 Comments

Update on Anoka County Parks

7/1/2021

0 Comments

 
VIEW THIS VIDEO OF THIS MEETING AT THIS LINK:
blob:http://reflect-qctv.cablecast.tv/3247162d-3257-4b5a-9b3c-c7142dd21084  
MANY THANKS TO QCTV FOR FILMING THE EVENT!
   Monday, July 12
           6:00 Gathering time
           6:30 Program

Featuring Anoka County Parks Superintendent Jeff Perry (left) and Anoka County Commissioner Mike Gamache (right)
  
Picture
Join us for this special opportunity to hear first-hand about what’s happening in our parks, future plans, protection of our natural environment, and the many opportunities for recreation and leisure activities.
We will meet at the Bunker Hills Activity Center in the beautiful Bunker Hills Regional Park, 550 Bunker Lake Boulevard, in Andover. Weather permitting, we will enjoy our social time on the deck.  The presentations will take place in the Activity Center. 
Picture
0 Comments

Monthly Meeting - June 14  - Book talk with Dave Durenberger and Lori Sturdevant

6/7/2021

3 Comments

 
A Conversation with Dave Durenberger and Lori Sturdevant 
  featuring their book, "When Republicans Were Progressives"
 
Join League of Women Voters ABC for this live, virtual conversation on Monday evening, June 14 at 6:30. The public is invited to attend by requesting a Zoom link via an email to lwvabc@gmail.com.
 
The presenters will discuss the book they co-authored, "When Republicans Were Progressive." A planned in-person event in 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic, but participants will find the content of this virtual conversation timely, lively, and forward looking. A video recording of the event will be available later in the week at YouTube @ LWV Anoka Blaine Coon Rapids Area .We thank QCTV community television for making this live program and recording available.

​
A Star Tribune book review commented that the book "...is a fascinating  combination of Durenberger's firsthand account regarding three terms in the U.S. Senate, hundreds of anecdotes...a platform for positive change and a skimp yet alluring look into his personal life." Lori Sturdevant is a retired Star Tribune editorial writer and author of several books of Minnesota history.
Picture
3 Comments

LWV ABC Annual Meeting - April 12, 2021

4/4/2021

 
Picture
LWV ABC's Annual Meeting will take place on Monday, April 12.  We will open the Zoom room at 6 and begin at 6:30 with a visit from Anoka County Commissioner Scott Schulte.   

All the documents and links you will need to participate in this meeting can be found in this blog, as well as under "Board Agendas" on the
LWV ABC Member's Only page.  It will be a good meeting  ending promptly by 8:30.  Attendance by our members is important, as this is where we will begin the process of setting our goals for the next year.  See you at the Annual Meeting! 
                                                                                                                                   LWV ABC President Gretchen Sabel

Click here to Join the Zoom!
6pm  Gather, sign in, social, welcome
 
6:30  Scott Schulte, Chair of Anoka County Board of Commissioners, remarks and discussion
 
7:00  President's Report – Gretchen Sabel - file follows
  • introduce new Vice President Julie Trude;
  • introduce committee chairs and short summary of accomplishments, and
  • choosing areas of work for 2021-22 year - we'll be using the Google form at this link.  
 
7:30  Treasurer Report   - Wes Volkenant - file follows


7:35  Present budget for 2021-22 and vote – Geri Nelson  - file follows
 
presidents_remarks_annual_meeting_april_2021.pdf
File Size: 199 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

treasurers_report_april_2021.docx
File Size: 19 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

abc_budget_2021-22.pdf
File Size: 41 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

7:40  Membership Dues policy change and vote   - Pat Kennedy
​

Proposed Membership Dues Policy 2021
Individual Membership Dues shall be $60 per year.  Additional family members residing in the same household shall pay $30 per year in dues.  Dues for students enrolled either full-time or part-time in school shall be $10 per year.  Flexible Membership Dues will be available to everyone to choose what they can pay, from $5 to $55.
LWV ABC will supplement a Flexible Dues Membership payment in order to pay the per member payment (PMP)  to LWVUS and LWVMN.  The Flexible Dues Membership option will replace the previous scholarship program offered by LWV ABC. 
 

7:45  Nominations Committee report and vote on slate  - Mary Jo Truchon
 
Nominating Committee Report
Mary Jo Truchon, Chair, Submitted April 2, 2021
 
Candidates for Board Positions – Two year terms 
   All incumbents have agreed to run for re-election
     President- Gretchen Sabel 
     Secretary- Arlene Gillett 
     Membership- Patricia Kennedy 
   
Candidates for Nominating Committee (Off- Board Positions- One year terms)
      Nominating Committee Chair- Mary Jo Truchon
      Nominating Committee Member- Glenda Meixell    
 7:50  Affirm local positions; introduce plan for local action agenda – Gretchen Sabel - file follows
lwv_abc_position_recommendations_2021.pdf
File Size: 118 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

8:00  Affirm local Non-partisan policy – Geri Nelson - Click this link for Non-partisan policy

8:10  Proposed bylaws changes and vote – Pat Kennedy​ - See following "Summary of Changes" and "Proposed Bylaw Changes",   Current bylaws are at this link.  


sumary_of_proposed_changes_to_the_bylaws_2020.docx
File Size: 13 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

bylaws_proposal_april_2021.docx
File Size: 32 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

 
8:20  Present Zilla Way Award to this year's outstanding local League member – Gretchen Sabel
               Click this link for a list of our valued past awardees

 
8:25  Wrap up and farewell, next steps (including State Convention in June) – Gretchen Sabel
 
8:30  End of meeting
 ​
Full Committee Reports follow; these will be summarized by Gretchen Sabel in the President's Report.
communications_report_2020-21.doc
File Size: 55 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

lwv_abc_voter_service_report_2021.docx
File Size: 579 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

membership_report_2020-2021.docx
File Size: 17 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

program_meetings_2020-2021.docx
File Size: 16 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

<<Previous

    LWV ABC serves most of Anoka County and the city of Champlin in northern Hennepin Couny, Minnesota.  

    Return to LWV ABC Website

    Categories

    All
    Antiracism Resources
    Book And Film Club
    Candidate Forums
    Diversity
    Help Needed
    LWV Positions
    Monthly Programs
    Redistricting
    Voter Registration

  • Home
    • Watersheds
  • About Us
    • LWV UMRR Board
    • Background
    • Contact Us
  • LWV Positions on Water
  • Blog
  • Upcoming Events
    • LWV UMRR Calendar
    • Past Meeting Materials
  • Membership
  • Donate
  • Annual Meeting 2023
  • Annual Meeting 2022