On November 7 the Sierra Club North Star Chapter celebrated victories of many endorsees for Minneapolis City Council and the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. Cities are on the front lines of protecting our environment and providing essential leadership on renewable energy, transit, and jobs in the clean economy of the future.
The new Council and city leadership has an opportunity to ensure that Minneapolis lives up to its potential to be a national leader on environmental policy. Meet the new candidates!
City Council
Ward 2: Cam Gordon
Cam Gordon has long been a key champion of environmental policy on the local level. In the last four years, he has led or helped lead multiple environmental policies, including: creation of the Clean Energy Partnership, City participation in community solar gardens, adoption of an aggressive goal to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, passage of the Complete Streets policy and protected bikeway plan, the Bring Your Own Bag ordinance to reduce waste from single-use bags, limitations on crumb rubber, a Pollinator-Friendly City resolution and much more. He is a true leader on the environment, and a close and valued ally to the Sierra Club.
Ward 3: Steve Fletcher (ranked 2nd)
As the DFL-endorsed candidate and co-founder of Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC), Steve Fletcher has a deep understanding of and commitment to environmental justice. We believe that his approach to governance will be thoughtful and empathetic.
Ward 4: Phillipe Cunningham
Phillipe Cunningham is a profoundly engaging candidate, and has a deep and intuitive understanding of environmental justice, clean energy access, and good governance. He will make an excellent partner to the Sierra Club and other advocates for the environment and environmental justice in City Hall. His historic candidacy will bring a much-needed breath of fresh air to the City Council.
Ward 5: Jeremiah Ellison
Jeremiah Ellison has made environmental justice a signature issue of his campaign, and raises the issue consistently on the stump and at voters’ doors. He has a strong understanding of a broad range of environmental issues, and makes creative connections between them. We believe that he will be an invaluable leader for the environment on the City Council.
Ward 8: Andrea Jenkins
Andrea Jenkins will bring a world of relevant City Council experience to the office. She was a long-time Policy Aide serving Eighth Ward Council Members Elizabeth Glidden and Robert Lilligren, both of whom the Sierra Club North Star Chapter has endorsed in previous elections. Her campaign’s focus on equity, including on environmental issues, makes her a natural ally of the Sierra Club. We look forward to a close working relationship with her as a Council Member.
Ward 10: Lisa Bender
Of the endorsements for City Council the Sierra Club made in 2013, none might have been better than endorsing Lisa Bender. She has proven to be a true environmental champion, taking the lead on passing and implementing transportation policies like the Complete Streets policy and protected bikeway plan, land use policies like Accessory Dwelling Units and much-needed reform of parking requirements, and public space improvements like parklets. We enthusiastically endorse her reelection and look forward to a much-expanded leadership role on the City Council in her next term.
Ward 11: Jeremy Schroeder (co-endorsed)
Jeremy Schroeder is a skilled policy advocate, and we believe he would hit the ground running as an effective policymaker and coalition builder on the Council. His expertise on housing issues positions him well to lead dialogue and action on density and affordability in both Ward 11 and citywide. The city needs this sort of leadership from lower density and more affluent Wards. We were impressed with his ideas for accelerating progress within the Clean Energy Partnership and with his commitment to implementing the city’s Complete Streets policy.
Ward 12: Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson has proven to be a strong voice for better transit, cleaner energy, and other progressive issues in his first term. Among his achievements to date: he authored a successful resolution to ban polystyrene containers in the city; he fought against HERC expansion; and, more locally, he helped a dry-cleaner in Ward 12 stop using and emitting toxic fumes into a daycare in the same building. He is able to participate difficult conversations and closely listen to community voices. Mr. Johnson bursts with good ideas on how to make Minneapolis an example of how cities can be more livable in the 21st century.
Ward 13: Linea Palmisano
Linea Palmisano is a previously-endorsed incumbent running for a second term on the Council. She has been a leader on Chapter priorities, including co-leading development of the Zero Waste Plan, and co-authoring a Pollinator-Friendly City resolution. We look forward to her continued growth as an environmental leader on a more progressive City Council.
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board
At-Large: LaTrisha Vetaw
LaTrisha Vetaw is the Sierra Club North Star Chapter’s overwhelming first choice candidate for Park Board At-Large. The Chapter is impressed with her strong knowledge of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board structure and budgeting and her concrete and creative policy proposals. Ms. Vetaw’s extensive professional and volunteer experience as a policy leader and coalition builder will be a significant asset to the Park Board. LaTrisha’s presence on the MPRB will add a much-needed diversity of perspective.
District 2: Kale Severson
Mr. Severson’s passion for community engagement, equity, environmental justice, and education shone at every opportunity in his screening. We believe that his experience in leadership positions throughout the Northside community will serve him well as Commissioner. We believe Mr. Severson will be an energetic, progressive addition to the MPRB.
District 4: Jono Cowgill
Mr. Cowgill’s screening was among the best of the cycle. Personable, knowledgeable, and engaging, Jono answered our questions with ease, and drove the discussion to the next level. As an urban planner focused on climate change mitigation and resilience, it is clear that Mr. Cowgill’s professional life will inform his work as a public servant. His goals of more community gardens, partnerships with schools, and passing a climate action plan are both laudable and achievable.
District 6: Brad Bourn
Commissioner Bourn has for the last two cycles arguably been the most progressive and staunchest Sierra Club ally on the MPRB. His past leadership from a minority position will translate well into leading a progressive majority that will deliver a more equitable, more green, and more resilient parks system.