My name is Doug Kress, and I am writing to introduce myself as a candidate for Minneapolis City Council to represent the 10th Ward. As you may be aware, our incumbent is vacating her seat in pursuit of mayoral ambitions, I have long considered the possibility of running for City Council. After many discussions and much encouragement from neighbors, colleagues, family and friends, I have decided that now is the time. I hope to have your support as I seek the DFL endorsement for Ward 10 City Council at our DFL convention on March 31.

As a Kingfield homeowner for the past 12 years, I have worked hard on issues that affect our neighborhoods, Ward 10 and our City. I would bring to City Council unique and pertinent experience working collaboratively with neighborhood citizens, businesses, and organizations. I have promoted the basic rights of citizens. I have hands-on, practical experience with budgets, City systems, and coalitions. This knowledge will be crucial as the complex financial and infrastructure pressures facing the city continue to increase. I will put this experience to work representing you on the City Council.

For the last four years I have worked at the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board (YCB) as Director of Minneapolis Redesign, where I developed and implemented five Family and Community Resource Centers. I have partnered with over 30 organizations to provide students and families with access to health care, affordable housing, family outreach, youth development activities, cultural events and mentoring opportunities.

Over the past year, I also served as the Director of Minneapolis Way to Grow, a program that prepares young children for school. Through my leadership, I have helped provide services for over 4,000 families. While leading both of these organizations, I learned firsthand how neighbors can effectively promote a sense of community, provide solutions for community challenges, develop outcome focused programming, and support individual and community growth for change. Previously, I worked for the City's Public Health Department as a Health Educator and Health Program Analyst where I was one of the first trainers to bring AIDS education into Minneapolis Public Schools. I also found the initial funding for the first GLBT student support group in the Minneapolis Public Schools.

I have taken on the hard issues, including affordable housing, health coverage and improved access to community services. Through my leadership I have brought people together to work collaboratively. My efforts brought the Minneapolis Public Schools, YMCA, YWCA, YCB, and Boys and Girls Clubs $1 million to initiate the Minneapolis Beacon's Program - a youth development program. I have fought to improve health care access for all and to protect a woman's right to choose, I have worked with community members to oppose government subsidies to corporations while the basic needs of children go unmet. Each June I march proudly in the GLBT Pride Parade and am active in the community year round.

As your representative in the City Council, I pledge to bring Ward 10 all the passion and energy for which I am known by my colleagues, friends, neighbors and family. I believe Minneapolis must make a major investment in our children, families, and the community, We must:

Prepare our children and youth for the future We measure the health of our community by the health of our children. Minneapolis children must do better. We must improve access to services from birth to adulthood. Our governmental systems must work together to avoid duplication and link people to the right services. I support early childhood education, with more opportunities for parent and community involvement.

•Support safe and stable families Service providers must work in partnership with families. I will bring my experience to bear to eliminate fragmented services for families. People must have safe, affordable and stable housing.

I will continue to develop creative plans to make this a reality. We must support and recognize all types of families, no matter their shape, size or composition.

•Promote safe and diverse neighborhoods Our neighborhoods are critical to our fives. Our neighborhoods are filled with an exciting and vital mix of restaurants, stores, recreational opportunities, and a variety of amenities for all.

Neighborhoods must continue to be the places where all of us, individually and together, five, work, play and pursue our dreams. Standing together we will eliminate racial profiling, violence and hate crimes and improve communication among neighborhoods, citizens and the police.

•Build a competitive, safe and economically vibrant City Minneapolis should be a destination of choice for people and businesses, where people move and want to stay. In partnership with neighboring communities we can expand the opportunities for economic growth. Together we can improve transportation options (light rail and buses), neighborhood development, downtown development, prudent spending and public safety. You can trust me to work hard to keep children, families and neighborhoods in mind when making decisions that will impact all of us.

This is an important time for our City. Budget challenges will force the City Council to make difficult choices that cannot be made in isolation - but rather in collaboration with you. We need progressive, enthusiastic leadership with the vision and experience to assure that Minneapolis is a city we can continue to proudly call home and is competitively poised to attract new residents and businesses.

An important role of a city council member is to respond to your concerns and questions. As your City Council Member, I will respond to your phone calls and inquiries. My door will be open. I will be accessible. I will work hand in hand with individuals, blocks and neighborhoods on the challenges and opportunities we face together.

I will be calling you soon to talk about your priorities. If you prefer, call me anytime at 825-8245, or e-mail me at kressdsO@yahoo.com. I would also like to invite you to my home on Thursday, February 8, 2001 between 5-7:30pm. I will be hosting an open house, giving us an informal opportunity to meet. I hope you can join us.

As a Minneapolis delegate, you have the honor and privilege to choose who will be your DIFL endorsed candidate for City Council. The Ward 10 convention is being held on Saturday March 31, 2001 at the Martin Luther King Park at 10:00 AM (registration begins at 9:00). I hope you will attend the convention and give me the privilege of earning your support.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to talking to you soon.

Respectfully,

Doug Kress

P.S. I hope to have your vote at the DFL Convention on March 31, 2001. Mark your calendar today!

Prepared and paid for by Kress for City Council - Scott Dibble and Audrey Johnson Co-Chairs, 3904 Garfield Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409 - 612-825-8245.