February 15, 2001

Dear [Delegate],

When I last asked for your endorsement, I said that the city was at a crossroads. I remember some of those difficult days, but moving together we made it and today we are right on track.

We put together a strong coalition of citizens, neighborhood groups, committed businesses, nonprofit partners and law enforcement to fight crime and build stronger neighborhoods. Our efforts are paying off.

Serious crime is at a 34-year low. Neighborhood revitalization is strengthening communities across the city. Public/private partnerships are flourishing, bringing much needed support to the Phillips and Near North neighborhoods. We have developed initiatives to strengthen families and support children.

Our lakes our cleaner, our parks are busier than ever, and more families are enjoying our bikeways and parkways. The referendums strongly supported by citizens mean that our children will continue to benefit from early childhood education and smaller class sizes. We will also build a new central library and planetarium, and improve our community branch libraries.

We have accomplished so much together, but there is more that must be done.

My priorities for the next four years include:

• More affordable housing. I will further my efforts to leverage every available local dollar, and to bring regional, state and federal support to address this crisis.

• More jobs. I will work to provide all citizens with tools, training and transportation to get and keep living wage jobs.

• Strong support for families and children. We must make it a shared priority to ensure that all children are well-clothed, properly housed; and educated.

• Further reduce crime. We must confront racial profiling head on, and improve police intervention with people in mental health crisis.

• Continue to protect the environment. I will continue my strong advocacy for clean air, water and the expansion of the noise insulation program, reduced nighttime flights, and regional airport strategies.

I am proud to be the DFL mayor of Minneapolis. Our DFL party shares my belief that we must be a community where everyone has the opportunity to prosper. I have always honored your endorsement. I am asking for your endorsement again so we can continue building on our accomplishments together. We can and we will make Minneapolis a city that is working for everyone!

With warm regards, Sharon Sayles Belton