DFL GREEN CAUCUS
Candidate Screening
Questionnaire
Annie Young, park board
at-large
Campaign 2001
Candidate Information:
Hello! Thank you for your support in the past. As a city wide Commissioner I am compelled to bring a broad vision of the park system to my job. I am dedicated to the principles of sustainability and trying to weave them into the fabric of the park system as we make decisions regarding the Crown Jewels of our city. As a steward of the park system it is my duty as your public servant to help operate and maintain the outstanding system of our city. Being responsible for vast amounts of water (both lakes and the Grandfather Mississippi River), the urban forest and the open green spaces of our city requires tenacity and follow through on the tasks associated with that responsibility. Active and leisure recreational programming for all of the city’s residents must be balanced with the regional attraction our parks and lakes provide.
I have a strong commitment to equity and justice within our parks for all of the Minneapolis residents.
And, I personally want to thank those who preceded me, the forefathers of the park system who over 120 years ago dreamed and implemented their dreams into the finest park system in America. I am honored to serve you and please feel free to e-mail or call me with your suggestions, concerns and praise. And visit my new website: www.annieyoung.org
1. Lake water quality, reducing pesticide use in the parks and runoff into the lakes and creeks.
I first ran using
pesticide use in the parks as major part of my campaign platform. We have made great strides forward on this
issue. We are now researching the ban of pesticides, especially in lawn
chemicals, in other cities and countries in order to develop our position and
the implementation strategies to move this item forward. It is also being
discussed as part of our Legislative
package.
The construction of wetlands
has greatly improved our water quality.
The addition of storm grit chambers throughout the city and other
educational activities are helping the Park Board address the water quality
issue. The Park Board is an active member of several Clean Water Partnership
projects on several of our lakes.
2.
What
is/has been your stance on the Hwy 55 re-route, and its impact on the urban
forest, wildlife habitat and on Minnehaha Park? Should the Park Board have approved the land swap that enabled
MnDOT to proceed with the re-route project?
I voted “no” on the land swap. I myself am very angry regarding the land bridge and walls which now hide the Longfellow House which I have worked hard to restore and set up an historic interpretative center. We have found funding and have renovated the home -–and now people cant’see it much less get to it without going through a complex maze of roads to get there.
3.
Green
purchasing policies. Should the (Park
Board) buy recycled based materials? What else can the (Park Board) do to encourage waste reduction,
re-use and recycling?
There is still plenty of work to be done in this are and will be a big part of my work the next four years. My most recent innovation has been the creation of the Paper Reduction Act which is intended to move us from so much paper to the world of electronics. This is a slow, arduous process but is occurring.
4.
What
more should the Park Board do to improve recycling of cans and bottles in the
parks?
I have continually advocated for more extensive recycling systems. I have done research and brought pictures back from my travels where I have observed different methods of separating and collecting containers. Our biggest issue has been the co-mingling of garbage within the containers because the public does not pay attention to which container they throw their products in to. We are working with the garbage hauler on a co-mingling type of pickup. Again this still needs more work.
5.
Mention
other issues that you wish to highlight.
Include campaign literature that illustrates the nature of your campaign
and the issues that you are raising.
Being a city wide at-large Commissioner allows one to have a broad vision for the City of Minneapolis and the park system within it. Working to balance the system through equity and fairness to all parts of the city is my key interest in serving as an at-large commissioner. Accessibility to our facilities and making sure that all residents can be provided our park services is vital to the quality of life in Minneapolis.
I have experience on the Board and a city-wide
perspective from having worked on both the North and South sides of Minneapolis
during the past twenty years. I will continue to provide environmental
leadership to the Park Board. The
parks, lakes and trees are the base of an eco-city. I support and work every
day for that goal – to be an eco/sustainable city for future generations.
Priorities…
A strong commitment to a great park system is needed for
the future stability on the Board. I
have a commitment to safe parks, strong neighborhoods and citizen
participation. Water quality in our
lakes and the environmental restoration with wetlands and bringing back the
prairie still need a watchful eye to ensure we keep on task. I am excited about the possibility of a Park
Crossing/ land bridge structure at 28th and Hiawatha and the
connection of the lakes and the river by the Midtown Greenway. The same holds
true for river and park development along the Upper North Mississippi. The
ecological restoration of Bassett’s Creek and new parkland coming with the
northside Hollman/redevelopment project
which will also bring new amenities
while athletic facilities will be enhanced by the new Fort Snelling Athletic
Complex.
I will bring my new campaign literature with me for
distribution.
Thank you and see you Sunday afternoon at Mill City
Music for an interview at 1:00pm.
Any other information or communication:
Annie Young
2601 Cedar Ave. S. Apt. 1 Mpls.MN
55407 612-729-3359