In the News

What should elections look like in a one-party town?

By David Greenwood-Sanchez, David Durenberger and Andy Dawkins | September 15, 2021 | Comments Off on What should elections look like in a one-party town?

This November, St. Paul will vote on who will lead the Capitol City for the next 4-years.  Seven candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to challenge incumbent Mayor Carter, all political outsiders who are not expected to present any threat to what should be a smooth re-election. This lack of electoral competition presents a …

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Politics trumps proper process in St. Paul

By Andrew Rorvig, Andy Dawkins and David Greenwood-Sanchez | May 27, 2021 | Comments Off on Politics trumps proper process in St. Paul

St. Paul has a strong mayor system of governance. But in a high-handed fashion the current mayor has decided, perhaps illegally, that his future campaign is more important than (a) what the law says, (b) what his Planning Commission recommended and (c) what the City Council decided. Neighborhood residents are up in arms. Mayor Melvin …

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Good Intentions no substitute for Authentic engagement East Side Pig’s Eye improvement plans

By David Greenwood-Sanchez, Tony Parrish and David Durenberger | February 2, 2021 | Comments Off on Good Intentions no substitute for Authentic engagement East Side Pig’s Eye improvement plans

Plans to clean up Pig’s Eye Lake may be well meaning, but were drawn up without public consultation.

In St. Paul, taxes rise and rise and rise. Can we talk more about this?

By Andrew Rorvig, Yusef Mgeni and Jack Hoeschler | November 27, 2019 | Comments Off on In St. Paul, taxes rise and rise and rise. Can we talk more about this?

This article was first published in the Pioneer Press on December 1, 2019. The published version of this article and reader comments are available on the Pioneer Press’s website. View on TwinCities.com (Pioneer Press) Late last month, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter proposed a supplemental budget in addition to the one he proposed in August, …

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US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program meets with Saint Paul STRONG

By Saint Paul STRONG | November 4, 2019 | Comments Off on US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program meets with Saint Paul STRONG

The U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program in Minnesota recently had a group of six visitors from around the world that were interested in speaking with Saint Paul Strong to learn more about the development of the organization and how Saint Paul STRONG supports nonpartisan community organizing and an open and representative government.  Members …

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Letters to the Editor: Why single out that candidate?

By John Mannillo, Yusef Mgeni and Laura Goodman | October 31, 2019 | Comments Off on Letters to the Editor: Why single out that candidate?

This letter was first published in the Pioneer Press on October 31st, 2019. Spooky. The published version of this letter and reader comments are available on the Pioneer Press’s website. View on TwinCities.com (Pioneer Press) We couldn’t agree more that candidates need to “listen, explain and engage” with the residents, as Tane Danger wrote on …

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Trash Talk? It’s just beginning of what ails St. Paul

By David Durenberger and Shirley Erstad | October 12, 2019 | Comments Off on Trash Talk? It’s just beginning of what ails St. Paul

As mayor plans to honor garbage contracts despite vote, money would be better pointed to housing, potholes and reducing violence.

Saint Paul City Council Candidate Forums

By Saint Paul STRONG | October 10, 2019 | Comments Off on Saint Paul City Council Candidate Forums

On October 8th and 9th 2019, Saint Paul STRONG hosted two candidate forums featuring candidates for City Council in partnership with SPNN. The full recordings are available below:

Trash, fees, franchises … St. Paul keeps making costly legal mistakes. Why?

By John Mannillo and Andrew Rorvig | June 23, 2019 | Comments Off on Trash, fees, franchises … St. Paul keeps making costly legal mistakes. Why?

This article was first published in the Pioneer Press on June 23rd, 2019. The published version of this article and reader comments are available on the Pioneer Press’s website. View on TwinCities.com (Pioneer Press) Some people think St. Paul’s current organized trash collection system stinks. No matter where you side on that issue, I think …

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Let’s know more before we let St. Paul levy more fines

By Grace Schmitt and Laura Goodman | May 5, 2019 | Comments Off on Let’s know more before we let St. Paul levy more fines

This article was first published in the Pioneer Press on May 5, 2019. The published version of this article and reader comments are available on the Pioneer Press’s website. View on TwinCities.com (Pioneer Press) St. Paul’s City Charter is the city’s version of its constitution. It should not be easy to change. Yet, without much …

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