All Board Seats are Filled - Welcome to New Members!

At our Annual Meeting(s) in March, we elected new board member Timothy Turner along with several incumbent members and formalizing last fall's appointments of Christopher Melendez and Paul Sawyer. Even with the March election, we were still left with three open seats. At last night's board meeting those seats were filled by appointment of residents Rose McDonough, Daniel Yang, and Jay Xiong. These three will hold their seats until next year's election, when they can run during the regularly scheduled election. This process of appointment (codified in our bylaws) allows us to assure that our organization has the oversight, community representation, and creative energy it needs to remain a vital part of our neighborhoods. Their need to run in the next election assures that the community continues to have a say in who oversees the organization for the long run.

The three newest board members represent the Eastview, Highwood Hills, and Battle Creek neighborhoods, respectively. They bring with them skills in communications, community organizing and development, and understanding the political process. New insights into the way our community works - and how it should work - and new energy around getting things done are what an influx of new board members can do for an organization like ours.

This influx of new board members (both from this spring and last fall) is coming at a time when we are updating our community plan - the blueprint for how we - and the City - envision this area's future. Our discussion last night, discussing what the key issues are that face us, was another step. But now it is time for you, our neighbors, to have your say.

In the coming months, we will be facing many issues - we always do. We will be meeting with people in our office, out in the community at gatherings and events, via social media and our hard copy newspaper, and by both chance and design. Please take the opportunity to tell us what is on your mind. Everyone on the board and on staff is committed to listening to your joys and concerns, and dedicated to working with you to build a more vibrant and welcoming community, here in the southeast corner of Saint Paul.