Minnesota caucuses will be Tuesday, February 7^th

On Tuesday, February 7, thousands of Minnesotans will be gathered at their precinct caucuses with friends and neighbors.

To find out where your precinct caucus is being held, use the caucus finder.

A caucus is a meeting organized by Minnesota's political parties where citizens can engage each other in a conversation about which candidates to support in the next general election and what public policy positions should be adopted as part of the party's platform. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office website has information on caucuses, political parties, and on the time and location where caucus meetings are being held. Caucuses are held in locations across Minnesota, are open to the public, and participation is encouraged.

Next Breakfast with Gary: Capital Update

Clockwise: Reps. Allen, Clark, Davnie, Senators Hayden and Torres Ray.

From Vikings stadium taxes to gay marriage, State legislators from south Minneapolis will take questions from residents about the 2012 legislative session at February’s Breakfast with Gary.

The breakfast will be held Friday, February 24th at the Mercado Central, 1515 East Lake Street from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. There is no charge to attend.  Breakfast is available for $5.

Join Senator Jeff Hayden (DFL -61), Senator Patricia Torres Ray (DFL -62), Representative Karen Clark (DFL -61A), and Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-62A).

Representative Susan Allen (DFL-61B) was elected January 10^th  to replace the seat previously held by Jeff Hayden, who replaced retiring Senator Linda Berglin. Berglin served 38 years at the State Capital.

City cuts emissions by 12.7% in last six years

Since 2006, Minneapolis has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 12.7 percent. Many factors likely impacted emissions, such as mild weather, the economic downturn and energy efficiency programs, but the trend is consistent with the city’s long term goals set out in the Climate Action Plan. In 1993, in conjunction with the City of Saint Paul, Minneapolis became one of the first cities in the nation to adopt a greenhouse gas reduction plan - the Minneapolis - Saint Paul Urban CO₂ Project Plan. The City also completed a greenhouse gas inventory for city operations and the community as a whole in 2009. 

Minneapolis residents and businesses have not significantly cut electricity use since 2006, although electricity is now coming from cleaner sources such as natural gas, wind and solar. This has helped cut emissions from electricity use. Minneapolis reduced natural gas use by 17 percent since 2006. Driving miles and emissions from transportation also declined slightly. Both natural gas and driving emissions may have declined in part due to population loss and unemployment. As part of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, Minneapolis is  aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through specific actions in the areas of land use, transportation, energy efficiency and waste reduction.

“Minneapolis is on the right track, but more work needs to be done. The recession is an opportunity to develop solutions that will be sustainable in the future,” said Council Member Gary Schiff.

Gary Schiff with Hannah Lieder, Ninth Ward Leader of the Year 2012. Click photo for a list of previous award Winners

Ninth Ward Award winners announced

At Breakfast with Gary on January 27th, the Ninth Ward Awards were handed out.

The Leader of the Year award went to Hannah Lieder for her work with Minneapolis Swims, a grassroots lobbying effort to save and renovate the last indoor public pool in Minneapolis. Project of the Year was awarded to Friends of the Cemetery Benefit Concert, led by Sue Hunter Weir and Nancy Benson with performers Jeremy Messersmith and Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles.

The 3400 block of 19^th Avenue South was awarded Block Club of the Year for their efforts to design and install the first pavement mural in Minneapolis. And the Youth Leaders of the Year award went to Ka Joog, a youth group that sponsored a trip to the Dadaab refugee camp and organized a Somali famine benefit event at the Cedar Cultural Center.

Hundreds expected for sustainability conference

On March 23 and 24, over 500 citizen leaders and volunteers from neighborhoods, congregations, schools, businesses, the media, and city environmental commissions will gather for the Twin Cities Sustainable Communities Conference. The conference is being held at the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Highlights include a sustainable business forum, workshop with local government staff and elected officials, and a neighborhood sustainability conference. Participants will be linked with practical resources to conserve energy, grow food, walk and bike, capture rainwater, support local businesses and meet neighbors.

One goal of the conference is to envision local, regional, state, and federal policies that can move the Twin Cities toward social equity, full employment and energy and climate resilience. At the keynote address, local historians and resource groups will share stories and images to examine the past, present and future of sustainability in the Twin Cities community. For more information contact Sean Gosiewski at (612) 331-1099 or look at the conference website.

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