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 Birchwood residents Doug & Heather Hanson voted! Heather is a local business owner. Congratulations are due to Brian Shekleton, Zaylore Stout, Steve Kaplan, and the Rog for SLP team. Between us, we quadrupled the historic voter turnout for an August primary in St. Louis Park. We engaged more people than before in thinking and talking about our community, and in believing their voices matter. They do!
In this tumultuous time in our national politics, cities are where it’s happening. St. Louis Park is where it’s happening. We can move the dial here on maintaining affordable housing, modeling smart redevelopment, promoting racial equity, creating a safe and walkable community, developing robust city-school partnerships, implementing our climate action plan, nurturing small and local business, looking out for the interests of seniors, and so much more. We can continue to be a leader in many areas and maintain our great quality of life here. We have a lot to be proud of and we have a lot more to do. Just under 13 percent of registered voters participated in this primary, which means 87 percent did not. I’d like many more of those 6,693 voters who didn’t come out this time to find a reason to participate in the November general election – not just to vote for the Ward 1 City Council seat, but for school board and the bond referendum to support our schools. These are also critical decisions that will impact our community for years to come. Over the next 12 weeks, I’ll be working alongside a great group of community volunteers to move our campaign forward. I’ll be meeting with as many individuals and groups as I can to hear your concerns and ideas for Ward 1 and St. Louis Park as a whole. If you’d like to set up a meeting, please email me at [email protected] or call/text (612) 590-1806. If you’re part of a group (neighborhood, religious community, school or other interest group) and would like to set up a meeting between your group and me, I welcome that as well. Let’s get together! Finally, deep thanks go out to the large group of wonderful people who have volunteered for this campaign. There’s so much talent and energy in this community! We’ve worked hard and we’ve had fun. If you’d like to join the team, click here to sign up. Campaign donations are also welcome and help us get our message out to voters. I value the donations that have come in so far and am pleased to have spent them supporting local businesses, many of them woman-owned. If you’d like to donate to the Rog for SLP campaign, click here. Thank you! Congratulations again to the candidates, and the 962 Ward 1 residents who showed up at the polls for this election. What a great community! Cheers, Margaret  While talking with residents during this campaign, I've had lots of conversations about our city, which often veer into conversations about our schools. In fact, sometimes I think I should remind voters I'm running for city council, not school board. But of course I listen to peoples' concerns and ideas, and not just to be polite. I'm listening carefully for clues to how city council might appropriately address these concerns and take advantage of these ideas. I'm listening for ways we can partner to further strengthen our schools and community.
Among the good ideas I've heard:
When our third child, Emma, graduated from Park High in 2014, our family's journey through the St. Louis Park schools ended. But we didn't stop caring about our schools. Like so many other St. Louis Park residents, we know the quality of our schools is directly tied to the stability and success of our community. This fall, St. Louis Park voters are being asked to support our kids and community by voting YES - twice - for schools. The first "yes" will approve an operating levy, set to expire in 2018, maintaining the current level of funding for teachers, classrooms and programs. The second "yes" will approve a $100.9 million bond referendum for much-needed improvements to our school facilities. This includes new science classrooms at the high school, new classroom and performing arts spaces at the middle school, a central kitchen that will allow the district to provide healthier meals to all students, a new media center, fitness center, and other improvements. Click here for a full description of what the referendum will support. My experience working in and for our schools will be valuable if I'm elected to city council. I'm pleased to be endorsed by St. Louis Park School Board Chair Jim Yarosh, who feels the same way. His letter of support, along with those of other community members, can be found here. I hope you'll vote yes for schools on November 7, and I hope you'll vote Margaret Rog for Ward 1 City Council too. Click here for detailed voting information, including how to vote early/absentee.  Political candidates compete for endorsements, and I’m no exception. It’s part of running for office. I’ve received some, as have other Ward 1 candidates. It’s rewarding to get that stamp of approval, and sometimes, it even comes with a check.
But for me, by far the most valuable endorsements I’ve received are from members of the St. Louis Park community. It’s this broad, enthusiastic, grassroots support I care about most. Here are snippets from some of the many letters that have appeared in the Sun Sailor or at www.rogforslp.com since I filed for office: Margaret…has displayed jaw-dropping energy and enthusiasm for her neighborhood and her city. – Jean & Jon Olson I continue to be awed by Margaret’s authenticity, integrity, energy, and tenacity to work toward making our neighborhood a safe, inclusive, and wonderful place to live. – Sharon Lehrman Margaret has been instrumental in making St. Louis Park the kind of community so many of us love. – Shirley Zimmerman Margaret Rog knows St. Louis Park. She has always been a steadfast advocate for all causes that make ours a more equitable, livable community. – Bob Ramsey Margaret is fiercely committed to St. Louis Park and all its residents. – Adebisi Wilson Margaret Rog is a proven leader who is passionate, driven, community-oriented and listens to all voices at the table. – Steve Schmitz Margaret explores issues from every angle and constantly looks for ways to make sure all perspectives and voices in the SLP community are heard. – Michelle Kornblit Margaret has been involved in the community for 25 years and we believe she will continue to dedicated to our city … and serve our community well. – Dale & Sharon Anderson Margaret has the commitment, experience, and vision to guide the future of our vibrant community. – Katherine Dowd I’ve never felt strongly enough about any candidate to advocate publicly. This year is different because it’s for Margaret Rog, who I know truly cares about the community she serves. – Elena Khalitov Margaret Rog is the most qualified city council candidate in recent history. – Thom Miller, St. Louis Park City Council member I didn’t plan to run for public office. I didn’t intentionally build a resume of community service so I’d win an election. But once I decided to run, I realized how well-positioned I am to listen and lead as your Ward 1 representative on the city council. I like being a grassroots candidate. I hope you’ll vote in the Ward 1 primary on August 8, and I hope you’ll vote Rog for SLP. |
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