Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
Posted by Steve Frazier
on Aug 23, 2011
Our Program for August 23rd was a talk by Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak. Bob Humphrey and Nick Ruehl introduced the Mayor to the group that included the Excelsior Lake Minnetonka morning club. Bob pointed out that Rybak is from a pharmacy-based family background, just as Bob's dad was, hinting perhaps that both mayors knew what was good for curing the city because of their family background.
Mayor Rybak told us that his first "real job" was as a reporter for the Sun Newspapers, and he said he used to travel all around the area looking for news. For the last 10 years, he's been the elected mayor of the city of Minneapolis. During that time the city has had an 8% reduction in personnel, and a 10% reduction in budget. He's in the middle of formulating his budget for the next period at the present time.
He spoke of the need to "regionalize" our thinking; it is no longer Excelsior, Tonka Bay, Minneapolis, and Maplewood, but rather the Twin Cities Metro Area, and we have to include a wide range of neighbors in our thinking and planning. Citizens of Minneapolis can dial 3-1-1 0n their phone, and reach a person who is the point person for a multitude of services. Almost any city-related question can be answered for callers to that number in Minneapolis. The city currently is making a disproportional investment in filling needs in areas where help is needed.. He cited a few examples of this, including the "Minneapolis Promise" and "Step Up", initiatives aimed at disadvantaged city youths. Youngsters in Minneapolis are very world savvy, some speaking four or more languages fluently, and the city is making a special effort to give them a good start toward completing a good education and finding good jobs as adults. Although the schools are not under his control, he thinks all kids should be reading well by 3rd grade.
Minneapolis' infrastructure needed significant work done, even before the recent tornado on the North side added to the city's problems. Light rail is proceeding and will increase the city's tax base because of the building - residential and commercial - that will ensue.
(Story by Tad shaw and posting and photo by Steve Frazier)
Mayor Rybak told us that his first "real job" was as a reporter for the Sun Newspapers, and he said he used to travel all around the area looking for news. For the last 10 years, he's been the elected mayor of the city of Minneapolis. During that time the city has had an 8% reduction in personnel, and a 10% reduction in budget. He's in the middle of formulating his budget for the next period at the present time.
He spoke of the need to "regionalize" our thinking; it is no longer Excelsior, Tonka Bay, Minneapolis, and Maplewood, but rather the Twin Cities Metro Area, and we have to include a wide range of neighbors in our thinking and planning. Citizens of Minneapolis can dial 3-1-1 0n their phone, and reach a person who is the point person for a multitude of services. Almost any city-related question can be answered for callers to that number in Minneapolis. The city currently is making a disproportional investment in filling needs in areas where help is needed.. He cited a few examples of this, including the "Minneapolis Promise" and "Step Up", initiatives aimed at disadvantaged city youths. Youngsters in Minneapolis are very world savvy, some speaking four or more languages fluently, and the city is making a special effort to give them a good start toward completing a good education and finding good jobs as adults. Although the schools are not under his control, he thinks all kids should be reading well by 3rd grade.
Minneapolis' infrastructure needed significant work done, even before the recent tornado on the North side added to the city's problems. Light rail is proceeding and will increase the city's tax base because of the building - residential and commercial - that will ensue.
(Story by Tad shaw and posting and photo by Steve Frazier)