January 31st, 2010 by Nieeta

Nieeta Presley and Joan Vanhala of the Stops for Us! Coalition

Please join us for a Stops for Us Victory Celebration and Potluck at 1080 University Avenue, St. Paul, MN on Friday, February 5th at 4pm.

Bring your favorite victory food and beverages to share as we celebrate the inclusion of the three stations at Western, Hamline, and Victoria into the Central Corridor LRT project.

Also feel free to bring your favorite music and a story to share.

Not to be missed! See you there!

In case you missed the news reports, here are details from Joan Vanhala, Coalition Organizer, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability:

The 3 stations at Western, Victoria, and Hamline will be included in the Central Corridor LRT project budget and be built by the completion of the Central Corridor LRT line!!

At a historic press conference at Model Cities with Mayor Chris Coleman, Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Congressman Jim Oberstar, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congressman Keith Ellison, City Councilmember Melvin Carter, Commissioner Toni Carter, and Commissioner Jim McDonough it was announced that all three stations at Western, Victoria and Hamline will be included and built by the completion of the Central Corridor LRT line.

With the changes at the federal level, the federal government will now match the city of St. Paul’s commitment of $5.2 million, which will pay for two stations. The third station’s funding was pieced together with local funds from the Counties Transit Improvement Board, Ramsey County and the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative and will be matched by federal funds.

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood was quoted as telling the Stops for Us organizers, “You’ve made a difference and we will use you as an example across the country…that if you hang together, have a great project that’s for the people, and work with your delegation, you can make things happen.”

Congratulations to the to the East University Avenue community members, the Stops for Us coalition and supporting partner organizations, and elected officials who worked hard together to make this happen!!

To quote Councilmember Carter’s press release:

This is a HUGE victory, but our work to ensure that this project will serve those of us who chose this community long before light rail, is far from done. I’m glad to know our federal partners understand the importance of this project and its impact on our community, and I look forward to our continued work together to:

• Mitigate the loss of on-street parking;
• Help small businesses survive construction; and
• Ensure that we will build our future here by supporting our diverse set of residents and businesses, not by allowing them to be displaced.

January 31st, 2010 by Nieeta

HIRE Minnesota is holding a precinct caucus training from 6 – 7:30 p.m. on February 1 at the Minneapolis Urban League (map) if you want to learn more about the process or brush up on your caucusing skills. Email Alessandra Williams if you are interested in attending.

To find the local caucus site for your party, please visit the Secretary of State Caucus Finder.

January 22nd, 2010 by Nieeta

The Council on Black Minnesotans hosted the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration, “The Fierce Urgency of NOW,” on Jan. 18.

A rally started the day with youth speakers, music and dance from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Central High School Auditorium. Marchers, including Mayor Chris Coleman and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, then walked from Central High School to Concordia University Gangelhoff Auditorium. Keynote speaker was Nekima Levy-Pounds, director of the Community Law Project at University of St. Thomas.

January 22nd, 2010 by Nieeta

Central Corridor light rail station rendering

Are you ready for Light Rail Construction & a Prosperous Future on University Avenue?

You are cordially invited to a meeting of the University Avenue Business Association on Thursday, January 21st, 2010, at 7:45AM for networking, coffee, and donuts (Program from 8-9 a.m.)

Meetings are held in the Model Cities Brownstone Meeting Room, 849 University Avenue, St. Paul, NE corner of University and Victoria. All events are free and open to the public.

UABA will present Parking Survey Results from small businesses along University Avenue. Come hear their stories and share your own stories.

• What is your parking situation?
• What are solutions that could work for your business?

UABA is working on a Parking Recommendation to bring meaningful solutions where the loss of on-street parking will negatively impact small businesses. You can be a part of the solution.

Future Third Thursday Events: Mark your calendars.

• Thursday, Feb. 18th: To Be Announced
• Thursday, March 18th, Marketing University Avenue

For more information, contact Linda Winsor: linda@universityavenuebiz.com or 651.641.0334

January 22nd, 2010 by Nieeta

The application deadline for the next class of St. Paul firefighters is Friday, January 29,  at 4:30 p.m.

Salary: During 3-month Fire Academy, Trainee Salary is $1,453 / bi-weekly. Approximate Annual Rate: Starting, $47,419; 3-year, $59,458; 5-year, $61,852.

Requirements:

• High School graduation or GED by August 31, 2010.
• Must be 18 years of age by August 31, 2010.
• Must possess a valid Minnesota Class D Driver’s License by August 31, 2010, or equivalent out-of-state driver’s license. The driver’s license must have no suspensions or revocations for driving-related offenses within the two year period prior to the date of appointment. Suspensions for parking-related offenses are excluded.
• Must show proof of current State of Minnesota Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.  Candidates may participate in the testing process and be placed on the eligible list without submitting proof of EMT certification.

Submit an application online. Do NOT submit any additional documents or information (except a DD214 for veteran’s preference) with your application. We will not retain any extra materials. Submit $25 application fee at www.stpaul.gov/firefighter. Applications received without the application fee will be incomplete. An information packet, including the written exam preparation guide, will be mailed after both the job application and the application fee are received.

January 22nd, 2010 by Nieeta

The Saint Paul Police Department reminds residents that cars parked on St. Paul city streets or alleys for more than 48 hours are in violation of ordinance #157.04(8).

The Saint Paul Police Department’s Parking Enforcement Unit receives many complaints each day about cars abandoned on city streets. Cars parked on city streets for an extended period are an eyesore and become a quality-of-life issue for the community. Some citizens are not aware that there is a city ordinance that prohibits vehicles from being parked on any street or alley for more than 48 hours. Vehicles that violate this ordinance are subject to a $33 parking citation.

The Saint Paul Police Department would also like to remind the community that public streets and alleys are public property; thus anyone can park up to 48 hours on the street, and it is not a violation to park in front of another person’s home.

For more information on parking regulations, please go to the city’s website click Government; then city charter & code; then search for parking. The Saint Paul Police Department Parking Enforcement Unit can be reached at 651-266-5585.