RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

As times changed so radically and affected residential property so much, to the obvious extent that we are nationally and internationally in a housing, foreclosure and bankruptcy crisis that threatens the occupancy of existing properties in working to middle class towns and cities, including West St. Paul.

It is not credible to me that the homeowners in the City of West St. Paul who are having problems maintaining their properties are deliberately and willfully refusing the maintain their homes, in fact is is much more credible that they cannot because they cannot afford to because of disability, age, unemployment, or difficulty in paying an onerous mortgage. We need to insure that citizens are made aware of all resources, city, state and federal, inclusive medical and other resources,. to help with home maintenance and rejuvenation, and start new options that have the constructive result of both helping the citizens and maintaining the housing stock. We also have a responsibility in city government to think of new an innovative solutions which are win/win for all citizens and help solve problems. Litigation and harsh treatment, as the solution, creates wound and a hostile environment, and litigation does not achieve the result of getting "blood out of a stone."

In the past 15 years or so the City of West St. Paul has essentially approached alleged "problem housing" with very expensive litigation as the solution, and this often can result in loss of residents and condemned properties, vacant lots and much financial responsibility for properties that are the subject of litigation to be co-opted by the city. I think in these economic times, the City of West St. Paul cannot:

• afford to loose more residents
• cause any more properties or city lots to be vacant
• afford to maintain and insure properties that are condemned
• expend more tax payers money on litigation to "remove allegedly problem citizens and property" - which ultimately does not have any beneficial results in doing the work necessary to improve the property, whereas money invested in construction and regeneration does improve property and citizens
• offer citizens who have been helped the opportunity to do volunteer work for the City of West St. Paul and improve their self esteem and become self empowered by doing so

I believe that new solutions such as starting a City of West St. Paul Charitable Foundation, that would in part, be there to induce construction and works on alleged problem properties would be a more effective solution and actually give the City of West St. Paul the results it wants, quality housing and committed and peaceful citizens. Funding for this could come from sources such as:

• redirecting funds previously spent on litigation, perhaps by review of city contracts and appointment of carefully selected salaried staff, in some areas, instead of independent contractors,
• giving residents and business residents the option of investing in the City of West St. Paul and getting tax relief for this,
• state and federal grants
  

I also believe that a City of West St. Paul Charitable Foundation, could benefit from having an aspect devoted to encouraging all arts and culture, inclusive theater and public arts, which would help make the City of West St. Paul:

• more attractive to business enterprise, small and large,
• possibly offer a solution and facelift to the problems of the demised Signal Hills,
• encourage and facilitate education and personal fulfillment for citizens of all ages, especially the young
  
• increase our tax base
• open up potential for intercity endeavors with neighboring cities such as South St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Inver Grove and Lilydale

SEE: Cable TV Candidate Forums

Quality Housing Program:

•   Mary Jane will work to ensure that available federal funding is obtained for required repairs low income and senior citizens in West St. Paul, so that these citizens do not continue to be in danger of loosing their homes, from abatements added on to property taxes.

•   Mary Jane believes that the community in West St. Paul want to be caring and supportive of the disabled, low income and senior property owner, and will want to develop their neighborhood programs to include meaningful development of volunteer programs to assist these disadvantaged citizens with mandated home repairs.

City Attorney:      Mary Jane will work for the appointment of a city attorney who resides and offices from West St. Paul, not South St. Paul; and who has no conflicts of interest that impede a fair and healthy implementation of the law and ethical actions, see:

Diabetics/Disabled Anonymous:      www.DDAWEB.org      www.MurderbyDiabetes.org      https://www.angelfire.com/mn3/abuseofpower/index.html

REAL ESTATE ISSUES:    * ALICE KRENGEL CASE

Diversity:      Mary Jane has the experience and skill to work for a community that welcomes the disabled, seniors, and members of ethnic minorities, and which enforces laws prohibiting the taking of unethical and illegal advantage of people in these protected classes;- and will work diligently to remedy the current status quo to achieve these equitable results.