April 2020 Newsletter

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A newsletter of the District 1 Community Council. Battle Creek | Conway  | Eastview | Highwood The SECO office space is closed for at least the next two weeks. Unfortunately, the virus halted many of the activities we usually do that allow us to serve and connect with local residents. Our office get quite a bit of information regarding COVID-19 every day, including information on transit services, city and county meetings, guidelines for serving as a volunteer driver, food resources, recycling and more. We try to post most of this material on our Facebook page, which is the easiest for us. However, if you have questions about anything, please leave a message at our office at 651/578-7600 or send an email to betsy@southeastside.org. Shaquonna or I will get back to you as soon as we are able. In the meantime - please be safe. RACISM Is NEVER Acceptable It is deplorable that some people have taken the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to lash out through racist attacks toward some of our Asian families, friends and neighbors. This behavior is unacceptable, and it is our duty as community to help advocate and stand up for our those who are being victimized. Teaching Tolerance is an organization that helps teachers and schools education children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy.  The information they share is just as relevant for adults. Their website shares a 4-step process for speaking up against bias: Interrupt - Involves taking a time out, and informs the person you are communicating with that you need to speak more about their racist comment before moving on to another point of discussion. Question - The goal of asking a question is to better understand why someone said what they did. Educate - This is a method of continuing the conversation. To educate people around racism associated with the coronavirus, we need to understand not only the virus but also the racism. If someone doesn’t understand why a comment they made was racist, educate them about the long history of stereotyping immigrants and Asian people. Explain how this stereotype is both wrong and harmful. Echo - When someone speaks up, echo them. Thank them, and emphasize or amplify their message any way you can. Please read more at the Teaching Tolerance website, and share this information with others. SECO Youth Organizers   The Youth Organizers project helps young people in our community learn about the process for understanding and making a difference on key issues. The group is continuing to keep busy during this time of the COVID-19 quarantine. They have been making social media posts on their own Instagram account, creating art and making TikTok videos about taking care of yourself during this time!     Boys Totem Town to be Used to Temporarily House Homeless A couple weeks ago, we learned that the Boys Totem Town facilities will be used for short-term housing for homeless individuals. Our Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough shared information about this project. To read the complete document on, please see our website. One of our community members is collecting donations of clothing and toiletries for the homeless. If you have items you wish to donate, please email our office, and we can put you in touch with that resident. Narrowing McKnight Road This summer, the county will be narrowing McKnight Road as a means of reducing speeds and increasing safety for pedestrians. In our community, this narrowing will take place between Burns Avenue and Pond Avenue, which is just south of Londin Lane on the Maplewood side. If you have questions, please contact the project lead Khamsai Yang at 651/266-7157 or Khamsai.Yang@ramseycounty.us. See all documents on our website. If residents feel it would be worthwhile, we can also try to schedule an online meeting that would include a short presentation and time for Q&A. Please let us know. It's Census Time! April 1 is National Census Day! You should have already received your official Census Bureau mail with information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail. If you haven't already, PLEASE take time to complete your Census today. As of right now, 44.4% of St. Paul residents have completed their Census. Our city ranks high among national response rates. Let's keep up the good work!     Master Planning for Point Douglas Road The City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation has secured Legacy funding to prepare a master plan for a future regional trail along Point Douglas Road between Burns Ave and Bailey Road. The community planning meeting has been postponed, but please complete the SURVEY so that the city can gather input and comments.   Battle Creek Regional Park Planning continues for BCRP. The county is unable to hold it's meeting this week, but we encourage you to look at their website, and participate in their 2nd Survey. Now that it's finally getting warm, as you go for walks at Battle Creek, be aware that "Health officials advise people and pets visiting the park to avoid contact with any foam in Battle Creek. Testing has found elevated levels of Perfluoroalkyl Substances or PFAS in foam on the creek. (from the Battle Creek Regional Park website).   Upcoming Meetings and Events Land Use Committee: TBD, 6:00-7:30 pm (SECO Ofc) (1st Mondays) Communications Cmte: TBD, 6:00-7:30 pm  (SECO Ofc) (2nd Mondays) Board Meeting: TBD Virtual Coffee with Councilmember Jane Prince Time: Apr 9, 2020 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3065470565 Meeting ID: 306 547 0565   Submit ideas and events to betsy@southeastside.org.