HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 01-07 Maplewood swears in Nora Slawik as new mayor PIONEER PRESS Maplewood swears in Nora Slawik as new mayor - TwinCities.... Page 1 of 2
Maplewood swears in Nora Slawik as new mayor
By Sarah Homer shorner@pioneerpress.com TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press
Posted: TWItlCltl@S.00171
While the weather outside the Maplewood Community Center was arctic cold, there was a
warm welcome inside for new Mayor Nora Slawik.
The former longtime DFL state legislator was sworn in Monday evening at a ceremony that
included a number of new faces representing the suburban community.
"It's a great day for a party," Slawik joked beforehand, with temperatures outside well below
zero. "Really, though, it's a new year and we're ready to hit the ground running and start
moving forward with several initiatives."
Also ushered in to new government jobs Monday were city council member Marylee Abrams
and five new police officers, the largest group the city has seen since the police
department's inception.
They join Maplewood's new police chief, Paul Schnell, and Chuck Ahl who -- although an
employee of the city since 1983 -- recently nabbed the city's top administrative spot. Oh, and
let's not forget to mention the city's new police K9, Brix.
The change of guard comes at an exciting time for the city as its corporate heavyweight, 3M,
continues its massive $150 million expansion.
"A lot is going right in Maplewood right now, and I'm personally excited to hear everyone's
new ideas on how to continue our growth," Ahl said.
Schnell said the shift is creating an optimal blend of old and new.
"There is a lot of recognition of the stability brought by people who have been here a long
time combined with the freshness of new people and new ideas," Schnell said. "It's an
exciting time for Maplewood."
The additions to the police force represent a roughly 10 percent bump in personnel, Schnell
said, noting the hires were possible after a slew of retirements.
Slawik said she is excited to work with the police and, hopefully, the Maplewood-Oakdale-
North St. Paul school district to do more to ensure teens have a safe place to go when
they're not in school.
Development will be another priority, particularly the redevelopment of the city's stalled
Gladstone project and 3M's already unfolding expansion, Slawik said.
"That was a No. 1 issue this city tried to get off the ground before the economy tanked, and
it's been lying dormant ever since, so we want to pick that back up and get it going," Slawik
said of Gladstone.
http://www.twincities.com/breakingnews/ci_2485 7292/maplewoo... 1/7/2014
Maplewood swears in Nora Slawik as new mayor - TwinCities.... Page 2 of 2
Ideally, the city would like to see senior and working-family housing built in the
neighborhood, which could become an eventual stop along the proposed Rush Line that is
slated to connect St. Paul and Hinckley, Slawik said.
The 3M project essentially is doubling the amount of construction underway in Maplewood,
Ahl said. The $150 million investment is funding a four-story research and development
facility in Maplewood that is expected to open in 2016.
"3M already has 10,000 employees on their campus, and all this construction and the
consultants that will come on board will potentially bring (up to) 5,000 a day to our city for the
next few years," Ahl said. "That's huge. That means good, high-quality jobs for Maplewood."
The project has changed the mood citywide, said council member Bob Cardinal, who said
it's a great time for Slawik to take the city's reins.
"I told her I'll do everything in my power to make her successful," Cardinal said. "Her
success is my success and our success."
Other changes in 2014 include the building of a new fire and police substation, slated to be
built on a portion of 3M's campus donated to the city.
Fire services have been controversial in Maplewood since a couple of stations were
shuttered and the department switched from a pay-per-call system to a more centralized full-
time staff.
Slawik beat out past mayor Diana Longrie for the seat and replaces Will Rossbach, who did
not seek re-election.
Abrams beat incumbent Rebecca Cave.
Kathleen Juenemann was re-elected to her seat and sworn in Monday.
With nearly 15 years under his be�t, council member Marvin Koppen is the veteran on the
counciL
He said he hopes the newcomers keep open but focused minds.
"Our whole purpose is to make sure the basic services are provided ..." Koppen said. "Right
now, everything is going quite well in the city, and I hope it continues."
Sarah Horner can be reached at 651-228-5539. Follow her at twitter.com/hornsarah.
http://www.twincities.com/breakingnews/ci_24857292/maplewoo... 1/7/2014