HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 01-23 Reading into "State of the City" remarks by Maplewood's surprise new leader MAPLEWOOD REVIEW
Reading into ‘State of the City’ remarks
by Maplewood’s surprise new leader
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/23/2019 - 12:00am
courtesy of City of Maplewood Then-council member Marylee Abrams speaking during the Jan 10
Maplewood State of the City. To fill a surprise vacancy, she was sworn in as mayor four days later.
Maplewood City Hall has provided some exciting political theater over the last few months.
One of the biggests twists is Marylee Abrams, who ran to retain her council seat in November and
became mayor in January.
Election night returns had shown Abrams lost her re-election bid.
A 7-vote lead for challenger Nikki Villavicencio over Abrams for one of two council seats — longtime
council member Kathleen Juenneman won back her spot — triggered recounts and the dramatic
discovery of missing ballots, shifting the tally.
In the end and over the course of a month, Abrams made up and eclipsed that 7-vote margin to win the
election.
Maplewood City Hall, in the last months, has also been a municipal farm-team ripe with potential to be
called up for state work.
Recently re-elected Mayor Nora Slawik resigned to chair the Metropolitan Council. Also leaving, further
complicating council circumstances, was former member Tou Xiong, who left mid-term to be Minnesota
House District 53A representative.
Abrams, who did not run for mayor and barely held onto her council seat, won a head-to-head council
vote against council member Bryan Smith 2-1 to become mayor. She’ll hold the position for a two-year
term, then the city will hold a special election during the 2020 general election for the last two years of
what would have been Slwaik’s term.
Abrams has been on the city council since 2014 — she is not an unknown. But she is, after an
astonishing turn of events, mayor without having laid out an agenda as the city’s leader.
Before becoming mayor, Abrams spoke at the Maplewood State of the City on Jan. 10. It’s an event in
which the city recognizes business leaders and residents spend time with city leaders, and where,
typically, the mayor gives an address.
Without a mayor for the 2019 address, each of the three remaining councilmembers — Abrams,
Juenneman and Smith — spoke.
Abrams: ambitious, business-centric community building
Abrams began by mentioning the importance of city investment in education, infrastructure and
community assets. But she locked in on Maplewood’s business successes and potential.
“We know \[local business\] success in our community means our community success,” she said.
Abrams said the city has a good balance of big and small business, like the global 3M Company, and the
Maplewood family-owned Venburg Tire, which has been in the city since the 1960s.
Listening to city business people and supporting “fair and predictable policies that help business grow”
supports workforces made up of neighbors, family and friends,” she said. “We support each other.”
That support, said Abrams, contributed to a number of ribbon-cuttings in 2018 for new businesses or
expansions, commercial opportunities for women and minorities, and market-rate apartments with
modern amenities. In 2019, Maplewood will see construction of an Alzheimer’s disease care center, a
dentist’s office, more restaurants, a car dealership and more housing.
Abrams’ biggest future business priority, though, is the North End, the retail region with Maplewood
Mall and the stores along and around Beam Avenue.
“The shopping complex of the 90s we all knew is outdated,” she said, referencing the retail shift to
online shopping. “There’s still a need for a central gathering spot for dining, entertainment, education,
shopping and living.” She said the region still holds “major” economic potential.
Maplewood formed a North End group last summer to research and receive recommendations on how
to keep the over 2 million-square-feet of retail space, where there are 5,000 jobs, vibrant.
“I’m asking staff and partners to dream big,” said Abrams. “I see an international marketplace selling
food, spices, furnishings and other items that attract our newcomers, and longtime residents looking for
something new.”
During the summer, Abrams said she can see a farmers’ market, and, in the winter, a skating rink, as well
as a nursing education center in partnership with local health care providers at the North End. There
could also be a “state of the art” trade school that would churn out the city’s future plumbers,
technicians and mechanics.
“I started this speech highlighting our business,” said Abrams nearing the end of her remarks. “I’d like to
end by making a commitment to residents.”
In order to keep Maplewood “a thriving Twin Cities suburb,” she said, residents need to double-down on
what got the city there in the first place — investing in amenities like parks and trails, recreation centers,
programing for all ages, well-maintained roadways and responsive public servants.