 Hello all,
Happy Spring! It is such a joy to see new blooms appearing around the neighborhoods of our district. I hope you were able to celebrate Earth Day last week! I enjoyed a visit to the Harriet Alexander Nature Center. We are fortunate to have this wonderful resource in our district and county. While I was there, I reflected on the hard work being done to protect our environment across our communities, county, country, and world.
I am proud that Climate Mitigation and Promoting Community Resilience were added to our core strategic priorities this year. By naming climate change in our strategic plan, our County is making a clear commitment to planning, investing, and doing our day-to-day work with our environment and future in mind.
Of course, our work does not stop there. There is more to be done together to ensure that our children and children's children can thrive.
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For some ideas on how to protect our Earth in our daily lives, click here! Ramsey County also has a helpful tool for learning how to dispose and recycle different items. All you have to do is use the search tool to learn more!
If you’re a gardener, please remember to check out our amazing Ramsey County Master Gardener resources, a partnership with the UMN Extension Master Gardener Program. You can read blog posts, get help identifying a plant, and even call and speak directly with a volunteer master gardener! Happy planting!
 April is also County Government Month. We acknowledge April 26 as County Government Day as designated by Governor Tim Walz. We celebrate the hard work of all of our county workers and partners. Nationwide, 3,069 counties serve more than 315 million Americans by providing essential services to create healthy, safe and vibrant communities. Counties provide health services, administer justice, keep communities safe, foster economic opportunities, and much more. For more on why counties matter, click here!
Ramsey County is starting to return to in-person meetings. Our board meetings are taking place in the County Board offices in the Ramsey County Courthouse. My office continues to serve constituent needs via phone (651-266-8359) or email (caitlyn.duin@ramseycounty.us).
Warm regards,
Mary Jo
Second Chance Month
 Spring is also a time of new beginnings and a reminder that fresh growth is possible even after our darkest days. This month, the Ramsey County Board recognized April as Second Chance Month. We wanted to increase public awareness about the need to support justice-involved individuals after they have paid their debts in the justice system. Individuals who have been involved in the justice system often struggle to find housing, employment, education, regain voting rights, volunteer in their communities, and pay the significant debts that often arise as a result of their conviction and incarceration.
Everyone deserves a second chance and I am passionate about promoting the opportunity for our residents leaving the system to repair and reestablish belonging within their families and communities. One way we can help make this a reality is by ensuring that equitable, high-quality jobs are available to all of our residents including those who have been justice-involved. This type of employment can provide the opportunity for justice-involved individuals to contribute to society after their release, as well as create stability in their lives going forward.
It was an honor to hear from our amazing community partners including Tech Dump, Ujamaa Place, Art from the Inside, and Hired about how they contribute to second chances. I continue to advocate for and support upstream efforts to decrease the number of people who enter incarceration along with innovations and reforms made by Community Corrections with the vision that upon release, our residents have a second chance at life.
Op Ed on the Justice Reinvestment Initiative
 I recently worked together with Association of Minnesota Counties colleagues to submit an Op Ed on our probation system. Published in the St. Cloud Times, we make the argument for the State Legislature to pass the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. This would make significant changes and investments in our state's probation system. Evidence has proven that probation works and recidivism is reduced if the work is centered on creating relationships, providing accountability, and changing behaviors. You can find the Op Ed here.
Recent County Board Workshops
Most weeks, our County Board meets to discuss specific policy issues and receive updates from County Departments and Service Teams in our Board Workshops. You can access video recordings of the meetings as well as the materials shared by clicking here.
Recent workshops include:
April 26, 2022
10:30 AM: Transforming Systems Together Update: Systems Transformation and Grant Process
April 19, 2022
10:30 AM: Economic Growth and Community Investment Committee of the Whole: Property Management Energy Initiative and Ramsey County Fair
1:30 PM: Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County
April 12, 2022
10:30 AM: Ramsey County Department Project Overview
1:30 PM: Speed Limits on County Roads
April 5, 2022
10:30 AM: Redistricting the County Commissioner Districts
1:30 PM: Information and Public Records Service Team Committee of the Whole: Enterprise Services
At-Home Saliva Testing Ends, Free Rapid Tests Available
Minnesota's at-home COVID-19 testing program through Vault Health ended on March 31. Minnesotans can no longer order free at-home tests through Vault; however, Minnesotans who have Vault tests at home will be able to use them until they expire, or until Dec. 31, 2022, whichever is first.
Every home in Minnesota is eligible to order two rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits (four tests total) for free, while supplies last. Order your free At-Home Rapid Tests here.
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Construction Season (Also Known As “Summer”) Has Arrived!
Ramsey County Public Works will lead and participate in dozens of construction and maintenance projects during 2022.
Major projects include reconstructing portions of Cleveland Avenue in Saint Paul and Falcon Heights, Lexington Avenue in Arden Hills and Shoreview, and South Shore Boulevard in White Bear Lake. Lexington Parkway will also be extended south to connect to Shepard Road.
Learn about planned projects.
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District Connections
 This week I attended the Roseville Business Council's monthly meeting. The topic was Public Safety and we heard about the innovative work being done by Roseville Police Department and Roseville Fire Department.
Pictured here with Roseville PD Deputy Chief Joe Adams, Community Relations Coordinator Tim Hunt, Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce President John Connelly, Roseville FD Chief David Brosnahan, Roseville PD Chief Erika Scheider, Visit Roseville CEO Julie Wearn, Risdall Marketing CEO Ted Risdall, and McGough Construction Director of Outreach Karin McCabe.
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It was great to hear from Mounds View Schools Foundation about their work in our community.
With Mandy Little, Former Mounds View Schools Director, and New Brighton Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas.
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With Ramsey County Commissioner Nicole Frethem and State Representative Kelly Moller.
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 We love our Libraries! Ramsey County Librarians spoke at our Roseville Rotary Meeting on April 11.
With Roseville Rotarian Jan Vanderwall, Ramsey County Librarians Jennifer Dietrich and Nicole Brinkman.
Upcoming Events in the District
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