 2023 is off to a great start and we have much to look forward to in the year ahead.
We welcomed new Ramsey County Commissioners, Rena Moran (District 4), and Mai Chong Xiong (District 6), who took the oath of office for their 2023-2026 terms during the Jan. 3, 2023, Board of Commissioners meeting. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with my new colleagues and look forward to the work we will do as a Board this year. The full new Board is pictured above (L to R, Commissioner Nicole Frethem, Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Commissioner Rena Moran, Chief Clerk Mee Cheng, Board Chair Trista MatasCastillo, County Manager Ryan O'Connor, Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong, Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire, Commissioner Rafael Ortega).
County government can lead by example in showing that finding common ground we can address our shared priorities.
As a reminder, Ramsey County is holding both virtual and 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).
Sincerely,
Mary Jo
Proclamations
- The Board of Commissioners proclaimed Jan. 17 as Day of Racial Healing in Ramsey County in conjunction with other organizations throughout the United States.
County Workshops
Meeting with Congresswoman McCollum
 On January 17th, we held a workshop with Congresswoman Betty McCollum on our shared priorities within her district and Ramsey County. Topics included green energy, Rice Creek Commons, and RiversEdge redevelopment. We are grateful for Congresswoman McCollum's partnership and look forward to continuing to work together.
 On January 23rd, we met with our state legislative delegation to discuss and advance our county priorities at the state capitol. This group is comprised of legislators whose districts include Ramsey County. It was a great opportunity to connect about how we can better work together to serve residents.
Read more on the Ramsey County 2023 Legislative Priorities.
 We are excited to announce the grand opening of the new Ramsey County Winter Recreation Area at Battle Creek. It is the first winter recreation area in the East Metro with machine-made snow so that residents can have reliable access to winter recreation activities and can stay active through the winter months.
Join us tomorrow (Sat., Feb. 4th) at 1 pm for a brief program, ribbon cutting, and site tour. We'll gather at the trailhead near the Battle Creek Recreation Center (75 Winthrop Street S, Saint Paul, MN 55119.) Please dress for the weather as activities will take place outside.
The area will be open to the public on the day of the event, so parking at the Battle Creek Recreation Center may be limited. Other parking options include:
A shuttle will run between the overflow parking lots and the event. Please plan accordingly so that you have time to park and get to the event before it starts.
Find more information about the Winter Recreation Area.
 On January 17, the Ramsey County Housing Redevelopment Authority approved several grants through the Environmental Response Fund for local development projects in need of site remediation and cleanup.
Redevelopment in Ramsey County often means addressing legacy environmental issues, or “brownfields”. An Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grant program provides resources to offset the cost of environmental assessment and cleanup.
Camps are available to children ages 3 - entering 8th grade. They typically run Monday - Thursday and are offered weekly from June 20 - Aug. 17.
 At the end of 2022 I was elected the President of the Association of Minnesota Counties. I am honored to have been selected by my peers to help lead counties forward so that we can do our best work for our communities.
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Welcomed the MN Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic to the Association of Minnesota Counties Welcome Back Legislative Reception, along with County Commissioners Mandy Meisner (Anoka) and Karla Bigham (Washington). |
 The Ice Castles at New Brighton were incredible! I was glad to get the opportunity to visit our wonderful Ramsey County Long Lake Regional Park to view this frosty event. Available for viewing through February 20th.
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Attended Roseville Optimist Club, pictured here with other members discussing "Untamed Potential" on January 13th. |
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Fun time at Ramsey County Kindergarten Library Card Party on Jan. 28th. Pictured here at the Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries booth are Ramsey County Library Interim Director Pang Yang (front left), volunteers from the Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries and Ann Wahlstrom, Manager of Ramsey County Children’s Library Programming.
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My giant library card! Joined with Ann Wahlstrom (left), Ramsey County Libraries and Ann Wahlstrom, Manager of Ramsey County Children’s Library Programming and Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries Executive Director Mary Flynn Worley (right). |
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Congratulating author V.T. Bidania on her children's books "Astrid and Apollo", and also presenting at the Library Card Party. V.T. is a Ramsey County resident too! |
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Celebration of life for John Risdall, community leader and founder of Risdall Marketing Group. Joined by Barb Einan, Ted Risdall (Son) and former Ramsey County Commissioner Don Salverda. |
Upcoming Events in the District:
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