I have helped to start many small businesses and new positions over my career in education, nonprofits, and medical offices. I have been a member of the Education Minnesota and AFSCME unions. I served as Operations Director for a nonprofit organization in Roseville and handled all financial aspects, development, marketing, and the strategic plan. I taught K-12 music for 10 years in public, private, and charter school settings. Since 2019, I have worked in Human Resources and currently serve as Human Resources Director for the BlueGreen Alliance, an environmental advocacy group that works with the United Steelworkers and other Labor partners, and the Sierra Club. This varied career allows me to understand a variety of perspectives with the ability to work for the city and the residents, the businesses and their employees.

Since being on the Roseville Council, I have worked to pass a ban on Conversion Therapy and supported Roseville participation in the Just Deeds program through Mapping Prejudice. In this program, residents with racial covenants can have them discharged from their deeds. While these covenants have not been enforced since the 60’s, this discharge is a vital first step toward housing equity. I have supported down payment assistance for first-generation homeowners to further address the long-term impacts of racism in home ownership.

I have been involved in a Local Progress task force committed to developing affordable housing policy. I am concerned about preserving NOAH (naturally occurring affordable housing) and I strongly support the council action when Roseville joined the Habitat for Humanity Land Trust – providing an opportunity to place Roseville homes in the land trust to maintain their affordability. I plan to continue to advocate for greater involvement of renters in available housing programs.

I am a hard-worker and a dedicated student. I work to be well-versed in all issues that are addressed at meetings, taking time to learn about issues from many perspectives. Our delivery of services needs to be able to keep up with changes in consumer habits and the needs of an increasingly diverse community of residents and visitors. As an active citizen, I will work to increase the safety of pedestrians and bikers – expanding bike routes, walking paths, accessible parks and sidewalks, and improving public transportation to increase ridership and reduce traffic congestion. I look forward to working with other elected from across the metro on comprehensive transportation plans in my appointment to the Board of Metro Cities.

Thanks for learning about me. Want to know more? Send me a note!

Sincerely,

Julie Strahan – Moving Roseville Forward.