Vote by April 20 for district council reps

Tuesday April 20 is the last day to vote in the 2021 board elections for the Como Community Council. Once again this year, District 10 community members can vote from home using a secure online ballot. (Because of restrictions on public gatherings, we still can’t schedule in-person voting.)
To request a ballot: Fill out the registration form at www.district10comopark.org/ballot.html. If you intend to vote online, we need your request by Tuesday April 20 at 5 p.m. You must complete your ballot by 7 p.m. April 20. (If you previously requested a paper ballot, you need to return your ballot through the dropbox located in the parking lot of the Historic Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Parkway N.
Who is eligible to vote: Renters, homeowners, and other residents of District 10 who are at least 16 years old can vote. So can representatives from business, nonprofits, or other organizations with a physical presence in District 10. If you have questions, email: district10@district10comopark.org.

Who is running in elections
Twelve candidates are running for nine open seats on the Como Community Council board. They filed before the April 4 deadline to get on the ballot. The candidates:
• Chair: Jill Henricksen, Paula Lee Roberts
• Secretary: Jennifer Nelson
• At Large (3 seats): Sarah Reuter, Chad Smith, Jennifer Victor-Larsen, Alex Zikmund
• Sub-District 1 (roughly west of Hamline, south of Hoyt, and north of the tracks): Kevin Commerford, Morgan Weinert
• Sub-District 2 (roughly between Hamline and Victoria, south of Larpenteur and north of the tracks): Maggie Zimmerman
• Sub-District 3 (roughly between Victoria and Dale, south of Larpenteur and north of the tracks): Matthew Brown
• Sub-District 4 (South Como and Energy Park): Benjamin Kowalsky-Grahek
Voting lasts until Tuesday April 20 at 7 p.m. Those elected will serve two-year terms, until April 2023.
You can find candidate statements on the District 10 website: www.district10comopark.org.

Old media navigate a new era
As more people get their information (and misinformation) from social media sites, as daily, weekly and monthly local newspapers scale back or fold altogether, what’s the future of local news?
The Como Community Council’s Sunday Series features a panel discussion with Tesha Christensen from the Monitor, Scott Carlson from the Park Bugle, and Kelly Smith from the Star Tribune.
The online presentation is Sunday, May 2 from 1-2:30 p.m. It will include plenty of time for Q&A. To attend via phone or Zoom, email district10@district10comopark.org. We’ll send you access information.

Read Brave events examine
immigration
As part of the Saint Paul Public Library’s 2021 Read Brave program, the Como Community Council is partnering on two events tied to one of the featured books: the memoir “Children of the Land” by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo. How to take part:
• Read the book: The Como Community Council has 15 copies of the book available to distribute for free (first-come, first-served). Email us and we’ll set one aside while supplies last. E-book and audiobook versions are available through the Library’s website: www.sppl.org.
• Sunday Series: Local immigration attorney Gloria Contreras Edin will present and answer questions about constantly changing U.S. immigration policies and their impacts on families and communities. Sunday April 18, 2:30 p.m. Participation is free through Zoom, email district10@district10comopark.org to get registration information.
• Author Visit: The Saint Anthony Park Branch Library Association is co-sponsoring an online discussion with Hernandez Castillo on Thursday April 22 from 7-8 p.m. Participation is free through Zoom, but advance registration is required.

Time to vote on a mascot, too
We invited your ideas for a neighborhood mascot – and you replied. Como residents submitted almost two dozen suggestions of what could serve as a recognizable symbol we can identify with, call our own, and use to promote and enliven District 10 events. The Como Community Council narrowed the list; now it’s your turn to vote. Pick your favorite at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/d10mascot

Free Food Fridays continue
The Como Community Council and Sanneh Foundation will continue distributing free food boxes on Friday afternoon through the end of April. The food is available to Ramsey County residents dealing with financial hardships because of Covid-19.
Food will be distributed from 1:30-3:30 p.m. (or until supplies run out). The location is the north parking lot of Niem Phat Buddhist Temple, at Dale Street and Front Ave. The dates: April 16, 23 and 30.

Call or link into D10 meetings
To obtain links, phone numbers, or other access information, send a request by email to: district10@district10comopark.org. Or, call 651-644-3889. Upcoming meetings:
• Board meeting (and annual meeting): Tuesday April 20
• Anti-Racism Work Group: Wednesday April 28
• Neighborhood Relations: Tuesday May 4
• Land Use: Wednesday May 5
• Environment: Wednesday May 12
All meetings begin at 7 p.m.