Putting the Pieces Together for a Healthy, Vibrant Hennepin County
Dear Delegate,
On Sunday, May 20th, you will decide who will receive the DFL endorsement for Hennepin County
Commissioner for the communities of St. Anthony, Northeast and North Minneapolis, Golden Valley, and
Plymouth. I am asking for your support and I will honor that endorsement.
Forty-five percent of the county’s budget is comprised of health, human services and public safety concerns. I
believe it is critical for your Hennepin County Commissioner to have a deep knowledge and understanding of
such a crucial aspect of the job. My 15 years of Social Services experience with Anoka County; my experience
as an elected Minneapolis Public School Board Director (Chairperson since 2011); and my history of activism
in my community give me a unique foundation to be an effective County Commissioner.
I Am Experienced in Navigating County Systems to Deliver Needed Services
While Resources and Funds are Scarce.
I’m a Licensed Psychologist that has worked in mental health and social services for 20 years. For the last 15
years, I have worked for Anoka County. I have forged partnerships, provided leadership, and created coalitions
of support for communities. My work includes supervising a collaborative program with Family Services in
high poverty schools in seven Anoka County school districts. I have supervised an early intervention program
that identified and coordinated services for children, birth to age three. Currently, I supervise the foster care
and adoption service area.
My experience and appreciation for county services is also personal. All of us know someone who has
needed the critical safety net services that are available through Hennepin County. In my own family, the
safety net was there for one of my sisters when chronic mental illness impacted her ability to maintain stable
employment and housing. The support from Hennepin County enabled my sister to receive subsidized
housing, a supported employment situation, and most importantly, health insurance and quality mental health
services that allowed her to have a more stable life.
I am Accustom To Being Responsive And Held Accountable To Constituents
In A Large Diverse Geographic Area
This election has drawn a number of other candidates with elected experience. What sets me apart from
them and makes me a better match for the job are my transferable skills and track record representing
a broader and more diverse constituency than my opponents. Similar to the Hennepin County Board,
the Minneapolis School Board is a Policy and Governance Board. I campaigned in, and was elected by, a
larger, more diverse geographic area and group of taxpayers than the other candidates. I have been involved
in negotiating contracts with labor unions and have maintained positive relationships with them. I have
worked to improve accountability systems, increase early childhood opportunities, addressed equity issues in
order to narrow the achievein stabilizing enrollment.
I Have Been A Community Leader and Actively Addressed Issues That Impact The
Health And Stability Of My Neighborhood
I am a life-long resident of Northeast Minneapolis and have served on my neighborhood council, twice served
as President. I cofounded a grass-roots group that advocates for strengthening the public schools in Northeast
Minneapolis. Six years ago, I helped organize parents and community members in advocating to keep my
community school from closing. We were successful and that success not only retained a school for our
community, but also prevented the loss of a community-gathering place.
I am Committed To The Issues And Making Informed Decisions
I have worked hard to connect with every delegate and alternate so I could learn more about District 2
concerns and priorities. As a Hennepin County Commissioner, I am committed to being present and
accessible in the various communities of the district. I will work hard to:
- Ensure critical safety-net health and human services are adequately funded and accessible. (Priorities
include support services that will allow senior citizens to live at home for as long as possible, increasing
employment opportunities, addressing community and domestic violence, early childhood development,
mental health support and basic needs such as food and housing.) - Increase affordable and accessible housing options and address foreclosure issues that have impacted
many residents. - Invest in creative transit solutions and increase transit options. (Complete and implement the Bottineau
Corridor Plan and continue to address the lack of transit options for east-west travel.) - Protect and maintain safe and healthy parks, rivers, waterways and communities in which to live.
- Leverage partnerships to strengthen our communities.
I Have A Passion For Making Systems Work For People!
Whether it is crossing a bridge, a trip to the library, peddling a bike path, accessing health care, or finding
affordable housing, I understand how Hennepin County impacts the lives of our residents every day. I look
forward to meeting you at the Hennepin County Convention at Edison High School on Sunday afternoon,
May 20th. I would be honored to have your support!
Respectfully,
Jill Davis
Candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner, District 2
Hennepin County District 2 Convention - Sunday, May 20, 2012
at Edison High School • 700 22nd Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(3 blocks S. of NE Lowry Ave. & 3 blocks W. of Central Ave. NE)
Registration - 12 p.m. • Call to Order - 12:45 p.m.
Directions
