Christeen Stone looks at 2008

As I reflect on the past two years in Maplewood I am so thankful for a new start in 2008. Just knowing we have five council members to make our decisions, as was intended, seems fabulous! There needs to be more real discussion of the long term direction our city needs to go, not just snap decisions as we had the past two years. It has been so awesome to see our new council's quick action to get Maplewood back on track. They have moved professionally in the right direction. Sad to say they can't help the good employees who lost their jobs, but they have certainly made our city a more pleasant place to work.

I never imagined the road we would travel when I joined the Maplewood Voters Coalition a year ago, nor all the wonderful friends I have made who share our goal of returning good government to our city.

We chose "Honesty " as our motto because we are all dedicated to doing what is best for our city. I am so grateful being a part of such a dedicated group of friends, working for good government. If you share our goals we would love to have you join us.

Maplewood is so special to me. When I moved here I was surrounded by beautiful farms. Now it is a fast growing city, but I love it. I have always had a passion for good government and democracy. My 20 years experience as an advocate at the legislature has been a real education in how democracy should work. Which is why the past two years have been so frustrating.

So Happy 2008!! We have democracy back, so let's stay involved, be aware of the blessing we have, and keep it. I feel very honored to be on the Board of the Maplewood Voters Coalition---

Christeen M Stone

Status report

As the Assistant to the Board of the Maplewood Voters Coalition, my role is to carry out the goals set by the board. In 2007 our primary goals were to

• help restore balance between the majority of Maplewood's citizens and their representation on the city council.
• bring the Roseville School Board election to the attention of those residents served by ISD 623.

putting the pieces together...

It went pretty well! We

• Organized through state registration, electing a provisional board and drafting a provisional constitution.
• Interviewed Roseville School Board candidates, endorsing five.
• Interviewed Maplewood City Council candidates, endorsing four.
• Published an informational brochure about our organization.
  
• Published a primary election voters guide reaching over 8200 homes.
• Held a well attended city council candidate forum.
• Held candidate Cave and the MFA, Inc. accountable for misleading lawn signs.
• Launched our Honesty! sign campaign.
• Aired two 90 minute documentaries on local access cable tv.
• Published a general election voters guide again reaching over 8200 homes.
• Maintained and improved our general, campaign, and documentary websites.
• Worked out our campaign finance reporting and other internal procedures.
• Gained the financial support of institutional and individual donors.
  
• Developed relationships with many residents.
• Became close friends.

That's a good track record for a new organization.

This year our hardworking board and friends will do much the same, only better.

Stephan Flister
Assistant to the Board, Maplewood Voters Coalition

Building depth after a strong rookie year

Welcome to the Maplewood Voters Coalition.

(Feb 6, 2008) Bear with us - for a few days the website will be in transition from 2007 to 2008.