The Aug. 9 primary ballot will include four candidates seeking to represent the Central District on the Brooklyn Park City Council. Those candidates are Latrina Caldwell, Warren S. Carey, Nichole Klonowski and Teshite Wako. The primary will narrow down the field to two ahead of the Nov. 8 election. To get to know the candidates better, the Sun Post sent each questionnaire. Answers from the three candidates who responded are below.
Latrina Caldwell
Education: A.S Human Services, Human Service Diploma; Social Work BSW 5/2023
Occupation: Business Owner/Mental Health Professional
Community involvement: Brooklyn Park Commissioner (8/2020-8/2023), Founder/CEO - Glenda Clayton Breast Cancer Toys for Tots, Founder/CEO - Saving Our Communities Foundation ( Restore family household structure), Future Leaders Matter Mentoring Program (Youth 12-18/ Girls & Boys), Election Judge Supervisor: 2022 (edited for length)
Why are you running for office?
As a long time resident and Business owner in the City of Brooklyn Park I understand what must happen to rebuild our community. My commitment to the youth and families in this community are longstanding and I am unapologetic about serving them in a capacity to change our community for the better.
What is your assessment of the state of public safety in Brooklyn Park, and what should be done in that regard, if anything?
I feel like over the last 7 year of residency, I have seen a lot of changes. I will work with our community to promote public safety in our neighborhoods by getting back to community policing. Bringing back community forums to talk about public safety and ways to change things from the community lens is key to any progress. It’s going to take all of us to see change. We need to stand together and allow our voices to be heard and take action.
What are your transportation priorities for Brooklyn Park?
The construction is affecting the regular transportation system. But I understand that this is needed in order to make our Brooklyn Park streets flow safely and productively. My priority is to be a part of the development and redefine the implementation process. We need to review the current plan in place to ensure we are making our transportation system more positively effective to the community.
Warren S. Carey
Address: 10460 Noble Ave. N.
Education: B.S. secondary physiology, Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); pastoral studies degree, Students for Christ College
Occupation: Founder and senior pastor, Tree of Life Church (northeast Minneapolis)
Community involvement: (not provided)
Why are you running for office?
I am running for City Council because my desire and passion is to be an authentic presence that will accurately represent the “felt need” of the residents of Brooklyn Park. My skills, vast experience, the education I have acquired; being a former teacher, outreach social worker, united way evaluator, NRP (implementation committee) elect in Minneapolis, and, finally, a senior pastor for over 30 years has prepared me. I am running for city council because I am frustrated with many decisions that have been made without including the tax paying residents. The dissemination of vital information has been a problem in our community. I am a problem solver, honest and balanced enough to represent all people in our city, and not some special interest group.
What is your assessment of the state of public safety in Brooklyn Park, and what should be done in that regard, if anything?
I am a firm believer that our police force should be just as diverse as the residents in our city. Brooklyn Park has been on the cutting edge of public safety policies for a city our size. A city with the total population just under 83,000, and the 2nd most diverse suburb in Minnesota. We have systems in place to deter violence and crime before it happens. Safety grants have been provided for high-risk neighborhoods. These safety grants can go to violence prevention groups, grassroot mental health response teams trained to assist police with 911 calls in our city.
What are your transportation priorities for Brooklyn Park?
I believe our first priority for quality transportation in Brooklyn Park is to reevaluate and expand the service times of our existing lines… 705, 716, and 724. And with that expansion build more stations between Target Field and Brooklyn Park. My second priority would be to break ground on the Blue Line project of 2012, that will connect us to some of the most diverse communities in our region where many households need transit to thrive!
Nichole Klonowski
Address: 4117 99th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Education: Bachelor of Arts
Occupation: Marketing and Business Development
Community involvement: Vice Chair of Planning Commission, Brooklyn Park Election Judge
Why are you running for office?
I am not a politician, I am someone who loves people and a believer in public service. I love the idea of people coming together to create a community. Brooklyn Park is a one-of-a kind city, a wonderful place to live, and is growing. I’m running for City Council to use my skills and experience in public service and business to ensure we work together in building our future. This seat isn’t about being able to vote my agenda, but rather to listen to the residents, business owners, and the school districts within our city and be their advocate.
What is your assessment of the state of public safety in Brooklyn Park, and what should be done in that regard, if anything?
Safety takes the entire community coming together, getting to know each other and watch out for one another. Our city has commitments to address safety including various nonprofits, city staff, the police department, local elected officials, business owners and residents.
I support the non-profit partners out there stepping up to address safety in our community, such as MN Act Now and A Mother’s love.
Brooklyn Park stepped up after the murder of George Floyd and hired Wilder Research. A report was provided that helped uncover the causes of violence, perceptions of the police department, and created research-based recommendations to improve public safety and justice. With this data and the new tools to access and improve public safety we can work on effectively solving the root causes of violence in Brooklyn Park.
What are your transportation priorities for Brooklyn Park?
With the Blue Line extension approved there will be opportunity for thoughtful development near the transit hubs, and the improvement of transportation options for many residents. This is a priority, along with the improvements of 252, which currently has major safety concerns.
Teshite Wako
Editor's note: Tashite Wako's response was submitted after the print edition of the Voters Guide went to press, and was only published online.
Address: PO Box 43230 Brooklyn Park
Education: Master of Accountancy, St. Mary's University | M.S. in Administration, Andrews University
Occupation: President and CEO of Maati Accounting & Financial Services
Community involvement: Brooklyn Park Budget Advisory Commission, Vice Chair | Financial Planning Committee, Osseo School District | Volunteer Organizer for ‘Safe Summer Nights’
Why are you running for office?
I’m running for City Council because I believe in a better Brooklyn Park for all of us. Everyone in our community deserves to feel safe in our city and supported by its resources. I have lived in Brooklyn Park for twenty years, and I’ve been deeply involved in community development projects — including the Brooklyn Park Budget Advisory Commission since 2016, where I currently serve as the Vice Chair. I want to use my strengths and background to help grow our local economy, support our small businesses, improve our streets and schools, and keep our community safe.
What is your assessment of the state of public safety in Brooklyn Park, and what should be done in that regard, if anything?
An effective and equitable public safety system in Brooklyn Park means a comprehensive network of responders and resources that reflect the community’s diversity and address the community’s needs. I believe there is more work we can do together to strengthen our public safety systems, including (but not limited to) effective data-driven policing. I believe we need transparent, well-trained, accountable, and community-oriented law enforcement. Safety comes in many forms, and that’s why I also support efforts to fund neighborhood lighting, youth programs, and housing that is safe and affordable.
What are your transportation priorities for Brooklyn Park?
I am committed to ensuring everybody can affordably and efficiently get to wherever they need to go. Connecting our city to the MTA Light Rail system will boost our economy and expand access to opportunities for more of our residents. I strongly support the Blue Line expansion, and I will work closely with local leaders and MTA officials to ensure the expansion project is completed without undue delays or unjust expenses. Additionally, I will focus on expanding and enhancing the service of our bus lines — and ensuring our street designs are maximized for smooth traffic flow and are safe for drivers, bikers, riders, rollers, and walkers.
This story was edited July 25 to correct the date of the primary election.
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