Amy Hanson for Brooklyn Park City Council West District

This afternoon I had the honor of getting out in my own neighborhood, Hartkopf, and distributing literature for those I’m supporting in our local elections. I don’t always agree with these candidates, but they’ve shown time after time, they are in office to serve others, listen to both sides of an issue, and make the best decisions for our entire community. Best of luck to Tanya Simons, Tonja West-Haefner, and Wynfred Russell!

Former West District Councilman Dean Heng has died. Services for Dean will be Saturday, January 5. Full service information can be found on the Star Tribune website.

Dean was a quiet, gentle leader, who valued time with his family and working in his beautiful gardens. I always enjoyed walking my dog past his home and stopping to visit in the summer months. He also became a mentor and friend to me when I ran for council.

I also want to acknowledge here the wonderful support Dean gave me when I started Brooklyn Park’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network. As a Vietnam Veteran he understood the importance of supporting service members and their families.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Dean’s wife, children and extended family.

Hello West District Residents and greater Brooklyn Park friends. I have had many of you ask me over the past few weeks if I am joining the West District City Council race this year. I would like to put those questions to rest.

I will not be seeking the West District City Council seat this election cycle. My family comes first and I need to be there for them at this time.

I have two teenage daughters who are very involved in their activities, a husband who is in line to serve as Commander of the 7th District Mn VFW, and my elderly Mother is undergoing breast cancer treatments.

I continue to enjoy serving my community as Chair of the Planning Commission, as well as volunteering in various booster clubs and parent volunteer roles, and supporting veterans and military families whenever possible, while also working my full time job.

Thank you all for encouraging me to run this election cycle, but know the timing is just not right for me and my family.
Amy

Merry Christmas from my family to all of you!

I am happy to support Stone Mt Pet Lodge coming to Brooklyn Park, opening Monday. My dog Fletcher is happy too, they have always been great for boarding when we have been out of town. Check them out for all your pet needs!

I just wanted to send out a Happy Thanksgiving from my family to all of you. We feel so grateful to have met so many of you this past year.

My community work continues - it's been a busy month post election with Planning Commission and LRT meetings, school commitments for the girls and the activities with the Park Center Cross Country Boosters, as well as Scott's commitments to the military and VFW.

We feel truly blessed to be together this holiday season and ask you to remember our troops serving away from home this time of year and keep them and their families in your prayers.

While our numbers came up short tonight, I can't help but feel proud of the hard work and effort that went into my campaign by many friends, family members, and Brooklyn Park residents. My work for this city will continue tomorrow with a Planning Commission meeting, I'll continue to show up and be prepared to represent the residents and business owners of Brooklyn Park. Huge thank you to all who helped in any way and to all the voters who showed up for me.

Took my youngest with me to vote this morning - so blessed to live in this great country and to have the honor to vote today!

Principled, Hardworking, Leader - all words Planning Commission Chair Tonja West-Hafner uses to describe me in her Letter to the SunPost editor. Thank you Tonja, it's an honor to serve with you! Please read her full letter below.

To the editor:
I am writing in support of Amy Hanson for West District Brooklyn Park City Council. She is a principled, hardworking candidate with no party endorsement. We need her leadership, commitment, convictions and independent representation on the city council.

I was not surprised that she wanted to take on a bigger leadership role on city council. Amy has a strong work ethic and sense of community. For the past 14 years, she has volunteered countless hours of her time and energy in Brooklyn Park because of her a genuine commitment to our city and all of the residents of Brooklyn Park.

She is the current vice chair of the Planning Commission and a member of the Special Events Park Task Force. I’ve had the chance to observe her leadership skills firsthand as vice chair of the Planning Commission. She easily stepped right in to chair a meeting when I was not able to make it.

She can do that because she comes to meetings prepared, makes meaningful and relevant contributions to discussions and makes decisions based on our purview as planning commissioners and for the good of the whole community. She is committed to helping our city be business friendly. In addition, she has been attending council meetings every week so she can be up to speed on the budget and will be ready serve on our city council on day one.

She has proven she can make things happen as a volunteer and leader in our community. I only scratched the surface about the amazing women she is. Check out her page and website to see so much more. I am very proud of her and would like to see her to continue to work for all of us in City Hall.

I ask for you to vote Amy Hanson for West District City Council on Nov. 8!

Tonja West-Hafner
Brooklyn Park
Chair of the Brooklyn Park Planning Commission

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As crime watch captain of my neighborhood, I led meetings and engaged neighbors to take action, leading to a safer neighborhood. I also founded the Brooklyn Park Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network. With my leadership, we created a Veteran friendly city where police are trained to recognize veterans they encounter that may have PTSD and local partners like Home Depot are making veteran's homes safer for their families while they deploy. Furthermore, as the Planning Commission's Vice Chair, I have had a direct impact in the growth of businesses along the 610 corridor and also played a key role in business redevelopment right here in the West District along Ct Rd 81.

If you believe that proven leadership and dedication to this city matter, then please vote for me, Amy Hanson for Brooklyn Park West Council on November 8th.

Look for the Amy Hanson for Brooklyn Park City Council trailer out and about this weekend. Thanks to my Father-n-Law Greg Hanson for creating this sign.

To longtime Brooklyn Park resident Brenda Reeves, thank you for the letter of support and for being a wonderful mentor to me. Please read her letter below.

To the editor:
I am writing in support of Amy Hanson for West District Brooklyn Park City Council. I first met Amy in 2010 when we were both volunteer members of the City of Brooklyn Park’s Community Engagement GO BP! Coalition.

I have seen since then that Amy has been a frequent presence at various events in Brooklyn Park, including Lion’s Waffle Breakfasts, Tater Daze Parades, many different school events, supporting not only her own children, but the children of our community. I tell you these things so you know Amy attends events in Brooklyn Park and has a genuine love for our city and the residents here in Brooklyn Park.

I’ve volunteered alongside Amy and seen her take action and lead. Most recently, I’ve had the chance to observe her leadership while she brought our city together, including various civic organizations, churches, and businesses, ultimately leading to our declaration by the Governor as a “Yellow Ribbon City.”

This is just one example of how she makes a difference in any committee she decides to take part in, always being an advocate and voice for those that don’t necessarily have one and always being present and active on the committee, using her leadership skills to make a difference.

Amy is committed, friendly and deeply caring. I want her to continue to work for all of us in City Hall the way she has proven she can as a volunteer in our community.

I ask for you to vote Amy Hanson for West District City Council on Nov. 8!

Brenda Reeves
Brooklyn Park