Hi! I’m Paula Chesley

I’m running for Minneapolis city council in Ward 7. I believe actions speak louder than words, and that’s what I’m prepared to deliver.

GET TO KNOW PAULA

I was raised by a single mother who taught me about the importance of community. Even if we didn’t have much, we would offer whatever we had to those less fortunate.

I have a PhD in linguistics and a minor in statistics and have worked as a professor and researcher in academia. My research focused on the interface of language and technology. Data and facts always matter to me — not just when they agree with my ideological position. My research and teaching have been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Fulbright Foundation, the Department of Education, and the Fyssen Foundation in France. I have lived in France, Germany, and Canada for work. I speak French fluently and Spanish conversationally. Let’s just say my German is improving!

At some point in those roles, I began to feel that the basic research I was doing was too abstract for me. I wanted to be making an immediate impact — I wanted to help improve people’s lives and bring them joy. So I pivoted — I now teach yoga and meditation (and sometimes gardening) in a mental health clinic. It is this same spirit of service and community that I wish to bring to the office of Ward 7.

I bought my first home in East Isles, next to Hennepin Avenue, in 2020. I love Minneapolis’s walkability, parks, and lakes. During the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd, I helped the neighborhood board up windows and protect local businesses. I became a Block Captain, organizing National Night Out. I formed the East Isles Safety Walking Club, a community-based program partnering with police to promote safety and pick up litter. I have also been on the East Isles Neighborhood Association board.

I was also instrumental in changing the discriminatory Minneapolis Parks ordinance around toplessness in 2020. This came about through my own interaction with law enforcement around the issue of female toplessness.

I am a proud Childless Cat Lady. My two rescue cats are Elvis (9 ½) and Norma Jeane (6 months). In my free time, I love to garden, bike around town, do yoga, go dancing, and hang out with friends and family.

WHY I’M RUNNING

Talking with Ward 7 voters, I believe there’s more that unites us than divides us. We all want to feel safe in our neighborhoods. We feel the urgent need to revitalize Uptown and Downtown, and we want more restaurants and commerce in Loring Park. We care deeply about affordable housing and homelessness. We are all, renters and homeowners, impacted by rising property taxes. And so much more. As we head into this campaign, I promise to hold onto our values and pursue strategies that work. I want to listen to all sides, not be stuck in preconceived political ideologies.

One thing you should know about me is that I have a strong sense of justice and fairness. It frustrates me to no end when I see things not working as they should, or when residents are denied basic rights such as a clean, warm environment to live in. I can’t look away when folks tell me they haven’t had water for over 24 hours in their building due to construction. If you are struggling and I can help, I will take on your issues as my own so that together, we can solve your problems with the urgency they deserve.

I’m also running because, frankly, a sense of urgency is lacking. Let’s stop letting politicians use our city as a backdrop for failure — we know Minneapolis is a great city. I am frustrated by the promise of endless visioning sessions when we know what we need and we needed it yesterday. Let’s stop wasting millions of taxpayer dollars not approving staff-recommended, resident-approved, projects. And let’s start collaborating. I can find common ground with every member of the council. But we’ve got to get to work — we’ve got to deliver for our residents. I know we can do this together. Join me! I hope to earn your support.