Marylee Abrams
Name: Marylee Abrams
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: maryleeformaplewood.com
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page:
Candidate Bio
I have served on the Maplewood City Council since 2014 and as Mayor since 2019. I have called Maplewood home for over 30 years. I raised my two adult sons here, both graduated from ISD #622. I retired after practicing law for 37 years, representing clients in labor and employment matters. In my spare time I enjoy our wonderful parks, trails, and Community Center.
I am committed to making Maplewood the best city to raise a family and grow a business. My accomplishments include:
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
As a leader, I am not afraid to make tough decisions when I believe it will benefit the residents and businesses of Maplewood. I collect all the information and listen to others’ opinions. I like to collaborate and seek creative solutions to issues facing the city. I am not beholding to any political party or caucus and am tenacious, looking out for the best interests of Maplewood. When there is new information, I feel obligated to reevaluate next steps. For example, I voted No on the Purple Line after new ridership projections and exorbitant costs made it clear it was not the right transit solution for Maplewood.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities are: supporting public safety, reducing our property taxes, and encouraging re-development in our city
I am a huge supporter of our police and fire personnel and am committed to continue to advocate at the legislature to build a joint police and fire training center in Maplewood. We must protect those who serve and protect us!
I am fiscally responsible and want to ensure Maplewood continues to be affordable. Many outside forces contribute to our rising property taxes including school district, county taxes, watershed costs, etc. Since I joined the Council in 2014, I have been instrumental in reducing our debt by almost 50%. With growing uncertainty in both state and federal funding, we need to be creative and intentional in our budgeting. While new development at Century Ponds is expected to bring in additional property taxes, we still need to sharpen our pencils and prioritize city services to make sure our property taxes are reasonable and affordable.
As a first ring suburb, Maplewood is more than 95% developed, with very little remaining developable land. As a city that is almost 70 years old, re-development will be critical to our future. This includes revitalizing our aging housing stock through our new Home Improvement Loan Program and working on building out several homes with Habitat for Humanity. Century Ponds new housing development in south Maplewood is underway which will bring necessary tax relief. Our north end Mall area continues to struggle as are many malls across the country. I am hopeful the expansion of St. John’s hospital will help revitalize the area and bring in new commercial traffic. Intentional focus on re-development investment is critical for the next 70 years of our city.
What is the biggest challenge facing Maplewood right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
The biggest challenge facing Maplewood is battling rising costs while providing exceptional city services. This requires us to stay laser focused on development and redevelopment to keep our economy stable. Revitalizing the Maplewood Mall area continues to be a challenge. There should be some relief with the huge expansion of St. John’s Hospital that broke ground this spring. I see the Mall area as our greatest opportunity as the area changes focus and realigns with new energy in the coming years.
How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The business climate is excellent and growing in Maplewood, in large part due to good governance and stability in our city. Developers have been clamoring to build projects here, evidenced by the housing surge in all levels of housing from senior living, care facilities, affordable to market rate rentals, and new higher end homes. Stable city government is a magnet for partnering with the business community. It attracts new jobs, brings in new tax revenue, and attracts families to our varied housing stock. Cities who partner with their business community prosper and enhance the quality of living for everyone.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
The most pressing public safety challenges we face are the complexity of calls for service our officers respond to every day. They represent mental health issues layered with drug addiction and weapons calls. Maplewood has an embedded social worker to assist with crisis calls for service, and we are working with a non-profit to help with calls requiring social service assistance. Officers are asked to do more in volatile situations beyond what has traditionally been the role of police and fire personnel.
Maplewood is one of the only public safety agencies in the county that is fully staffed, attributable to the family first philosophy of the department, and the robust wellness services we provide. Intention is placed on a healthy culture in our public safety department that makes Maplewood a destination department that supports its personnel and provides the tools and additional staffing to help them perform their duties at an exceptional level.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Maplewood is a regional leader in housing. More than 70% of our housing stock is considered naturally affordable already. During my time on the Council, we have intentionally focused on life cycle housing and have recently added new senior housing, memory care and assisted living, affordable housing, market rate rentals and market rate home ownership development. We have exceeded all housing goals required by the Met Council in our 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
This spring we adopted a Home Improvement Loan Program to assist in refurbishing some of our aging housing stock and have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build out new homes ready for ownership.
I am completely against any type of rent control, and do not believe it does anything positive to bring about new rental housing options. Rent control stifles any investment in development and stagnates growth in new rental units. As long as I am Mayor, I will vigorously resist any rent control policies in our city.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
I voted No on the Purple Line, protecting both the Vento Trail and White Bear Avenue because the proposed transit project did not make any sense. The projected ridership numbers were abysmal, the disruption to local businesses would have been devastating, and the projected costs were a waste of taxpayer money. As a direct result of the No vote, a reconfigured Bronze line is now in the works which will positively contribute to Maplewood residents and businesses.
The Bronze line will bring electric buses that will run with traffic on White Bear Avenue, improving connections for our residents and businesses. It will not disrupt traffic on White Bear Avenue or bring with it exorbitant and unnecessary costs. Additionally, it will bring microtransit with it, providing door to door low-cost transit options that will streamline service for all. We need safe, efficient transit in the east metro.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
Residential property taxes are rising at an alarming and unsustainable rate. I approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services by starting with a zero percent budget increase and building the budget from that point. This means starting with the assumption there will be nothing new added to the budget. We must acknowledge there will be costs beyond our control such as increases in employee health care and commodity costs such as asphalt for roads that are beyond city control. We build the budget only on increases outside the control of the city. We then must be creative and find new ways to deliver services and other sources of revenue such as grants etc. to ensure fiscal responsibility.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
Cities know their residents and businesses better than the county or state ever will. Each city is unique and is best suited to guide housing development, roads and parks, and zoning to best meet the needs of their community. Cities are also best at determining public safety staffing and service levels that fit their needs. Local government works on a local level and can be nimbler and more proactive in assessing and making decisions that impact on their residents and businesses.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
Real taxpayer transparency means residents have access to all financial information about the city through a variety of means from website pages, pop-ups at community events, publication in the Maplewood Living, online surveys, and opportunity to weigh in with the Council. We go to great lengths to make sure residents have access and just as important, the opportunity to weigh in with their comments and priorities as the Council is developing the budget. Knowledge and opportunity go together to ensure our budget planning is transparent and incorporates the needs and priorities of our community. Finally, fiscal accounting through annual audits must be completed and shared with everyone, confirming the transparent use of public funds.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: maryleeformaplewood.com
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page:
Candidate Bio
I have served on the Maplewood City Council since 2014 and as Mayor since 2019. I have called Maplewood home for over 30 years. I raised my two adult sons here, both graduated from ISD #622. I retired after practicing law for 37 years, representing clients in labor and employment matters. In my spare time I enjoy our wonderful parks, trails, and Community Center.
I am committed to making Maplewood the best city to raise a family and grow a business. My accomplishments include:
- Leading the city through the pandemic and time of social unrest.
- Voting No on the Purple line, protecting both the Bruce Vento Trail, and White Bear Avenue from a boondoggle of a transit project.
- Spear heading an initiative to embed a social worker in our Police Department.
- Increasing community engagement through effective community conversations.
- Serving on the Ramsey County Violence Reduction Leadership Team.
- Serving on the Executive Board of the Regional Council of Mayors.
- Served for three years as the President of the Ramsey County League of Local Government, RCLLG.
- Helping to establish Maplewood as a regional leader in good governance and sensible decision-making.
- Reinvigorated Maplewood as a desirable city to build and invest in.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
As a leader, I am not afraid to make tough decisions when I believe it will benefit the residents and businesses of Maplewood. I collect all the information and listen to others’ opinions. I like to collaborate and seek creative solutions to issues facing the city. I am not beholding to any political party or caucus and am tenacious, looking out for the best interests of Maplewood. When there is new information, I feel obligated to reevaluate next steps. For example, I voted No on the Purple Line after new ridership projections and exorbitant costs made it clear it was not the right transit solution for Maplewood.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities are: supporting public safety, reducing our property taxes, and encouraging re-development in our city
I am a huge supporter of our police and fire personnel and am committed to continue to advocate at the legislature to build a joint police and fire training center in Maplewood. We must protect those who serve and protect us!
I am fiscally responsible and want to ensure Maplewood continues to be affordable. Many outside forces contribute to our rising property taxes including school district, county taxes, watershed costs, etc. Since I joined the Council in 2014, I have been instrumental in reducing our debt by almost 50%. With growing uncertainty in both state and federal funding, we need to be creative and intentional in our budgeting. While new development at Century Ponds is expected to bring in additional property taxes, we still need to sharpen our pencils and prioritize city services to make sure our property taxes are reasonable and affordable.
As a first ring suburb, Maplewood is more than 95% developed, with very little remaining developable land. As a city that is almost 70 years old, re-development will be critical to our future. This includes revitalizing our aging housing stock through our new Home Improvement Loan Program and working on building out several homes with Habitat for Humanity. Century Ponds new housing development in south Maplewood is underway which will bring necessary tax relief. Our north end Mall area continues to struggle as are many malls across the country. I am hopeful the expansion of St. John’s hospital will help revitalize the area and bring in new commercial traffic. Intentional focus on re-development investment is critical for the next 70 years of our city.
What is the biggest challenge facing Maplewood right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
The biggest challenge facing Maplewood is battling rising costs while providing exceptional city services. This requires us to stay laser focused on development and redevelopment to keep our economy stable. Revitalizing the Maplewood Mall area continues to be a challenge. There should be some relief with the huge expansion of St. John’s Hospital that broke ground this spring. I see the Mall area as our greatest opportunity as the area changes focus and realigns with new energy in the coming years.
How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The business climate is excellent and growing in Maplewood, in large part due to good governance and stability in our city. Developers have been clamoring to build projects here, evidenced by the housing surge in all levels of housing from senior living, care facilities, affordable to market rate rentals, and new higher end homes. Stable city government is a magnet for partnering with the business community. It attracts new jobs, brings in new tax revenue, and attracts families to our varied housing stock. Cities who partner with their business community prosper and enhance the quality of living for everyone.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
The most pressing public safety challenges we face are the complexity of calls for service our officers respond to every day. They represent mental health issues layered with drug addiction and weapons calls. Maplewood has an embedded social worker to assist with crisis calls for service, and we are working with a non-profit to help with calls requiring social service assistance. Officers are asked to do more in volatile situations beyond what has traditionally been the role of police and fire personnel.
Maplewood is one of the only public safety agencies in the county that is fully staffed, attributable to the family first philosophy of the department, and the robust wellness services we provide. Intention is placed on a healthy culture in our public safety department that makes Maplewood a destination department that supports its personnel and provides the tools and additional staffing to help them perform their duties at an exceptional level.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Maplewood is a regional leader in housing. More than 70% of our housing stock is considered naturally affordable already. During my time on the Council, we have intentionally focused on life cycle housing and have recently added new senior housing, memory care and assisted living, affordable housing, market rate rentals and market rate home ownership development. We have exceeded all housing goals required by the Met Council in our 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
This spring we adopted a Home Improvement Loan Program to assist in refurbishing some of our aging housing stock and have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build out new homes ready for ownership.
I am completely against any type of rent control, and do not believe it does anything positive to bring about new rental housing options. Rent control stifles any investment in development and stagnates growth in new rental units. As long as I am Mayor, I will vigorously resist any rent control policies in our city.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
I voted No on the Purple Line, protecting both the Vento Trail and White Bear Avenue because the proposed transit project did not make any sense. The projected ridership numbers were abysmal, the disruption to local businesses would have been devastating, and the projected costs were a waste of taxpayer money. As a direct result of the No vote, a reconfigured Bronze line is now in the works which will positively contribute to Maplewood residents and businesses.
The Bronze line will bring electric buses that will run with traffic on White Bear Avenue, improving connections for our residents and businesses. It will not disrupt traffic on White Bear Avenue or bring with it exorbitant and unnecessary costs. Additionally, it will bring microtransit with it, providing door to door low-cost transit options that will streamline service for all. We need safe, efficient transit in the east metro.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
Residential property taxes are rising at an alarming and unsustainable rate. I approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services by starting with a zero percent budget increase and building the budget from that point. This means starting with the assumption there will be nothing new added to the budget. We must acknowledge there will be costs beyond our control such as increases in employee health care and commodity costs such as asphalt for roads that are beyond city control. We build the budget only on increases outside the control of the city. We then must be creative and find new ways to deliver services and other sources of revenue such as grants etc. to ensure fiscal responsibility.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
Cities know their residents and businesses better than the county or state ever will. Each city is unique and is best suited to guide housing development, roads and parks, and zoning to best meet the needs of their community. Cities are also best at determining public safety staffing and service levels that fit their needs. Local government works on a local level and can be nimbler and more proactive in assessing and making decisions that impact on their residents and businesses.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
Real taxpayer transparency means residents have access to all financial information about the city through a variety of means from website pages, pop-ups at community events, publication in the Maplewood Living, online surveys, and opportunity to weigh in with the Council. We go to great lengths to make sure residents have access and just as important, the opportunity to weigh in with their comments and priorities as the Council is developing the budget. Knowledge and opportunity go together to ensure our budget planning is transparent and incorporates the needs and priorities of our community. Finally, fiscal accounting through annual audits must be completed and shared with everyone, confirming the transparent use of public funds.