Northwest Como Rec Center MN ADOPT offers Lyrebird challenges and Family Skate Night photo support/education after encourages young women collage adoption singers PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 12 Midway Como Your community onitor newspaper since 1975 February 2016 Vol. 41 No. 8 Mwww.MonitorSaintPaul.comonitor 21,000 Circulation MMidway Como North End • • • Como by the Lake to keep Section 8 housing for senior complex Seniors and disabled Section 8 housing residents work together to keep their homes By JAN WILLMS a deal isn’t done until the deal Roberta Vietti is wearing is done,” continued Vietti. “We a brooch that belonged to her were delighted at the news in great-grandmother, who was August, but we know things can born in 1891. “She was a very happen. We just held on, put- strong woman. She got divorced ting together what we could and in the early 1900s, and you just looking toward the future. And did not do that at that time. But then when Jan. 4 rolled around she persevered,” Vietti said. “And (the date the deal was fi nalized) when I think of us now, I think we went ‘Whew!’” of a group of strong women who “When we heard Aeon was brought energy to a task and got the new owner back in August,” it done.” said Janet Troutman Simmons, Vietti is referring to her- who is the chair of the board of self and several other residents the Como by the Lake Residents of Como by the Lake, a senior Association, “we were quite ex- housing complex at 901 E. Como cited because it was a nonprof- Blvd. it company. We felt they would Last April residents received listen to the kinds of concerns a letter from the owners of the we had, something the previous property, 900 Como Lake Limit- Roberta Vietti holds her grand- owners had not been interested The women behind the effort at Como by the Lake gather together. Stand- ed Partnership. The letter stated mother’s brooch, a reminder to her of in.” ing, l to r, are Janet Troutman Simmons and Elaine Linehan. Seated, l to r, that the Section 8 contract, which what strong women can accomplish. She said the residence board are Roberta Vietti, Shirley Williams and Laurie Richardson. (Photo by Jan provides government-subsidized (Photo by Jan Willms) is in the process of being formal- Willms) housing for 57 of the building’s ized, with a chair, secretary, assis- low-income senior and/or dis- The owners had decided to tant secretary and treasurer. most outspoken, asking ques- board member. abled tenants, would be allowed sell the property, and in August “When we started we did it tions of the owners,” Richardson “Laurie has a lot of back- to expire and rents would be set the residents found out that the so quickly, with only a chair and said. “We were trying to make ground in working with people at market rate. This would have new owner, Aeon, a nonprofit committees, in order for us to them accountable. We very quick- in the community,” Troutman made the rents unaffordable for Minneapolis-based development move and develop a campaign.” ly formed a residents association Simmons said. She was dis- many, and they would be faced and management company, did After the original letter had so we could stay ahead of what patched to contact legislators, with having to move. not plan to end the Section 8 gone out to tenants, Troutman the owners were doing.” state and federal agencies, and But several women faced this contract. Simmons and Laurie Richard- Richardson, who is young- representatives. Vietti, Shirley issue head-on and fought for the “We were excited about Aeon son became the primary contacts er than the rest, but disabled, tenants’ rights, and they won. getting this, but we knew that with the owners. “We were the has been named as an honorary Continued on page 4 Midway YMCA Executive Director honored for dedicated service Article and photo executive director of the Midway When Dominick took the by MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN YMCA,” Schwichtenberg con- job of executive director, he A routine board meeting at tinued, “David has been inspir- was told the old Midway YMCA the Midway YMCA ended with a ing, fearless even, in asking for building would soon be torn big surprise for Executive Direc- what he thought this communi- down. In the 13 years it took for tor David Dominick last week. ty needs. David’s vision is this that to happen, Dominick and Exiting the meeting, he walked place - not just this beautiful, his staff were able to clarify their into the lobby and was greeted new building, but the sense of vision of what the new building by fellow employees, friends and community we have here.” would become. supporters from across the Twin Dominick’s partner Joe There’s an art to balancing Cities. It was the culmination, Keenan echoed that, saying, practical visioning with good board member Glen Gunder- “David has the natural gifts of old-fashioned fun, and Domi- son said, “of one of the very few leadership, and he especially nick understands that. When well-kept secrets at the YMCA.” loves urban work. People may demolition of the building was With independent funds not know that he’s a former finally imminent, YMCA mem- raised outside of the YMCA, Lut- mayor of his hometown, Mun- bers were given crayons and sen, MN sculptor Tom Christian- cie, Indiana, and that he was markers to draw on the walls sen was hired to make a bronze elected at the tender age of 31.” and were allowed to bring their bust of Dominick. The gathering According to the Mun- dogs to the pool for a fi nal swim. was organized to honor Domi- Board member Glen Gunderson (left) was in charge of the “covert mis- cie Star Press, Dominick was “a As part of the sculpture ded- nick, and to unveil the sculpture sion” that resulted in a commemorative bronze bust of Midway YMCA mayor for the whole commu- ication, board member Lowry of him that will stand perma- Executive Director David Dominick (right). The mission was so secret, it nity. He revitalized community Smith (a YMCA member since nently in the YMCA’s entry way. required code names and surreptitious communication to keep Dominick events ranging from the Muncie 1962) said, “David epitomizes “I am completely surprised from fi nding out. Black Expo to the local Soap Box friendly service and leadership. and speechless,” Dominick said Derby. Two ground-breaking There is no one person who has at the unveiling, a tireless member of our board Sunrise Rotary Club, the Midway events happened during his term been so deeply involved in the Others, however, had plenty of directors. I’ve known him for and St. Paul Chambers of Com- in the early 90’s: the city voted in evolution of our YMCA as David to say. years through leadership work merce, and the St. Paul Midway its fi rst African American deputy Dominick, and for that, we are Erika Schwichtenberg of Ally in the community. He has been Lions Club.” mayor and selected its fi rst Afri- extremely grateful.” People Solutions, said, ”David is actively involved in the St. Paul “In the 13 years he has been can-American police chief.” Monitor In A Minute “Caring Hearts” reception Feb. 17 The community is invited to meet Dr. Jim Seemann, Ph.D., Bank obtains sign variance St. Paul Department of Public and share some food during the Works Americans with Disabil- A new Midway Center business “Caring Hearts” reception, Wed., ities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. Feb 17, 5:30-6:30pm at the fel- has obtained a variance for its The city is now required to com- signs. The St. Paul Board of Zon- lowship hall of Jehovah Luther- ply with the accessibility require- an Church (JLC), 1566 Thomas ing Appeals (BZA) voted unan- ments of the ADA, Section 504 imously Jan. 20 to approve a Ave. of the Rehabilitation Act and the The reception features the variance request from Bank of Minnesota Human Rights Act America. ingathering of toiletries and hy- when it completes alterations of giene items to be distributed The bank will open a small city streets. branch in the shopping center metro wide, including to per- The change means that curb sons re-entering society after in- area facing University Ave., just ramps will be replaced with le- west of Pascal St. But a major carceration. gally compliance ramps, or in- Seemann, a professor of variance was needed to the city’s stalled where none exist, during sign code before the new bank Theater Arts at Concordia Uni- mill and overlay as well as street versity-St. Paul (CSP) until last could put up its sign. reconstruction projects. The pol- The Midway Shopping Cen- year when he retired, has devot- icy change calls for the city to ed much of his time and ener- ter currently has 2,180 square identify all intersections lacking Dr. Jim Seemann will be the featured guest at the Caring Hearts reception feet of signage. The property was gy to teaching, mentoring and ramps, or older noncompliant walking alongside prisoners Feb. 11 at Jehovah Lutheran. He has devoted much of his time and energy rezoned in 2011 to tradition- ramps that don’t comply with to teaching, mentoring prisoners over the last 40 years. (Photo submitted) al neighborhood, and as such, both inside and outside prison the accessibility standards in walls—his passion for the past the amount of signage allowable place at the time of the alter- was reduced to 1,398 square 40 years.