votewojcik.org

Bruce Synder tweeted a fair question about using the West frontage road. I ran the routes using Google Maps. It looks like the difference is about 1.1 miles and 23 minutes. Also going this route adds 4 crossings of Freeway enterance or exit routes. It is much faster than the rote the Chamber suggests, but still quite out of the way. This would continue to not provide access to places like the school.

East Frontage Road: 0.9 miles 16 minutes

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West Frontage Road: 2.0 miles 39 minutes

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I actually get this question quite a bit.  Basically there is a population that opposes smart growth, land use planning, neighborhood planning, and this concept has been a rallying cry.

Here is a good look at the controversy: Agenda 21

As always I like to be very clear about where I stand on the issues:

• I support social justice.
• I support smart growth.
• I support green space.
• I support energy / water / resource  conservation.
• I support safe walking, biking, and transit routes.
• I support transit oriented development.
• I support walkable communities.
• I support quality construction.
• I support quality affordable housing.
• I oppose sprawl.
• I oppose low quality construction.
• I oppose automobile only development.
• I oppose concentrations of poverty.

I always like to ask a simple question.  Which is smarter a mile of infrastructure that serves 5 homes or 50?  Which is more likely to raise you taxes?

Congrats Wayne Flock and team!

1) Uptown moves on
2) Forcing a homeowner to take financial responsibility
3) Slatterly Park Vision Plan passes

No big secret here. I just worked really hard. Here are the shoes that I wore out. Some of my volunteers did the same.

The Country Club Manor Area (south of Highway 14, North of CR 34, West of West Circle Drive) has a population larger than all of Stewartville, but has an incredibly low crime rate.  I would like to keep it that way.  I was alerted to a situation in Judd Park which has moved me to act. Read the rest of this entry »

I am happy that our city sidewalk have never been cleaner.  There have been a number or questions on Rochester sidewalk snow removal policies.  I have kids that may walk in a couple of years to school, seniors in my neighborhoods, and I represent at least 2 legally blind men how need sidewalks for mobility.  I will protect their safety even if it is unpopular.

Here are a few questions and if you send me more I will answer them here:

Q:  Why do you want to stick it to us?

I don’t want to stick it to you.  I want property owners to be responsible and clear sidewalks.  Zero fines is my desired outcome. Read the rest of this entry »

For immediate release:

Rochester City Councilman Michael Wojcik repeats call for local property owner Dennis Weestrand to shut down China Massage house of prostitution at Corporate Gardens LLC (2215 2ST SW Rochester).

“It is unconscionable for local property owner Dennis Weestrand to continue to knowingly profit from a business dealing in human sex trafficking in our community.”

-Rochester City Councilman Michael Wojcik Read the rest of this entry »

… and neighborhood tycoon Rene Lafflam on their selection as a Minnesota Community Pride Showcase winner.

Here is a link to this and other winners.  We all appreciate the ongoing work of RNeighbors and their dedicated volunteers.

Here is some info on what RNeignbors has been up to. Read the rest of this entry »

Here are the official census numbers for Rochester.  These are broken out by wards.  This is from Phil Wheeler: Read the rest of this entry »