Molly Rink
What do you love about the Summit-University neighborhood?
I love that the Summit-University neighborhood is filled with such beautiful historic buildings and safe, quiet tree-lined streets with huge canopies. As someone who doesn’t own a car, it is easy to walk to restaurants, a grocery store, parks, the gym, coffee shops, anything you might need, and it’s just a bus or bike ride away from everything else the city has to offer. I have rented a condo apartment at Western and Laurel Avenue for the last 2 years, and just recently purchased my apartment (my first home!) from my landlord this spring. As someone originally from (unaffordable) California who never dreamed I would be able to afford to own a house, I feel so lucky and proud to now call this gorgeous neighborhood my home.
How have you been involved in community service in the past?
I have been involved in community service in my hometown of Sebastopol, California shortly after graduating from St. Olaf College in 2014. I worked with the non-profit planning organization Cittaslow Sebastopol for a year and a half to help organize fundraising events, facilitate public outreach at the Farmer’s Market, and apply for micro-grants. In addition, I extensively documented current pedestrian safety and walkability initiatives in the town, which led to the City being designated as a National Walk-Friendly Community. More recently, for the last three years, I have served on the City of Bloomington, Minnesota's Creative Placemaking Commission, which focuses on the intersection of public art programs and neighborhood planning in the context of a changing first-ring suburban city. The Commission advises the City Council on using arts, design, culture, and creativity to help accomplish the City’s goals for change, growth, and transformation of the South Loop District in a way that also builds character and quality of place in Bloomington. I have loved my time serving on the Creative Placemaking Commission, but want to get involved more locally in my immediate neighborhood now that I've officially put down roots here :)
Please tell us why you are running for the SUPC Board:
I am running for the SUPC Board because I have a lot of enthusiasm about neighborhood planning both personally and professionally that I think would make me a strong candidate! I would love to join and contribute in any way that I can
Please tell us a little bit about how you would contribute to the SUPC board:
I would contribute to the SUPC board by drawing from my personal, professional, and educational experience with city planning. I have taken a year's worth of graduate Urban Planning classes while in California, and will be taking a class this semester at the U of MN's Humphrey School. This fall I am submitting my application to formally transfer into the U of MN’s Master's of Urban and Regional Planning program. I have interned in several fields of Planning and have experience serving on a City commission. In addition, I have both rented and owned a home, have commuted for many years without owning a car, and have lived in another state, all of which provide me with a diverse perspective on neighborhood planning issues that I believe would serve me well as a member contributing to the SUPC board.
I love that the Summit-University neighborhood is filled with such beautiful historic buildings and safe, quiet tree-lined streets with huge canopies. As someone who doesn’t own a car, it is easy to walk to restaurants, a grocery store, parks, the gym, coffee shops, anything you might need, and it’s just a bus or bike ride away from everything else the city has to offer. I have rented a condo apartment at Western and Laurel Avenue for the last 2 years, and just recently purchased my apartment (my first home!) from my landlord this spring. As someone originally from (unaffordable) California who never dreamed I would be able to afford to own a house, I feel so lucky and proud to now call this gorgeous neighborhood my home.
How have you been involved in community service in the past?
I have been involved in community service in my hometown of Sebastopol, California shortly after graduating from St. Olaf College in 2014. I worked with the non-profit planning organization Cittaslow Sebastopol for a year and a half to help organize fundraising events, facilitate public outreach at the Farmer’s Market, and apply for micro-grants. In addition, I extensively documented current pedestrian safety and walkability initiatives in the town, which led to the City being designated as a National Walk-Friendly Community. More recently, for the last three years, I have served on the City of Bloomington, Minnesota's Creative Placemaking Commission, which focuses on the intersection of public art programs and neighborhood planning in the context of a changing first-ring suburban city. The Commission advises the City Council on using arts, design, culture, and creativity to help accomplish the City’s goals for change, growth, and transformation of the South Loop District in a way that also builds character and quality of place in Bloomington. I have loved my time serving on the Creative Placemaking Commission, but want to get involved more locally in my immediate neighborhood now that I've officially put down roots here :)
Please tell us why you are running for the SUPC Board:
I am running for the SUPC Board because I have a lot of enthusiasm about neighborhood planning both personally and professionally that I think would make me a strong candidate! I would love to join and contribute in any way that I can
Please tell us a little bit about how you would contribute to the SUPC board:
I would contribute to the SUPC board by drawing from my personal, professional, and educational experience with city planning. I have taken a year's worth of graduate Urban Planning classes while in California, and will be taking a class this semester at the U of MN's Humphrey School. This fall I am submitting my application to formally transfer into the U of MN’s Master's of Urban and Regional Planning program. I have interned in several fields of Planning and have experience serving on a City commission. In addition, I have both rented and owned a home, have commuted for many years without owning a car, and have lived in another state, all of which provide me with a diverse perspective on neighborhood planning issues that I believe would serve me well as a member contributing to the SUPC board.
