FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information, contact
Linea Palmisano at 612-305-8719
Email: lineapalmisano@gmail.com

December 28, 2012

Linea Palmisano Announces Bid for Ward 13 City Council in Minneapolis

Longtime community advocate Linea Palmisano announced today that she will enter the Ward 13 race for the Minneapolis City Council which includes Minneapolis neighborhoods Linden Hills, Fulton, Lynnhurst, Armatage, Kenny, West Calhoun and East Harriet/Farmstead. This comes after news yesterday that Mayor RT Rybak will not seek reelection and current Ward 13 Council Member Betsy Hodges will run for Mayor.

Palmisano has a long history of community involvement in the ward, and will partner her professional and volunteer experience to continue the legacy of strong leadership of Betsy Hodges.  As a former board chair of the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council (LHiNC), current board member for the Linden Hills Farmers Market, former assistant track coach at Southwest High School, and founder of NAVIGATE immigrant college access program, Palmisano has a unique understanding of the issues facing residents in the ward. “The work I have done within the community over the years has taught me what it means to create sustainable opportunities and a quality of life that works for all of us”, Palmisano  says. “I am running because I have a proven track record of working collaboratively to get things done. Last summer, I brought together business associations, private residents, LHiNC, and Council Member Hodges’ office to secure the first bike route developments in ward 13.”

Apart from her community work, Palmisano joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 to work on behalf of the AARP under the leadership of Lois Quam.  Palmisano continues to work there, and leads innovative solutions to expand access to healthcare, including the navigation of recent health reform.

“It is vital that the residents of Ward 13 feel involved and engaged in citywide issues. If elected, I will expand and advocate for strong and transparent communication between residents, businesses and the city.”  Palmisano looks forward to working with residents on issues pertaining to transit, development and density, property taxes, and a balanced budget.

Palmisano is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (Bachelor of Science), the University of  Minnesota (MBA – Strategy and Entrepreneurship), and St. Thomas (Certificate program for NonProfit Leadership).  She and her partner, Matthew Hitchin, have lived in Ward 13 for fourteen years.  They and  their son, Charlie, currently reside in Linden Hills.