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Palmisano leads by example on education
Palmisano leads by example on education
September 24, 2013
BY: VICTOR SANCHEZ
Education is an important topic in the mayoral and city council races this year. I am supporting Linea Palmisano in Ward 13 because of her work on education – long before she decided to run for City Council.
Victor with Linea’s son Charlie
Before I met Linea I was a student at Southwest High School. My parents brought me to this country when I was three years old in the hope for a better life and a better future.
Unfortunately, by the time I got to SW High School I had no prospects for an education beyond high school, and thus I didn’t see any opportunities for a better future. My two parents work three full time jobs between them and didn’t know how to navigate the educational system and did not know how to help me. I was trapped, with no way to progress forward.
Then I met Linea. She asked me a question that no one had ever thought to ask me before. Do you want to go to college? My answer was yes. But it didn’t end with a conversation. She continued to guide me through the complex process of getting into college and the seemingly impossible task of figuring out a way to pay for higher education (a task that is difficult whether you are an immigrant or not).
It didn’t just end with me. Linea went on to start NAVIGATE, with other students like me, so that other immigrant students like me could have the opportunity to obtain a higher education. This successful program has grown to a state-wide organization with hundreds of students served.
Linea has worked on education issues with the Citizen League Higher Education Study committee and with State Rep. Carlos Mariani. She has also been a volunteer assistant running coach and worked in leadership development at Southwest High School.
I will never fully understand why Linea took an interest in me, but I can safely say that without her guidance and belief I would not have gone to or graduated from college. And without NAVIGATE hundreds of others would not be in college pursuing their dreams today.
Victor Sanchez
Linea Palmisano Announces Bid for Ward 13 City Council in Minneapolis
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.
LINEA PALMISANO FOR CITY COUNCIL 