Click Play to see Laura Jean and her “Legacy Letter” from TPT 2
 
I'm Laura Jean and I'm running for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 6.
 
I'm running because I want to make a difference.
 
I want to give back to the community I live in, and help improve the lives of children, families, and seniors. I want to help families be self-reliant. I was born in this city, and have lived here all my life. This is where I plan to raise my family. I grew up surrounded by families who did not have a voice in government, and as the Ward 6 City Council member, I will be that voice for this community. Make me your first choice, and I will represent you.
 
Poverty is a critical issue that affects all other local issues. Our community thrives when we all have living-wage jobs and the means to pursue healthy and full lives.
 
As a member of the Minneapolis City Council I pledge that I will work hard with the city to ensure that we are:
  1. •Providing living-wage jobs that allow people to improve their lives.
  2. •Supporting families to help kids succeed in school and create stability in our communities.
  3. •Addressing poverty to help reduce crime, making our neighborhoods safe.
 
Budgets are tight, with no easy answers in this economic climate, but poverty is too expensive to ignore. Work and attention now will save money later. We can not afford to ignore this issue. I will listen to you and represent the needs of our community. I will work with the you to make the choices necessary to lead this city through the tough times and into a brighter future. We have to do better, and together we can.
 
 
November 3, 2009 is the first year of Ranked Choice Voting in local Minneapolis elections. Instead of choosing one candidate, you must rank 3 candidates in order of preference.
 
Please make Laura Jean your first choice for Minneapolis City Council Ward 6.
 
Thank you.
 
 
 
Laura Jean’s Campaign Video Part I
 
Laura Jean’s Campaign Video Part II
 
Laura Jean’s Campaign Video Part III
 
Biography
 
Laura Jean was born during an April snowstorm at the old St. Mary’s Hospital, to Mark and Mary Dreyer. She is a fourth-generation resident of Minneapolis. After her parents divorced in 1976, Laura and her mother moved to 5738 Bossen Terrace, where they lived for over fifteen years. 
 
Her mother remarried in 1983, to Robert Zellmer. The couple were caretakers of the 12 unit building they lived in. Her mother worked at the Air Force Base Exchange, and her step-father was hired as a custodial engineer for the Minneapolis Public Schools in 1987.
Laura's father Mark was a truck driver while she was growing up and later the manager of Alligator's nightclub.
 
Laura Jean attended Minneapolis Public Schools. She participated in a magnet program at North Community High School for the Visual and Performing Arts; Writing as Performance.
 
During her elementary years, Laura spent her summer days and after school hours at her grandparent’s house in the Morris Park neighborhood while her parents worked. Laura continues to see her grandparents Clarence and Elizabeth Ferguson regularly, taking them to their doctor's appointments. She serves as her grandfather's advocate during hospital stays and doctor visits to ensure he gets the care he needs. 
 
In 1995 she and her first husband purchased a home in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood where she resided for 9 years. Five years later she and her husband separated and later divorced. During this time, she worked as a preschool teacher while attending the University of Minnesota. Laura Jean completed her Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology in 2000.
 
After completing college she served on the Minnesota Science Fictions Society’s yearly Convention Committee organizing child-care and children’s programming. Later she served as the Convention’s Co-Chair organizing the event and on the Board of Directors It was during this time she met and fell in love with her husband, David W. Schroth.
 
Laura Jean and her husband David were married in 2004 and purchased a home in the Whittier neighborhood, where they live today. They enjoy attending science fiction conventions, spending time with family, having spontaneous dinner parties with friends, attending the free concerts in the parks, walking around the lakes, reading and traveling. They are also excited to be building their family through international adoption.
 
Laura Jean serves on the Whittier Alliance Board of Directors and on the NRP Steering Committee for Whittier Alliance. She has been a member of the Northside Writer’s Group for the past 8 years where she enjoys writing, and participating in public readings and performances throughout the year.
 
 
Experience
 
  1. • Proud lifelong resident of Minneapolis
  2. • Attended Minneapolis Public Schools, graduated from North Community High School 1991
  3. • University of Minnesota Bachelor of Science Child Psychology 2000
  4. • Preschool Teacher for 8 years, at Kinderberry Hill, Preschool Project Kids & Ramsey Action Programs Head Start
  5. • Minnesota Science Fiction Society Convention Co-Chair 2001 - 2004
  6. • Minnesota Science Fiction Society Board Member 2002 - 2004
  7. • Applecon Music Convention Founder & Chair 2008
  8. • Project Manager for Women of North Minneapolis Project 2005-2006
  9. • Member of the Northside Writers Group 2003 -  Present
  10. • Whittier Alliance NRP Steering Committee 2008 - Present
  11. • Whittier Alliance Board Member 2009
  12. • Paid Canvasser on Keith Ellison's Campaign 2008
  13. • Election Judge 2008
  14. • Whittier Alliance Volunteer working on Crime & Safety with the Fifth Precinct December 2008 - March 2009
  15. • Worked for DFL Party Affairs April - June 2009
 
 
Laura Jean, Your First Choice A Progressive Democrat Working for You Minneapolis City Council, Ward 6