Brad Tetzloff – Vice President
1. How did you first hear of HPDL board?
I first learned about HPDL and its board reading through the Quarterly Newsletter when I first moved into the area.
2. What was it that made you want to join?
A few years ago, I saw a call for a Board Member and wanted to volunteer some more of my time and felt helping out with the neighborhood association would be a good way to get started. I’ll admit it took a year or two to finally take action, admittedly just a simple email, but I’m happy I did.
3. Which neighborhood do you reside?
Hale
4. What is it you most enjoy in your neighborhood?
I love living so close to the creek and lake, participating in city league broomball and then of course the Pond Hockey tournament. This is an area that has aged well, developing great character and even has a few great restaurants and pubs all while still living in the city and having great proximity to everything else the Twin Cities offers. In fact, I just canoed down Minnehaha Creek from a entry point in Minnetonka and had the opportunity to portage home!
5. What things would you like to improve in your neighborhood?
I would like to increase awareness of what HPDL is, what HPDL does, and increase volunteerism in our neighborhood.
6. What encouragement would offer to someone who may be interested in joining the board of HPDL?
The time commitment is not as scary as it sounds, its just once a month for about 2 hours total (depending if you walk, bike or drive to the meeting). I honesty look forward to each board meeting to talk with others who want to help improve our own little section of Minneapolis!
Jake Hackl – President
1. How did you first hear of HPDL board?
I received a mailing for Frost fest, one of the yearly events put on by HPDL. That’s when I remembered about Minneapolis and neighborhood boards, before that it hadn’t crossed my mind.
2. What was it that made you want to join?
Last years newsletter had a direct call to the neighborhood asking for board and committe volunteers. In the past I had attended a few civic events, mostly focused on Minneapolis schools. Being asked really drove me to do it because I knew I could find the time, was interested in helping my neighborhood and giving back in some way. Also, I had previously been on my neighborhood board in Fulton so I had an idea of what to expect which made it easier.
3. Which neighborhood do you reside?
I’ve lived in Hale for 5 years with my wife Kelly.
4. What is it you most enjoy in your neighborhood?
I targeted HPDL when I was house shopping because I’m a runner and the paths along the parkway and Lake Nokomis are amazing and I still enjoy them daily. Now that I’m settled in, I’ve really enjoyed the bonds with my neighbor friends, the access to great local restaurants, and events that are always going on in a city like Minneapolis.
5. What things would you like to improve in your neighborhood?
I have always wanted improved lighting around Lake Nokomis and the Parkway. That and a way to make the stoplights on 54th align with each other better rather than bicker like they seem too. The interesting thing with being involved with the board is I can pursue these policies within local government or at the least be educated and learn why they operate the way they do and understand the challenges involved.
6. What encouragement would offer to someone who may be interested in joining the board of HPDL?
I’d say that if you have interest in being involved in your community then come on by and check us out. We have a great group of people but need more and whether its a board seat or a spot on one of the neighborhood committees there is a spot for you to help shape where you live. I’d also let folks know that the effort required isn’t great and everyone there has the common goal of trying to improve our neighborhood. Experience and background is not a concern.
Todd Douma – Treasurer
1. How did you first hear of HPDL board?
From the previous president of HPDL at our bus stop to downtown, she recruited me for about a year, I went to the yearly September meeting and asked to be on the board.
2. What was it that made you want to join?
I felt I was ready to start volunteering but did not know what or where, the previous presidents recruiting effort came at a great time.
3. Which neighborhood do you reside?
I live in the Diamond Lake neighborhood with my wife Lisa and dog Sadie, we are starting year 21 in the neighborhood.
4. What is it you most enjoy in your neighborhood?
We initial looked for homes in the neighborhood because of some good friends that already lived here. We fell in love with the lakes and creek. We both walk and bike along the creek and lakes. We love the small town feel in the middle of the city.
5. What things would you like to improve in your neighborhood?
I would like to see the HPDL organization grow stronger with more members and the sub committees along with it. We have a very committed group right now, it will be fun to see it expand.
6. What encouragement would offer to someone who may be interested in joining the board of HPDL?
I have now been on the board for one year, and I have to say that it has been a very positive experience. I feel I am making a difference in a positive way for the neighborhood which is exactly what I was looking for when I joined the board.
Felicity Pearson – Member
1. How did you first hear of HPDL board?
I’m a bit of an internet junkie, so when we moved to the Diamond Lake neighborhood, I did a lot of searching to find out about the area and the HPDL web site was actually one of the resources I found.
2. What was it that made you want to join?
The longer I live in Minneapolis, the more interesting local governance and politics are to me. I can see how things get done because small groups of involved people are willing to get involved. So, when Lisa Robinson, the previous Board president, asked me to consider joining, it seemed the right time for me to become one of those involved people.
3. Which neighborhood do you reside?
I live in Diamond Lake.
4. What is it you most enjoy in your neighborhood?
The people. It’s been a long time since I’ve lived in a place where I can get to know the people I live with, ride the bus to work with, see when I am walking my dog. I love being a member of a real community.
5. What things would you like to improve in your neighborhood?
Two things … transportation and communication. .
6. What encouragement would offer to someone who may be interested in joining the board of HPDL?
I think I’d want that person to know how much his or her involvement can help. The dynamic of the board is so much stronger when there are many voices sharing their experience and insights.
