Emily Villanueva

Government Reform Breaking Down Language Barriers Right now, our city information is only going out in English with requests to contact if there are other languages needed. We must modernize and overhaul how Fridley provides language services and communicates information so that vital city information is accessible to everyone. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Right now, neighbors with walkers and wheelchairs are forced onto the blacktop, dodging traffic due to a lack of sidewalks, proper curbs, and painted pedestrian crosswalks. We must slow motorized vehicles, increase sidewalks, and prioritize winter clearing of snow and ice on these pathways. Government Reform Establishing a Clear Equity Statement Fridley needs an official Equity Statement that aligns directly with our city's core mission and values. This isn't just about words on a page—it’s a formal, binding commitment to identify, reduce, and fix systemic inequities across our community. Immigration We need to be principled in our values and take a stance that ICE does not belong in our city by creating a separation agreement to re-instill trust in our residents that our city can take care of itself. Government Reform Adopting an Equity Assessment Tool Good intentions aren't enough; we need accountability. I will push for the implementation of an Equity Tool such as a structured framework used by the City Council, city manager, and city staff to evaluate the impact of every major policy, budget, and decision before it is passed. Criminal Justice / Public Safety An ongoing public safety concern for Fridley residents is the use of ALPR technology across the area. Contracts we have with our ALPR platform provider have resident’s information cause concern for mass surveillance, data sharing, and long term implications of rapidly changing technology. ALPR technology is part of a larger concern about AI, data centers, and the impact that these new technologies have on our local and regional environments, clean and safe drinking water, and pollution. We have seen neighboring communities pause ALPR platform contracts. I intend to engage in a deep critical review with strong emphasis on counter perspective to law enforcement opinion including robust public engagement.