Hello!

My name is Stephen Fitze. I am proud to be a DFL-endorsed candidate for Maplewood City Council.

I come from the “L” in DFL, having signed my first union card in 2003. After nearly two decades of work in healthcare, serving as a union steward and officer, I moved to the labor world full time: first with the Teamsters and now with the Minnesota Nurses Association.

One of the great labor battles of the early 20th century was the fight for the 8 hour work day. The workers of that era chanted “8 hours for work, 8 hours for rest, and 8 hours for what we will.” I use the same framework to explain my priorities:

• Work: Maplewood is at a crossroads, with a lot of transition in our commercial spaces. This transition must include the creation of meaningful jobs that pay living wages.
• Rest: While the current Council has made some progress on affordable housing, there is so much more that must be done. From Day One, I will prioritize finding and relieving the sticking points that are keeping multiple affordable housing projects from moving forward.
• What We Will: Working families are being priced out of so many recreational opportunities. I want to see our Parks and Rec Department fully funded, with additional support for organizations like the Maplewood Area Historical Society. Educational and enriching, youth and adult activities are not perks to be cut, but core responsibilities of our city government.

I look forward to talking with you about these goals and learning what else Maplewood residents need from their government. Please drop me a note on the Contact page, give me a call at 651-313-0781, or look for me out and about in your neighborhood!