Lioness. Optimist. PROP Shop treasurer. Meals on Wheels executive director. Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund president. Lisa Toomey is (or has been) each. She is an indefatigably good neighbor, whose civic pride has borne her close to the peak of local politics.
“I’m originally from Connecticut, and lived in San Diego and Australia for some time before moving to Eden Prairie,” said Lisa. “Like many others, I learned that marrying someone from Minnesota means you’re also destined to live here someday.
“And what a lovely place to live in! So much so, in fact, that I felt compelled to start earning my place in it soon after arriving here in 2001. Volunteering at local nonprofits was my way of giving back, as well as making friends with the kindest and most empathetic people I’ll ever meet.”
Lisa’s self-imposed mission of being extraordinarily nice to the world at large would eventually gain a certain elected official’s attention. “I got a phone call from Mayor Case in 2019,” recalled Lisa. “‘Run for City Council,’ he advised. ‘You’re already so involved in our community. Once you’re elected, you’ll enjoy serving it that much more.’ That’s all I needed to hear.
“The following year was a strange one to campaign during. No large events. No doorknocking. Instead I had to rely mainly on mailers and lawn signs. You wouldn’t believe how cutthroat those signs can be! Between convincing homeowners to let you place them and replacing the ones that get stolen (seriously, what do people even do with them?), they really are a full-time job.
"But it's totally worth it. I won in 2020 - and again, in 2024 - which is why I now have the honor of helping the City Council advance a lot of great initiatives. Making the city of Eden Prairie an altogether better place to live, work, and raise a family in. It's all in a day's work for our team
“Two groups we’re especially passionate about are our city’s police officers and firefighters. We’re incredibly fortunate to be protected by such dedicated and highly trained individuals – people who have given more of themselves during a single shift than I have after volunteering for over two decades.
“My service for the City Council is a natural continuation of my work for the Crime Prevention Fund, which provides scholarships to Eden Prairie High School students who are considering careers in law enforcement, and which also pays for outreach programs, K-9 units, and more of the tools cops need to do their job.
“Of all my proposals so far, my absolute favorite is Sparklefest: the city’s own drone show, which debuted last year on July 3rd. We showcased the future of aviation to a city that has always thrived on it, and treated a lot of people with sensory issues to their first-ever patriotic light show. My dog Hector, who can’t stand fireworks, really seemed to appreciate it, and he’s already looking forward to the return of Sparklefest this year.”
Pull Quote 1: "I think City Council has done a lot to enhance people's lives."
Pull Quote 2: "The best part of the job? Helping anyone I can."