NRP Policy Board Candidates at a Glance


Nicholas T. Kakos

Occupation: Licensed Public Accountant
Address: 3240 Humboldt Ave S (55408)
Neighborhood of Residence: East Calhoun (East Bde Maka Ska)
Years in Neighborhood: 56 years
Years in Minneapolis: Life
Phone: 612-825-9709
E-Mail: None Listed


  1. How have your life experiences prepared you to be a neighborhood representative?
    Lifetime experience working as a volunteer leader, organizer or director in community, church, school or youth recreation programs has provided me a strong base of understanding the needs and capability to work effectively with neighborhood organizations. As a Protection Neighborhood Representative the past 6 years, I have learned to project and provide guidance and direction on an equitable basis to the NRP program on a citywide basis.

  2. What do you consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of the NRP?
    The strength of the NRP program is derived from the tremendous volunteer citizen participation involvement enabling neighborhoods to determine their own needs and cooperatively develop and implement their own plans in attaining their community's long term visionary improvement objectives. From an overall viewpoint, there are no significant weaknesses in the NRP program. Recent policy and procedural changes implemented during the past two years have streamlined the NRP process, which has greatly reduced concerns of high citizen participation turnover and burn-out.

  3. How have you participated in your neighborhood organization and its NRP process?
    I was Chairperson of the East Calhoun NRP Steering Committee for 3 years directly responsible for development of the neighborhood's Action Plan. Currently, I am on the East Calhoun Neighborhood Organization's Board of Directors which is responsible for implementation of our Phase I Action Plan.

  4. How do you plan to maintain a relationship with the neighborhoods you would represent if elected?
    Experience has shown that it is difficult to maintain direct communication and attend meetings of all 31 Protection Neighborhoods. Currently, all relevant information, issues, policy changes are effectively communicated to the neighborhoods by NRP staff under the direction of the Policy Board through its Executive Director which adequately provides each neighborhood with up to date information. Nonetheless, I would make myself available when requested to attend meetings, provide information, counsel, guidance and any assistance to neighborhood when needed.

  5. Name one thing you would like to work on if elected.
    The Tax Revenue changes enacted by the State Legislature in 2001 has directly affected the future funding mechanism for the NRP program creating significant uncertainties as to the program's long term survival. Because of my financial experience and knowledge of NRP's intricate financial structure, I would concentrate in exploring and attempting to obtain long term financial commitments from the City of Minneapolis to alleviate this problem. I would also work towards maintaining the independence of the Policy Board currently threatened by recommendations of the McKinsey Report.

  6. Why are you running for a neighborhood representative seat on the Policy Board?
    My 6 years on the NRP Policy Board have taught me that the financial structure is not simple, but complex with many intermingling financial, legal and governmental jurisdictional requirements. With our current critical funding uncertainties threatening the future of NRP, there will be many important financial decisions to make. My financial background, experience and current participation in analyzing the options available to NRP should be helpful in making every effort possible to assure the future continuation of an independent, community driven NRP program on a strong, sound financial basis.

  7. Please list any community-based organizations with which you are currently involved.
    • NRP Policy Board
    • Board of Directors, East Calhoun Community Organization
    • Hellenic Post 129, American Legion - Finance Officer
    • Fifth District American Legion, Executive Board & Baseball Director
    • Minnesota Department American Legion, State Baseball Committee

  8. Please list all current paid and unpaid affiliations.
    Affiliation with all community-based organizations is on a voluntary non-compensated basis. I receive no compensation for services from any of these organizations.