Walt Dziedzic
Walt Dziedzic, is a retired Minneapolis, MN politician. On his retirement in January 2010, he had spent 50 years as a police officer and inspector, a Minneapolis City Council member, and a Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner.[1]
Dziedzic grew up in Northeast Minneapolis and went to Edison High School where he was an all city athlete and earned 9 letters in football, baseball, and hockey. He served in the Army during the Korean War, he was at Panmunjom when the treaty was signed. Played professional baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers for three different seasons, "You played catch with Jackie Robinson, right?" asked his grandson. "Ya, It must have been in '52." before going to the College of St. Thomas. After graduation, he taught at DeLaSalle High School for a year in 1960-61. He married Patricia McCarthy before joining the Minneapolis Police Department. During his 16 years there he had "commendations for bravery and promotions for excellence" and worked his way up to Inspector of Police, then Lieutenant investigator, and then burglary detective. In 1976, he ran for an open First Ward council seat. On the Minneapolis city council he was elected & re-elected for 22 years. After which he served on the Park Board for another 12 years where he convinces Jim Lupient to develop a waterpark in Northeast Minneapolis later named Jim Lupient Waterpark. He is co-founder of Art A Whirl and founder of 'Seniors Day at the Dome'. His daughter, Kari Dziedzic, has served as Chair of the Minneapolis Charter Commission and was elected to the Minnesota Senate in a January 2012 special election[1]
He has six children, (three boys, three girls), and five grand children. He currently lives in NorthEast Minneapolis Minnesota. He celebrated his 50th Wedding anniversary in September 2011.
In 1997 cover story in the local newsweekly City Pages, journalist Joseph Hart stated that Dziedzic was more than just "some kind of meaty ward boss", he had "transformed his loyal Northeast political base into formidable citywide clout". Hart quoted one Minneapolis politician as referring to Dziedzic as "one of the most prominent politicians" in the city.[2] Dziedzic was particularly proud of working to create the Quarry Shopping Center, the "largest retail development" in Minneapolis "outside of downtown" at the time of its construction in the late 1990s.[2]
References
- ^ a b Walt Dziedzic on 50 years in public life in Minneapolis| By Gail Olson, Northeaster]
- ^ a b Hart, Joseph (Aug 13, 1997). "Notes of a Native Son". City Pages.
3. Personal interview by his Grandson.
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