Brandon Long leaves NENA, interim director appointed

Following the termination of Brandon Long, the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA) has appointed Amy Arcand as interim executive director.
Upon being told of his termination on Monday, Jan. 20 at Nokomis Beach Coffee around 10 a.m., Long, 37, threw a cup of coffee at volunteers, and police were involved due to destruction of property.
This is not the first time that Long has faced scrutiny.
While serving on the board of the Highland Park District Council where he lives, Long was fined $190 by Ramsey County Conciliation Court over missing yard signs. Long was chair of the Sustain Ward Three (now Sustain St. Paul) at the time, a group that supported high density redevelopment at the Ford plan site. Sustain had sparred with Neighbors for a Livable St. Paul, who supported reduced density.
Jim Ginther filed a case in small claims court in 2017. His home on Colby St. backed up to the Ford plant, and the 11 missing signs from his yard said, “Stop the Ford Plan: Rethink Development.” They were among 80 of 800 similar signs that disappeared.
Not long after the incident, Long posted to Twitter: “Wonder who had the time today to bring a step ladder out and rip down Livable signs illegally stapled high up on the trees in the public right-of-way?” A witness testified that Long looked like the person he had seen taking down the signs. Long denied taking the signs. Long said he is “a pretty average-looking young male” and that someone else removed the signs, according to an article written by Jane McClure for the Villager newspaper in March 2018. (McClure also writes for TMC Publications CO.)
Long was forced to resign from his position as executive director with the Union Park District Council in St. Paul in August 2020. When asked by the Pioneer Press, Long said he had signed a separation agreement and could make no formal comment. Henry Parker was the Union Park District Council (UPDC) Board Chair at the time and said he could not comment on Long’s resignation. When asked this week, UPDC declined to make a statement to the Messenger.
Long was hired by NENA in 2022, following the resignation of Becky Timm, who left to pursue a career in community health and now works for Advocates for Better Health.
Long stated, “I’m proud of the work that I did at NENA. I especially appreciated my staff and the talents and effort they brought to their job.”

MEET AMY ARCAND
Amy Arcand also filled in as interim executive director at NENA before Becky Timm was hired.
Arcand operates her own consulting business, Willow Consulting. She previously facilitated a strategic planning retreat with the NENA board. As executive director of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization for 10 years she, along with many community volunteers, started the Midtown Farmers Market. She has also worked with Webber-Camden, Harrison, Marcy-Holmes, Nicollet Island/East Bank, Victory, Shingle Creek and Southeast Como neighborhoods, assisting some in evaluating whether they want to merge.
“I am honored to lead NENA during this transitional period,” said Arcand. “Community is at the heart of everything we do, and I look forward to working closely with residents, staff, and stakeholders to build a strong organizational foundation in which to advance our shared goals.”
“We are grateful to have Amy stepping into this role during a time of change,” said NENA Board of Directors Chair Christina Meyer. “Her leadership, vision, and dedication, along with the board’s commitment to our community, will guide the organization forward as we embark on this new chapter. The NENA Board of Directors and other key volunteers will be putting in additional time to ensure that things run smoothly. There will be a lot of opportunities to get involved so reach out if you are interested.”
Visit www.nokomiseast.org or email Board Chair Christina Meyer at christina.meyer@nokomiseast.org.
The NENA Board of Directors is committed to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining programs and services. An assessment of future staffing needs will commence shortly.
NENA’S community organizer, Adrian Flournoy recently resigned and his last day was Friday, Jan. 17. Program and communications manager Sarah Friedman works part-time.
Like other neighborhood organizations in Minneapolis, NENA has experienced funding cuts over the last couple of years. “The changes to funding by the city are affecting neighborhoods all over,” said Arcand. “Neighborhoods are trying to look at things differently.”
She said they’re asking: What does the next iteration of neighborhoods look like? How can they remain effective? What do key initiatives look like?
“People care about where they live and their neighborhood organizations and having a voice,” said Arcand.
While working at Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Arcand helped launch the Southside United Neighborhood group. Participating organizations include NENA, Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association (which no longer has any paid staff), Longfellow Community Council, Powderhorn Neighborhood, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Hale Page Diamond Lake Community Association, Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization, and Bryant Neighborhood Organization. More at www.ppna.org/onesouth.
“How do we want to better collaborate moving forward?” Arcand asked.
Nokomis East Neighborhood Association serves the neighborhoods of Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Morris Park, and Wenonah. Arcand is expected to be with NENA for six months.