About Kathy
The East Side of St. Paul is the only place I have ever called home and I am proud to be a 4th generation East-Sider. While growing up, my dad worked as a bricklayer and my mom as a secretary. They both instilled in me a strong sense of commitment to volunteerism and connecting with one’s neighborhood. My parents were always very involved in politics and at one time, each of them worked as aides for St. Paul City Council Members. Eventually, my mom ran for public office and served as our state senator in Senate District 67.
I attended St. Pascal’s Grade School and I continue to be a member of St. Pascal’s parish. My parents then sent me to their alma mater, St. Agnes High School. Following high school, I graduated from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph with a B.A. in Liberal Studies.
I was a student at St. Agnes when I met my future husband, Joe Fleischhacker. I have been blessed to be married to Joe for over 27 years. After we were married, we purchased our first home on the East Side, stayed there for a few years and then moved into our current home in Battle Creek where we have lived since 1987. Our boys, Jacob and Justin both attended St. Pascal’s Grade School and Hill Murray High School. Jacob graduated from college in 2008 and Justin is now in his junior year.
Joe and I volunteered and practically raised our family at the Conway and Battle Creek Recreation Centers. Eventually, I ran for a position on the District One Community Council. My work in the community led me to consider running for the city council.
As President of the Saint Paul City Council, I am responsible for legislative policy development and financial oversight of a municipal corporation with a combined budget of $661,236,719 (FY2010), a workforce of 2,930 full time employees and 21 different departments.
I also serve as vice-president and commissioner of the Saint Paul Library Board; a commissioner and secretary of the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA); a commissioner and secretary of the St. Paul Port Authority; chair of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Housing Finance Board; and as a member of the boards of the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation; Visit St. Paul; Saint Paul Youth Services; the Joint Property Tax Advisory Committee; and the Emergency Communications Dispatch Policy Committee.
As a life long resident of Ward 7, I am invested in our future and I want to continue to be a powerful advocate for our ward and the entire City of St. Paul.
