Dear Neighbor,

My name is Gwenia Fiskevold Gould and I am running to be your Ward 1 representative on the Bemidji City Council.

I am the Director of Annual Giving at the Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation. I currently serve on the Bemidji Parks & Recreation Commission, the Bemidji Community & Police Advisory Board, and the Bemidji Area United Way Investment Cabinet. My husband, Joe, is a social studies teacher and together we live with our spaniel mix, Coya, on Birch Lane.

My interest in community engagement started very young. I would often accompany my father as he door-knocked for candidates like Senator Paul Wellstone. I saw firsthand the power that individual conversations with your neighbors can have on your community and state.

Our city is facing many challenges and these challenges are affecting our neighbors and are personally felt. Bemidji residents have shared with me that they are concerned with housing affordability, upholding and updating rental ordinances, maintaining and effectively connecting our parks and trail systems, and increasing citizen engagement in our governance.

The first part of my professional life was spent talking to my neighbors as a political field organizer about what issues were motivating them to vote. Then, as a Legislative Assistant in the Minnesota Senate, I connected Minnesota residents to state resources that could help them address challenges in their lives. I interfaced with community members to ensure their feedback was heard and included on upcoming legislation. My past work experience and skills in listening to and engaging with community members can help build a stronger relationship between Ward 1 and the City of Bemidji.

I truly believe that having conversations and listening to people of different backgrounds, opinions, and experiences is the most effective way to make change and build community. I look forward to talking with you as I embark on this campaign.

Please reach out if you have any questions or input.

Sincerely,

Gwenia Fiskevold Gould