Politics & Government

Golden Valley City Council Candidate: Steven Schmidgall

Patch talks with the candidates running for office in the 2013 Golden Valley City Council election.

There are 11 candidates running for three Golden Valley Council seats this year. Two seats are for two four-year terms and one seat is a special election to fill the two-year term seat. 

Below you will find the candidate biography for Steven Schmidgall running in the special election to fill the two-year term seat. (All candidates were contacted by Patch via email and given the chance to answer the same questions.)

What previous political experience do you have (including other governmental positions you’ve held, whether elected, appointed or volunteer)?

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Before I was appointed to the Golden Valley City Council last December, I served on the Golden Valley Planning Commission for nine years.  I am also currently serving in the Robbinsdale Area School District Financial Advisory Council, where I served as Chair for one year.  I was also on the Downtown Minneapolis YMCA Board of Directors for three years. 

What other relevant experience do you have?
 
Extensive involvement in Neill Elementary and Sandburg Middle School parent organizations, including one year as President of the Neill PTSA and 13 years as PTSA and PTSO Treasurer. Served as League Director for Golden Valley Girls Softball for two years. 

What is your occupation? 
I am a building industry professional with 30 years experience, building over $3/4 Billion worth of building projects, some costing $120 million, 75 percent of which were health care projects.  I am currently serving as Project Executive for a $60 million mixed-use development in Dinkytown USA!

Where did you go to school?  
I have a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Environmental Design, both from the University of Minnesota.  I also attended Macalester College for two years.  I graduated from High School in Morris, Minnesota. 

Do you have a spouse, children or any other family members you’d like to tell voters about?  
My wife and I have two daughters, both went through the International Baccalaureate program at Cooper High School and went on to obtain graduate degrees;  Emma in Physics, Christina in Athletic Training. 

What are your campaign goals? 
It has been very gratifying to talk to residents of Golden Valley one-to-one, as I have been doing for the past several weeks.  I am learning much about our city and its residents and their hopes and aspirations.  I have received many excellent ideas for improving our City from residents. 

What issues are you most focused on for the city of Golden Valley?
 
The robust number and size of development and infrastructure improvement projects currently underway and coming soon to Golden Valley make it a very exciting time for  our City.  Golden Valley will offer a wide range of residential options to its residents. Street, highway, and public works projects will enhance the safety and appeal of Golden Valley.  Examples include:  Douglas Drive Improvements, Highway 55 safety improvements, and emergency water supply project with Crystal and New Hope. 

Why should voters choose you?
 
Demonstrated effective, collaborative style in the 10 months I have served on the City Council.  I have relevant experience on the Planning Commission and in my career, as well as a lengthy and robust record of working with residents of our community and serving our community.  Please visit my website: Steve4GV.org and vote for me, Steve Schmidgall on Nov. 5, for Golden Valley's future!


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