2017.03.14 Combined - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Commission Interviews Mayor Johnson and the rest of the Councilmembers welcomed Nasreen Fynewever. She asked Ms. Fynewever to provide the Council with a brief summary of her background and any involvement she has had in the community. Nasreen Fynewever stated she moved to New Brighton for the school district and the proximity to downtown Minneapolis. She reported she worked as an educator and explained she joined the Curriculum Advisory Committee which allows parents and taxpayers to review curriculum. She stated she grew a working relationship on this committee which led her to apply for a job in the school. She noted she had lived in New Brighton for 4 years. She also worked as a listener for a cooperative supported by churches. She stated she frequented the City’s parks and farmer’s market as well. Councilmember Burg asked why Ms. Fynewever applied to serve on a City commission. Ms. Fynewever stated after starting her job at Irondale, she felt the need to become more acquainted with the community she lives in. This led her to attend a Council meeting and she was pleased to learn the Counci l wanted to hear the voices of the community’s youth. She stated she wanted to lead by example for the community’s youth. Councilmember Jacobsen asked why Ms. Fynewever felt she would be a good person to represent the community and advise the Council. Ms. Fynewever commented she lived with intentionality. She wanted to be a part of and represent the community. She noted she worked in the community and was working with the next generation. She discussed how the youth was a reflection or window into their life at home. Councilmember Strub asked what Ms. Fynewever believed were the three most important responsibilities a commission member has to the community. Ms. Fynewever believed representation, foresight and being grounded were all key. Mayor Johnson asked how Ms. Fynewever would handle a situation where someone contacted her voicing opposition to an item being discussed at your commission. She questioned if this would change if this person was a family member or close friend. Ms. Fynewever stated she would need to explore what veterans had done previous to her. She understood there were legalities of what you could say and couldn’t say. She discussed how she handled this as an educator and noted she would listen and provide the opportunity to hear. Councilmember Burg asked how Ms. Fynewever would represent herself in the public if there w ere a policy or Ordinance she disagreed with. Ms. Fynewever discussed how she followed this policy for the school district. She explained that policies were to be followed as a team. However, if there were enough people questioning a particular policy she would then want to review this matter. Councilmember Jacobsen stated based on how long Ms. Fynewever has lived in New Brighton, he questioned