Golden Valley Councilmember Paula Pentel Won't Seek Re-Election This Fall

Being involved has always been a big part of Paula Pentel's life.

And now after 21 years with the city of Golden Valley she wants to see new faces and new blood get involved at the city government level.

"That's why I announced that I wouldn't run for re-election now, so people will have time to get together, get organized, campaign and get out there," she said. "I'm ready for new challenges."

Pentel and Councilmember DeDe Scanlon both announced in May they would not be running for re-election this fall when their terms were up. Pentel said she did not know Scanlon was also not seeking re-election.

The longtime Golden Valley resident grew up not too far away in north Minneapolis. She graduated from North Minneapolis High School in 1974 where she was on the Student Council.

She got a full ride to Augsburg College and was the first person in her family to go to college. Pentel graduated with an undergraduate degree in urban studies with and was close to getting her PhD  in geography. She liked college so much that she didn't steer too far away and is currently a professor of urban studies and geography at the University of Minnesota.

But a big part of her life has been working within the city of Golden Valley for more than two decades.

"My work compliments what I do with the city," Pentel said. ""I've liked making policy decisions and understanding the issues the city faces. I brought best practices knowledge with me. It's been fun that way."

Her city government work started out being on the Golden Valley Planning Commission, which is a volunteer-based group. She was on the Commission for 12 years starting in 1992, seven of those years as chair. During that time she also got involved with a number of other committees and community task forces including shaping the city's Town Square and Commons areas, the I-394 corridor and much more.

Being involved hasn't always been easy, but Pentel has enjoyed many aspects of it. She has felt fortunate to be able to serve for nine years on the City Council.

"I've often asked hard questions and pushed back when necessary," Pentel said. "I think it's important to have people on the City Council who question authority and why we do things."

She was appointed to fill a vacant seat after former council member Blair Tremere had to leave, Pentel said.

"After that I've been feeling very fortunate that enough people continued to check the box next to my name in the voting booth," she said. "I've always appreciated our local government, how its worked and being non-partisan."

She has enjoyed working with the city staff and serving with others on the council.

"They're all really dedicated and have a big knowledge base," she said. "That helps us on the council a lot."

In 2012, Pentel ran for Hennepin County District 2 Commissioner, but lost to Linda Higgins. She said she enjoys the campaign process and getting out to talk to people and wouldn't rule out running for a public office again in the future, but it wouldn't be on the state or national level.

Pentel plans to keep busy when her term is completed. She wants to spend more time with her work, her family and her hobbies that include bicycling, gardening, woodworking and reading. She plans to continue to serve on organizations she's already involved in the community and on boards/committees she serves on including the West Broadway Area and Business Coalition. 

She will continue to call Golden Valley home and being an involved citizen.