Meet Fargo’s New Commissioner Michelle Turnberg – InForum

FARGO — Newly elected Fargo city commissioner and former TV news anchor Michelle Turnberg has been busy preparing to take her seat on the city’s board of trustees.

Her first official meeting will be on Monday, July 8, although she has already attended a few municipal meetings in the meantime.

She was elected on June 11 to one of two open seats on the committee alongside incumbent Rep. John Strand. The duo beat out five other candidates, including incumbent Rep. Arlette Preston, with Turnberg receiving 21 percent of the vote and Strand receiving 20 percent.

Winning the election was a “whirlwind,” Turnberg said.

“It was a really fun election night,” she said. “It was a surprising and exciting night for all of us.”

Preston closed her final meeting as a Fargo city commissioner to applause on Monday, June 24. She received 17 percent of the vote on June 11.

She initially had no intention of running for office, Turnberg said. She was approached by “concerned citizens.”

“So I thought, instead of sitting on the sidelines and complaining, why not get involved and do something about it,” Turnberg said.

She urged Fargo residents to “get involved (in their local government) at whatever level.”

Turnberg has two children who attend North Dakota State University. She spends a lot of time with her family and pets and attends Hope Lutheran Church.

Her two children and her boyfriend plan to attend her first commission meeting to support her, she said.

A former runner, Turnberg is logging fewer miles but still enjoys training. She is also caring for a family member who is recovering from surgery, she said.

In 30 years in Fargo, Turnberg has worn many hats.

She graduated and worked as a news anchor at KXJB and KVLY before embarking on a career in medical sales.

“When I worked in media, there was a lot of talk about city events and civic issues,” Turnberg said. “So I got to know a lot of what was going on in the city and get to know a lot of the key players.”

Her plan for the next four years includes the same goals she campaigned on, Turnberg said.

Those projects include representation of the entire city of Fargo, she said.

“I want to make sure all of Fargo is represented, not just downtown,” Turnberg said.

She also plans to support law enforcement and bring “common sense” to the commission, she said.

“I think it’s really important to support law enforcement, first responders and make sure they have the resources they need,” Turnberg said.

Among the public safety issues close to his heart are the “homeless problem in the downtown area” and the “crime rate that is on the rise in the city.”

The recently debated pay raises for city staff and first responders sound good, she said, but added she would have to wait until she had more details on how that fits into the overall budget before deciding on that issue.

She did not specify how she planned to bring back sanity, but said she would make it a priority in everything she does.

Moving forward, Turnberg plans to begin learning about the city’s various departments and the upcoming budget process and listening to all Fargo residents.

“I want people to be able to come to me with questions or concerns,” Turnberg said. “I think it’s really important for people to know that if they have concerns about their city, they can go to someone and they’ll be heard, not have their questions fall on deaf ears.”

Local government reporter working nights 👻. I cover Fargo city government, Cass County government, and the uncovered populations in the area.