Northern Minn. voices join state government boards

Several Northern Minnesotans began their terms on state boards covering a variety of issues after appointment by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Joining the new Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson are Shawna Bullen-Fairbanks of Bemidji, Ziigwan Frazer of Grand Rapids, and Jasmine Clark of Duluth.

Frazer and Clark are both adults who were in the foster care system as youths. Bullen-Fairbanks is a youth recently in the foster care system and last year, she testified for the bill creating the office.

The board makes recommendations to the ombudsperson and oversees their work.

Joining the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change are Peter Aube of Bemidji and Mindy Granley and Bethany Owen of Duluth. Aube is a retired forester and also the chair of the Minnesota Forest Resources Council.

Aitkin County Administrator Jessica Seibert will join the board for the Center for Rural Policy and Development as a regional county government representative.

And Myrna Peterson of Grand Rapids was reappointed to the Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles, serving another four-year term. Peterson was a driving force behind the GoMarti automated vehicle program in Grand Rapids and also serves on the Minnesota Council for Disability.