A crowd gathered at Madaket Plaza in Eureka last night to watch City Councilmember Kim Bergel officially launch her campaign for the Fifth Ward seat on the Eureka City Council.

“I am very proud of the direction our city is moving and I will continue to push for forward thinking, out of the box solutions,” Bergel said to the crowd.

(AUDIO) Bergel Campaign Speech

Bergel currently occupies the Third Ward seat. But, thanks to passage of Measure P, which imposed a true ward system on Eureka, which redrew the ward map, Bergel is now placed in the Fifth Ward. She is running against Eureka Planning Commission member and Humboldt State University employee Joe Bonino for the seat.

The launch was attended by fellow City Councilmember Natalie Arroyo, also running for re-election in a different ward, and First Ward candidate Hailey Lamb.

Bergel was introduced by campaign manager Lorrain Parnell and long-time friend Terri Vroman Little. Little spoke about the passion and dedication she feels makes Bergel a great councilmember.

“Kim sees what needs to happen and does what she can to make a difference,” she said.

Terri Vroman Little

Bergel highlighted some of the city’s accomplishments during her time on the council, including the cleanup of the PALCO Marsh and completion of the Waterfront Trail. The pamphlets being handed out during the event also list her work on proactive law enforcement and changing jail release policies as Kim’s successes.

During her speech Bergel also discussed projects she will continue to work on if re-elected, including attracting more local business and embracing cannabis business, pushing forward the H and I street plans, assisting a homeless-to-work program and supporting the Zoo Master Plan.

Bergel said she doesn’t mind the hard work that comes with the job. “I am and would love to continue to be your councilmember in the thick of it all,” she said. “I love it.”

More information can be found on Kim Bergel’s campaign website or on the Kim Bergel for Eureka City Council Facebook page.

You can see a list of all of the candidates running for Eureka Mayor and City Council here.