WESTLOCK – The Town of Westlock’s newest hire came a long way to get here.
Bernice Gonzalez is the new development officer for the Town of Westlock, filling the position left empty by now-CAO Simone Wiley. Although her previous job was for the County of Vermilion River, Gonzalez is originally from Puerto Rico, and brings to Westlock a fairly international professional background.
“Before coming to Canada, I was studying in Europe, Barcelona, doing my graduate degree. I was working there with the city hall and partnerships with the University of Barcelona. From that, I went to work in California.”
Her Master’s degree is in public space and urban regeneration, focusing on public art but it’s in California that Gonzalez began her policy work in urban planning.
“I really like being involved with policy and decision-making and working with decision makers,” said Gonzalez.
In Vermilion, “I was there for five years working on every sort of intermunicipal partnerships with nine municipalities that are adjacent, along with updating planning documents and reviewing large-scale projects like area structure plans.”
This also included advisory work with the Alberta Rural Development Network, developing an affordable housing guide for Canada.
“Very much with the community, and I loved it. That was one thing, I was a little worried in moving to such a large geographical area. I was in a small town. I love small towns because I like the community exchange that you get to have with your neighbours.”
She says moving to places like Westlock help her preserve the community ties she was used to in Puerto Rico.
“Volunteering and community life is very much part of me, it’s what I like to do. I am very fortunate that Westlock has such strong community sense and community engagement structure. I see a lot of energy in the community, even at these moments, we’re going to make a big strong comeback as a community because the energy is there.”
She describes her departure from Vermilion as a “natural transition point” after the five years there.
“We had set out some goals and things that we wanted to achieve for the future of the region and … we had completed them.”
A background like Gonzalez’ isn’t easy to come by, but the question remains: How does it fit in Westlock?
She thinks context isn’t as relevant as the experience itself, and when it comes to what makes her a good fit, it’s probably that she is “the cumulative result of all my experiences and backgrounds.
“Every aspect of my trajectory, whatever context it had taken place, there are elements that can be extracted. Basic operational structures and values that I’ve continued to apply wherever I’ve been that have contributed to the success of whatever project I’ve been involved in.”
In Barcelona, California and Vermilion alike, public engagement, she says, is at the core of a project’s success.
“I plan with implementation in mind. When I design or when I look at a decision or an initiative, I look at who is benefiting or affected by it in a holistic way.”
After two weeks on the job in Westlock, Gonzalez said there are things in the works for the town.
“We’ll be communicating specifics in the future, but I’m very excited about (them).”
Gonzalez moved alone to Canada, but her children go to school in Puerto Rico.
“We visit each other, either I go there or they come here, depending on how curious they are to see where mom is.”
Andreea Resmerita, TownandCountryToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @andreea_res
