Golden Valley Mayor Roslyn Harmon Discusses New Police Chief, New Environmental Initiatives, and Holiday Fn
Golden Valley Mayor Roslyn Harmon spoke with CCX Media’s Dave Kiser about Interim Police Chief Matt Clark and the ways the city is embracing more indigenous culture and history.
Interim Police Chief
Mayor Harmon confirmed the city hired former University of Minnesota Police Chief Matt Clark, who had recently retired, as its interim police chief following the resignation of Virgil Green last month.
“We are finally on the up-and-up with stable leadership,” said Mayor Harmon. “We are so excited to have (Clark) help rebuild our police department.”
Basset Creek Co-Naming
The city also recently officially recognized the co-naming of Bassett Creek as Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ, which Harmon said is the Dakota name meaning “falls creek.”
“We’re excited to have that co-naming and signage and mapping,” said Harmon. “We will do significantly more as the years go by.”
The city undertook and partnered in a variety of projects this year aimed at better water quality in the creek and other waterways.
Medicine Garden
The city is also working with members of the Golden Valley Garden Club on a new medicine garden near city hall.
Harmon said the garden at the corner of Winnetka Avenue and Golden Lake Road “Focuses on spirituality and cultivation and awareness in medicine.”

