Changing of the guard: New Bend councilors sworn in

Wednesday night’s changing of the guard at Bend City Hall was one of the shortest city council meetings in recent years – just 19 minutes. But what it lacked in depth or drama it more than made up for in symbolism, sub-text – and some politics, too.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Municipal Court Judge Bethany Flint administered the oath of office to new councilors Barb Campbell, Casey Roats and Nathan Boddie.

Defeated councilors Scott Ramsay, Mark Capell and Jodie Barram – the latter of whom lost her bid for a Deschutes County Commission seat – were on hand, and still in their seats, for a bit. But they already gave their farewell speeches at the last meeting — so on this night, they literally gave up their seats to the newcomers, amid handshakes and well-wishes.

Each new councilor thanked their supporters, but vowed to work for all in the city, even those who did not vote for them in November.

“It’s important to represent all the people in Bend,” Boddie said.

Campbell, ebullient as always, said she didn’t wear mascara “because I was afraid I’d tear up,” and invited all on hand to a party at her business, Wabi Sabi, after the meeting. “I’m really honored to be here,” she said.

Roats thanked his wife and two daughters for their support and said he hopes the work they do will make sure “the Bend these girls and their friends inherit is one we can all be proud of,” with “upward mobility,” and “that we leave it for them in better shape than we found it.”

He then made a reference to the residency dispute that could have cost him his seat – though councilors in a split vote agreed to let him serve, despite living outside the city for much of the year before the election.

“Those who may have been on the other side of issues over the years with me – let’s find something new to fight over,” Roats said.

“It’s my great hope this council moves on to new issues and leaves the past behind us,” he said, adding that “I hope to bury the hatchet collectively.”

Then the only order of business – choosing the mayor for the next two years, a system in Bend that only involves who the council supports, and has had some friction off and on over the years.

Mayor Jim Clinton was unanimously elected to the position once again, with Councilor Sally Russell as mayor pro tem – but first, Councilor Doug Knight made it known that he’d sought the mayor’s gavel – and almost got it.

Knight thanked those who supported him in his bid for mayor, but added, “I understand I am just one councilman’s vote short” of the four needed to be chosen.

As a result, Knight said, “I am compelled to withdraw my name from consideration,” and then offered his “full and unyielding support” for the team of Clinton and Russell.

“There are many important issues the council faces in the months and years ahead,” he said. “I am confident they will lead us in a good direction.”

After the pair of unanimous votes, Clinton offered thanks and appreciation for the vote of confidence.

“I personally have never been more optimistic about the future of our city,” he said, joining others in committing to “making sure that at the end of this two year period that the city is in a better position than we found it.”

“My goal is to help make this the best city in the U.S.,” Clinton said. “I think we’re quite a ways along that path already. I thank the councilors for their vote of confidence and look forward to going forward with you.”

Russell echoed that tone, saying, “I couldn’t be more excited.” And she said that while the content of the issues is important, perhaps more so is “the way we expand the dialogue with the city and staff.”

“How do we as a city engage in fruitful discussions with each other while using our time as effectively as possible?” she asked.

And that was it, with big issues – the urban growth boundary, vacation home rentals plus much more – awaiting in coming months.

It was so short, Capell stuck around to the end – and newly re-elected Mayor Clinton called out for him to move for adjournment, one more time – for old time’s sake.

Outside the council chambers, each new councilor talked a bit with NewsChannel 21 about their top priorities taking offce:

Campbell said, “My No. 1 focus will be transportation, as we’re all noticing after the snow plows have been out for a while, there are huge potholes out there. With the new university campus, we’re going to need more bus routes and bike routes to be able to get the students to be able to get around town safely.”

Roats said, “I’m excited to make sure Bend is a place where the people who I know, who I grew up with here, and the people in my company and companies like it can both afford to live here and be gainfully employed.”

Boddie said there are “a lot of things that are moving parts right now, with the expansion of the urban growth boundary, Mirror Pond, making sure we have an affordable option for people so that everyone in Bend can afford to stay here, and as we grow and develop and become more vibrant, everyone can come with us.”

“And so, I think hopefully there’s not a lot of contention and we can do our work effectively and really go hand in hand,” Boddie said. “That’s never going to happen all the time, but I think the more we work closely together, the better.”