Prineville Mayor Betty Roppe receives honor

Prineville Mayor Betty Roppe received a Mayors Leadership Award during the closing banquet of the Oregon Mayors Association Summer Conference, held July 30 – August 1 in Cottage Grove.

Mayor Roppe received the award in the “small city” category; the “large city” award went to Central Point Mayor Hank Williams.

Mayor Roppe has been volunteering for her community for nearly 20 years in various roles. She has served on the Prineville City Council for nearly 11 years, 4 1/2 years as mayor.

Mayor Roppe works actively and tirelessly with several community organizations, ranging from services for youth, seniors and the less fortunate. These include the county Kids Club, the county’s Commission on Family and Children, and the School District Facilities Committee.

She personally visits each school to encourage students to participate in OMA’s annual “If I Were Mayor” contest, and serves as a tour guide of city facilities to very energetic elementary students.

Mayor Roppe interacts with seniors by attending events at the senior center to keep them informed, and she serves as a spokesperson against domestic violence.

In addition, Mayor Roppe’s service on regional and state boards includes:

• Co-convener of the Ochoco Collaborative, which is looking for ways that all can safely enjoy our forest lands;
• Serving on the Habitat Conservation Plan, for a successful balance for the reintroduction of endangered species;
• The Deschutes River Conservancy board;
• The Deschutes Water Alliance;
• The Central Oregon Cities Organization, or “COCO,” including service as chair;
• The board of the Humane Society of the Ochocos;
• The Crook County Foundation’s Arts & Culture Committee; and
• The Hospital Foundation Board.

Mayor Roppe also was appointed by the 2015 Legislature to serve on the state’s Energy Facility Siting Council, and serves on the governor’s Regional Solutions Team. She takes time out of her hectic schedule to travel to Salem or Washington,
D.C. to provide testimony on issues important to Central Oregon.

Mayor Roppe is known for reaching out and opening her door to listen to a variety of interests, and she has a knack for drawing stakeholders into discussions and bringing about consensus. Her nominators praise her as “a true community and
regional leader, who repeatedly inspires others to do the same with her contagious vigor.”

Established by the OMA in 1993, the Mayors Leadership Award recognizes the valuable contributions that mayors throughout Oregon make to their communities each year. In judging the nominees, the Selection Committee considers
whether the nominee has:
1. Demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities which have contributed to lasting benefits in their city and the community as a whole;
2. Shown considerable involvement in community affairs and intergovernmental relations;
3. Shown exceptional skill in helping to facilitate productive relationships between the governing body and city employees; and
4. Helped other Oregon mayors reach their full potential as community leaders.