Community meets finalists for Madras city administrator position
(UPDATE: ADDING CONTENT FROM EVENT & QUOTES FROM RESIDENTS AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR CANDIDATES)
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Three finalists for the Madras City Administrator position recently engaged with community members during a 90-minute public meet-and-greet at Initiative Brewing in Madras. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions and get to know the candidates, who are Brenda Fahey, Maurice Henderson II and Jody Yates.
The public event provided an important forum for both the community and the candidates as Madras seeks to fill its top administrative role. All three candidates have extensive backgrounds in public service, ranging from local government experience to federal government roles.
Deanne Boeshan, a resident of Madras, shared the qualities she seeks in the new city administrator. “I want somebody that's honest. That tells us straight up what's going on. If we have an issue, we can go to them and try to work out a solution to a problem. I don't want to. I don't want it to be a problem. I want us to be the solution to a problem.”
The candidates expressed gratitude for the opportunity to interact directly with the public. Fahey, a candidate for Madras City Administrator, found the session invaluable. “I think it was incredibly important. I was really grateful for the opportunity. I think getting to know folks and getting to hear what's important to them, to community members, is really important.”
Henderson II, also a candidate for Madras City Administrator, noted the strong community involvement. “Obviously, you spent the last hour and a half with members of the community hearing their thoughts, their concerns, their interest in the role. And given the kind of turnout that we saw tonight, it's clear that there's a passion for this community.”
Yates, another candidate for the position, appreciated meeting local stakeholders. “It was awesome to meet so many small business owners and people just really invested in the community and knowing where it wants to go and they are valued.”
The finalists bring varied experience to the selection process.
Fahey currently serves as assistant city manager and human resources director for the City of The Dalles. She previously held various roles with the City of Portland.
Henderson II is a partner and co-founder of Two Degrees, a management consulting and communications firm. His prior experience includes serving as a senior adviser to former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and as chief of staff to former Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler.
Yates, the third finalist, is the maintenance operations group director for the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Yates has more than 15 years of experience with the City of Portland, contributing to her 27 years of government experience.
The next phase for the candidates involves three more interview sessions. These interviews will be held with members of the city, community members and other stakeholders to help determine a final selection from the three candidates.
