Bend Mayor-elect Melanie Kebler provided the following year-end message:
As we step into 2023, I feel so much gratitude for all that this Council and this City staff have been able to achieve together despite the challenging times we are working in. We set ambitious goals and chose bold action, forging new paths and looking for new ways to collaborate on the solutions our community needs right now. The vision of this Council was supported by the incredible hard work of our City staff. We innovated and pivoted as needed to find new solutions, while still providing consistent, excellent services to our community. The City is truly a leader in our region and in our state when it comes to creating affordable housing, evolving our transportation system, and taking climate action. I can’t wait to step into the role of Mayor and work with my fellow Councilors to continue moving Bend forward.
It has been a privilege to serve alongside dedicated community leaders, some of whom have already left the Council or will be moving on from their role on the Council in January. Former Mayor Sally Russell convened a motivated new Council and helped us set a work plan that meaningfully moved City policy and investment towards equity and progress. Rita Schenkelberg provided a sorely-needed perspective and never hesitated to call out injustice and inequity – they taught us so much, and we still have so much to learn. Mo Mitchell brought forward a fierce emphasis on equity that our Council and our community needed to hear. Stephen Sehgal holds deep roots in this community and provided steady consideration even through difficult policy decisions.
Finally, Mayor Gena Goodman-Campbell’s service over the past four years, her commitment to improving our community, and her passion for protecting our natural environment has made Bend a better place. Mayor Goodman-Campbell willingly stepped into her new role despite the unexpected circumstances, and her dedicated leadership has helped the Council continue our important work. All these leaders have shown they are committed to making positive change in Bend, and I thank them deeply for their service to our community.
My gratitude also goes out to all those who have served and continue to serve on our many City advisory boards, where residents volunteer many hours of their time in order to help the Council make better decisions.
I look forward to working with our incredible staff and with Councilor Campbell, Councilor Perkins, Councilor Broadman, and new Councilors-Elect Ariel Méndez and Mike Riley. I’m excited to write the next chapter for our City Council.
Sincerely,
Melanie Kebler, Mayor-Elect
