Chris Wig
Age: 38
Hometown: My wife and I moved to Springfield five years ago
Marital status: Married
Partner occupation: Legislative assistant
Children: N/A
Ward neighborhood: Ward 3
Online: ChrisWig.org
Education: MS, University of Oregon; BA, University of Toronto
Occupation(s): Executive director at Emergence Addiction & Behavioral Therapies
Public sector work experience: Volunteer service on Willamalane Board of Directors, Intergovernmental Housing Policy Board, Eugene Civilian Review Board
Private sector work experience: Emergence (2014-present); Trillium Family Services (2013-14)
Elected office held: Willamalane Board of Directors (2019-present)
Unsuccessful runs for office: Eugene City Council (2016)
At Willamalane, we strive to deliver exceptional parks and recreation to enrich the lives of everyone in Springfield.
Since I was elected to the Willamalane Board in 2019, we have worked together to:
• Open the brand-new Arrow Park near Marcola Meadows without raising taxes.
• Expand our partnership with Springfield Public Schools to provide healthy summer activities for Springfield students – like summer camps and the 1PASS.
• Build new hiking and biking trails in the Thurston Hills Natural Area.
• Reduce the use of pesticides in filbert orchards at Dorris Ranch.
As your voice on the Willamalane Board, I am committed to:
• Addressing Springfield’s lack of childcare by expanding our preschool programs and youth activities before and after school.
• Ensuring Springfield community voices are heard while completing our 20-year comprehensive plan for the future.
• Building new trails and amenities in Springfield parks and keep our parks clean and green.
My re-election campaign has been endorsed by Springfield leaders you know and trust, including: Senator Lee Beyer, Representative Terry Beyer, Representative John Lively, and Mayor Sean VanGordon. I feel grateful you elected me to serve our community on the Willamalane Board, and I humbly ask for your vote for re-election. Together, we can fulfill our shared vision of a healthy, active community where everyone belongs.
Greg James
Age: 61
Hometown: Springfield, Ore.
Marital status: Married 41 years
Partner occupation: Retired
Children: Son, age 40; daughter, 38; three grandchildren, ages 13, 11, 10; all attended public schools
Ward neighborhood: Ward 6
Education: Linfield College, Business Administration; Lane Community College, Business Administration; Universal Public Procurement Certification Council, Public Procurement Management, Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO); Universal Public Procurement Certification Council, Public Procurement, Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
Occupation(s): Retired purchasing manager (36 years) – Springfield Public Schools
Current employer: James PPS Consulting – Public Procurement Consultant
Elected offices held: Willamalane Park & Recreation District Board of Directors, January 2003 to present – served as President on five occasions during 20+ year incumbency; Lane Council of Governments Board of Directors ~ July 2003 to present – served as Chair 2008-09; Lane Council of Governments Executive Committee; Springfield Planning Commission 2010-2018 ~ Chair 2013-14 & 2016-18
My name is Greg James, and I’m running for the Willamalane Park & Recreation District Board of Directors. I’m an incumbent with over 20 years serving as a director on this board. I’m honored to have had community support to continue in this role.
During my tenure, I have worked hard to align Willamalane’s strategic direction with community vision and goals. I have provided leadership and determination in moving forward many key initiatives, including the passage of the 2012 Willamalane Bond Measure, the completion of the Middle Fork and Mill Race Paths, the purchase of the 32nd Street Sports complex (Bob Keefer Center), and the purchase and development of the Thurston Hills Natural Area. These initiatives have greatly benefited our community, and I feel blessed to have supported their addition to our incredible park district.
My extensive experience in public service and government makes me a uniquely qualified candidate. I’ve served on the Lane Council of Governments Board of Directors, the Springfield Planning Commission, and numerous advisory boards, which have prepared me to continue serving on the Willamalane Board. I’m also deeply connected to this community. As a lifelong Springfield resident, I’m genuinely passionate about making Springfield an even better place to work, play and live.
Finally, I’m honored to have the support of respected community leaders like Lee Beyer, Terry Beyer, John Lively, Sean VanGordon, Joe Pishioneri, Michelle Webber, Chris Wig, and Jonathan Light. Their endorsements mean a lot to me, and I hope they show you that I have the experience and dedication needed to continue serving on the Willamalane Board.
So I ask for your vote, and I promise to work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure that Willamalane continues to provide high-quality parks and recreation services to our community. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Kiersten Muenchinger
Age: 51
Hometown: Springfield, Ore.
Marital status: Married
Partner occupation: Software engineer
Children: Age14, Oak Hill School; age 17, Springfield High School
Ward neighborhood: Ward 2
Online: youtube.com/watch?v=TKu9NMpN7Lg
Education: BA Engineering, Dartmouth College; MS Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
Occupation(s): Mechanical Engineer, Professor of Product Design
Current employer: University of Oregon
Private sector work experience: Ford Motor Company, Walt Disney Imagineering, IDEO
I would like to serve you and our community through Willamalane, an organization which I thoroughly appreciate for the programs and facilities it has provided me and my family.
Willamalane is one of the primary bodies that makes our community a community. Through events, classes and spaces to meet each other and play, Willamalane reminds us of the strengths we have together.
Within Willamalane, I will negotiate complex partnerships to help us enjoy our geographic, geological, historical, and natural areas, following on the outstanding examples of the Middle Fork Path and Pre’s Trail. I will strengthen our swimming and water programs. We have amazing natural water resources, like Clearwater Park, and pool facilities like Splash! I will help us congregate to enjoy each other’s company through organized events in public spaces like the Adult Activity Center and all of our sports fields and activity parks.
I’m an action-oriented person. I like to get forward-moving things done. I would like to make things easier for you to get things done in our beautiful area. I am motivated to be an efficient and effective Board Member for Willamalane, for our community, and for you.
Angela C. Miceli Stout
Age: 40
Hometown: Springfield, Oregon
Marital status: Married
Partner occupation: Small business owner
Children: 8, 6, 3, 1.5 years old; homeschooling
Ward neighborhood: Thurston, Ward 6
Education: Louisiana State University, Ph.D., political philosophy; Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, B.A., political philosophy
Occupation(s): Homemaker and homeschool parent
Private sector work experience: College professor and parish ministry
Angela Miceli Stout elected not to write a column.
Cj Mann
Hometown: Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Ward neighborhood: Ward 4
Education: Bachelor of Social Science, College of Public Affairs and Community Services, University of Oregon
Occupation(s): HUD housing inspector
Current employer: Lane County Health and Human Services
Public sector work experience: Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County
Private sector work: Ready to Rent Inspections, LLC
Elected office held, with dates: My political resume is based on Executive Board and Committee offices under AFSCME, Lane County Central Labor Council, Oregon AFSCME, Oregon AFL-CIO and the Democratic Party of Lane County.
Unsuccessful runs for office, with dates: City Council, Ward 4 of the City of Springfield 2012
I would like to highlight my commitment to the district and its response to food insecurity issues. I am an urban homesteading gardener and would like to work to increase our capacity to help provide food for our neighbors. The District currently has two community gardens: at Splash and at Game Bird Village. I would love to see a third garden at Tyson Park at 34th and E. Me encantaria ver un tercer jardin comunitario en Tyson en 34th y Calle de E.
This is an underused park with a plenty of acreage. A little pantry would be nice and the patrons using the new community garden could add a percentage of their produce to the little pantry. The garden could be supported by a rain barrel collection system and add to the access of fresh herbs and vegetables to this neighborhood. The district participates in a food pantry at the Adult Activity Center and LCOG’s lunch service. This would be an additional way the district could help our community stay healthy and strong.
Your vote will help me increase access to healthy food with a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs.
I am endorsed by the Democratic Party of Lane County and a proud union retiree, with the endorsement of the Lane Labor Chapter of the Oregon AFL-CIO.
Su Voto me ayudara a aumentar el acceso alimentos saludables. Por favor ayuda e esta diosa del jardin a ayudar a los vecinos.
Read the Q+A here.