SPRINGFIELD — Met with colorful bouquets and warm applause, incumbents and the newly-elected were sworn in at the Jan. 6 Springfield City Council, and Michelle Webber was selected as the new council president.
Incumbents Kori Rodley (Ward 3), Beth Blackwell (Ward 4), and Mayor Sean VanGordon, as well as newly-elected Alan Stout (Ward 6) were sworn in.
According to his bio, newcomer Stout, who is the vice president at Cedarwood Distribution and Stout Steel, is fluent in Spanish and has experience in marketing, event planning, and international employment. Born in Eugene, he received a BA in religious studies from St. Olaf College and a Master’s in theology from Notre Dame.
According to his City of Springfield biography, Stout “envisions a future where Springfield thrives as a hub for innovation, community values, and opportunity.”
Rodley is a Developmental Disabilities Services coordinator for Lane County Government and has served on the Fire Governance Committee, Human Services Commission, and Springfield Utility Board Budget Committee, among several others.
Blackwell, a Triple Oaks Realty Valley2Coast Home Team partner, has worked as a resident volunteer firefighter EMT basic for Lane Co District #1.
VanGordon is director of financial and capacity planning for Optum, and in his role as mayor has advocated for increased library card access for families outside city limits, road developments, and economic growth. He’s served on the Planning Commission, Poverty and Homelessness Board, and the Lane Area Committee on Transportation.
Michelle Webber, Ward 1 City Councilor, was unanimously elected Council President.
She worked in commercial banking for 30 years and has been a part of the City’s Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Budget Committee, and Finance and Judiciary Committee.
Prior to her appointment, VanGordon emphasized the importance of electing an individual who would best represent the broad views of the council and provide the opportunity to flesh out ideas.
“If, for some reason, I’m not here, that person is the first person that would step into that role, or have the first option to step into that role,” VanGordon said.
Within this two-year role, Webber will conduct council meetings in the absence of VanGordon. Additionally, she will initiate motions and is partially responsible for setting the agenda.
“I am committed to working hard for the citizens of Springfield as City Councilor for Ward 1,” Councilor Webber said in her biography.
Since moving to Springfield in 2010, Webber has acted as a Springfield School Board member, Springfield Public Library Board Treasurer, Springfield Education Foundation Chair, LTD Board member, and Springfield Rotarian.
Victoria Doyle, Ward 5 city councilor, shouted out Webber’s initiative prior to her being elected.
“Out of all the councilors here, Councilor Webber is the only one that expressed an interest to me personally, and so I think that’s important,” Doyle said.
