Change in the air Mount Angel City Manager departs
By Melissa Wagoner
Mount Angel city government has experienced a recent upheaval with
two of its leaders taking their leave within 30 days of each other.
First, Mayor Andrew Otte resigned on Aug. 5 following a change in residence which left him outside the city limits.
Then, Sept. 4, City Manager Amber Mathiesen, in the position since October 2016, left via a mutual separation agreement with the city for reasons which were undisclosed.
“The City Council and the city manager mutually agreed to go our separate ways,” Mayor Kelly Grassman – formally elected to take over Otte’s role on Sept. 3 – stated. “We’re going to be having an interim city manager and we’ll be conducting a search.”
The search will be piloted by City Councilors Pete Wall, Ray Eder and Matthew Donohue, whose goal it is to fill the spot by mid-October.
In the meantime, Mayor Grassman and Councilor Wall are working alongside city staff to fulfill the city manager’s duties.
“We have a really good staff,” Grassman said. “They have their stuff down. I have a lot of confidence in them.” As for the future, Grassman is unconcerned about the recent departures.
“It’s not unusual,” she commented. “That’s why there are interim managers. This kind of thing happens.”
And as for the future, Grassman is eager to take the reins as mayor, fulfilling Otte’s term which expires on Dec. 31, 2020.
“I’m excited to be the mayor,” she said. “I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish moving ahead.”
Habitat dedicates home
Single mother Jessica Bomar and her children Abby, Chance and Cash, received the keys to their Habitat for Humanity home in Mount Angel on Aug. 24 during a dedication ceremony attended by more than 50 people.
Family, friends and North Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity donors and volunteers were there to celebrate with the Bomar family and to see the completed home for the first time.
Like all Habitat partner families, Jessica had a hand in building her home. She was there every step of the way and completed hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” as part of the partnership.
To see more photos from the dedication or to learn more about the NWV Habitat homeownership program, visit nwvhabitat.org.
