News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Deb Kollodge is Sisters' new mayor.
Deb Kollodge was named Sisters Mayor on Thursday, September 12.
Kollodge, who has a long record of public service in the community, will serve out the term of Steve Wilson, who stepped down to move outside the city limits.
The new mayor does not see any significant changes coming over the next few months. Kollodge said the council will continue to work on an urban renewal project to improve streets and pedestrian amenities in Sisters.
She also believes that the city government should cooperate with non-governmental organizations such as the Community Action Team of Sisters (CATS) and the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce to enhance the economic vitality of the community through extended tourism and the courting of light industry.
A nine-year resident of Sisters, Kollodge first became involved in community activism through a fund-raising drive to put playground equipment in the Village Green.
She went on to volunteer in the schools and played a vital role in the creation of the Sisters Elementary School computer lab. She served on the committee that secured streetlights for Sisters and helped design more efficient garbage routes in town.
The ability of volunteers to make a real difference in the community impresses Kollodge.
"A small group of people can make a lot happen in this community," she said.
She was reluctant at first to channel her activism into government service, but, she said, former city administrator Barbara Warren persistently pursued her for a city council seat.
Kollodge finally accepted appointment to a seat vacated by Tim Clasen.
"The fact that we have such a wonderful staff played a large part in my accepting this position," she said.
Kollodge said she also enjoys working with her fellow councilors, Lon Kellstrom, Dave Elliott and John Rahm.
The council still must appoint a fifth member.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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