New councilor takes seat at City Hall

Amy Burgstahler, the newest member of the Sisters City Council, is also relatively new to Sisters. She, her husband, Darin, and their 8-year-old son, Quinn, chose to live in Sisters when they relocated from Tulsa, Oklahoma, a little over a year ago.

Burgstahler was selected by the Council to fill the seat left vacant with the resignation of Bill Hall.

Burgstahler, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma at Norman with a major in journalism and professional writing, is a native of Oklahoma, who has also lived and worked in California and Ohio as well as her home state.

She brings to her position on the Council a wide range of skills that promise to make her a valuable addition. All of her various positions required she be a good listener while helping establish common goals, building relationships with and among important constituencies, forging community partnerships, establishing new community-wide events, and providing a calming influence in her work environment.

Burgstahler's work experience has included a position as creative director for an Oklahoma communications firm, a senior information representative and publications editor for University of California at Davis, the marketing and community relations coordinator for The Sacramento Bee newspaper, and a public-relations coordinator for the American Automobile Association of Cincinnati.

Her husband, Darin, is an IT director for a firm in Sacramento and is able to work remotely from anywhere. Sisters is a great new home for this outdoorsman "who needed some new trails to hike," according to Burgstahler.

Their son, Quinn, is a special needs student at Sisters Elementary School, where Burgstahler says his needs are wonderfully met and he is warmly embraced by the students.

"The teachers and paraprofessionals are amazing, and the kids are phenomenal," she said.

Her positive attitude and her delight with Sisters are very evident. She is excited to begin her duties with the Council.

"Their hearts are in the right place. Everybody on the Council obviously cares deeply, and they're certainly not in it for personal gain," she said.

One of Bergstahler's main areas of focus as she joins the Council is that of connectivity - in every sense of the word. She wants to do what she can to ensure there is open communication going both ways between City Council and the community.

"I want to be sure the people in town have what they need to thrive," she said.

She is also interested in seeing that the City is well-connected physically, with well-constructed and maintained amenities and services. She believes in "the importance of local businesses and residents working together to create a physical representation of what's going on in our hearts and minds."

"It is important to protect the fine quality of life we have here in Sisters while staying open to opportunities to be competitive by bringing in the businesses that fit here," she said.

Burgstahler believes the Council has a fiscal responsibility to the various stakeholders and must remain responsive and responsible to the taxpayers. She is also aware of the important role played by the tourists who visit Sisters and spend their dollars here. A balance of quality of life for the residents, economic vitality of the businesses, and a thriving tourist industry is important to Burgstahler.

She described her approach to the work: "I like analysis, and I base my decisions on statistics. That way, I am able to serve the grater purpose... I am motivated to do the right thing for Sisters."

The Burgstahlers are currently renting a home in Pine Meadow Village while they have designed and built their permanent residence there. At one point in her life, Burgstahler considered architecture as a career so the designing and building of their home is an exciting adventure for her.

"I love the smell of brand-new lumber," she said. Hopefully, with not too hard a winter, they will be moving in next spring.

For enjoyment, Burgstahler likes woodworking, reading, horseback riding, golfing, and bicycling.