Blum signs on for Sisters City Council

Sisters City Council will once again be operating at full strength with the appointment of Andrea Blum to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Wendy Holzman.

Blum's experience, skills, and interests are expected to add significantly to the Council's capabilities. For over 20 years Blum has been actively involved with the Deschutes County League of Women Voters, serving in all the leadership positions, currently as secretary.

"My experience with the League of Women Voters has taught me how to study an issue by drawing back, doing research, evaluating all sides, and then working together to come to a consensus," Blum said. "I learned how to knowledgably testify on an issue and not come from a reactionary position."

After moving to Central Oregon in 1988, Blum served as the recording secretary for the Deschutes County Commission, providing her a broad education in local government issues, particularly those related to land use. She is familiar with all the government acronyms and public-records requirements.

One of the most important issues for Blum is to "maintain the livability of this community. I don't want to see us get out ahead of ourselves," which she describes as growing beyond what the City can adequately maintain financially and physically.

"One of the measurements I will use when considering an issue is, will it maintain the livability."

There is much about Sisters that Blum enjoys including the natural beauty, the weather, the ability to walk to most locations, feeling safe, the nice parks and other amenities, and the engaged community.

"I love living here. This community is great. The thing I recognized about Sisters is that it is so much more of a 'community,' with a 'join-us' kind of atmosphere. I'm not a stranger," she said.

Maintaining a healthy balance among the interests and concerns of the citizens, the business community, the schools, and the tourists is what Blum will use as her compass for her work on the Council.

"We represent all the citizens of Sisters and, for example, when we make a decision that will encourage economic development, we also need to consider if it is in the best interests of our citizens," she said.

Much of Blum's employment has provided valuable experience to prepare her to be a city councilor. She worked for 15 years for the Oregon Public Employees Union in Salem where she worked with contract negotiations and supervision of employees. Her goal was often to see that there was equity for all parties.

"If I have good information and understand why something is necessary, I am usually able to convince those willing to listen," she said.

The world of politics has always been of interest to Blum, starting with watching the national political conventions on television. Her mother-in-law was very active in the Democratic Party, having the opportunity to meet with Eleanor Roosevelt. Prior to applying for the Council position, Andrea and her husband, Jack, have been regular front-row attendees at all City Council meetings for months, so she steps into her new position with a good background in issues facing the council.

Blum met her husband when they were both working for the Bureau of Labor in Salem. After quietly dating, due to their mutual employment in the same bureau in different offices, they slipped off to Reno one 4th of July weekend and came back married.

"We lost our independence on Independence Day and we knew there would always be fireworks and we'd always have the day off," Blum said with a laugh.

Blum grew up in the Willamette Valley, living in Amity, Carlton, McMinnville and Silverton, where she graduated from high school. After attending the University of Oregon for a time, and lacking any particular direction in her education, she decided to join the working world.

Blum is not worried about the past turmoil at City Hall. She believes that "because people care about Sisters, everything that happens matters to them." She is not joining the Council with any particular agenda. She believes it is important for both Council and staff to have vision in order to see the ramifications of their options and decisions.

She told the Council during her interview, "I see you trying very hard to be inclusive." She would like to be on the Council "during a period of time when citizens think that the City Council represents them."

She went on to say, "It may just be the size of the community that makes most issues more personal and local," as compared to larger cities.

Blum sees the role of the Council as that of a policy-making body. Their job is to set parameters and goals. It is of utmost importance that they hire good staff, communicate clearly with staff regarding the policies and goals, and expect staff to act in an advisory capacity based on Council's policies and the state laws.

To maximize community awareness and engagement, she believes that notices and communication need to be in "plain English," with concrete examples and applicable photos, maps or other visuals. When decisions are made, the "why" of those decisions needs to be explained.

Blum will be sworn in Thursday night, October 8, at the 7 p.m. council meeting at City Hall.