Woodburn Independent Online

Berkey resigns city council position

• By: Jason Horton  
• Published: 9/15/2009 9:42:51 AM

WOODBURN — Woodburn City Councilor Kristen Berkey resigned from office Friday, citing family reasons.

“Unfortunately, at this time, health, home and work circumstances are keeping me from giving the position the attention it fully deserves,” Berkey said in a release. “I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve the city of Woodburn. It has been a tremendous honor.”

City Administrator Scott Derickson said the city attorney has recommended the council accept her resignation and begin the process of filling the vacant seat.

Derickson said he’s sad to see Berkey leave.

“I understand that Councilor Berkey needs to make the best decisions for her and her family, but I am personally disappointed to see her leave the council,” he said.

“Kristen brought a common-sense approach to city government and I was always sure to listen to her very carefully.

“I knew if Kristen was asking a question, 50 other people were going to ask the same question.”

Berkey said she appreciates the Woodburn community and regrets leaving.

“It is with regret that I tender my resignation … I resign knowing the city of Woodburn has an excellent mayor, city council and administrator to lead it on.

“It has been my pleasure to work side-by-side with such dedicated community leaders. I am proud of Woodburn and its community.

“I feel during my service on the council, great progress has been made regarding codes, communication and the ability to listen and respond to our citizens in an effective manor.”

The process for filling Berkey’s seat falls to Mayor Kathy Figley, who will appoint a person and the council will ratify her selection.

“I want to appoint someone who is a good person and the majority of the council agrees with me on,” Figley said. “What I want to do is encourage anyone in the northeast part of town, look at a map and see if they are interested.”

Berkey served in Ward 6.

“Of course, I’m disappointed … Kristen is an intelligent person and I liked her perspective of a mom with kids at home on the council,” Figley said. “I’m disappointed to lose that perspective, and on a personal level, I’ll miss serving with her.”

Figley will begin accepting applications immediately and encourages anyone interested to call her at the city at 503-982-5228. If she’s not in, leave her a message.

“Leave your address and I will get in touch with anyone interested,” she said.

“I want to be open-minded about it and it’s not an easy thing to know the judgment if one is going to have or know the needs of an entire ward. We have a very experienced council — every person has done other things if not the council in the past — so there is plenty of room for someone who is new to this and wants to give it a shot. Don’t be shy because you haven’t done this before.”

Figley wants to fill the position fast, possibly as soon as next month.

“I don’t think we have enough time for the next meeting, but I would like to have a person by the first meeting in October and sworn in then,” she said.

Berkey is the first councilor to resign from the Woodburn City Council since 2003 when Anthony Veliz stepped down after moving out of his district.

Frank Lonergan was appointed and has since been re-elected.

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