A growing city has the youngest city council, with the most female representation, in its history.
Two new councilors, Dana Ziemer and Rob Aichele, were sworn in during the first Ridgefield City Council meeting of the year Jan. 9. The seven-member council, ranging from ages 41 to 81, now includes three women.
Ridgefield Mayor Don Stose was unanimously reappointed to his position at the meeting, as was Mayor Pro Tem Lee Wells, 75. In 2012, Stose — then a 62-year-old council member — was the youngest official on the council.
“It’s exciting to see this council getting even more representative of the city we all love,” Stose said in a news release.
“I’m looking forward to the new ideas that will help us be even better.”
Ziemer, 41, defeated former Ridgefield City Councilor Matt Swindell for Position 2 during the Nov. 5 election. She has lived in Ridgefield for eight years, volunteering with several organizations.
“During my time on council, I hope to be an example of a strong, purposeful female presence in government,” Ziemer wrote in an email. “I hope my female constituents will feel comfortable expressing their concerns and opinions to a more diversified council.”
Aichele, 59, unseated incumbent Councilor Darren Wertz, 72, for Position 5. After moving to Ridgefield in 2015, Aichele served on the city’s planning commission.
“As a newer resident to Ridgefield, I have a connection with many other new residents that moved here for some of the same reasons that I did. The growth has created some challenges in our city, and I look forward to working with the team to be a new voice that represents the values of our citizens,” Aichele said.
“I also believe that having a younger council will bring a boost of activity in our community events which will help engage our citizens to become more active in shaping our growing city.”
Councilor Jennifer Lindsay, 44, was elected in November for a full term in Position 6 after being appointed to the seat in October 2018.
Ron Onslow is the other member of the city council.
Source: https://www.columbian.com
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