January 2021 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 23
Julie Fitzgerald spends ‘ lame duck ’ period preparing for mayoral role
said . “ I would like to work on ways to
Former Wilsonville do that .” councilor plans to hit ground running
BY COREY BUCHANAN
Julie Fitzgerald was elected the mayor of Wilsonville . But during this so-called “ lame duck ” period between an election and the swearingin ceremony , the Villebois resident is laying the groundwork for her subsequent four-year term .
In an email and phone call , prior to the new year , Fitzgerald provided a rundown of what she ’ s been doing .
Conducting appointment interviews
Current Mayor Tim Knapp invited Fitzgerald to interview candidates for boards and commissions , and she obliged . During that time , she has asked questions of candidates , met new people and heard different perspectives .
Fitzgerald was glad to see the number of people who applied for positions and had already graduated from the city ’ s Citizen ’ s Academy . She hopes to find more ways to involve the Wilsonville citizenry once she ’ s elected , particularly for more shortterm committees and other avenues that don ’ t require two- to four-year commitments .
“ I ’ m glad to see the interest , and look forward to many opportunities for involvement . Even though we only have so many openings at the present , I know we ’ ll have a need for more short-term and longer-term volunteer opportunities in the near future . It was a great honor meeting and talking with so many citizens ,” she said .
Attending meetings and more meetings
Fitzgerald has met with or is planning to meet with Knapp , all four Wilsonville city councilors and heads of city departments ranging from planning to finance and transit . She also
attended a recent Greater Portland Inc meeting and participated in the city ’ s Diversity , Equity and Inclusion listening session . She is also attending a class for newly elected officials .
Fitzgerald has discussed ways to tweak city council meetings and appointment procedures to regional committees and council goals for the next two years with her fellow councilors . She also noticed that Wilsonville city staff have a packed slate of work , such as the planning department tweaking Wilsonville ’ s code to comply with sweeping housing legislation and parks and recreation adapting programming to the virtual landscape .
“ They are very busy and working really hard ,” Fitzgerald said , adding that she felt the city operates efficiently .
In a meeting with Police Chief Rob Wurpes , the idea of greater community policing was discussed .
“ I understood him to say he would like to see more community policing and more ways for his team to be known and get to know people ,” she
Continuing to reflect
Meanwhile , along with setting up her city email and fortifying her contact list , Fitzgerald is reflecting more on some of the most important issues in the city : how to assist residents and businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic , creating more jobs — especially in Coffee Creek and Basalt Creek industrial areas — and advancing projects within the city ’ s plan to add more affordable housing options .
“ I ’ m glad to see that the council has just made another decision to help the restaurant industry . I recognize that restaurants and many other types of businesses that have been severely affected by the pandemic will require more aid if they are to survive . I look forward to working with our entire community , chamber , city council , city staff and local , regional and federal partners on effective relief packages ,” she said .
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