Three spots on the Woodburn City Council are up for election this year, as well as the mayor position.
The candidates for city council and mayor are running unopposed in their respective races. When elected, city councilors in Woodburn serve four-year terms, while the mayor serves a two-year term.
With local ballots set to be mailed on Oct. 16 — just over two weeks before the Nov. 5 election — we asked the candidates for their thoughts on important issues affecting the Woodburn community.
Responses from the candidates are published in full below. Ward 1 candidate Lilia Brizuela did not respond to the questions by the deadline.
What skills or previous background have prepared you for this role?
Frank Lonergan, mayoral candidate: I have served this community on different boards and commissions for over 40 years. This community service has given me the experience to lead our city council! My personal work experience has been in the business industry with upward management experience.
Alma Grijalva, Ward 5: Woodburn has been my home for over 40 years. During this time, my career has been focused on serving the residents, families, youth and children in Woodburn. I have served in education, with nonprofit community development organizations and private corporations. I also have served on the city’s planning commission and community organizations like the Rotary Club and chamber of commerce. I have had the privilege of living, working and enjoying the community programs, festivals and parks. This experience gives me a solid foundation to continue to serve the people who also call Woodburn home.
Mark Wilk, Ward 2: I majored in government and sociology in college and then received a law degree from the University of Oregon. As a practicing lawyer for over 40 years, I have a deep understanding of the law and legal processes and the factual support necessary for sound decision-making. My experience serving on many nonprofit boards has given me a broader background on community needs and group decision-making processes.
What do you think about the community center project and the upcoming bond measure?
Lonergan: This is a very exciting project for Woodburn that will benefit our community and children for future generations. We have been trying to accomplish this for over 40 years, and now have $15 million that we will lose if we don’t go forward. This is an opportunity to renovate our 30-year-old pool and have serious upgrades to Settlemier Park. Your city council unanimously endorse it.
Grijalva: The community center will serve our seniors, families and youth. This facility will give Woodburn another opportunity and new programs to experience community fun and wellness. It is a community center, not only for our currents residents but also for future generations. It will be an awesome gathering place for all of us to come together. No matter what season of life we are in, retirement, raising a family or involved in work and service, this project will be something we all will enjoy and benefit from. The current swimming pool needs to be renovated. I support the upcoming bond measure.
Wilk: I fully support the project and urge a yes vote on the bond measure! Our community needs the community center and park improvements for community health and wellness. It will be a centerpiece for community gathering and a tremendous asset for many years to come.
What do you believe are the most significant issues facing the Woodburn community today, and how do you plan to address them?
Lonergan: Economic stability and job creation is an important issue for our community. Also growth and traffic issues, and a safe place for our kids to go after school and during the summer are other current significant issues.
Building a community center and reconstruction of our pool will help our kids.Drawing big business with good high-paying jobs will help our economic stability. Looking at the health care sector is one of my goals to create good jobs. Plan is to keep our work force local, minimize commutes.Smart planning and making new business pay for traffic improvements will help alleviate traffic issues.
Grijalva: Affordable housing: Early in my career I worked on housing, and we are in good place today because of the hard work and challenges we faced and met at that time. Yet there is still a need to address homelessness. My past experience serves as base knowledge, however there are new issues in housing that I will need to learn about so that I can help us continue this work. Partnering with those already doing this work will be a goal.
Traffic safety: Growth in our city’s population has increased concerns with traffic safety in our neighborhoods as well as Highway 214 and 99E. I will team with our mayor and city staff as we learn more about how to best address this issue.
Wilk: Livability issues are front and center. As Woodburn grows, local government must actively seek community engagement to ensure the success and progress of all residents. Our diversity is a strength, and it also requires additional effort so that all voices are heard and needs met.
How would you manage Woodburn's rapid influx of housing and commercial development if elected?
Lonergan: A community needs to grow to survive. We need good jobs and affordable housing for our community. I have worked within our city to help increase buildable land in all facets; industrial, commercial and residential. We need to work with Marion County and the state of Oregon in identifying buildable land and bring it into our city limits.
Grijalva: Our city staff have done good work in keeping Woodburn financially strong. They have developed good relationships with stakeholders and work to hold them accountable and responsible for assuring that projects meet the needs of current residents and future housing demands as well. I will work alongside our city leaders and staff to continue the stability of our financial base as we evaluate commercial projects to assure they benefit and support our residents and city needs as a priority.
Wilk: We are fortunate that our land use planning system requires us to actively engage in comprehensive review of our community needs for the future. We have more work to do to ensure the affordability of housing for many of our residents and to provide assistance and support to the most vulnerable among us. Addressing transportation challenges is essential as we continue to grow.
What is something that people might not know about you?
Lonergan: Happily married to Cheryl for 43 years and we have a pair of twins for grandchildren: 12 year olds Natalie and Oliver. Only we have to travel to New Jersey to take them out for an ice cream cone!
Grijalva: In 2023, my sisters and I made the decision to move our 92-year old mother from Illinois to live with me in Woodburn. What a blessing it was to have neighbors who prepared meals for us, Woodburn Dial-a-Ride’s transportation, Mid-Valley Community Church pastoral support, our Woodburn doctor who accepted her as a new patient, Woodburn Ambulance that helped us as well. People in town were looking after us and taking care of us. Too many to name. This is Woodburn, we take care of each other. Mom passed away peacefully in December 2023. My husband and I are thankful for the community’s love help and support. We are ready to serve.
Wilk: As an Air Force brat, I lived in Alaska before it was a state and later, as a young teenager, I sold black light posters and imports as a roadside vendor in Washington, D.C.
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