Micki Varney was appointed to fill the Ward 8 vacancy on March 21.
West Salem has a new representative on the Salem City Council.
On Monday, councilors unanimously chose Micki Varney to fill the Ward 8 vacancy left by Councilor Jim Lewis. Varney will serve the remainder of the term, which ends on Dec. 31.
Varney, a salmon biologist, said she’s worked as a high school teacher and is a member of the West Salem Neighborhood Association and Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
“As a community educator, I know how to reach out to people and inform and engage them about issues. While my technical background is helpful in analyzing the problems that come before a city council, it’s also taught me how to use adaptive management approach to problems so I can be helpful and responsive to the needs of our community,” Varney told councilors during a Monday special session.
She was selected from among four finalists for the seat.
Varney is also running for the Ward 8 seat against Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, in the May primary. That term will begin Jan. 1, 2023 and end in 2026.
-Saphara Harrell
