The Ridgefield City Council faced a pivotal decision on Thursday, Feb. 27, as it sought to fill the third vacant seat in just over a year.
After an extensive selection process, the council voted to appoint Meghan Hamilton to the position. Hamilton fills a vacancy left by former Mayor Ron Onslow, who resigned effective Jan. 10.
City appoints Meghan Hamilton to Council Position 1
Hamilton, a longtime Ridgefield resident, spent much of her childhood in the city before moving for a time. She later returned to build her career and family life.
Collectively, Hamilton has been a Ridgefield resident for 25 years and plans to remain in the city.
“Growing up here, I’ve seen and remember the fields and all the times I just got stuck behind a tractor on the way to school. I remember that, and I know a lot of residents and people coming in there are attached to the charm of the city and they want to maintain the character or it,” Hamilton told The Reflector. “I love that we are still growing and we’re having all these exciting new things come in, but we still have the charm and characteristics of (Ridgefield).”
Hamilton has a daughter in the local school district and is a business owner, operating a salon in downtown Vancouver for nine years along with two e-commerce ventures. Her deep community ties and entrepreneurial experience made her a strong contender for the council seat.
During her interview with the city council, Hamilton stressed the need for greater public engagement, noting that many residents are unaware of how local government operates or how they can participate. She expressed her commitment to fostering more accessible community participation and ensuring Ridgefield’s rapid growth aligns with its small-town charm.
When asked about her knowledge of municipal governance, Hamilton candidly admitted she still had much to learn but highlighted her adaptability and strong work ethic.
“I’m a very quick study,” she said. “I just need a direction, and I can fly.”
She expressed a balanced perspective on Ridgefield’s development, emphasizing the importance of preserving the historic charm of downtown while strategically planning for commercial growth and job opportunities that provide a living wage.
“I saw an article where we’re slated to grow another 10,000 residents over the next 10 years. We’re just growing so much, and letting people really easily connect to how they can be involved would be something that I would be passionate about and looking to lean into,” Hamilton said.
A highly contested decision
The other finalist for the position, Magdalena Butler, also presented strong credentials. Butler, known by many as Maggie, has lived in Ridgefield for seven and a half years with her family. She has three children in the local school system and works as a school-based mental health therapist in a neighboring district. Previously, she was a data systems specialist for the Ridgefield School District.
Beyond her professional experience, Butler has been deeply involved in civic engagement. She serves on the city’s Planning Commission, is a board member of the Ridgefield Multicultural Initiative and volunteers with the Greenback Project. Her past involvement includes work with Meals on Wheels and the Ridgefield Art Association.
During her interview, Butler highlighted her dedication to fostering community connectivity and ensuring Ridgefield’s continued growth is both thoughtful and sustainable.
Public comment played a significant role in the selection process, as residents stepped forward to advocate for their preferred candidates.
Among the speakers was former Councilor Rob Aichele, the first of three council members to resign since early 2024. Aichele voiced his support for Hamilton, emphasizing the importance of having diverse perspectives on the council.
Aichele said the council already had strong representation from those involved in education and social work and Hamilton’s background as a business owner would bring valuable economic insight to the group.
“It’s important to have a council or council members with different life experiences and careers. I hope you consider appointing Megan because she brings a background as a small business owner versus Maggie’s background and involvement with the school district,” Aichele said.
Hamilton’s ex-husband, Mike Hamilton, also took to the stand. He praised her ability to handle high-pressure situations and de-escalate conflicts, qualities he believed would serve her well in city governance. Drawing from their co-parenting experience, he described her as level-headed, adaptable and more than capable of handling the challenges of the role.
Council members openly expressed the difficulty of their decision, emphasizing the strengths of both candidates. Several councilors praised Hamilton for her strong voice, entrepreneurial background and commitment to Ridgefield’s downtown as others noted Butler’s deep civic involvement, experience on the Planning Commission and extensive volunteer work across the community.
Mayor Matt Cole pointed out that past government service, such as Butler’s tenure on the Planning Commission, has traditionally been considered a strong qualification for council appointments. At the same time, Cole praised Hamilton’s willingness to dedicate her time to learn.
Council members grappled with weighing different strengths and perspectives before ultimately deciding in favor of Hamilton. What was initially planned as a 10-minute deliberation stretched to 25 minutes, as council members carefully weighed their decision. The final vote was conducted by paper ballot, and the exact results were not known as of press time.
Three of Ridgefield’s seven city council seats are currently held by mid-term appointees following the resignations of Rob Aichele, Jennifer Lindsay and Ron Onslow. These vacancies have been filled by Katie Favela, Rian Davis and Meghan Hamilton, respectively. Favela and Hamilton’s appointments will run through December 2025, while Davis’ term expires in December 2027.
