In its Jan. 11 meeting, the Ridgefield City Council re-appointed former Mayor Ron Onslow to his previous post and former Mayor Jennifer Lindsay as mayor pro tem, following her two-year term. Onslow will serve as Ridgefield’s mayor for a two-year term.
Onslow previously served as Ridgefield’s mayor for a decade but stepped down in 2018 to focus on other responsibilities while remaining on the council.
During the council meeting, former Mayor Pro Tem Rob Aichele nominated Onslow for the mayoral position after declining to accept the nomination for himself.
Expressing his gratitude, Onslow addressed the council and former mayor.
“Thank you very much for the votes. I will do my very best. I always will for this city… I think Mayor Jen has done a really good job, and I look forward to working with her,” Onslow said.
Onslow said after the meeting that his connection to Ridgefield spans over two decades. Onslow moved from Vancouver to a family-owned property in Ridgefield after retiring from a family legacy in the tavern/restaurant business, which extended over a century.
Sharing his thoughts on Ridgefield’s future, Onslow said that the city has become less dependent on residential properties for income through taxation and has gained businesses that will contribute to the city’s revenue.
“One of the great things that’s happening is that now we won’t be reliant on homes for income taxing, [and] we will have businesses such as Costco,” Onslow said.
Onslow further emphasized the urgency of the Ridgefield School District’s development, given the city’s rapidly expanding population.
“When I got here, we had two grade schools. We still have two grade schools, and we’re over 16,000 people now,” he said. “We need housing, classrooms and so forth for our students, so I am for anything that we can do to make it better.”
Onslow expressed his affection for Ridgefield, particularly its scenic views. He singled out the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge north of the city as a favorite viewpoint, where he enjoys observing birds, tundra swans and snow geese.
Onslow also commended the local community for its active involvement in various events and projects.
“We have a really cohesive amount of people that get together and work,” he said. “I’ve had work parties that have had up to 60 people.”
During Onslow’s first meeting as Ridgefield’s newest mayor, the City Council deliberated on Ordinance no. 1418, voting to amend the city’s development agreement with Costco Wholesale Corporation. The amendment extended the deadline to acquire the agreed-upon property by 60 days.
The developmental agreement was set to expire Dec. 29. Ridgefield City Manager Steve Stuart told the council that extending the deadline would cost the city nothing monetarily.
After the council adjourned, Onslow expressed his excitement and surprise at being appointed mayor again.
“I feel really good. I feel kind of humbled. I did not expect this, but I’ve been mayor, and I’m really happy to do it again,” he said.
