The Woodland City Council made one of two appointments for open council seats last week as they selected someone with prior municipal leadership experience downstream on the Columbia River.
During a Feb. 13 special meeting, the council voted 5-0 to appoint Terry Hall to the vacant position 6 seat. Former seatholder Jennifer Rowland resigned her position at the end of last year.
Hall has 46 years of business experience in management and financial services, he said during applicant interviews ahead of the council’s selection. When asked about budgeting, Hall said his financial experience “would make your head spin.”
Hall said he moved to Woodland about five years ago after retiring. He told the council that prior to retiring he had extensive experience in different governing boards across Southwest Washington, including president positions of the Long Beach Merchants Association and Longview Rotary Club. He also had stints on the Lower Columbia College Foundation and Longview Housing Authority boards.
Hall said he served two terms on the Kelso City Council during a time when the city built the replacement Allen Street Bridge, designed and planned for a new city hall and police station, as well as dealt with the Aldercrest landslide.
“It was a huge project for local people and a huge project for (the Federal Emergency Management Agency),” Hall said about the 1998 landslide.
Hall said he could live anywhere he wanted when he retired. He picked Woodland because it “checked all the boxes” on his list.
Since moving to the city, Hall said he has helped with “Make a Difference Day” projects in Woodland. He noted that as a retiree, he would easily be able to fit council and committee meetings into his schedule.
“Probably the only thing that is going to get in the way of my fishing would be some of those committee meetings, but I think I can make that arrangement,” Hall joked.
Hall said a city councilor’s role in one word is “balance.”
“There are a number of interests, obviously, that come together in the city. You’ve got residential property owners, commercial businesses, industrial growth, public safety issues, … traffic safety and flow, utilities, tourism, parks and recreation. That’s a lot of different interests to balance,” Hall said. “I think that’s the key job for you all and whoever you select.”
Hall and the other applicants for appointment mentioned issues with the city’s water utility as a chief concern. For months, residents have made complaints after the city began using a new billing company.
Hall recognized Woodland’s position for growth is a chief cause of friction in the city. He said “careful, attentive and interested listening” is key to working through disagreements.
“We’re a little town with big growing pains and I would love to see Woodland retain its small-town Americana flavor,” Hall said.
Hall was one of four applicants for the open seat. Joining him were Jennifer Wray-Keene, the executive director of the Port of Woodland; Douglas Freimarck, an IT security director for a national hospital holding company; and Gabriel Huston.
Hall’s range of experience made him an appealing pick for the existing members of the council.
“I think he’s ready to jump into the seat with the experience,” Councilor John “JJ” Burke said.
Councilor Carol Rounds noted those who applied for the seat will have a second chance as the council goes through the process of appointing its second vacancy.
Former councilor Karl Chapman’s resignation from the position 4 seat was announced during the council’s Feb. 6 meeting.
“I hope they step back up and try again,” Rounds said.
Interested applicants for the second open seat have until March 3 to submit an application, according to the city website. Applications can be obtained on the website at ci.woodland.wa.us/citycouncil/page/city-council-va cancy-position-4 or by calling 360-255-8281, ext. 6.
