BEND, OR -- Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, New Councilors Mike Riley and Ariel Mendez, and incumbent City Councilor Barb Campbell were sworn in Wednesday night during a meeting full of pomp, circumstance and tearful goodbyes. 

Prior to leaving the dais, former Mayor Gena Goodman-Campbell remembered when she first joined Council in 2018, "I spoke of how this work is all about creating a brighter future for the next generation of Bend and creating a brighter future for this entire community. And because of the work of this Council, I know that we’ve done that." She was appointed Mayor last year when Sally Russell abruptly stepped down. Goodman-Campbell went on to thank each Councilor for their service, as well as city staff, "We are building a brighter future for Bend every day and I’m so proud of the work that we have done as a Council and as a city in my four years behind this dais." Mo Mitchell and Stephen Seghal also left Council, choosing not to run for their positions in November. 

Following Mayor Melanie Kebler's oath of office, the group  officially declared a vacancy for her former Position One seat. They now have 30 days to appoint someone, based on the city’s charter. 

In Redmond, newly elected Mayor Ed Fitch also took his oath of office Wednesday night.