BEND, OR -- Megan Norris will be sworn in Wednesday as the newest Bend City Councilor. She was appointed this week to serve the rest of Melanie Kebler’s term, following Kebler's election to Mayor.
Norris has lived in Bend almost four years and is a planning manager for Hayden Homes. "Having worked in affordable housing and advocating for a permanent source of funding in California in the past, supplying homes and encouraging homes that all working families in Bend can afford, is something that’s really important to me," She told KBND News a day after her selection.
Shortly after moving to Bend in 2019, she was tapped by the Chamber of Commerce to become the Central Oregon Childcare Accelerator. She worked in that position for one year. "Having the background and having really gotten into the issue for a year is something that I can really hopefully work with my fellow Council members in," says Norris, "To start coming up with some real solutions that can start addressing the crisis in Bend."
When asked why she didn’t run for election in November, Norris said it wasn’t the right time; but that has since changed, "I was approached by my former boss, Katy Brooks at the Chamber, and she thought this would be a really good fit and position for me. I decided that that timing fit best for me, personally." She launched a campaign in 2021 to run for a seat on the Bend-La Pine School Board but later dropped out of the race.
Norris was chosen from among 14 applicants; four were interviewed by Councilors Wednesday afternoon, which included questions about coping with disagreements and challenges. She told KBND News Thursday she's prepared, "I come from a family that has been engaged in public service, I’ve been around politics a lot in my life, I’ve worked on various campaigns and for various legislators. I understand what it takes in the critical arena, I understand the scrutiny, I understand the time. I come into this with my eyes wide open. I fully understand the commitment and I’m really excited about the opportunity to serve my city."
