A Few Minutes with the Mayor – August 2015

The idea crossed my mind the other day that many who read this column haven’t met many of the dedicated people responsible for making our City work as well as it does. And dedicated is the word. I realize this sentiment runs counter to much of what we hear about government today, some of which seems deserved. However, I’m happy to say our people are rather special… they’re on your payroll and are all fully-aware of their responsibilities. This is true of all our departments, but today I’d like to make some introductions, starting with our Administrative staff.

Sarah Starnes was hired as our Court Clerk/Administrative Assistant in February, 2015. Beforehand, Sarah managed a veterinary practice for 11 years and was the original owner of LaBoheme, here in Jacksonville. She attended college at American River in Sacramento, after a year at Southern Oregon University and spent all four years at Crater High School. Sarah is a fourth-generation Oregonian and loves our state almost as much as she loves Jacksonville.

Sarah has three boys—Reef, RippKai and Wilder—who keep her very busy. Next year will be the first and only year all three boys will attend Jacksonville Elementary together. Sarah loves to travel and she and her boys have been lucky enough to have seen many countries together. Besides travel, her other passions include running, snowboarding, downhill mountain biking and riding her motorcycle.

Kimberlyn Kerneen joined the City in November, 2013 beginning her tenure as Administrative Assistant/Court Clerk. In September, 2014 she was promoted to City Recorder and is currently working towards her Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) certification.

Kimberlyn was born in Southern California and resided there until her family moved to Central Oregon during her high school years. Kimberlyn has three children—Jessica, Tyler and Brady as well as three grandchildren, Rentin, Gage and Maelyn. Her “empty nest” now includes a beautiful white lab, Max. Her new hobby is motorcycle riding. She is sincerely honored to be able to serve the Mayor, City Council, City Staff, and the citizens of Jacksonville.

Beverly Smith, our Utility Clerk, grew up on the outskirts of Jacksonville and then in Jacksonville proper, so has seen a lot of change over the years. After graduating from Oregon State University, she came back to the valley and practiced landscape architecture for 20 years. She then took a part-time job with the City, which turned into full-time after a year and now she’s on her 18th year with the City. Beverly has had the good fortune to have traveled around our country and parts of Europe and Africa, but it’s here in Oregon where she wants to live with her husband of 36 years.

Stacey McNichols, our Treasurer and Office Manager, has been working for the City since July 1, 2008. Originally hired as the treasurer’s assistant, she began as a part-time employee and was asked to join the staff full-time in April, 2009. In July, 2010 she was promoted to City Treasurer and an Administrative Department head.

Prior to working for the City, Stacey was a joint owner of a small real estate company and mobile notary business and has been licensed as a Realtor in both Washington and Oregon. She grew-up in eastern Oregon and moved to Seattle during high school. She started her career in Seattle and has since held various management positions in the medical, higher education and real estate fields.

Stacey has three daughters—Cheraea, who lives in Seattle with her husband, Kyle, and two young boys, Aiden and Jack; Beth who is in college and plays basketball; and Lexi who is in the 10th-grade at Crater High School. Stacey spends her free time with her fiancé, Eric Bray, and her daughters enjoying time on their boat, going to dirt track races and traveling.

I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting some of the people here at City Hall—these are the fine people that “make it all happen,” and who are an important part of the tapestry of our City!

Featured image caption: l-r Beverly Smith, Kimberlyn Kerneen, Stacey McNichols and Sarah Starnes