Name: Megan Kimball
How long resided in Jacksonville: 6 years
Why are you running for City Council and, if elected, what do you hope to achieve?
Connection to community is important. If elected to council, I hope to continue the spirit of service modeled by many of our community members in the past (and present), who have inspired my choice to run. I view the council as a team that works together to advocate for the best interests of the community, creates an environment that encourages and welcomes involvement, and develops strategies to ensure residents’ voices are respected and represented.
I’m running because I love Jacksonville. I grew up in Southern Oregon, where I attended St. Mary’s High School and fell in love with our beautiful valley. After living abroad for several years, I made the decision to relocate back to the valley, because it’s hard to find a place to live that can compete with the natural beauty of our state and region! In 2020, I was accepted into Portland State University’s Master of Social Work program, which has allowed me to remain local through the Southern Oregon Distance Option, which uses the RCC/SOU building for in-person classes. Through my studies, I have deepened my connection to our valley and become more involved in our region and the services available here. As my experience in social work deepens, so too does my commitment to the ethical responsibilities to the broader society.
I’m also excited at the prospect of representing residents like me: young professionals who love this town and want to invest themselves in a small community, so close to nature. While collecting signatures to allow my name to be placed on the ballot, I met many young professionals who were excited to hear I was running, but expressed a similar sentiment of “You know, maybe in another life I’d do this, too.” By running, I hope more of our residents can imagine themselves serving as councilors, and not count themselves out or diminish the value of what they have to offer just because they would be new to the political scene. There’s a wealth of potential lying within our community, and I hope more of our residents will come forward and get involved at the local level so that our town can benefit from the diverse perspectives and life experience Jacksonville’s people have to share.
What city committee and/or commission posts or other volunteer service work have you done to prepare for this office? What were your contributions and successes and how have they prepared you for this office?
My experience from professional employment, internships, and volunteer work has prepared me for service as a councilor. By serving diverse and vulnerable populations, conducting independent research, and working as part of multidisciplinary teams, I have learned how to dive into complicated situations without losing sight of what’s important: the wellbeing of the individual and the community.
An historic town such as Jacksonville, with such a wealth of natural beauty, requires nuanced housing solutions, fire-wise planning, and pragmatic planning as the population continues to grow. My participation in the 1000 Friends of Oregon Land Use Leadership Initiative (LULI) in 2022 helped me gain a deeper understanding of land use issues connected to housing, transportation, water, wildfires, and Urban Growth Boundaries, among other topics. By becoming better acquainted with the municipal responsibilities of land use, I feel both inspired and prepared to become involved in this important work at the city level.
I have been lucky enough to both work and volunteer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Jackson County. In my separate roles as a volunteer child advocate and case supervisor, I became skilled at building relationships with various legal parties and community partners, facilitating evidence-based trainings, navigating numerous systems and agencies to advocate effectively for children and their families, and always center the inherent dignity and worth of the person. As a volunteer legal advisor at St. Andrew’s Refugee Services in Cairo, Egypt, I conducted interviews and research in order to compose legal testimonies for refugees applying for resettlement. Currently, I am employed as a case manager with Jackson County Mental Health’s Crisis Team, and this autumn I will begin my advanced clinical field placement through the Veterans Affairs Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics (SORCC). Through these roles I have gained invaluable exposure to some of the most pressing issues facing our community, and it is what inspires my desire to serve and work for the residents of Jacksonville.
What are the current strengths and/or weaknesses of the current City Council and how would you improve the existing council?
The current council has a strong representation of individuals who have served the city in various roles over the years, including previous experience with our committees and commissions prior to being elected. With this strong base already represented on the council, my intent is to expand upon and enrich council conversations by sharing new perspectives that come from my experience in the mental health and social service fields. My heart lies in working directly with individuals as they navigate their way towards health, empowerment, and community. Given my experience working with teams, navigating complex systems, and advocating for diverse populations, I believe I have the necessary skills to work in collaboration with current city councilors for the betterment of Jacksonville.