Yachats council to interview four council applicants Wednesday

YACHATS – The Yachats city council will interview four people – including a previously appointed council member — Wednesday who applied for a council vacancy with the upcoming resignation of Greg Scott. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. in the Civic Room of the Yachats Commons.

The person chosen would serve the remainder of Scott’s term, which ends Dec. 31.

One of the applicants, Anthony Muirhead, served 22 months as an appointed council member from February 2021 through December 2022 but did not win a seat in the November 2022 general election.

Mayor Craig Berdie said it is the council’s intention to select Scott’s replacement during Wednesday’s meeting and swear him or her in later in the month.

The four applicants are:

• Brett Cambria: In her application, Cambria said she’s had management experience at two Fortune 500 companies, now owns a graphic design business, works remotely for a nonprofit that helps the homeless in Portland and San Francisco, has volunteered for four years at the Yachats Farmers Market, and was on a city manager interview panel last fall. Cambia said her concerns include making sure Yachats can sustain thoughtful tourism and still maintain its charm and helping city leaders “make sure Yachats is a modern, forward-thinking village while keeping its small-town charm and beauty.”
• Leslie Miessner: In her application, Miessner said she is retired from a 30-year career as an attorney, including 17 years representing local governments. She wrote that the biggest issues facing the city are water security, emergency preparedness, housing affordability and is “intrigued by the opportunity to bridge the six-month gap created by this council seat vacancy.” Miessner was also on the panel last fall that interviewed manager candidates and “looks forward to seeing continued improvements in the functioning of City Hall. “
• Anthony Muirhead: In his application, the general manager of the Adobe Resort said the biggest issues facing the city are maintaining city property and equipment, safeguarding city services, moving forward with projects, supporting volunteers, and continuing to stabilize city government. Because of his prior service, Muirhead said could get up to speed quickly and that he brings “a different perspective as an active member of the business community. I try my best to bring a voice for local workers not just business owners.”
• Nicole Hedlund: The licensed massage therapist and nutritionist is on the Yachats Youth and Families Activities Program board, is a Yachats Chamber of Commerce member and has participated in planning for the city’s resiliency project, skatepark and homeless camping ordinance. Her biggest concerns are balancing community needs and tourism, water supply, storage and treatment, and better preparing for wildfires. Hedlund said her major interest is to “maintain the great community minded spirit that exists while supporting all members of our community — all ages, families, retirees, the unhoused, etc. As we move into an uncertain future due to climate change while facing housing issues, I would like to see Yachats take a stand and be prepared for the well-being of the whole community.”