Barbara Roberts is sworn in by her stepdaughter, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Leslie Roberts. Former Gov. Barbara Roberts was sworn in as the newest Metro Councilor on Thursday, a week after being selected by the other six members of the board to replace serve the vacancy in District 6.
After being administered the oath by her stepdaughter, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Leslie Roberts, the new councilor acknowledged the challenges that Metro will face during her term.
"I have no illusion that my new position on this council will be a walk in the park… but I fully understand that I have been given a rare opportunity to help shape the future of this three-county region," said Councilor Roberts. "I approach my new responsibility with enthusiasm, my full energy and a commitment to both an open mind and an open government."
She'll serve out the remainder of Robert Liberty's term, which ends next year.
Metro Council President Tom Hughes wasted no time filling the void of leadership created by the pending departure of Chief Operating Officer Michael Jordan. Less than two days after Jordan announced he'll leave this month to become the COO of Oregon government, Hughes nominated Metro Attorney Dan B. Cooper to serve as Acting Chief Operating Officer, effective March 16.
Cooper's nomination was approved unanimously by the Metro Council.
"I intend to make sure I do my best to continue the course you and Mr. Jordan have set for the agency, and I want to do so with no loss of momentum," Cooper said after the council's confirmation. "And I want you to help me find my replacement as soon as practicable."
Cooper has been Metro's agency counsel since 1987. Before that, he was a deputy city attorney for Portland, an executive assistant to the mayor's office in Portland and in private practice.
He earned his law degree at Columbia University in 1972, a year after another infamous Dan Cooper disappeared into Pacific Northwest lore.
Serving as Acting Metro Attorney while Cooper manages the agency will be Alison Kean Campbell, who also was confirmed unanimously after Hughes' appointment. Kean Campbell has been with Metro since 1996, and has been Deputy Metro Attorney since 2008. A 1988 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Kean Campbell worked in private practice before coming to Metro.
"For us, the bench in the legal department runs deep," Hughes said. "Alison Kean Campbell is uniquely qualified to provide sound advice and leadership to all of us during this time of change."
Promoting Cooper will give Metro time to perform a national search for Jordan's replacement. Councilor Carl Hosticka will lead the search at Hughes' request.
"Based on a thorough assessment of our needs from a chief operating officer, we will actively seek out the best and brightest to join us in making a great place," Hughes said. "We all have an interest in ensuring we select another great leader for Metro's staff."