Council appoints Tom Michalek to vacancy

ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Roseburg City Council on Monday, July 24, appointed Roseburg resident Tom Michalek to replace former Councilor Brian Prawitz.

Michalek, who spent his career in the construction, hazardous waste remediation and timber industries, was sworn in immediately after being appointed by the Council at the Monday night meeting. After growing up in Roseburg, Michalek was the junior and senior class president at Roseburg High School and served as captain of the school’s varsity football team his junior and senior years. He attended the University of Oregon on a football scholarship.

“I really love Roseburg,” Michalek told the Council during his interview. “Roseburg is a good town. People want to live here.”

Michalek said he believes the most important issues facing Roseburg are economic development, infrastructure and finding solutions to address the unhoused population.

“Roseburg’s going to grow. And it’s growing,” he said. “We need to have that urban development planned…. I’m also seriously concerned with the homeless/houseless situation.”

Michalek was among seven people who applied for the Ward 3 vacancy created when Prawitz resigned Monday, June 26, after accepting a position as Executive Director of the Umpqua Economic Development Partnership. However, only six people qualified by living in Ward 3: Michalek, Thomas Dole, Daniel Endicott, Michael Fieldman, Celia Vander Velden and

Kevin Wene′. Vander Velden did not interview during a special Council meeting Monday night due to technical difficulties.

The Mayor and City Councilors are non-salaried, volunteer positions elected by Roseburg residents unless a vacancy is created by a Councilor’s resignation. Vacancies are filled by City Council appointment. Roseburg is divided into four wards with two Council members each. Councilors serve a four-year term. One Council position in each ward is up for election every two years. The Mayor, who presides over Council meetings, is elected at large for a two-year term.

Michalek was appointed to serve until December 31, 2024, when Prawitz’s term was set to expire. The seat will be up for election in November 2024.

As the elected legislative body for the City, the City Council is responsible for the scope, direction and financing of City services. The Council is also responsible for establishing land use policies and zoning regulations.

The Council establishes local law and policy that is administered and implemented by City staff under the council-city manager form of government. The Council gives policy direction to the City Manager, who’s responsible for administering City operations. In setting policy, the Council works closely with citizen-advisory commissions and committees, considers City staff information and recommendations, and takes input from interested parties and the public. Councilors also attend other meetings and may chair a City commission.