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Bailey Thompson<\/strong> | News Editor<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI, Cecelia Koontz, solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States, the constitution and the laws of the state of Oregon, the charters and the ordinances of the city of Monmouth, and that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of the mayor of the city of Monmouth to the best of my abilities,\u201d stated the new mayor of Monmouth upon being sworn in.<\/span><\/p>\n To open their Jan. 8, 2019 meeting, the Monmouth City Council welcomed three councilors and a new mayor: Councilor Jon Carey, Councilor Roxanne Beltz, Councilor Christopher Lopez and Mayor Cecelia Koontz. These councilors will join sitting city council members Byron Shinkle, Darin Silbernagel, and Laurel Sharmer for the upcoming year.<\/span><\/p>\n The city councilors were sworn in first, with Beltz and Carey returning to the council and Lopez beginning his first term. <\/span><\/p>\n Following them, Koontz was sworn in as the first female mayor elected in Monmouth\u2019s history. In the past, Koontz has served on Western\u2019s Board of Trustees and as the business manager for the Central School District.<\/span><\/p>\n On his way out of the mayor\u2019s office, Steve Milligan decided to present Koontz with a time capsule that will be opened June 25, 2196 \u2014 the day of the next solar eclipse. Since the eclipse was a time of joy for Monmouth as a community in the previous year, Milligan stated that the time capsule would be a token to mark the progress that Monmouth has made in recent years that can be passed from mayor to mayor until the date of the next solar eclipse.<\/span><\/p>\n In light of this gesture, Koontz made sure to express her gratitude for the work of Monmouth mayors who have come before her. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAll of the former living mayors except two are with us tonight, and so I\u2019m really really proud to join their company,\u201d said Koontz. \u201cThank you gentlemen very much for the work you\u2019ve done and for making this a great place to serve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Turning to Milligan specifically, Koontz took a moment to recognize his service and dedication to Monmouth.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSteve and I have served on council together\u2026he\u2019s been a very faithful member of the Central School District school board and he\u2019s done a lot of other work in our community,\u201d said Koontz.<\/span><\/p>\n In response, Milligan made a final, reflective address:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c16 years ago tonight I was getting sworn in for the first time as a councilor,\u201d said Milligan. \u201cThe services that I\u2019ve had the privilege to do in this city with the citizens of this city have been immeasurable. Enough of you have been around here that in 2000 Main Street didn\u2019t look at all like it does today\u2026and it\u2019s really been a pleasure to help participate and make decisions in the process of improving the city for countless generations in front of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n