(Photo above: Betty Roppe | photo courtesy of the city of Prineville)
In Prineville Mayor Betty Roppe’s office different ring tones are sounding off with rapid and melodious predictability. Everyone wants to get a hold of her and after just receiving the Mayor’s Leadership Award for Small Cities in Oregon, it’s unlikely that the phones will quiet down in the near future.
Whether it’s appearing at a news conference, traveling all over the state to fulfill important responsibilities or helping push legislation, Roppe has become well-known for getting things done, as evidenced by her recent appointment by Governor Kate Brown to the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC).
Roppe has always gravitated towards leadership positions, starting in her early years. She went to grammar school in Seneca, Oregon and high school in John Day, Oregon.
“I was probably raised to be a stay at home mom and I didn’t end up there,” she observes. According to Roppe, both of her parents were “down to earth people” and she had to beg to go to college.
Roppe has become known as a leader who thinks outside the box, who is pragmatic and progressive, liberal in many of her outlooks, but fiscally conservative. She may wish she’d gotten into politics sooner, but as a result, she works tirelessly for her causes. A key phrase to describe her life might be “she has served.”
After experiencing college life for a short time she was forced to return home to work and she did so at the department of forestry supervisor’s office at John Day where she met her first husband. By 1968 her growing family included four young children and work dictated a move to Rager Ranger Station in the Ochoco National Forest.
“When you are dealt a hand you have to play it and do the best you can with it,” Roppe says frequently. A separation later launched her into a job as a clinic administrator, a role she would repeat in Prineville. When Jim, her second husband and a bank manager, retired Betty was set to enjoy that time but soon needed a challenge. Prineville for her had always felt like “coming home,” so she sat on the town council for six years before running for her first term as mayor.
Roppe has a commanding presence but speaks softly. “As long as I enjoy what I’m doing I have no reason to stop,” she says. She was instrumental in getting the Crooked River legislation passed last year which opened up new possibilities for water use and other use around Bowman Dam.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with many local officials throughout the years and Betty Roppe stands out in my mind as a great example of effective leadership and heart,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “Working with her over the past few years to pass the Crooked River legislation was a true joy. It took years of hard work and negotiation to pass that legislation, including extensive cooperation and consultation between many groups.
Throughout it all Mayor Roppe never lost sight of the underlying goal of improving local agriculture and the water infrastructure necessary for growing the economy to the benefit of Prineville’s working families. I can only say, well done!”
Roppe is definitely not a person who embraces clichés like “We’ve never done it that way before.” One case in point was looking at the future of the Prineville Sewage Treatment Plant with personnel such as Eric Klann, Prineville city engineer. The two traveled around the state studying wetland sewage filtration plants and as a result development begins next fall on a wetlands plant where the old site is now. The savings on this type of plant will be huge.
Roppe feels a strong responsibility to Prineville taxpayers. Even with the recession, the town budget has held steady thanks to great planning. Roppe feels that it’s important to listen to Prineville residents and respect differing viewpoints even if there is not complete agreement.
Her ability to collaborate with different groups and get results is a hallmark strength.
She also works to engage local youth in politics and get them involved. Roppe’s most recent recognition by the Oregon Mayor’s Association officially applauded her numerous and extraordinary contributions to local government for positive change in Oregon.
