Veteran public servant takes reins of city council
Staff reporter
For Marion Mayor Mary Olson, leadership and civic duty are not new to her. She's a "roll-up-the-sleeves" kind of person, if that's what it takes to get the job done.
Being a public officer is not new to Olson. After all, she has been a city clerk, councilman, and mayor.
While a Lincolnville resident and teacher at Centre USD 397, Olson began her civic initiation as Lincolnville city clerk. She served for three years until she served a term on the Lincolnville City Council in 1983.
In 1991, she was elected as mayor of Lincolnville. Later, she and her husband Swede moved to Marion.
After being in the mayoral seat for just a few weeks, Olson sees some major differences already in being mayor of Marion.
"I won't have to get out there with a pick and shovel," she said with a laugh. While serving the City of Lincolnville, public officials often were the brawn and laborers to complete projects because there weren't many employees on the city staff.
There are some similarities, such as city finance and taxpayers wanting their money's worth.
"Taxpayers don't want to have to pay any more than they have to," Olson said, and expect the work to be completed.
With Lincolnville being a smaller community than Marion, Olson said she pretty much knew about the complaints of residents because she typically saw the majority of people around town. With Marion being larger, she knows she will have to depend on constituents to let her know about their concerns.
"I'm not going to just sit back and wait for information to come to me," Olson explained. "I don't have all the answers so I'll ask questions instead of waiting."
Olson wants to be available to constituents so she will be in the city office from 10 to noon, Mondays and Tuesdays. That schedule could change, however, so if residents want to visit with Olson, it is best to call the city office at 382-3703 and schedule an appointment.
Olson has been a teacher for 50 years — 39 of those years as a full-time, elementary classroom teacher in the Centre school district. For the past 11 years, she has been substituting in the Marion school district.
She said she knows what's expected of those who work for the public and understands the chain of command.
"I have high expectations for myself," Olson said, and she has those same expectations for city officials and staff.
Does she support a council-city administrator form of government?
Absolutely.
"The council sets public policy and the city administrator and other city personnel see that the policy is followed," she said. Besides, the majority of council members have full-time jobs and other responsibilities, Olson said, that limit the amount of time they have to spend conducting city business.
Only being elected April 2 and taking office April 9, Olson is not ready to suggest major changes which could include changing the day and time of council meetings. Since the council meets every other week, there may be a need for work sessions to keep council members informed.
Public perception and public confidence are important to Olson, including assuring the public that the open meetings law is being followed.
Openness is important to Olson, including an open council and more communication between the city and constituents. She also wants the public to be kept informed about timelines of city projects.
Why did she run for mayor? Olson was an avid community volunteer. She has assisted with tourism efforts, Chingawassa Days, and other community events. Now 70 years old, Olson is ready to slow down a bit but wants to remain active and keep in touch with the community.
As an educator, she loved teaching children and misses that daily contact with them.
As mayor, she can serve her community and keep in touch with people. Olson believes she brings experience and common sense to the job but will keep herself open to suggestions.
Olson knows that opportunities to learn never end. She remains an active member of teacher organizations and will continue the rest of her life.
Her husband, Swede, died in 1998. She continues to work part-time at Bearly Makin' It Antiques in downtown Marion and substitute teaches.
Olson likes to keep busy but also looks for ways to relax and unwind as an avid fisherman, health enthusiast, and, just recently for the first time, mushroom hunter.
So, when the votes were counted on April 3, was Olson surprised with the overwhelming support for her?
"People told me I had a good chance to win but I didn't think it would be by so much," Olson said.
She recognizes that some changes are inevitable with four new council members being elected last year and now a new mayor.
"I guess people were wanting a change."
