Canby City Councilor David Bajorin has resigned after being appointed to the position just six months ago, citing the difficulty of juggling it along with other responsibilities and admitting he felt “stretched too thin.”
Bajorin replaced Jordan Tibbals, who was elected in November 2020 but stepped down nine months later after moving out of state.
“It has come to my attention recently that my role as a councilor for the City of Canby has had an undue negative effect on my other jobs, as well as my family,” Bajorin wrote in his brief resignation letter to the mayor, council president, city administrator and city recorder Monday night. “I am simply stretched too thin to be effective at balancing so many things at once.
“That is why, regrettably, I need to resign my seat effective immediately. I am thankful for the time I’ve had to serve and wish you all the best of fortune in bringing the very best out of the city.”
This particular seat has been the hottest on the Canby City Council in recent years, even as other local elective offices have seen relatively little turnover.
Tracie Heidt, an incumbent, originally won it in 2018, but resigned six and a half months in, citing a desire to spend more time with family.
Per city charter, the remaining councilors appointed a replacement, who was to serve until November 2020, when Canby’s voters would have the opportunity to choose a representative for the term’s remaining two years.
Councilors in July 2019 selected Tryg Berge, who had planned to seek re-election the following year, but instead announced his resignation in August 2020 when a move outside the city made him ineligible to serve on the council.
Tibbals was elected to the two-year term after finishing fourth in the 2020 race, and Bajorin became the fourth individual to hold the seat in as many years following his appointment in October.
Presumably, a fifth name will be added to that list before the November midterms, when the seat will once again go on the ballot for a full, four-year term.
The vacancy has been posted on the city’s website, and paper applications may be picked up at City Hall. Completed applications are due by April 20.
Qualified applicants must have been a resident of the City of Canby for the twelve months immediately preceding the appointment and be a current registered Oregon voter.
Councilors are expected to interview candidates and appoint a replacement during a special meeting beginning at 6 p.m. April 27. The successful applicant will be sworn in during the regular council meeting May 4 and will serve until December 31, 2022.
