Canby Herald Online

Helbling resigns council post

Canby City Councilor on the move, forcing the resignation

• By: John Baker  
• Published: 7/29/2009 3:42:30 PM
• Last Updated: 8/4/2009 2:45:05 PM

Canby City Councilor Tony Helbling has resigned from his council seat, effective mid-August.

Helbling, who has served on the council for nearly four years, is moving to Silverton soon and according to the city’s charter, will be unable to serve on the council.

Despite a new address outside Canby, Helbling reiterated his commitment to the city he’s called home for many years.

“Pam and I are moving to Silverton — we found our dream house there,” said Helbling. “We looked all over and finally found this home. I’m not so much leaving Canby as simply making a change. I plan to still be very active in this community.”

Helbling has spent the last nine years being active in Canby — having been president of Canby Business Development for two years and a Planning Commission chair for three more.

Canby, he said, is a special place. Having moved many times over the years and lived in many communities, Helbling said Canby stands out.

“People who live in this part of the county don’t know how good they have it,” he said. “People care here and are willing to voice an opinion. I love Canby to death.”

Helbling said that projects such as the industrial park, downtown street renovation and the arrival of a new theater are projects that stand out during his time involved directly with the city.
He was also quick to point out it had little do with him and more to do with the involvement, passion and commitment of many people.

“It’s got nothing to do with me - I was just caught in the wave as it came to shore on those,” he said.

He did point to the police chief issue of the last year as an unfortunate part of the last year’s work on the council. Still, he likes what he sees in Canby moving forward. His contributions to Canby’s future have been duly noted.

Canby Mayor Melody Thompson said the council will miss Helbling’s savvy and vision.

“I think Tony’s business acumen had a significant impact on how Canby’s economic development grew,” Thompson said. “He has a flair for the vision of how a program should work and the practical issues involved.

“There have been many occasions when he’s talked to presidents or operations managers of companies interested in coming to Canby and been able to provide good detail on what business in Canby is like,” she added. “He’s been very exceptional in the economic development realm for us.”

And he plans on staying involved.

“I’ve got a ton of friends here and I’m a member of the Chamber and Rotary - I’ll still be involved in those things,” he said.
“I’m not moving to Florida, I’m just making a change in how I participate,” he added. “I’m still going to be involved, so Canby’s Fire Marshal, Troy Buzalsky shouldn’t get his hopes up. Larry and I will be at the chili cook-off. We are going to smoke him yet again!”

“Tony has given a lot of time and effort to the community,” said Thompson. “We all want to say thank you for his efforts.”

  (log in to rate)