October 3, 2022 3:30 a.m.
On Thursday, Roseburg Assistant City Manager/ City Recorder Amy Sowa was named “2022 Recorder of the Year”, by the Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders.
A City release said Sowa received the award at the OAMR Annual Conference banquet in Newport. She became city recorder in April 2018 and was named assistant city manager/city recorder in March 2021.
Mayor Larry Rich said, “She is well-deserving of the award. She is very personable and easy to work with. She’s also very dedicated to our city”.
The release said as a certified Master Municipal Clerk with nearly 20 years of experience, Sowa has extensive expertise with legislative and council procedures, records management, organization and administration and more.
Sowa was nominated because of the pivotal role she has played in City efforts to tackle homelessness. In the last year, Sowa voluntarily stepped up to take on a special project that was not previously part of her job.
The release said Sowa has helped Roseburg take critical steps to address challenges that can easily divide a community. Sowa did this by first spearheading an educational/exploratory phase as the Roseburg City Council made a foray into understanding homelessness and Roseburg’s current level of services. She also volunteered to become the staff liaison for the new Homeless Commission, and then find the right property for the City’s first low-barrier emergency shelter, and a nonprofit to operate the facility.
The release said one of Roseburg’s major accomplishments as a result of this work was the June 23rd opening of the Gary Leif Navigation Center.
The Homeless Commission has also begun an effort to open an urban campground for unhoused individuals. Sowa will provide staff support on that effort and serve on the group tasked with considering potential properties.
The release said Sowa’s accomplishments as Roseburg’s City Recorder and the special projects to address homelessness within just this past year have earned her great respect in the community.