Onslow will remain an active member of the Ridgefield community

RIDGEFIELD – After 17 years of public service on Ridgefield City Council, including 11 years as Mayor, Ron Onslow is retiring from position 1 on City Council effective January 10, 2025. Ron intends to focus on spending time with his family and taking care of his health. He will remain an active member of the Ridgefield community.

In January 2007, Onslow was appointed to a vacancy on Ridgefield City Council. A year later he was appointed mayor, a position he held through 2018, and was appointed to again in January of 2024. When Mayor Onslow was first on City Council, he led Ridgefield through a tumultuous time when the City struggled to even make payroll for the small staff. He helped focus the city on conservative fiscal policies that assured services could be delivered, focused proactive growth management to preserve the unique quality of Ridgefield, created partnerships like the Discovery Clean Water Alliance to lower residents’ sewer bills, and helped bring and keep businesses that created a full-service community. One of his first big projects was to bring in Ridgefield’s first grocery store, Rosauers, which opened in 2019. Mayor Onslow also led in his passion for creating fun and inviting parks such as the off-leash dog park on Hillhurst Road and the nature play area at Abrams which bears his name. And Onslow constantly looked for creative ways to emphasize and support the things that make Ridgefield unique with volunteer-led projects such as our roundabout vineyards and wine. 

Mayor Onslow also led Ridgefield into a regional role, serving on boards and commissions including the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Board of Directors, C-TRAN Board of Directors, Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, Discovery Clean Water Alliance, Urban County Policy Board, Advisory Board for the Culinary School at Clark College, Northwest Ski Club council, Greater Vancouver Chamber, Miss Washington pageant and the American Softball Association. 

Mayor Onslow was honored with the Greater Vancouver Chamber 2022 First Citizen Award, 2011 Parks Foundation Leading Eagle Award, Junior First Citizen Award, 2017 AWC Advocacy All-Star Award for engagement with area legislators and presence in Olympia, named Outstanding Young Men of America, and Outstanding Employer for work done with the Vancouver School District.

Outside of public service, Onslow owned and operated three restaurants and a deli-bakery in Vancouver where he was active in the small business community. He has long worked with local organizations and clubs, as well as coached countless youth in swimming, softball and football. He has been an active member in the Ridgefield community since moving here in 2005, volunteering with the Ridgefield Lions Club and Ridgefield 4th of July Committee. In his free time, he has cherished time with his family, enjoys the outdoors and has traveled the world with his wife, Sandy Schill, both on and off their sailboat. 

“I’m going to miss serving our community in this way, but I know I am leaving Ridgefield in very capable hands,” said Onslow. “When I started on Ridgefield City Council, our population was just under 3,000, now it is above 16,000. We’ve managed to maintain our community traditions and small town feel throughout that growth. I’m proud and grateful to have helped lead that transition. Ridgefield is the best city in the state, maybe in the world, and we’re on track to continue that.” 

“Mayor Onslow has spent countless hours for our community, bringing people together for volunteer projects and City priorities. His positivity, can-do spirit, business knowledge and love for Ridgefield will be missed on the Council,” said Mayor Pro Tem Matt Cole

The remaining council members will select a new mayor and mayor pro tem at their regular meeting on January 9. The process to appoint a qualified person to Onslow’s position on Council will begin after his resignation is effective, January 10, 2025. 

State law provides that City Council shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant position within 90 days. The term for position 1 will expire December 31, 2025. Information about the appointment process and how to apply will be available on the city website, www.RidgefieldWa.us, by January 10, 2025. 

In Ridgefield, citizens elect at-large council members to four-year terms and council members select a mayor and mayor pro tem at the first council meeting of every even numbered year. First, members nominate candidates from among themselves to serve as mayor, then vote. After the selected mayor is announced, the process is repeated for mayor pro tem.

Information provided by the city of Ridgefield.