RIDGEFIELD, WA – After 12 years of public service on Ridgefield City Council including four years as Mayor, Don Stose is resigning his position effective January 31, 2022. Don plans to spend more time with his family and traveling with his wife, Sherry Stose. “During my 30 years working for Toyota, I was often on the road while Sherry Stose was at home raising our children. It is time for me to be available to travel with her.”
Don was born and raised in Spokane, WA where he attended a local community college but remains an avid Gonzaga fan. Don and Sherry, his wife of 48 years, have two adult children and two grandchildren. Don and Sherry moved to Ridgefield in 2005 and Don was elected to City Council in 2008. As an active Councilmember, Don has worked hard to manage the growth of the City to provide quality neighborhoods and unique businesses, protect our natural resources, and create a community where residents can live, work, play and learn.
While Don served as Mayor for the last four years, he worked to develop and strengthen partnerships with CTRAN to provide better service for Ridgefield, state legislators and our federal delegation to help Council fulfill priorities like additional park space and a new Outdoor Recreation Center, Friends of the Ridgefield Library to develop a remodeled and expanded library and community non-profit organizations to create a more vibrant and prosperous city. He also enjoyed welcoming new businesses like Rosauers and Vancouver Clinic that have made our lives better and brought additional jobs and services that our residents need and want.
Don actively demonstrates his passion for the residents of Ridgefield with his giving spirit; he is quick to volunteer for any community project. Don dedicates many hours to support the Ridgefield School District, Citizens for Ridgefield Schools and the Ridgefield Lion’s Club, a volunteer organization committed to conducting service projects and raising funds for those in need. He is also the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Pink Lemonade Project, an organization that works to “educate, empower and support women through their breast cancer journey.”
Don believes that “the future of Ridgefield is bright and becomes brighter every day, thanks to the City Council, staff, partners and residents. I am confident that the current City Council has the ability to effectively plan and manage growth of the City so that Ridgefield is recognized for its livability, natural environment and innovative local economy.” Don’s enthusiasm, service to the City of Ridgefield and sparkly-eyed smile will be missed.
With a vacancy, the Council will begin a process to appoint a qualified replacement beginning after Don’s resignation is effective in February 2022. Washington law will require the appointee to run for election in 2023.
Leave a Reply