This week, Salem welcomed a new chapter in its leadership as Julie Hoy was officially sworn in as the city’s mayor. The ceremony, held Monday evening at City Hall, marked the beginning of a new term not only for Hoy but also for several incoming city councilors: Vanessa Nordyke, Shane Matthews, Paul Tigan, and Dr. Irwin Brown, who made history as the first African American man to serve on the Salem City Council.
Photo Credit: City of Salem
City Councilor for Ward 3
City Councilor for Ward 5
City Councilor for Ward 1
City Councilor for Ward 7
Photo Credits: City of Salem
Earlier in the day, Hoy addressed the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at their Forum Lunch, sharing her thoughts on her transition into the mayoral role, the city’s challenges, and her vision for a united and collaborative future.
“I’m not mayor yet,” Hoy joked during her remarks. “How many hours?” she added with a smile, clearly excited about the evening ahead. But while the ceremony may have been a formality, Hoy’s dedication to the city has been evident in her eight months of preparation for the role—months spent balancing her work as a councilor, her family, and her business while actively engaging with Salem’s community and leadership.
A Transition Built on Collaboration
When asked how she’s prepared for her new responsibilities, Hoy reflected on her busy months of learning and planning. “I’ve been at a lot of meetings. I’m making good on the promise to work together with the county and united, we can work with the state,” she said. Hoy shared her excitement about an upcoming meeting that will bring together the Board of Commissioners, city councilors, and city leaders to align their efforts. “We’re going to discuss what we’re doing and how we can do it together to get on the same page. I’m so looking forward to that.”
Hoy also took time during her address to recognize two of Salem’s newest city councilors, Shane Matthews and Dr. Irwin Brown, who were present at the event. “These are my two new favorite little brothers, who I’m super excited to work with,” she said. She commended their dedication to Salem, adding, “Both have already invested so much time in what’s happening here in Salem and are leading in very special ways from their own ward, but for the good of all.”
Reflecting on the upcoming year, Hoy expressed gratitude for the team voters have brought into office. “I don’t think that there could be a better team for a time such as this than what the voters have brought into council chambers at this time,” she said.
Addressing Urgent Needs
Hoy’s personal experiences and values play a central role in her vision for Salem. “Giving a voice to those who feel unheard—having been one—I can’t wait. I’m all ears. I want to hear what it is you need,” she said. Hoy’s commitment to addressing the city’s most pressing challenges, including homelessness and livability, was evident throughout her remarks.
During the transition, Hoy participated in two ride-alongs—one with Salem PD on Christmas Eve and one with Salem Fire on New Year’s Eve. She shared a vivid story about responding to a fire in a homeless camp near the freeway in the middle of the night. The firefighters had to string 500 feet of hose, cut through a cyclone fence, and navigate a muddy hillside to rescue a woman with third-degree burns.
“This expense for a woman who didn’t deserve to have that happen to her, but she also didn’t deserve to be living the way that she’s living,” Hoy said, highlighting the dire conditions faced by Salem’s unhoused population.
Hoy tied this story to broader livability issues affecting the community. “If I’m a renter in that apartment, I deserve to feel as though I am safe,” she said, noting the proximity of the fire to nearby apartments and the potential danger posed by overgrown foliage in the summer. “When behaviors are being perpetuated that don’t make [residents] feel safe, we as a governing body are not doing our job.”
Building a Network of Support
As she steps into her new role, Hoy emphasized the importance of collaboration, both within Salem’s government and with the broader community. “There are so many smart people in this town, and you all can count yourselves among them. We need to be collaborators in figuring out the problems,” she said. Hoy credited the support she’s received from city staff and community members, saying, “City staff has risen up next to me, and I feel it. I do believe that we’re going to accomplish many great things.”
Hoy’s leadership philosophy is grounded in gratitude and teamwork. “You gotta know your team, right? Like, who do I call?” she said, sharing how she leans on others for prayer, advice, and expertise. She acknowledged her assistant, Lynda Rose, for her wisdom and guidance as Hoy navigates her new responsibilities.
Looking to the Future
With the challenges ahead, Hoy remains optimistic and ready to lead. “I think the best thing I can bring is lived experience,” she said, noting how her personal journey gives her a unique perspective on Salem’s most urgent needs. She is also eager to continue learning from other leaders, having attended the Bloomberg Harvard New Mayors Conference last fall and preparing for the National Mayors Conference in Washington, DC.
“I’m looking forward to learning a lot,” Hoy said of her upcoming trip. “It’s a lot of responsibility, and I accept it.”
As she concluded her remarks at the Forum Lunch, Hoy shared a hopeful message for Salem’s future. “I say, let the healing begin,” she said.
Hoy’s passion for service and dedication to the community mark a new era of leadership for Salem. With a focus on collaboration, inclusivity, and addressing the city’s most pressing issues, she is poised to work hand-in-hand with the city council and community to make Salem a better place to live, work, and thrive.
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