The Madras City Council moved quickly this week to restore its full membership, appointing Christopher Heden and John Anthony "Tony" Chard to fill two seats that had been vacant since a pair of council resignations earlier this summer.
The appointments were made Tuesday, September 1, following a special meeting in which the council interviewed seven applicants. The new members will serve through the end of 2026.
A Competitive Process
Eight residents originally applied for the two temporary positions, with seven ultimately proceeding to interviews. Candidates were listed alphabetically: William Atherton, Tony Chard, Christopher Collier, Christopher Heden, Travis Montgomery, Tanya Murren, and Eric Timmerman. Montgomery is also running for Madras mayor in the November election.
Applications and written responses from all candidates were made available to the public in the meeting packet ahead of the special session — a step city officials said was intended to keep the process transparent.
New Faces on the Dais
Christopher Heden and Tony Chard were selected from the pool of applicants. Neither has previously served on the Madras City Council, meaning the city will benefit from two fresh perspectives at a time when several significant local issues — including land use, municipal services, and economic development — are under active discussion.
With the appointments in place, the council can resume its normal quorum and decision-making capacity heading into the fall legislative calendar. The next regularly scheduled council meeting is expected to include budget reviews and updates on ongoing city projects.
What Comes Next
Both Heden and Chard will serve only through December 31, 2026. Any residents interested in longer-term council service are encouraged to file for the November election or watch for future appointment opportunities.
The City of Madras holds regular council meetings at Madras City Hall. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at madras.gov.