Bill Cole Mayor at City of Billings | Facebook Website
Bill Cole Mayor at City of Billings | Facebook Website
Billings Mayor Bill Cole has put forward TJ Rogers as his recommendation to fill the Ward III council vacancy. The City Council is set to vote on this appointment during their regular meeting scheduled for Monday, January 27.
If a majority approves Rogers' appointment, she will be sworn in before the February 6 deadline. Rogers currently serves as the operations and house manager for Love & SONshine Ministries, a non-profit that assists homeless, pregnant young women and mothers in Billings. Her background also includes work as a freelance journalist and telecommunications manager, along with volunteering with the Billings Young Marines. In 2012, she led efforts to pass an ordinance allowing residents of Billings to raise hens.
Rogers was one of 13 candidates who applied for the council seat. All candidates participated in a public meet-and-greet event at the library on January 16 where they introduced themselves and discussed their motivations for wanting to join the Billings City Council.
Mayor Cole acknowledged the strong qualifications and dedication of all applicants. “Ward 3 is fortunate to have so many capable people who want to serve their community. I hope they will stay involved and look for other opportunities to serve,” he stated.
The council seat became vacant when Denise Joy was appointed by the Yellowstone County Commissioners to serve in the Montana State House of Representatives earlier this month. Joy had been elected to the council in 2017 and had one year remaining in her second term.
“Our community appreciates Councilmember Joy’s seven years of dedicated service to the city and residents of Ward III. Councilmember Joy was a staunch supporter of public safety, our first responders, and underprivileged members of our community,” said Mayor Cole.
If appointed, Rogers will complete the remaining 11 months of Joy’s four-year term through December 2025. Residents of Ward III will vote for their next representative either in November 2025 or September if there is a primary election.
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