Sonoma’s new mayor is trading his drafting table for the city dais.
According to the Sonoma Index-Tribune, Ron Wellander, a landscape architect who took office in January, is being praised by colleagues for his commitment to listening and long-range planning.
Balancing a 50-hour work week between his professional firm and public office, Wellander is applying his designer’s eye to the city’s future. He is already championing “Vision 2035,” a plan to create a stronger pedestrian connection between the iconic Sonoma Plaza and local trails.
Known for seeking out opposing views to find consensus, the mayor says he is focused on navigating the search for a new City Manager and ensuring Sonoma’s financial stability. Whether he’s debating policy at City Hall, planting trees at a local ball field, or visiting his favorite local ice cream shop, Wellander says his goal is to stay accessible to the people he represents.
