Susan Wahlke

Susan is a 30-year resident of north Lincoln County.  Born in Tacoma, Washington and having moved to Oregon in the 5^th grade, she considers herself a native Pacific Northwesterner.  Aftergraduating from Oregon City High School, she started college in Ashland, then transferred to the University of Oregon, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. 

Immediately after graduation she flew to Stuttgart, Germany where she substitute taught in Department of Defense Schools.  After three years in Europe, she was able to drive cross-country from New Jersey to Oregon, settling again in Eugene.  After working in day care centers for a few years, she moved to Portland and began her 30-year career as a legal secretary.  Moving to the Lincoln City area in 1992 with her 2 year-old and 7 year-old daughters, they grew up here and graduated from Taft High.  She now has four grandchildren who she spends as much time with as possible. 

Soon after arriving in Lincoln County she was hired by the City of Lincoln City and worked in the City Attorney’s office and also for the Chief of Police.  After leaving City employment, she worked for attorneys in Lincoln City until her retirement a few years ago.  Part-time jobs included teaching at Samaritan Early Learning Center and delivering newspapers for The News Guard.  She also served as the first downtown manager for the Bay Area Merchants Association (the south end of Lincoln City), aka BAMA.

While employed with the City she started filming City Council and Planning Commission meetings, which she continued doing for 15 years.  She also became involved with the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce, and was elected to the Chamber board of directors.  Wanting to become more involved, she was appointed to the City budget committee, and in 2014 was elected to City Council.  After serving four years asa City Councilor, she ran for Mayor and lost by a few votes.  When the position became vacant, she was happy to run again and was elected as Mayor in May of 2021, to fill the unexpired term that ends in December of 2022. She was re-elected in November of 2022 to serve an additional four years.

Susan is involved with several local non-profits:

Secretary of Kiwanis Club of Lincoln City

• President of the Lincoln City branch of Oregon AAUW,
• Board Member of Business for Excellence in Youth (with the Stuff-a-Bus and Backpacks for Kids programs)
• President of BAMA, and board member of Lincoln County Foundation.

Married to a musician, they attend as many live music events as possible.