New Year – New Elected Officials
As we near the end of the first month of this new year, I’d like to first say thank you and goodbye to 2018 and give a big hello to Commissioner Colm Willis who was sworn in on January 7.
Looking back at 2018, I realize that there are many things I am thankful for:
My third grandson was born in October. I cherish the time I spend with my grandsons – KC, Eli, and Nico – and have found being a grandparent a wonderful season of life.
Personal fitness has always been a struggle for me, but this year I achieved a new maximum heart rate and obtained gold status on my health tracking app.
I had a great tour of the Detroit and Big Cliff Dams with Emergency Manager Ed Flick. We learned a lot about both facilities which are a big part of water resources for the Mid-Willamette Valley. If you visit my office, you will find a tin can of crackers from 1962 that had been placed in one of the fallout shelters.
Employee ride alongs – I have enjoyed learning more about what employees do day-to-day and how that work impacts Marion County’s residents.
Looking forward, what will 2019 bring to Marion County? What are your predictions? What would you like to accomplish?
Here are some of my thoughts:
I plan to continue focusing on an outward mindset, understanding others, and what is important to each individual.
I am working to form a broad community coalition to focus on the need for more housing units. Oregon fell 155,000 units behind over a 15-year period. Marion County has a role to play in finding ways to improve the number of housing units being constructed at all levels.
More ride alongs! Last year, I spent time with Public Works on a snow plow, with a paving crew, and spent a day with Juvenile probation officer. I’m already planning a visit to Dog Services. Let me know your ideas for department ride alongs.
I look forward to serving our more than 1,700 employees and doing my best to make sure they have what they need to provide services to Marion County’s more than 340,000 residents who rely on us every day.
I look forward to working with you in making Marion County a great place to live, work, and play! We can only do this if we have good communication, so please feel free to let me know your ideas and what you would like to read about on this blog.
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Marion County Elected Officials January 7, 2019
