I’m wishing you and the City a great 2010.  In this article I will be addressing my overall perspective on city government in order for others to understand where I am coming from as your Mayor.

Our city government is a representative form of government. We elect six city councilors and a mayor (that comprise the Damascus City Council) to make decisions for the residents of Damascus. We expect the Council to spend the time and energy to study issues, get the facts and make decisions that are in the best interest of the City as a whole while taking into consideration the interests of all individual citizens. I for one do not have time to be an expert in fire, water, county and a host of other services provided by governmental entities. I vote for the candidate who I think will spend the time to make informed decisions. There are short-term and long-term decisions to be made. Short-term decisions need to take into consideration the effects on the long-term. 

In making these decisions the Council must provide opportunities for citizen input on each and every decision. All city meetings are open to the public and provide citizens the opportunity to speak directly to their decision makers.  Oregon Budget Law is founded around citizen participation. The Budget Committee includes the City Council and seven other Damascus citizens. These meetings also provide opportunity for citizens to provide input into the budget. When a citizen or group of citizens insists on a decision to go a certain way, the Council must consider their input along with all of the other input received. It is challenging and, as a matter of fact, impossible to make decisions that will make all citizens happy all the time. 

Over the past three plus years the Council has spent many hours gathering input from the citizens of Damascus at meetings, coffee klatches, summer socials, open houses and direct citizen input on planning our city. Citizen input guided the Council in establishing the Guidance for a New City document that contains the City’s Core Values and Vision. Current decisions must take into consideration citizen input today and citizen input over the past three years. While the input that we are currently receiving is important, we must not lose sight of the full process of citizen input.

I encourage everyone in Damascus to fully study issues that will come before you prior to voting. Get the facts and look at the long-term impact.  Decisions made without the facts, without considering the full consequences, will often have unintended consequences that are contrary to the decision’s purpose. I am encouraged with the progress we are now making on the Comprehensive Plan. Together let’s construct a form of city government that is responsive and efficient.