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Public Comments - Speeches

Mayor's Remarks
February 5, 2002

My mission in New Mexico has ended. I report to my unit in Washington State next week.

The War on Terrorism continues, but I will be able to be in town two to three days a week for the foreseeable future.

I want to be very clear: My new duties will probably require me to miss a few meetings - I cannot avoid some of that because I am still wearing the uniform and serving at the pleasure of the President.

However, I will be much more engaged, home much more often, and hopefully - much more available to fulfill the duties of Mayor.

Council President Presler and I will work hard during this transition to ensure that we get the job done - it is yet another interesting chapter in our new world's history.

Tonight, I am adding two issues to our agenda.

Item sixteen is now a request for action regarding a Charter Review Task Force. I want the senior and junior member of this council, the chair of the budget committee and the planning commission and five citizens-at-large to conduct a thorough, comprehensive review of our charter.

This mix: two councilors, two committee chairpersons, and five citizens-at-large in addition to the staff support necessary for a thorough effort, will provide us with a solid product that we as a council will review, and then pass on to the citizens to vote upon.

Between now and March's full meeting I hope to receive letters of interest and then forward on to you a list of nominees.

Item seventeen is now a request for action regarding continuation of benefits for full-time employees that are called up for active-duty military service.

This is an important issue because we will be leaning on our guard and reservists more than ever before.

Accordingly, I have asked mayors and councilors throughout the Willamette Valley to pass resolutions of support and ensure that the families of our guard and reservists aren't penalized for their spouse's defense of our freedoms.

In our situation there probably isn't an impact because we haven't had any of our full-time employees called up, but I want to send a message regarding our support.

Oregon isn't a good place to be a military dependent because we don't have the infrastructure other states have - there are no major bases here.

Unfortunately, many of our doctors refuse to honor Tri-Care.

We owe it to those that protect us to protect their families - we have already budgeted their health insurance so why should we take it away when they answer the call?

We shouldn't, and tonight I will be asking for a formal motion to make sure it never happens here.

Tonight, I also want to pass on the essence of a letter I received last week.

It is in regard to my visit home last month, to the main purpose of that trip.

Governor Kitzhaber has pledged his support to work at keeping a portion of the Public Safety Academy in Monmouth.

Although we have lost the battle in regard to the so-called, "core facility" we have won a pledge - budget dependent - of Monmouth remaining a regional hub for training.

During my brief time home in January, I spent several days lobbying the Governor's staff, Senate President Derfler, Representatives Shetterly and Carlson, Director Middle, members of the DPSST Board, and other political leaders to try and salvage what I could.

The letter is very clear. Monmouth is a part of the larger core-regional facility vision. Monmouth will remain an important place for professional public safety professionals. The Governor is committed in principle to keeping the connections between Western Oregon University and DPSST.

As long as DPSST is funded at the projected levels for development, we will play a role for sometime to come.

It's been a long fight - while I am saddened at the prospect of watching the core facility be developed somewhere else, I am heartened by the willingness of this governor to recognize the economic impact of the move, and make us a promise.

In conclusion, I want to say thank you to Council President Joe Presler, who kept up my responsibilities while I was in New Mexico.

Over the past several months he has found out the little things about being Mayor that you never learn until you "sit the seat." I know it wasn't easy, but I sincerely appreciate his efforts.