·      In the Crazy Tourist, Boundless Roads, and Trip Savvy lists of Best Small Towns to Visit in Oregon

·      As one of the 13 Most Underrated Cities in the World by Architectural Digest

·      In Livability’s Top 100 Places to live in the U.S. twice in the last six years.

And the list goes on.

These awards are not by accident. They come from decades of forward-thinking investments in community infrastructure and programs by the City of Ashland, coupled with innovation in the arts and businesses. We have built a world class park system and are a thought leader in community wildfire risk reduction. We are aggressively tackling climate change, and are careful to protect the environment as we work to strengthen and diversify our local economy.

We face real challenges that are a direct result of our success. Attractive communities inspire people to move to them. As a result, affordability is a real concern here in Ashland, as it is in other successful communities, and we are addressing it in ways that protect what makes Ashland special and align with our progressive values.

And we face external challenges from the climate crisis, which is accelerating our risk of wildfire, extreme heat, flooding, and landslides. Our rapidly changing climate is having an effect on each of us, our families, our businesses, and our quality of life. It is also impacting our forests and streams. Local government has a critical role to play. We are working hard to do our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience.

I am proud of the accomplishments our vibrant city has made, including:

• advancing the development of affordable and workforce housing

• helping Ashlanders reduce wildfire risk while protecting our watershed

• installing solar panels at the civic center and bringing climate change front and center in council decisions

• making smart investments to protect our drinking water and improve our streets

• supporting local businesses with beautification grants 

• expanding childcare and early learning opportunities with local partners

• launching a new website and making it easier to engage with the City

• advancing social equity and racial justice through city policies and public art

• helping our unhoused neighbors move to a place of hope and stability

There is still much good work to be done as local organizations, businesses, and the City of Ashland continue to reinvent themselves in this time of rapid change.

Resilience is the key to our future and finding solutions requires us to focus and build on the best of our Ashland community. Working together, we will continue to develop housing, climate, wildfire, and economic solutions to keep Ashland an incredible place to grow up, raise a family, work, and retire. 

I’m proud of the work I’ve done over the past six years on the City Council and would be honored to continue to serve as your mayor.