09/2017 Mayor's Corner SEPTEMBER 2017
Message from the Mayor
Doing Good for the People We Serve
No one I know works in local government because they want to fee/ good; we work in local
government because we want to do good for the people we serve every day. Often these
are the same people we see at school functions, out along our trails, in restaurants or coffee
shops, when we are getting groceries, at our kids' activities ... but not always.
We also serve people who live here that we don't necessarily see every day—people who
are homebound by illness or injury; people who are homeless or at risk of becoming so;
people with language or cultural differences that may prevent them from fully participating;
people who are working two or three jobs to make enough money to feed their families and
pay the rent and don't have the time, energy or resources to do anything more.
We, your elected representatives and city staff, do our best to serve the people of Tigard by
providing opportunities for more and better interactions between all members of our
community—with the belief that, by doing so, people can be more involved, be happy, be
more willing to help someone when there is a need and be inspired to keep our city a
positive, pleasant place to live.
That is the difference between providing what is necessary for survival (clean, safe drinking
water; a responsive police force; a sanitary sewer system to protect water quality and
public health) and providing what is necessary for a society (educational opportunities;
building standards and safety codes; recreational and cultural pursuits). Survival is about
existing; society is about bringing people together and helping them grow by blending the
ideals of liberty, equality and solidarity with a necessary concern for the environment and
the legacy we leave to future generations.
Throughout the summer we have been presenting information and hosting discussions
about Tigard's budget situation because we want to know what matters most to you and
what you want us to bear in mind as we consider different options for funding our future.
I appreciate that so many of you are making the decision to participate, asking the hard
questions and letting us know what you really think. Is it always pleasant to hear? No. Is it
always necessary for us to invite and listen to these comments? Most certainly, so please do
not stop. Let your elected officials know how you feel by attending and speaking up council
meetings, getting involved in committees, sending emails, etc. Thoughtful, polite discourse
and sharing ideas for solutions are powerful change agents.
You can certainly let me know what's on your mind by coming to my next Fireside Chat,
which will be at Symposium Coffee (12345 Main St.) on Sept. 7, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
My September quote of the month is by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew: "The
budget is not just a collection of numbers, but an expression of our values and aspirations."