A Few Minutes with the Mayor – April 2025

THE MARCH 4TH Jacksonville City Council meeting was high-spirited. After our regular agenda items, the fun began. I was very pleased to announce the 2024 award recipients for Jacksonville. Mike McClain received the 2024 “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and Belita Palu-ay received the 2024 Jacksonville “Citizen of the Year” award. This presentation would normally occur at the February City Council meeting, but the snow and ice this year caused a delay. There has been a saying about Jacksonville for a long time, “Jacksonville runs on volunteers.” I am proud to be part of a community with the many enthusiastic, capable people who give so much to our city. Both Mike and Belita are familiar and much-loved figures in Jacksonville. On any given day, you stand a good chance of running into either one going about their work as volunteers for the City of Jacksonville. They have a strong sense of community, selflessness, and a can-do attitude. I would like to share a little about them here.

Mike McClain is a native Oregonian, raised in Joseph, Oregon. He is married to 2021 Citizen of The Year, Kandee McClain. After college, Mike taught at Joseph High School and Santiam High School. He taught Social Studies, English, and Drama. Mike also coached basketball, track, cross country and served as Librarian at Joseph High School. While at Santiam High School, Mike was a co-founder of the Santiam Civic Theatre. Mike moved south to Crater High School in 1982 as Division Leader, and then Principal in 1983. In 1993, Mike became Assistant Superintendent for School District #6, moving up to Superintendent from 1994-1999. Mike retired in 1999, and his community involvement escalated. Mike served on the Crater Foundation Board and was a co-founder of the Board. He was a Mill City, Oregon Police Commissioner. Mike became a member of the Central Point Rotary, joining in 1983, and is still a member. He was the Assistant Rotary Governor for two years and acted as a Scholarship Trust Chair. Mike was a member of the Jackson County Committee for Children and Families and served on the Rogue Retreat Board of Directors. He sat on the Rogue Manor Foundation Board and acted as Board Chair. Mike is a valued member of the Jacksonville Boosters Club and has served as President twice. He was also nominated to the Jacksonville Budget Committee, acting as Chair. Mike served over five years on the Jacksonville City Council and was selected as Council President for the last four years he was on council.

Some of the honors Mike has received include:

  • 1985—Honorary Farmer Recognition from Crater FFA chapter.
  • 1992—Recognized by Associated Oregon Industries as Outstanding Oregon Principal.
  • 1998—Central Point Citizen of the Year.
  • 1999—Grand Marshall-Central Point July 4th Parade.
  • 2008—Mill City-Gates School District Hall of Fame for Achievement.
  • 2024—Along with Kandee, Grand Marshal of Jacksonville Victorian Christmas Parade.

Mike enjoys travel, (he and Kandee have taken five trips to Ireland) reading, gardening, running, including two marathons, and volunteer work. I look forward to seeing what Mike and Kandee do with the next chapter of their lives. Congratulations, Mike McClain, our 2024 Lifetime Achievement recipient!

Belita Palu-ay, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and owner of Belita Space, values kindness, creativity and community. Born in Chicago and raised in the Midwest, Belita earned her degree in Studio Art, with a minor in English, from Scripps College in Claremont before establishing herself in the Santa Monica area, where she spent 22 years. During this time, she built a career as a professional commercial sculptor before dedicating herself to raising her twins, Sam and Gen. In 2015, Belita relocated to Oregon, living in Portland and Sisters, discovering Jacksonville in 2020. She purchased and renovated the historic Milo Caton house, transforming it into Belita Space. She opened the spa-inspired short-term rental and workspace for her massage therapy practice in the spring of 2021. As a dedicated massage therapist, Belita values the deep connections she forms with her clients and has set meaningful roots in the community. The move to Southern Oregon joyfully reconnected her with ceramics. She has created custom collections for local establishments like Pennington Farms and Fry Family Farm. Belita is also known for creating bespoke pieces for friends, family and the community. While she has temporarily paused her ceramic practice to focus on her Chamber responsibilities, these partnerships and community connections continue to weave creative spirit throughout her professional and personal life. Passionate about community engagement and support of the arts, she created Third Thursday on Third Street, a monthly summer concert series inspired by her love of live music. These events showcase local musical talent and benefit nonprofits and causes in and around Jacksonville. Belita joined the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce in 2022 and served on the board as Vice President before becoming Executive Director in February 2023. In August 2023, Belita joined the Jacksonville Review, sharing her creative voice as Associate Editor. She managed social media and authored the “Belita’s Space” column. Belita finds joy in exploring the region’s natural beauty, particularly hiking the trails around town, and loves the dogs of Jacksonville with all her heart. Paddleboarding on our beautiful lakes is essential to her and Applegate Lake is her happy place. She is deeply grateful for the meaningful connections, deep friendships and a profound sense of community that makes Jacksonville home sweet home. Belita has been a driving force in building the relationship our city enjoys in partnering with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. I can’t thank her enough for the effort and time she expends on this connection. I admire Belita for the grace and professionalism she shows in every aspect of her life. Congratulations, Belita, on being awarded the 2024 Jacksonville Person of the Year!

As Mayor, I couldn’t fulfill the obligations of my position without the help of all our volunteers, including those who serve on City Council, our various committees and commissions, and everyone who has joined a service organization. They want to maintain the way of life we enjoy in Jacksonville, and they make it better. We are fortunate to have such talented, dedicated individuals living here who volunteer freely with their time. It’s an honor to work with you. You all have my heartfelt thanks!

Featured image: Mayor Donna Bowen presents awards to Belita Palu-ay and Mike McClain. Photos: Angela Watson