A Few Minutes with the Mayor – August 2024

WE KICKED OFF JULY with our annual Mayor’s 4th of July Hot Dog Picnic! This event was started in 2017 by former Mayor Paul Becker, as a way to thank the folks in Jacksonville for their continued support of the city. I have continued the tradition for the same reason. It’s another way to directly meet up with all of you, and to safely observe Independence Day with our families. We have been serving this celebration picnic to around 500 people each year and enjoyed a very good turnout this July 4th, despite a heat wave. A few years ago, we enlisted the help of the Jacksonville Boosters Club to help run the event and do they ever turn out and help—my most sincere, heartfelt, thanks go to the club for making this picnic possible.

It’s an election year! Every two years begins a busy season with campaigns for Jacksonville’s elected officials. We are on a two-year revolving cycle that ensures continuity in the City Council, and the work they do. This revolving cycle consists of the mayor and three Councilors running for a four-year term this election cycle. In two years, the remaining three Councilors’ seats will be up for election or re-election. If you have not thrown your hat into the ring, it’s not too late. You have until August 8th at 4pm to turn your paperwork into our City Recorder.

The four-year terms that are up this year are for council seats now held by Councilors Andrea Thompson, Mike McClain, Steve Casaleggio, and my mayoral seat. I’ll give you a brief overview of the process here and you can contact City recorder Angela Watson for full details.

To run for office in the City of Jacksonville, Oregon:

  1. You must have resided in the City of Jacksonville during the twelve months immediately preceding the election.
  2. You must complete and file a Candidate Filing-Major Political Party or Nonpartisan form (SEL 101).
  3. Once our City Recorder has accepted the SEL 101 form, you will be provided with Candidate Signature Sheets/Nonpartisan form (SEL 121) accompanied with the Petition Submission form (SEL 388). Form SEL 121 is a Candidate Nominating Petition you gather signatures on, to be put on the November ballot. The City Recorder must give written approval to the circulation of the petitions. It is recommended the candidate obtain more than the required number of twenty signatures on the petition to ensure a sufficient number of signatures.
  4. The Signature sheets (SEL121) accompanied by the Petition Submission (SEL 338) must be returned to the City Recorder to have the signatures verified by the County Clerks’ office. Applicants should allow ample time for the verification process to be completed by the County before the deadline time of 2pm on August 22, 2024.
  5. To file a Candidate Withdrawal (SEL 1150), it must be filed with the City Recorder no later than 2pm on August 30, 2024. A reason for the withdrawal must be provided on the form.
  6. I will hold an informational gathering on additional Campaign Procedures after the August deadlines, to help you navigate the process.

This may seem like a fair amount of work, but it really is not. Serving the City of Jacksonville is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and perhaps I can persuade some of you to come forward and campaign for an elected office. I look forward to running for the office of Mayor this year and hope to see you alongside me. Jacksonville runs on our volunteers and being a Councilor or Mayor is crucial to maintaining a viable city.

We are in Extreme Fire Danger Season. As I write this column, which is usually almost a month ahead of publication, we are in the midst of a heat wave with temps well over 100. Please continue to maintain fire safety practices. If you don’t have our Citizen Emergency FAQs and Emergency Evacuation Checklist and Map, please stop by City Hall to pick up a copy of each. Our best defense against wildfire in our town is how we diligently practice, and understand, fire safety. Please stay safe and enjoy your summertime activities.