A Few Minutes with the Mayor – August 2026

THE HOT, DRY DAYS of summer are upon Southern Oregon. As I write this column, we are not experiencing a water shortage, and we are not in imminent danger of a fire devastating Jacksonville. However, thoughts of drought and fire are always on our minds. In my conversations with other Rogue Valley Mayors, we talk about what we are doing to manage water use to mitigate the effects of drought and how to manage our water supplies. Some examples of water management practices might be not allowing car washing at home, or neighborhoods alternating days for watering their landscaping. Pretty simple practices that can really make a difference in emergency water management. If and when we need to manage our water use in Jacksonville, we will let you know.

I always bring up checking through your “bugout bags” this time of year. Each person in your household should have an emergency Go Bag ready. Pack a bag for your pets, too, and determine ahead of time how to control them and keep them safe. There are many sites online that can tell you what to pack in your bags. Consider a three-day evacuation bag and a bag for longer times. Important papers and medications are at the top of the list. Comfortable shoes and clothing to suit the weather are paramount. You know what is most important for you. Check out the safest routes out of town from your neighborhood. If you don’t have copies of the City of Jacksonville Emergency Evacuation Checklist & Map, along with our Citizen Emergency Guide, stop by City Hall for copies. My family laminates a copy to keep in each of our vehicles. A little bit of planning goes a long way in protecting yourself and your family.

At the July 7th City Council meeting, we had the honor of swearing-in new Police Officer Emily Kasalonis and promoting Officer Nick Nelson to the office of Sergeant. We also recognized Officer Cody Fuhrman for his achievement of the DPSST Certified Firearms Instructor position, making him the first in-house officer in the City of Jacksonville to achieve this status. We will have a fully staffed Police Department now, and this is a huge accomplishment. Congratulations to all!

I recently had the pleasure of touring the U.S. Hotel building with Britt Festival Director, Abby McKee. The renovation plans for the building are being formalized, and they are terrific. As a historic town, on the National Historic Register, it is so important that we respect and preserve our historic structures. Britt has risen to this challenge, and I think you will be proud and surprised when you see the building upon its completion. Re-purposing any historic structure involves not only remodeling but historic preservation, meeting ADA requirements, seismic retrofitting, and just plain respect for the building’s past. This type of renovation can be a daunting task but seeing how seriously Britt has taken the job deserves recognition. Britt is a wonderful organization to partner with, and I look forward to their grand-opening sometime in 2028.

I always enjoy sharing the history of Jacksonville with visitors to our town. On June 29th, I had the pleasure of joining Carolyn Kingsnorth of Historic Jacksonville in welcoming a delegation of Rotarians visiting from Peru. They viewed a video on the history of Jacksonville and asked many questions about our unique city and the surrounding area. A tour of City Hall, our upstairs assembly room, and the gallery of historic photos in the main hallway were highlights of the morning. They also enjoyed shopping and dining in Jacksonville. One aspect of their visit pleasantly surprised me. Some of the local Rotarians who accompanied them stated that they learned new history regarding Jacksonville and the Rogue Valley, which they had never heard about. It’s always exciting to have people interested in our area and to share our history with them. It was a warm exchange of cultures and ideas, and I hope to see the Peruvian Rotarians again.

I sincerely hope you are enjoying your summer here in Jacksonville, and that you participate in activities our various local groups and organizations have planned. Pack that “Bugout Bag” now and breathe a little easier!