A Few Minutes with the Mayor – March 2024

JANUARY 14, 2024, brought a well-received event to Jacksonville, in the form of Chamber Music when Jacksonville Oregon Friends of Classical Music presented  the first of three world-class winter chamber music performances scheduled this year. It was former Mayor Paul Becker’s dream to bring musical performances to Jacksonville and this was worth the wait. Thank you Paul, for envisioning what this historic building is capable of. The sound filled the room as beautifully as we imagined it would, and the remaining scheduled performances are sold out. I would especially like to thank Jacksonville resident, Marshall Thompson, for not only developing this concept for Chamber Music, but for forming the appropriate Tax-Exempt Nonprofit 501(c)3 Organization necessary to fund these performances. Marshall’s love of music, and his organization, is apparent in the details needed to make these musical performances so outstanding. Further inquiries regarding performances should be directed to Jacksonville Oregon Friends of Classical Music at www.jorfcm.org. For me personally, living in a historic city, a dream has been realized by the constant use of the historic building that houses our city offices; assembly meeting chambers for city council; our committees and commissions; and the ability to host non-profit groups associated with Jacksonville. This is a perfect example of how a town listed on the National Historic Register recognizes and utilizes its historic structures.

At our February City Council meeting I had the pleasure of presenting awards to two deserving citizens. These two citizens epitomize the ethics and efforts needed in furthering the ideals, and necessary volunteer time, required to keep Jacksonville running at the level we have come to expect. Sue Miler is our 2023 Citizen of the Year and Bob Budesa is the recipient of our 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sue Miler is being recognized for her work in developing our Jacksonville Community Center (JCC). Sue is a retired nonprofit executive with more than 25 years of experience with local organizations in Minneapolis, Minnesota and with large national programs through the AARP Foundation in Washington, DC. Sue recently completed a fund drive that raised more than $750,000 for JCC’s capital campaign. Sue and her husband, Dave Doi, moved to Jacksonville in 2009 and have been active in various community activities since then. Sue is a member of both the Jacksonville Boosters and the Jacksonville Garden Club. Her first task for the JCC was to be a grant writer for JCC’s Campaign project. She was instrumental in securing funds for the remodel of the Community Center Cottage and the addition on  the new building. She continues to be active with the Community Center organization and currently serves as Board President. Sue has contributed hours of her expertise and time to further the development and success of the Jacksonville Community Center. We are proud to congratulate Sue as Jacksonville’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Bob Budesa, our 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, has served Jacksonville in a number of roles. Bob is a longtime mainstay of Jacksonville’s CERT (Citizen’s Emergency Response Team) and was our CERT Team Leader for several years. He also has spent years on the Jacksonville Woodlands Association Board. One of the projects Bob helped develop was a new call-out procedure for the CERT, in partnership with the ESCO (911 Call Center). This procedure streamlined the old phone tree method that was in place. Bob also set up the training for the team and coordinated that with our Fire Department. He maintains the CERT vehicle and makes sure it has the proper response-ready equipment. Bob is at the core of maintaining the trail system in Beekman Woods, the Britt trail system, and other trails.  This involves cutting up downed trees that cross over trails, as well as erosion issues that cause trails to wash out. Bob was the initial person to start the revitalization of the Beekman Arboretum. He is a key player in the three-year fuel reduction program for the Jacksonville Woodlands and Forest Park. Bob quietly goes about facilitating details of maintenance projects in the Woodlands, such as removing trees that have fallen or sawing down trees that are hazardous. In Forest Park, Bob and his cohort Clayton Gillette, hike many miles to cut and flag the areas that are to be thinned by contractors. He also follows up on projects in the park to ensure the contractors are completing the work per our specifications. In addition, he is the city expert on what can be safely sprayed on noxious weeds and plants.  Bob brought his previous work experience and knowledge base from his time with the BLM, to eradicate invasive weeds such as Puncture Vine, in Jacksonville. The most practical way to kill the seeds of these weeds is by burning them and it’s not unusual to see Bob with a propane weed torch along the side of a roadway. You can see why Bob is deserving of receiving our 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Thank you, Bob and Sue, for your many years of volunteer service to the City of Jacksonville.

Until April, Happy Spring to you all.

From Bob Budesa—Dear Mayor Bowen, I want to thank you, and whoever else had a hand in this Lifetime Achievement Award, for the presentation at the City Council meeting on February 6. Being a volunteer in Jacksonville is easy, and I’ve always felt strongly about ‘giving back, and making a difference’ for the opportunity to live here. The quality, personality, and character of a city are primarily a result of the great people who live and work here, and the council of caring individuals you spearhead. Your exemplary and compassionate leadership skills are greatly appreciated. Thank you. Bob Budesa

Featured image: Bob Budesa, Mayor Donna Bowen and Sue Miler. Photo by David Doi.