A Few Minutes with the Mayor – September 2026

THIS HAS BEEN another hot and dry summer that we are ready to let go of. I’m happy to see September and look forward to cooler fall weather. As we start the countdown to the end of fire season, I am grateful to have passed another summer without having to evacuate our city. This time of the year is always stressful as we continually check the weather and news for updates on conditions that may affect us. We dread wind, extreme heat, and thunder & lightning. We fear someone throwing a cigarette out a car window, or someone who leaves combustible materials around. We check our bugout bags. Just in case we have to leave in a hurry, we don’t let the gas tanks in our vehicles drop below half full. Hopefully we continue to be watchful and don’t have to take any drastic measures to leave our homes.

We are in a much better position than we were a few short years ago. We now have close to 40 Firewise neighborhoods in Jacksonville, new fire engines, an Emergency Evacuation Checklist & Map, and our Citizen’s Emergency Guide. We are currently reviewing both publications and updating the information and the QR code in them. We will inform everyone when the new guides are ready. In celebration of all the hard work everyone has put in to reach this point, I think a big pat on the back for our citizens’ involvement committee, and the dedication of our city staff and City Council, is well deserved. We also partner with other local agencies during emergencies. Our Jacksonville Fire Department lent a helping hand to the efforts to contain the East Evans Creek Fires we have all been following. The Jacksonville Fire Department supported the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office for six days, in various areas where we were needed. Here’s hoping we finish out the summer without more fire-related incidents!

2026 is an election year for three City Council positions. In 2028, the positions of the other three Council members and the office of Mayor will be on your ballot. Jacksonville alternates voting on City Council positions every two years. The seats currently held by Ken Gregg, Andrew Hellenthal, and Talon Reed are up for re-election this year. Councilors Reed and Hellenthal are running for re-election. Councilor Ken Gregg has stated that he will not run for re-election. Ken will continue to work on opening our new museum and to support the city in other ways. June 3, 2026 was the first day to file for candidacy. The deadline for incumbent forms and petitions is August 11, 2026. The filing deadline for non-incumbents is August 18, 2026. The deadline for inclusion in the state Voters’ pamphlet is August 25, 2026, and the candidacy withdrawal deadline is August 28, 2026. Running for elected office in Jacksonville is truly an important decision to consider if you have the skills and time to serve your community. The positions of Mayor and City Councilor are unpaid; however, they are extremely rewarding and educational. Check the Jacksonville City webpage at www.jacksonvilleor.us for further details, or contact City Recorder Angela Watson at recorder@jacksonvilleor.us or 541-899-1231, for more information. If you decide to run for City Council, please schedule an appointment with me to discuss the expectations of a City Councilor. I will explain, in depth, the duties required of a Councilor and all the position entails. I know personally how worthwhile and rewarding serving your community is, and what I have gained as an individual. Challenge yourself; you may be surprised by the opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment you find serving as a Councilor for your city!

You may have noticed Police Chief Hannum’s Facebook publications of weekly police activity reports. Our Police Department is actively curbing speeding and other violations. We continue to upgrade our police equipment, including vehicles and gear. The retrofit of our PD building is ongoing, with ADA, seismic, and other modernizations, bringing our department up to code. Thank you, Chief and our officers!

Enjoy the end of summer; it’s time to relax with our families and friends. Jacksonville is a great place to live and play, and I hope you love living here as much as I do!