Welcome to 2023! This New Year came rushing in on the winds of a major winter storm. It took several days for our street crew to clean up the mess and the downed trees. As of early last week, there were still about 10 trees down in Jubilee Park.
I am looking forward to a productive 2023 for our city and community. The Rockydale Well Restoration project is going out to bid and work is expected to start this year. Some projects such as the new location for the Bulk Water Station and the Spray Pad in Jubilee Park were sidelined in 2022 because of significant cost raises. The Bulk Water Station project has been reworked and will be starting this year. Based on the agreement the county made with the city, we anticipated that the cost increases for the Jubilee Park splash pad would come one month after the sale of the county owned Syrah Circle property. Unfortunately, the city is still waiting to see any money. The Junction Inn property is slowly moving through the legal process. We are waiting for an asbestos assessment before we can determine a sale price.
The Cave Junction Library expansion is moving forward. Contracts have been signed and work has begun. I am anticipating we will see actual physical changes beginning this summer. Yay!
Mainstreet Cave Junction is working with our Public Works Director to discuss ideas for new downtown street lighting and banners. MSCJ is also reviewing other possible downtown improvement projects for 2023. What do you think about more murals in our downtown? If you have some ideas or would like to volunteer call me, I will put you in touch with Amy Lusson, the MSCJ president.
I would welcome help as soon as possible for the “If I Were Mayor” contest in our elementary, middle and high schools. If you are interested, please give me a call at 541-287-0044 and we can set up a meeting.
As we look forward to a productive new year with many partners who value a city that that is thriving, lively, and meets the needs of its residents, this is a quote from Mark Twain that says it all: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” And this is a quote from Alfred Lord Tennyson that speaks closely to my wishes for the new year of 2023: “Ring out the false, ring in the true.”