From the mayor’s desk: Meadow Martell

Yesterday I took a big step outside of my comfort zone. I went to the horse races! My neighbor pointed out that it was Ladies Hat Day and ladies wearing a hat (not a ballcap) got in free. It was hard to say no to a freebie like that! The Grants Pass Downs has been hosting pari-mutuel racing since 1968. I am such a “newbie” that I had to look up pari-mutuel: a form of betting in which those backing the first three places divide the losers’ stakes (less the operator’s commission). Still doesn’t mean much to me. We never got around to placing a bet. I was mostly enthralled and entertained by the new sights and sounds. There were a lot of women dressed in great hats and costumes who were kind and patient with the questions of an inexperienced newcomer. There was an exhilarating freedom in not having any expectations, but it was also disorienting to step into a new and unknown situation.
Running for Mayor six years ago was a big step outside of my comfort zone. I have learned a lot about what it takes to keep a city running, even a small one like Cave Junction. What I have come to appreciate the most about CJ is the quality of the staff in front dealing with customers and concerns and the staff in the back keeping everything, like our roads, sewers, water, and parks, running smoothly. I am proud of our small city. I have seen a lot of growth and improvement over the years. The city was a major factor in getting the new library expansion. Jubilee Park and Main Street have seen significant improvements. I don’t hear the same disparaging remarks about our town as when I first started. We have a lot to be proud of and we still have problems that challenge us. You can help by being a good citizen who cares about their community. Support our staff and street workers. Do your homework before you vote. A good community is a place that promotes healthy and happy people and a sense of community wellbeing. A more livable city is not just a great place to live, it is more resilient as well. It’s not just about City Hall. It is also about “you”, the people who care about the place they live and the people who live there. We all have a job to do.