From the mayor’s desk: Meadow Martell

Autumn is sneaking into our lives. I now check to see how warm a coat I need before Zadee the dog and I go out for our morning walk. The leaves along the Illinois River have turned colors and the turtles seem to be in hiding already. I am ready for the first cozy fire even though it will create extra work in the morning. Whatever circumstances you live in, autumn is a season that teaches us that change can be beautiful. I put this quote up on my bulletin board to remind me: “Crisp air, golden Leaves, bare trees— Autumn is a symphony of nature’s goodbyes.”
Last Saturday after attending the Community Connections Expo at Lorna Byrne, I stopped by the Annual Harvest Festival. Pumpkin decorating, Bouncy House, artist booths, food, and music. Everyone seemed to be having fun. Thank you, Rick Derringer, owner of Yeti’s Ice Cream & Treats, for sponsoring this fun community event every year.
I also spent some time at the library working with the unpacking crew. It is a big job putting everything back in place, but it is happening with lots of great volunteer help. The Grand Opening of the renovated and expanded Cave Junction Library is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9 from 11a.m. – 1 p.m. Everyone is invited.
Our Public Works Department is working hard to complete the State required annual backflow testing. Backflow testing is a proactive measure that prevents contamination of the clean water supply by verifying that backflow prevention devices are functioning correctly. During backflow testing, our city public works team inspects and tests backflow preventers to gauge their effectiveness. Backflow testing also minimizes the need for costly water treatment processes to remove contaminants.
Crews continue to work cleaning storm ditches throughout town. They have managed to reshape and clean the “Big Ditch” along Jubilee Park as well as the section of “Big Ditch” between Hussey and Kerby Ave. This included having to remove a hazard tree that had grown in the middle of the ditch blocking a large percentage of the flow. A water leak was also discovered and repaired at the skatepark.
This week, October 17-19, Councilor Jean Ann Miles and I are attending the League of Oregon Cities 99th annual conference in Bend, Ore. This is Oregon’s largest gathering of municipal officials from all over the state. Activities include breakout sessions, day-long seminars, workshops, tours, vendor trade shows and plenty of time for networking.