Message from the Mayor
Hello and happy summer. As I write this, the Wyeth Fire has just flared up and then receded, and the extent of the recovery journey for the Rowena Fire is starting to come into focus. I’m so grateful for the excellent work and leadership that enable a quick and effective response to these natural yet terrifying disasters. Thanks to everybody for complying with the fireworks ban.
Our city and community face other existential challenges as well. I often ponder what might happen if we experienced a repeat of the Mosier train derailment conflagration; or if a larger barge or crane were to hit the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge; or the likely but unknown Cascadia mega-quake strikes with full force; or if our drone aircraft industry were to relocate out of the Gorge; or a repeat of the pandemic that upended our local economy just a few years ago.
It is wise to be well-prepared as a city, but some external factors could overwhelm even our best efforts. I am pleased to work with wonderful colleagues as we strive to spend an appropriate portion of our time preparing for these large concerns while budgeting time and resources appropriately for the more mundane operations of water, sewer, roads, public safety, parks, and planning.
To paraphrase Mark Twain, “My life has been full of catastrophes, most of which never happened.” Let’s strive to be prepared while enjoying the summer – and life – as it unfolds.
Onward! Adelante! Mayor Paul
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