It is Nov. 3 and campaign 2004 is drawing to a close. I am hearing a great sigh of relief from all candidates, campaign committees, staff members and citizens alike! This has been a trying time for all involved and I am saddened to see the toll it has taken on our friends, our neighbors and our leaders.

This community is very lucky to have quality folks who are willing to step up to the plate, voice their opinions and run for public office. My hat is off to all of them. I’ve never had much patience for complainers or people who hide under a sheet of anonymity. If you have concerns, step up, be recognized and come be a part of the process. There are some folks who come prepared for a barn raising and some who complain on the sidelines that they forgot their hammer.

In my 20 years of observation, local politics has never been easy. I recently came across a speech I wrote when I was elected to the City Council in January 1992. It says, in part: “Let’s have a little forgiving, peace and harmony. Let’s concern ourselves less with whom you voted for in the last election and more for supporting all the representatives that you have before you. Let’s be concerned less about whom you live next to and concentrate more on unity and issues that face all of us as a community. Let’s don’t assume that any one group is always right, or always wrong … It is difficult to have your intentions and integrity questioned, on both sides, especially when you truly feel you are doing the right thing and trying to make good decisions. I would ask for a little forgiving and a lot of patience. Let’s be concerned less with what our differences are, but more with what our similarities are. I personally think they are many.”

I strongly encourage you all to come together again as a community and support all the elected officials you will choose tomorrow. They need and deserve your patience and empathy. No matter who you choose, rally together and stand tall. When your new mayor takes office in January, stop by and say hello, I’m sure he’ll enjoy talking with you about the many challenges and opportunities ahead.

I am both sad and relieved to see my eight-year term draw to a close. It is indeed bittersweet.

I am very proud of the accomplishments we have made together. I am also very proud of the strong sense of community clearly demonstrated by our citizens and staff. This year alone we have fought many battles. The favorable approval of the Metropolitan Parks District that places ownership of the Si View Park and Community Center in the hands of our local community is gratifying. Next the community rallied together and stood tall to take an aggressive stand against one of the biggest issues ever facing us and won the fight to stop DSHS from letting violent, incurable sex offenders live in our community. Numerous citizens and volunteers have been outstanding in the willingness to participate and make a difference. We finally got DOE to support our ideas and the state Legislature to correct some discrepancies and have made great strides toward solving our water rights crisis. With the recent $500,000 award and continued hard work, lifting the moratorium and water rights resolution is just around the corner.

From the creation of plans and policies to resolving unexpected challenges that impact our way of life, the element of teamwork is ever present and provides a strong sense of connection to our community. We said what we would do, and we did what we said. We played by the rules. We were polite and respectful even when we disagreed. In the face of many challenges we worked together, we worked very hard and we had fun. I thank you for your support and friendship.

The 2004 budget theme is “Teamwork – Together we achieve the extraordinary, Together we can move mountains.” It is my sincere hope that the city of North Bend continues to work together as a team and pulls together to support your new mayor and council to achieve the extraordinary and to keep on moving mountains.