Oakridge mayor says nonrenewal of Cutchen contract would be ‘catastrophic’

In an open letter to the community, Kathy Nichols Holston says it’s ‘time to be courageous’; public forum on city administrator’s continued employment set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday via Zoom

To the Oakridge community,

We are seeing a hopeful and positive attitude emerge in Oakridge, both surrounding the hope to “getting back to normal” from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but also in the energy and momentum the city is feeling.

I see that in the numbers of our community who are involved in volunteering in the various community enhancements that are happening.  I see it in the business owners who are accepting help and learning new ways to survive.

I see it in the Chamber of Commerce that has taken on an active and supportive role with our business community.  I see it in the opportunities that are before us for our Industrial Park that are because of efforts of our community members who run the Collaborative and have vision for our community and what we can do.

I see it in the agencies we are working with who express their pleasure that Oakridge seems to be moving on a solid track after many years of ineffective movement.

I see it in the stability that now exists in our departments.  I see it in the confidence of citizens to approach the city and trust that they will get answers.

But why am I saying all of this and why is this important? And Why now?

Why am I writing this . . .

Our contract with our city administrator requires the city to state its intention to pursue a negotiated renewal, or to not pursue renewal by March 31.

Why is this important…..

It is important because the attitude and energy in a community directly affects the ability to problem solve and in turn development – economic, social, livability development.  When we have a negative energy, an attitude of hopelessness decision making ceases.

It is an attitude of hopelessness and poverty which drains a community.

Why the change now?

I strongly believe it is because of the commitment of our administration and our elected officials to make Oakridge a better place.

Let me share with you what our city administrator wrote in his self-evaluation answering the question, What objectives would you like to see the city council set for you for the coming year?

• Continue taking the city down the road to financial sustainability.
• Continue the focus on capital projects in the water, wastewater, OIP (Oakridge Industrial Park) and streets funds.
• Work with Lane County and surrounding communities to develop a sustainable ambulance transport service.
• Increase code enforcement throughout the city as budget allows.
• Focus on innovating to increase revenue production while continuing to control expenditures.

Great goals.  Goals he asked the city to task him with. Goals that require a courageous approach from council to face honestly and head on the problems we have.  Courageously stay on point and not pretend that these issues are caused by or can be solved by one solution, by one person.

I know we have huge issues in this community.  And while they may be issues shared with other towns across Oregon, they are in our face and it is a frustrating experience to see the trash, the derelict houses, the businesses that are boarded and we expect to see change.

We demand change and wonder why it doesn’t happen.   Is it the fault of the city?  Are we being lazy?

Are we not seeing what everyone sees and how it affects the livability of the community?  Do we have blinders on?

Of course, the answers to that are obvious.  We all live here and we all see what is going on and we all have a responsibility to do what we can to change situations within our power to change.

But here’s the rub.  The city can only do what a city can afford.  Tow that motorhome — $.   Tear down that burned out house — $.  We run on a shoestring.  So here we are   What to do…

We need more money.  We need to encourage business, encourage housing, and encourage positive change.  Exactly what we are doing… and our goal is to increase our income to solve those problems…

And our city administrator has been instrumental in courageously pursuing those changes.  And how does that happen?  One step at a time.

Starting the proceedings to condemn a building knowing that we won’t see the result for at least a year.

Examining our road budget and determining that we can in fact repair a road if we rescale the project.

Plugging the financial leak on our industrial park so we can with cash flow intended for that purpose start the infrastructure that will result in business opportunities.

Again, courage to take on tasks that we may not see concluded immediately is the sign of leadership and understanding that our city deserves the best effort and not the least effort.

We have interns – three to be exact — that are extra hands working on solutions and projects in our community that have made a tremendous difference in the momentum we are seeing.  Why?  Because our CA secured them for us.

We have open lines of communication again with our neighboring fire districts after they refused to work with us because of our last iteration of leadership.  Why? Because our CA opened the door back up and gained their trust again.

We have business owners who are looking to the city for help instead of turning away and putting plans on hold until the “city made a change.”

A city council/CA form of government is based on communication.  We the council, recognized and verbally acknowledged last fall that council was not actively seeking out interaction with the CA – which is their responsibility.

It was implied that as mayor, I was “in the know” and hiding information, when in fact information and involvement in the business of the city resulted from being present, from asking questions and from informing myself.  That is the responsibility of each councilor who was elected.  How else can you represent your community?

Nonrenewal of contract would be catastrophic

The results of nonrenewal of the city administrator’s contract, in my opinion, would be catastrophic.  The forward momentum we are feeling and seeing doesn’t happen easily and that positive forward motion may suffer a blow that would take another two years to recover – if it ever does.

I faced a difficult time when I first became mayor.  Outside of our community, fending off the jokes and snide comments when I attended meetings about Oakridge’s ability to only shoot itself in the foot.  I no longer face those comments, but instead hear compliments about our efforts and our sense of cooperation.

This crossroad is real.  We can choose to be better or we can make that turn off the course of improvement.

We know that we are in a fiscal crisis.  We recently voted down a levy that the council voted to pursue hoping to bring some needed income to stabilize our public safety budget that is unsustainable.  The community rejected that effort, and so we are moving on to other means of obtaining stability.

As we all know, if your budget is too big you have two options – reduce expenses, or increase income — preferably both! The instability is directly coming from our Fire and EMS and these are vital and essential services and expensive.  The challenge – create a structure that is sustainable.

Our city administrator has taken on that task because the citizens mandated it in the election.  Responsive government in action!

Courageously looking at options and not placing yourself in a box that holds a single solution is part of leadership and good decision making.

I see that in our city administrator and I am grateful that we chose to hire him two years ago.

Community urged to reach out, speak up

I strongly urge the community to reach out by email and phone your elected council and attend the Zoom meeting we are having on Wednesday, March 10.  You can attend in person at the WAC where we have a live feed available, or you can dial in by phone, or via Zoom.  You can also submit written comment that will be read at the meeting.

I wear the responsibility you have entrusted to me every day and I want to know that you are aware and are being heard on this very important issue.

Let’s keep our forward momentum at this critical time as we are battling back from the effects of COVID-19 on our economy.  Let’s honor our past of hard-working independence by working as hard toward a future that is based in reality, and that takes every voice into consideration.

It is time to be courageous.

Proud to be Mayor

Kathy Nichols Holston