BeavertonOregon.gov/Mayor
Mayoral Report—2005
Be The Person Your Dog Thinks You Are…!
Recently, SOLV’s (Stop Oregon Litter & Vandalism) Executive Director Jack McGowan spoke to volunteers at the City of Beaverton’s annual Board’s & Commissions dinner. SOLV was founded by former Oregon Governor Tom McCall in 1969. Jack inspired those attending by thanking them for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the City and shared stories about SOLV’s recent successes to promote volunteerism and improve the quality of life in our state. Along with his wife, Jan, the two McGowans rescued a sagging SOLV and really pumped life back into the organization that touches literally all corners of Oregon. Their efforts today go well beyond just cleaning up litter.
In my years of service to Beaverton citizens, beginning with the Planning Commission in 1981, I’ve always really enjoyed helping preserve what is good about Beaverton and working to improve our community. Along the way, I’ve met and worked with many fine folks who’ve given their time and shared expertise in many areas. As a community, we’ve been blessed by the strong volunteerism and contributions of thousands to civic endeavors, schools, service clubs and churches. Without these selfless efforts, ours would be just another community that doesn’t offer much reason to be proud. The light–hearted heading for this article is a quote from Jack McGowan. Though he borrowed it from someone else it underscores the potential we have as individuals to improve our personal performance and share our better sides with others.
I have great faith in you and the overall goodness in our community–yet always want to share my concerns for maintaining what we enjoy. Like you, my household is very busy and it seems we are always behind in getting projects done and finding time to stop and take a breath. Families are stretched in many directions and finding the right balance isn’t always easy.
Young people are always of interest to me, and I know that today’s youth have many conflicting challenges and opportunities. It seems they are now exposed to much more of life’s realities at an earlier age with the many modes of information and communications available to them. Much of it is easy to access without parental assistance, both good and bad. As parents, we need to be on our toes in knowing what they access, whom they know and where they hang out. It is your right and duty as a parent to know this information. Though not always easy, keep open your lines of communication with your children. They really want and need your time and interest. As a parent, I know that it often is easier said than done. In rearing our children we want them to continue developing their independence and self–assurance, yet it is very important to keep “checking–in” to be certain that they take the correct fork in the road.
The City of Beaverton is involved in supporting and interacting with area youth in many ways. We have uniformed police officers assigned to each area grade, middle and high school. They provide education, security and support for youth in each of the schools. This is a major investment made for our public and private schools, but is a critical element in helping provide a safe and secure learning environment.
We are a major supporter for the Police Activities League (PAL) program for youth at the City of Beaverton’s Resource Center. In addition to providing the free location, we also financially help support operational costs for the program. The men and women of the Beaverton Police Department volunteer their time and interest in supporting and working with the youth who regularly attend the PAL program. The City also helps staff and supports the Beaverton Youth Peer Court program. The Peer Court offers an alternate to young offenders being processed through the Juvenile Court system. In the case of some minor offenses, the Courts are too full and understaffed to deal with some minor crimes that should not go unpunished. It is a caring way to get the attention of young offenders without their acquiring a court record.
We’re in the middle of the fifth year of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board (MYAB). I began this program to connect area youth with the City and offer a venue for young people to advise the City Council and me on issues important to young persons. The Board is comprised of 25 youth in the ninth through twelfth grades in six area high schools. We appoint a fairly even balance from each of the four grades so that the Board always has members with more than one–year experience from year to year. They elect their own leaders each year, plan a work program and execute it over the regular school year. I’m proud of the work they have done and the impact they have made in our community. Applications for service on the MYAB are now available online via the City’s Web site.
— Rob Drake, Mayor
