Mayoral Report—2005

Fall Events & More!!

Recently, the first annual Walk for Unity was held within the City. The walk was organized and sponsored by the Vision Action Network (VAN) and Inter–Religious Action Network of Washington County, the City of Beaverton’s Human Rights Advisory Commission, Providence Health Systems, Washington County and the City of Beaverton.

The Walk for Unity was held to show public support for tolerance, diversity and understanding among groups. A very diverse group of about 400 people took part in the walk and well represented the many peoples and beliefs now residing in Washington County. Our community make–up has changed in a very short period of time and the walk serves as a great reminder that a complete community doesn’t happen by chance and without effort. Overall, Beaverton and Washington County have become a vast representation of many ethnic groups, beliefs and religions. We’ve become a “melting pot” of peoples. Our diversity helps make the community more interesting, complex and provides a natural venue for a sharing of many viewpoints. Our successful business community has deep international contacts and markets that help open doors to the bigger world. This coming together of the international professional talent pool has also helped spur our high technology innovation and encouraged others to join the community. I welcome our change and diversity. It is a great opportunity to enrich our children’s lives and also make our community an even better place to live, work and play.

The fall season has begun and the new year isn’t far behind. I always look forward to pausing at Thanksgiving to count my personal blessings and those for our community. The City of Beaverton again this year will provide two opportunities for families to come together during the holiday season. Last year we began the Beaverton Holiday Tree Lighting tradition and will do so again this year. We’ll officially light the donated fir tree on Monday, November 28 at 6 p.m. at The Round development adjacent to Westside Light Rail in downtown Beaverton. We’ll be serenaded with traditional holiday songs ssung by local grade schoolers. Vendors will sell coffee, hot cider, hot chocolate and other treats. Our second community event is the Annual Holiday Open House at City Hall. We began this tradition thirteen years ago and we’ve really enjoyed welcoming our citizens to City Hall. This year, the event is being held on Tuesday, December 13 from 5 p.m.–7 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of your City Department Heads, talk with the City Councilors and me, and enjoy music, light foods and seasonal treats! Please join us and bring your family!

The City of Beaverton has continued to be a leader in promoting a healthy environment through effective recycling. This next March we’ll be introducing 60–gallon roll carts for recyclable materials at curbside pick–up. Similar to the roll carts that hold your recyclable yard debris, the franchised haulers will be supplying these new roll carts to hold all recyclable materials (except glass). Currently, the haulers have been supplying the two red plastic baskets. Soon, you’ll be able to dump all recyclable materials in the roll carts and take them to the curb more easily. Since glass recycling and pick–up has declined in recent years, glass will be picked–up only once a month beginning in the spring. In cooperation with our franchise haulers, we’re pleased to be a leader in further promoting recycling efforts.

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