DON LARSON

Mayor of Seaside

 
I loved Seaside when I was 3-and I love it today.
That’s why I wanted to be Mayor of this city.
  • Retired from Federal Civil Service and the U. S. Army Reserve
  • Rank of Sergeant Major, Awarded The Legion of Merit
  • Married to Lois for 41 years
  • Lived in Seaside for 11 years
  • Owned property here for 18 years
  • AWANA leader at North Coast Family Fellowship
  • Member of City Council since 1999
  • Member of Planning Commission the 4 years previous to my election
  • Member of Seaside Improvement Commission since 1996
  • Past member of the David Douglas School Board, Portland, serving for 13 years

Since retiring and moving to Seaside, I have been involved in city business in a variety of ways. I was appointed to the Planning Commission and served 4 years prior to my election to the City Council in 1998 for a partial term. I then was elected to a full 4-year term in November of 2000.

Being retired I have time to listen to the concerns of Seaside residents. I have received many calls on a variety of citizens’ concerns about our city, and I always do my best to secure an appropriate solution. I keep a working log so that I can follow up on these problems. Throughout my years of public service, I have built a solid reputation for strong organizational skills and follow-through ability.

Since I’m a very practical person, I am deeply concerned about the condition and need for repairs on most of our city-owned public buildings. Our Convention Center had many serious deficiencies, and I was instrumental in getting the Budget Committee to finally appropriate funds for these badly needed repairs. I also feel I have some workable solutions for repairing and maintaining our other buildings. In the recent past, the City of Seaside has purchased properties at both the north and south ends of our city for the purpose of gaining additional green space for our enjoyment. It is time now, however, to concentrate on the infrastructure of our city’s buildings and thus avoid additional serious problems of maintenance.

I was not in favor of building a library in Broadway Park, but I do think we could probably expand on our existing site. I believe we could rally our community to volunteer their time and materials for making improvements to our library. However, if we could partner with a commercial developer and gain a new site, I would be in favor of presenting this possibility to our citizens. Furthermore, on issues such as the library siting, it would be my desire as mayor to bring opposing positions together early for discussion and resolution rather than waiting until both sides have solidified their positions.

Right now the biggest decision facing our city is the Highway 101 project. ODOT is proposing major changes that will affect you and me drastically, and time is running short for the City Council to come up with a workable solution. My first priority is to do what is best for us as Seaside residents. However, there has to be a way to improve our traffic congestion for ourselves as well as our guests.

About a year ago I approached the Seaside School District with an idea to partner in our efforts to possibly share a Performing Arts Center/ School Auditorium. Although I have not been assigned to work on that particular project, as mayor I would be anxious to try to find a way to make such a project a reality. I believe we may want to partner with the School District in other areas to our mutual benefit.

Rather recently I made a proposal to the City Council that we consider using some of the City property in a wide strip just east of the Prom, beginning at Avenue G and running south. We could add picnic tables if we choose, but especially we should add attractive benches for people to sit and enjoy the view. The City Staff is going ahead with this plan and trying to determine the best type of benches, ones that could be constructed and maintained by the city.

Some thoughts I have to make the City Council meetings more efficient:

Post a 1-year calendar of dates for meetings and workshops so the public will be kept informed. Keep Monday nights for workshops on either the 1st or 3rd Mondays of the month. I think we definitely need to have more workshops for study and discussion on matters before the Council, which should allow for more efficient use of our scheduled meetings.

Prepare a web site which would include the above information, as well as list each Councilor with picture, Ward(s) he/she represents, and telephone numbers so that citizens can make contact.

Work closely with each Councilor, listening to their thoughts, concerns, and ideas.

Establish a working relationship with the various appointed commissions, having regular reports made to the Council on their issues and concerns. This also would permit the Council to give guidance to the commissioners if that would be helpful.

With Council approval, change the Agenda putting the Comments from the Public into the middle of the meeting so that our guests don’t have to wait through a long meeting to be heard. These comments could be followed by a short recess, allowing the guests to speak with any of the Councilors briefly if they choose.

If you have read this far, you may have a question or comment you would like me to hear. Please call me at 738-5011, or email me at larsondonlo@juno.com

©2002-2003  Don Larson


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