Weekly Update October 29, 2010

Council - This week has really sped by. There are just a couple of things to update you about.

Halloween Parade. As you all know, Halloween is a busy day and a busy evening in Ashland. There are two formally organized events during the day and the informal activities that happen in downtown in the evening, after dark. The first event of the day is the "Monster Dash," a 5K or 1 mile run/walk to raise funds for the Ashland Schools Foundation. This event is organized by the Ashland Kiwanis and the Ashland Schools Foundation. Many of the folks who participate in this event run in costume. Afterwards, the Children's Holiday Parade, organized by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, leaves from the Library at 3:00 p.m. and goes down Main to the Plaza. Main Street will be closed for much of the afternoon. Many thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for refocusing this year's event on children. Then, of course, after the sun goes down, the adult revelers come to downtown Ashland to celebrate. We always hope that it will snow or hail after about 8:30. Barring that, Ashland Police and Ashland Fire will provide an update on the evening events on Monday. I hope your Halloween is full of treats and free of tricks.

Rich Walsh Retires. As many of you know, Rich Walsh has worked for the City of Ashland for 29 years, the last six so as Deputy Police Chief. On Thursday, October 28, Rich retired for real from the City of Ashland to become the Co-Director of Campus Public Safety for Southern Oregon University. Rich will attend the Council meeting on Tuesday night so the City can recognize him for his many years of service to the community.

Economic Development Open Houses. There are two open houses next week on the Economic Development Goals and Vision. The first is Wednesday, November 3 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Pioneer Hall. The second is November 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center on Winburn Way. I hope you can make one or both of these events and listen to citizen comments on the strategies.

I think that is all for now. I will see you all on Monday and Tuesday at your Study Session and Regular Meeting.

Martha