Time To Vote!

It's Fall.  The leaves are changing, the Northwest weather is turning rainy, and......your voter's pamphlets and ballots are arriving in the mailbox!  I just got my voter's pamphlet in the mail and it is thick!  I am glad they arrive with ample time to read through the important issues and candidate's statements.

As I leafed through it and arrived at the mayor race in Canby, I had to stop and pause.  I got a little overwhelmed.  This is really happening.  With incredible support from my family, my volunteers, and my supporters, I am officially "published" and running for mayor.  There is definitely no turning back now.  And I wouldn't want it any other way. 

I ask you to thoughtfully look through your voter's pamphlet.  For the candidates that you are interested in, do not only read their statement, but visit their website, their Facebook page, send them an email.  Invest in your vote and make a well-thought decision. 

I am proud of my endorsements.  Unfortunately, my endorsement list did not make the voter's pamphlet cut (due to word count limits).  So, for your reference, you can access my list of endorsers here. 

So, have fun voting!  Your vote does count and it does make a difference.

My Campaign Focus: Clear Direction, Stronger Economic Engine, Growth With A Small Town Sensibility

While running for Mayor, I have voiced my strong desire to serve and provide the leadership that Canby deserves. As I walk around town and talk to people, they always want to know the main issues that I intend to focus on and as a result I thought I’d elaborate on those for you.

Clear Direction

I will strive to be a mayor with a clear and precise vision for the city. Whether it is downtown, 99E, or our neighborhoods, I will consider every aspect of these important components of our town and make my decisions wisely.  For example, with the recent improvements and rejuvenation of our downtown core, I don’t want to see the rest of downtown left behind. I believe all of downtown must look, feel and work together in order to thrive. 

We’ve begun slowly improving aspects of HWY 99E.  Beautiful banners were added to telephone poles and clearly visible signage that marks downtown can now be seen. Despite those efforts we still have crumbling sidewalks and non-existent landscaping.  A clear vision is needed to finish these projects on time and on budget..

When we speak of quiet and safe neighborhoods, once again vision is the key.  How will changing traffic patterns, bus schedules, and truck routes affect everyone?  We have to think of all these things as puzzle pieces that must intricately fit together make a complete picture.

What I am ultimately speaking of here is planning AND execution.  Mayor, city staff, councilors, and citizens must all work together to ensure proper planning and completion of projects is taking place.

Stronger Economic Engine 

1. Further promotion of our infrastructure and our industrial park.  The addition of industrial parks over the past few years has been an incredible and lucrative addition to Canby.  However under the current mayor’s term, it still remains at only 25% capacity with no signs of improving.  This must change.  We must make sure we are attracting not just any business, but the right businesses to Canby, strengthening our place in the market as a desirable location for business.
2. Connecting Berg Parkway to I-5.   Completing this project will increase the transport of goods and services in and out of Canby and will once again add to our desirability as a destination for business.  We must make it easier for people to get in and out of our city if we ever hope to succeed in our goals.
3. Building Our Retail Base.  I live and breathe retail every day.  I run a local retail business and I shop at local businesses.  ‘Shop Local’ is something I hear from citizens on a daily basis.  But all too often, we must travel out of town to have a nice dinner or to do our errands.  We need to show retailers and restaurants how wonderful Canby is for them and at the same time continue to promote those businesses that are already here. This is a huge area of opportunity for Canby and I am confident we can succeed under my leadership.  If we have a desirable business district to keep Canby residents shopping locally, we feed our economy not just from inside our city but from surrounding areas as well.

Growth With A Small Town Sensibility

Naturally we want to grow, but we need to do that without compromising the small town feel and sense of community that makes Canby the place you and I want to raise our families in. The obvious question is how do we do that?  It comes down to community involvement plain and simple.  Growth decisions that we make impact a multitude of people in our community including business owners, families, and anyone else who comes to our city.  I would ensure that citizens play a large part in serving as a guide for city staff and the council and to keep us grounded and aware of what is important to them for Canby as we grow.

Voter's Pamphlet Statement

The rules and regulations for voters' pamphlets limit you to a very small submission to be included in what voter's see as your "mission statement".   Below is the full version of what I would have liked to be printed in the upcoming voters' pamphlet:

My fellow citizens, I, Brian Hodson, would be honored to be your next Mayor of Canby.  As Mayor, I will be your voice.  I will set and provide direction after listening to all the voices of the city – citizens, businesses, city staff and the Council.  Our city deserves strong leadership and I am dedicated to that cause.  “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” –John Quincy Adams.

·         Clear Direction:

o    Our direction and goals needs to be re-established.  What do we want and need as a city?  With citizens, businesses, city staff, and the council, we will work as a dedicated team to accomplish this. 

o   One-on-one commitment to discussing the needs of our city’s future with families and business owners.

·         Stronger Economic Engine:  Canby is the crown jewel of business and economic growth in the County.  To capitalize on this, we must:

o   Be fiscally focused, making sound decisions with a clear vision.

o    Spur new small business growth.

o    Improve transportation within and through our city.  This will draw investment, create jobs, and make our local economy thrive.

·         Growth With A Small Town Sensibility: With direction set and the engine roaring, where we take Canby is crucial.

o    Sensible yet innovative planning of homes, parks, local and county roads, and businesses.  I have worked with businesses and their challenges, like design codes.  I will continue this direct involvement.

o    Work to maintain our tight-knit community as we grow.

Will it be easy accomplishing these goals?  No.  Can it be done?  Yes.  As a retail manager and city councilor, I have listened directly to the community and made tough decisions.  This kind of leadership, stewardship, and dedication is what Canby deserves. 

A vote for Brian Hodson is a vote for leadership and commitment.  A vote for Brian Hodson begins the next great chapter in Canby’s legacy.

www.facebook.com/HodsonforMayor

www.hodsonmayor.blogspot.com

My Vision As Mayor

I love Canby.  My family chose Canby for its livability, schools, and hometown feel.  I am dedicated to the cause of Canby by listening to the people.

Canby is first and foremost a community centered around it's people.  Your voice needs to be heard.  In my day-to-day role as mayor and in my decision making as mayor, I will heed that voice.

Canby is experiencing some exciting plans and growth for it's future.

--Additions to our Industrial Park
--Attraction of new businesses
--Improvements to our library
--Maintaining our livability and small town appeal

I am committed to maintaining our small town focus, while remaining fiscally responsible with the city's dollars.  Most importantly, I am enthusiastic and passionate about Canby and the road ahead.