“The fundamental question in government is…whether or not you have ceded your responsibility of making life better for the next generation.”
-- President George W. Bush

Our community is beginning a very important debate about our future. We are asking you to seriously look at the critical issues facing our city and decide the course we will take. The stakes are high. The choices are clear.

In May, we will be deciding whether to annex to Clackamas County Fire District #1. By annexing, and opening the vacant South End fire station, we would greatly increase the safety of our community by cutting 2 minutes off the travel time it takes for help to arrive at your home or business. It’s now over 6 minutes in the southern part of Oregon City. Two minutes often means the difference between life and death in a medical emergency. Just ask your doctor or firefighter. Our current 6 minute citywide average is considered substandard by national standards. But, increased safety comes at a cost.

With annexation, we would begin to rebuild our police department that has not added officers for 10 years while both population and work load has grown. This understaffing causes substandard response times when you need help. Our police average 24.6 minutes arrival time for a juvenile abuse/neglect call, 20.4” for a commercial burglary, 17.1” for a home break-in, 17” for violation of a restraining order. Faster police protection costs money.

If the measure is defeated, we won’t be able to improve these response times or open the South End station, plus we must cut an additional $1.2 million from the city budget in July. Because you’ve told us, in surveys and citizen groups, that nothing is more important to you than the safety and health of our community, we will protect public safety, although at the current substandard levels. That means that funding for the library, swimming pool, Carnegie Center, and staff support to our neighborhoods will be totally cut or halved.

It’s our responsibility to decide what kind of community we leave for the next generation. Vote on May 17. The choice is ours. (Please see the Fact Sheet or check the city website for election information)