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June 17, 2022

“If the cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. Because the goal of America is freedom, abused and scorned tho’ we may be, our destiny is tied up with America’s destiny.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2022 State of the City Address

On Wednesday, we held our State of the City Address at the Muckleshoot Event Center, and I want to thank everyone who came out to gather! I also want to thank Martha and her team at the venue for great support. Our team, once again did an amazing job, and I am so thankful for each of them – including Dana, Tamie, Sarah, Jason, Jim, Brenda, Daryl, Hillary, Rachael, Kjerstin, Thaniel, Jennifer and so many more! 

I am so proud of our City and the wonderful people that I get to work with and to serve. Yes, we have our bumps and bruises, and as we stated in the address, we are facing those issues, but there is so much to be proud of and enjoy. 

I have issued a "Love Auburn Challenge" this year - I am hoping that we all can rediscover the beauty and gifts our city has to offer. I know we have some big issues to work on and we will continue to do that as we always do - but we live in a wonderful place with many amenities. Visit our list of suggested activities or places to get started on the Mayor's Love Auburn Challenge webpage at www.auburnwa.gov/loveauburn and start re-discovering Auburn!

Watch the 2022 State of the City to hear more.

New Family Fun Opportunity at the Outlet Collection

On Thursday, Deputy Mayor Jeyaraj and I joined the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the grand opening of Gotcha Arenas (www.gotcha-arenas.com) at the Outlet Collection. What a fun time we had, and what a great opportunity for families to enjoy some time together in the “ultimate foam dart arena”!

All the props in this indoor play space are handmade by local craftspeople, and the art on the walls is also created by a local artist. When the weather isn’t great outside, consider this, instead!

We are celebrating Juneteenth tomorrow at Les Gove Park! Come join us! 

Auburn is rich with history—from historical Main Street to the artifacts preserved throughout White River Valley Museum—I am excited to share these stories with all of you each week. 

Credit: White River Valley Museum

Women Working on the Railroad

As men were drafted into military service during World War I, more workers were needed to keep essential industries running. Women stepped up to do many previously inaccessible jobs, like these railroad crew members working at the Auburn Yard. At the Auburn Yard, women railroad workers wore the same overalls the men did, including on their commutes to and from work. Women workers were considered patriotic during the war - but that didn’t stop them being criticized or catcalled or criticized in the newspaper.

Learn more about how women stepped up to work at the Auburn Yard and other industries during WWI in the online exhibit #SquadGoals at the White River Valley Museum.