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Click image to watch year in review video
As we wrap up the year, it’s time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together and what lies ahead. Looking back at 2023, I can’t help but think about the progress we’ve made in the city – progress in critical areas like public safety and the region-wide issue of housing the most vulnerable in our population. Despite the ever-present need for more – more affordable housing, more police officers on our streets – I’m proud of our city and the way we care and look after one another.
Click image to watch Facebook Live
We kicked off the year with action by formalizing the creation of our Anti-Homelessness department, which will grow in 2024 with new staff. It’s led by Director of Anti-Homelessness Kent Hay, who has made a meaningful and positive long-term impact on homelessness within our city in just a few short years. His team continues to connect with hundreds of unhoused people across the city, and the results are not only measurable, but they’re also apparent. Throughout the year, he’s been hosting livestreams on our City of Auburn Facebook page, and you can see the results of his team’s hard work with your eyes. There’s still much to do, and I know he’ll be the first to admit it. That’s why we’re looking for solutions wherever possible.
 Speaking of progress, let’s remember the Postmark Center of the Arts, which opened in September! Can you believe that? In that short period, the center has welcomed hundreds of guests through its doors, some for the first time in decades. The Postmark is beautiful, and the programming within is genuinely inspiring. And I hope this year you get a chance to see it first-hand.
Click image to listen to podcast
I hope you’ve had a chance to catch our “That’s so Auburn!” podcast – we’re well into our second season. In my opinion, scheduling a half-hour or more to chat with unique humans in our community is time well spent. In 2023, I was able to catch up with our outgoing Junior City Council, reflect on Postmark and the yearslong journey to the grand opening, talk with our organizers of the Veterans Parade, and chat with Lucas Fernandez, who helped light up the tree in City Hall Plaza after our annual Lighted Santa Parade in early December.
 This year-end is also bittersweet. We’ll soon bid farewell to outgoing Councilmembers James Jeyaraj, Bob Baggett and Robyn Mulenga. I’m incredibly grateful for all the hard work these three have produced for this beautiful city, and I wish them the best in their future endeavors. Their passion for our city and our residents has not gone unnoticed, and Auburn is truly lucky to have them fighting in our corner.
As you'll see from the video above and below, 2023 was also about community. Having fun together, getting to know your neighbors, and letting loose every once in a while goes a long way. I hope you enjoyed the many events hosted throughout the city in 2023, and I hope you're looking forward to 2024! I know I am.
 Speaking of city council, I hope you can join us Tuesday before the very first council meeting of the year, where we'll be in swearing in our incoming city councilmembers Hanan Amer, Cheryl Rakes, Clinton Taylor and Tracy Taylor.
Hanan Amer
 Hanan Amer (she/her) was born in Oklahoma and raised in Benghazi, Libya. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from Benghazi University and works as an engineer at The Boeing Company. In 2008, Hanan married her husband, who has been a resident of Auburn since the 1990s. They raised their children in this beautiful community, both of whom graduated from Auburn High School. Go Trojans!
Hanan's first introduction to volunteering happened after enrolling in a How to Write Your Life Story class at the Senior Citizen's Center.
For 13 years, she has actively contributed to various community organizations, including the Auburn Police Department, United Way, Red Cross and King County Public Health. She also regularly volunteers at the Auburn Food Bank, White River Valley Museum, and Auburn and Muckleshoot libraries.
Hanan graduated from the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program in 2014 and is a proud lifelong member of Girl Scouts. In 2023, she was honored with her 35-year volunteer pin as a Girl Scout / Girl Guide and received the Girl Scout honor pin for outstanding service in Girl Scouts of Western Washington. She also earned the Bronze and Gold President's Service Volunteer Awards for her dedication to volunteering with the Girl Scouts and United Way of King County.
When not working, being a wife, a mom, a grandma, or volunteering, she loves spending time with her bow and arrows, engaging in archery. As a certified Level II USA Archery Instructor, she enjoys teaching Girl Scout leaders and Girl Scouts. She might not always wear bows, but she sure can shoot them.
Cheryl Rakes
 Councilmember Cheryl Rakes, who was appointed to the council in early 2023 and elected later that year, has lived in Auburn since 1960, when her family moved from Bellingham because her father got a job at the fire department. He retired there in 1980 as a captain.
Cheryl attended Auburn schools and graduated in 1973. She then enrolled in Mr. Lee’s Beauty School and Knapp College of Business and took a few classes at Green River College. Cheryl has been serving the Auburn community as Executive Director of the Downtown Auburn Cooperative since 2019, a position she loves as she gets to work directly with small businesses.
The City of Auburn is her true passion and where she’s laid her permanent roots. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Shawn, three children, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She also enjoys all kinds of crafts such as sewing and crocheting.
Clinton Taylor
 Clinton Taylor is the Founder and Executive Director of a growing Financial Education/Mentoring non-profit organization serving low-income BIPOC youth and young adults across Puget Sound. Clinton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership with a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership. Clinton is a US Army (Desert Storm) veteran.
Clinton currently serves on the board of directors for JumpStart Washington Coalition and as a council member of the Washington State Partnership on Juvenile Justice. He has held positions on the Auburn Public School Foundation, Women in Transition (WiN), and Better People.
Clinton and his wife Lonnese have lived in Auburn for over 13 years and have one grown daughter and one beautiful, very spunky granddaughter. Clinton is the pastor of a local non-denominational church and, in his spare time, enjoys being with his family or watching Los Angeles Rams or Oregon Ducks football games.
Tracy Taylor
 Tracy Taylor Turner was a 6-time Emmy nominated and Edward R. Murrow TV/Radio Reporter in the Seattle Market for over two decades.
She now serves as the Community Engagement Specialist in the City of Kent, bringing her wealth of experience and community-driven spirit to her current role.
Tracy's dedication to the community is evident as the Vice President of the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, volunteer and foster family with Hearts for Doxies Dog Rescue, and former City of Auburn Arts Commissioner. In addition to her community service, Tracy is a devoted bonus mom to her 17-year-old daughter and a loving wife to her husband, Kyle.
Tracy Taylor Turner's multifaceted contributions surround her professional achievements and her personal dedication to family, animals, and community service. As a proud resident of Auburn, Tracy understands how vital the services and programs that Auburn provides are for the people who live and work here. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys volunteering for several non-profit organizations, connecting with friends, and traveling with her family.
Festival of Trees 2023 - “Stay Golden”
The Festival of Trees is a community-based holiday exhibit at the White River Valley Museum. Each year the Museum selects a new community partner and theme. Partners decorate trees provided by the Museum that creatively incorporate the theme. Past partners have included local artists. ethnic heritage groups, and the King County Library System. This year we are turning to the business community to bring this awesome holiday tradition back to the Auburn community.
📅 Nov. 15 - Dec. 30
🕐 Museum hours (Wednesday - Sunday, noon - 4 p.m.)
📍 White River Valley Museum, 918 H Street SE
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 Teens at the Rec Center got to take a trip to Pike Place Market in Seattle on Thursday, which ended up being mostly dry somehow! And meanwhile, the preteens flexed their racing skills at Sykart Indoor Racing Center in Tukwila.
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