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Photo courtesy of Seattle Seahawks
What an incredible moment for our region as the Seattle Seahawks brought home another Super Bowl victory -- and what a sight it was to see hundreds of thousands of fans fill the streets of Seattle in celebration!
I could feel the energy from the sea of blue and green all the way down in Auburn. It warms my heart to see the joy and pride this team brings to the region -- and trust me, I was feeling that on Sunday night!
Photo courtesy of Seattle Seahawks
While I wasn’t able to attend in person -- duty calls! -- I loved seeing the photos and hearing the stories from so many of you who made the trip downtown. I hope everyone was able to celebrate safely, enjoy the moment, and make it home without getting too snarled in traffic.
Congratulations to the Seahawks, and thank you to all the fans who showed up with such heart and enthusiasm. Moments like this remind us what makes the Pacific Northwest so special.
Go Hawks!
 I was in Olympia Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday for an Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Mayors Exchange. The first day was for “executive” mayors -- those who are separately elected and are the “CEO’s” for their cities. I was honored to be on two panels to share information about the role of mayors in budgeting and fiscal oversight, and advice from experienced mayors. It was informative to sit in a room of about 30 mayors hearing their issues, challenges and opportunities. Thursday we were joined by mayors who are selected by their councils to serve in the capacity of mayor, but also have a city manager that runs the day-to-day operations. While the titles are the same, the roles and responsibilities are different.
 We heard from AWC’s legislative experts about legislation we support, support if there are amendments, and absolutely can’t support. It’s always a bit chaotic during this time of year because our state legislators are trying to get their bills passed out of committee so they’re still alive to be considered by the entire House or Senate.
We also took an hour to hear from each mayor present (so about one minute each) about what’s going on at home. I shared our challenges -- the flooding that occurred in December, moving back to a municipal court effective January 1, 2027, our new budgeting process for the 2027-2028 biennial budget, and then the excitement of our new theater and downtown park!
 In the afternoon, we heard from a panel of experts on the role of mayors in communicating on behalf of their city, and obtaining the necessary infrastructure to achieve our goals. I always love spending time with my fellow mayors. There’s so much to learn -- whether they have been in their roles for several years or only 43 days. While I love the time spent with them, I always love getting back on I-5 and getting back HOME to Auburn!
(From left) Miss Auburn's Teen Haley Murray, Mayor Nancy Backus and Miss Auburn Maddie McCarthy
What a wonderful evening it was on Saturday at the Miss Auburn Scholarship Program! I was so proud to see our community come together to celebrate the talent and confidence of so many remarkable young women.
 Congratulations to our new 2026 titleholders, Miss Auburn, Maddie McCarthy, and Miss Auburn’s Teen, Haley Murray! With more than $27,000 awarded in gifts and scholarships, this program continues to open doors and create opportunities for our local youth.
To every contestant who stepped on that stage: you represented Auburn with grace and heart! Thank you to the volunteers, organizers, sponsors, and families who made this outstanding event possible. Our future is bright because of leaders like you.
(Click photo to view video)
Who were the first Black landowners in the White River Valley? Our City's Historian, Hilary Pittenger, takes us back through time to learn about the family who made history in our region!
 One of the things I love most about Auburn is how deeply our residents care about this community and about one another. If you’ve ever wanted to better understand how our Police Department works -- and build real connections along the way -- I encourage you to apply for our Citizen’s Academy!
This free, 12-week program offers weekly evening classes where participants meet and learn directly from our officers, detectives, K-9 handlers, and leadership team. You’ll gain an inside look at everything from patrol operations and investigations to community engagement and officer wellness, all while getting to know fellow residents who share your interest in making Auburn even stronger.
Applications are still being accepted through Tuesday, February 17, and classes begin March 3! It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Auburn Police Department and all of the work that goes into making your city safer and more connected. Plus, you get to meet our K9 unit!
The Citizen's Academy consists of interactive classes that are one per week for approximately 12 weeks from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Auburn Police Department at 340 East Main ST, Suite 201. Citizen's Academy is always free!
You can register online!
 I’m excited to share that we’ve officially selected both the artist and the public artwork that will become part of our new Auburn Avenue Theater and Downtown Park. After a thoughtful and competitive process, Washington-based artist John Flemming was chosen to bring this vision to life.
 Over the past year, more than 60 artists applied, and a community-based selection committee worked closely with our Arts Commission to review proposals and interview finalists. In December, the Commission approved Mr. Flemming’s conceptual design and forwarded it to City Council for final consideration. His work -- called Gathering Tree -- reflects Auburn’s natural beauty, cultural roots, and sense of community, and is designed to be a welcoming place where people can gather, rest, and connect.
 We’re now moving into the final approval and fabrication phase, with installation planned to align with construction of the theater plaza and downtown park. This artwork will be one of the first things visitors see when they arrive, and I know it will become a signature feature of this new civic space.
Public art matters. It tells our story, reflects who we are, and helps turn buildings and streets into places that feel alive and meaningful. I’m proud of the collaborative work that brought us to this point, and I can’t wait for our community to experience this beautiful new addition to downtown Auburn.
You can watch the full Parks' presentation via our Agendas and Minutes page, or on our YouTube channel.
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