October 2016

Celebrating the Difference We Make

As Megan Phelan reported, the City of Lake Oswego has been recognized by The Oregonian as one of the "top workplaces" in the state. There may be many reasons why our staff responded positively to the survey conducted by the newspaper, but I think I know one of them. Research conducted over many years by the Gallup organization, through more than a million employee surveys, found that one of the most important contributors to job satisfaction is the belief that our organization has a worthwhile mission, and our jobs are important.

As summer draws to a close, think about what a difference we make to the residents of Lake Oswego. Here are just a few examples:

• Thousands of people enjoyed concerts and movies in our parks
• Thousands of residents and visitors have enjoyed the farmers market, ranked as the best market in the Portland area
• Hundreds of families participated in summer reading programs at the library, and checked out thousands of books and other materials
• Children enjoyed day camps and dozens of other activities put on by the recreation staff
• Families and guests flocked to our beautiful parks, and benefited from facilities like the tennis center, golf course, ACC, and Luscher Farm

And they could participate in all these activities safe in the knowledge that their basic needs are being met, quietly and competently. More examples:

• Streets were paved, including a major improvement to Boones Ferry Road
• Another dry summer has passed with no major fires
• We continue to be one of the safest communities in the state
• When families do experience trauma, the "no call too small" caring attitude pervades the response from LOCOM, police and fire.
• We seamlessly transitioned to a new water supply system, benefiting not only our own residents but Tigard's as well. Prompt testing of lead confirmed that our water is safe
• Those of us working as part of the "supporting cast" can take pride in our work, too. As just one example, utility bill shutoff notices are now down to fewer than ten per month, an amazing result for a system with more than 13,000 residential accounts.

I thank each of you for the important role you play in making the City of Lake Oswego a great place to live and work.

--Scott Lazenby