Recently, we had the privilege of making a dream come true. Joel Osche, a community member with Down syndrome, has long dreamed of becoming Mayor of Newberg. You may have seen Joel around town, working or volunteering by picking up trash, clearing storm drains to prevent flooding, and advocating for community safety.When Joel's friend reached out on his behalf, they described him as someone with "a deep love for Newberg who consistently demonstrates his commitment to the community through his actions." City Recorder Rachel Thomas knew she had to help make Joel's dream a reality and offered to arrange a "Mayor for a Day" experience for him.
While acting as Mayor for a day, Joel's passion for our city shone through. He toured our facilities, met with staff across departments, and learned about the inner workings of city government. Joel also drafted his own Mayoral proclamation encouraging traffic safety measures, including prohibiting cell phone use while driving.Thank you Joel for providing a great example of what dedication to your community looks like! It was a pleasure to make your wish come true.
If you'd like to learn more or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at publicaffairs@newbergoregon.gov. We'd love to hear from you.
