CRESWELL – Dave Stram and his wife, Jocelyn, have always known that there was something special about the city of Creswell. Arriving in town as fresh college graduates in 1982, the couple have called the area home for over four decades, where he served as a pastor, piano teacher, and mayor of Creswell
“The community trusted me to be mayor for nine years, and I think that was pretty wonderful, and I have really, truly loved serving my community,” Stram said.
Stram was elected mayor in 2012, in the role initially until 2018. From 2021-2022, he was appointed once again and re-elected in 2022.
While his mayoral tenure may be reaching its end, Stram’s enthusiasm for Creswell remains stronger than ever.
“The older I get, the more I realize the best gifts I have are the people that have come into my life that have made a difference.”
Below are former mayor Stram’s top highlights of 2024.
Extension of Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission Services
At a meeting in December, the Lane County Board of Commissioners unanimously moved to update its consent calendar to include the amendment of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan (Metro Plan). If approved at a time yet to be determined this year, this would greenlight the extension of Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) services to Creswell.
This decision followed a November presentation from Stram, Amberg, Cliff Bellew, public works director, and Curtis Thomas, city planner. At the time, Stram said, “the Board was unanimous in directing staff to update the amendment to include Creswell.”
Since 2023, Creswell has been under a moratorium that prevents building on the west side due to a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) ruling. This has made things challenging when attempting to streamline the underground pipes that transfer wastewater to the facility.
“As we complete the different steps, then we get maybe 10 new hookups. So incrementally, we can do more building on the west side, but still, we’re under a moratorium because we’re very limited in what we can do,” Stram said.
Furthermore, if approved, the Board Chair would submit a Water Resources Development Act Funding Request to the US Army Corps of Engineers. The $5 million request would act as funding for design initiatives pertaining to sewer line extension.
Stram mentioned that Creswell will have to “pay our fair share” to combat the slight gap between Creswell and Dillard Road, but that residents are already required to pay for sewer services.
“If that can be accomplished, the citizens, it saves us millions of dollars,” Stram said.
Once the amendment is completed, it will go to a formal vote to the Board of Commissioners, and must also be approved by the Eugene and Springfield city councils.
“We’re not to the end of the road yet, but we’ve made great progress this year,” Stram said.
Zero-growth in water rates
Stram was eager to share that this was the first year in recent memory where water rates did not increase.
“My belief is that as a city, we have figured out how to set water rates very accurately, we’ve dialed in how to do it, and there was not a need for an increase last year,” Stram said.
In addition, Stram hopes that residents will take a closer look at their utility bills.
“I would say most Creswellians don’t know that because when they get their utility bill from the city, they see that it went up, and it did, but that’s because the utility bill includes what you pay for water, what you pay for sewer, what you pay for public safety, and what you pay for the transportation fee,” Stram said. “There’s four utilities on that utility bill. And people think, ‘Well, just my water bill went up.’ The total bill went up, but your water bill didn’t go up at all.”
Stram said that while the cost of sewer services and the public safety fee grew, the Transportation Utility Fee (TUF) also remained the same.
“To me, that’s another huge gain for the people,” Stram said.
Romeo’s Fall Festival
Romeo’s Fall Festival in September 2024 celebrated the Guinness World Record’s World’s Tallest Steer From live music to delicious soups, funds benefitted Welcome Home Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit committed to rescuing animals.
According to its mission statement, “Welcome Home Animal Sanctuary provides a forever home where every animal enjoys a safe and joyful life. Every visitor can connect with animals face-to-snout, a personal interaction that inspires and heals both animals and humans alike.”
Located at 82940 Hurlburt Lane, Romeo resides at Welcome Home throughout the year.
Additional achievements
Robinett-Hughes Park, at 590 S. 2nd St., has officially dropped its longstanding ‘e’ at the end of Robinett. At a Dec. 9 city council meeting, Amberg shared that the ‘e’ was an “anomaly” after the review of historical documents, including a marriage certificate. The council gave unanimous consensus to remove the ‘e’ and create a plaque to be added to the park with the help of the Creswell Historical Society. … Its splash pad, children’s play areas, pump track, and wayside park for bicycle repairs have been popular among residents and visitors. … Additionally, the city received a $140,000 grant to begin constructing restrooms, which Stram hopes will occur in 2025.
• In November 2024, the Hobby Field Airport hosted an open house and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the runway and on-site sewer services.
• The unveiling of a Creswell Taco Bell at 255 Melton Rd. in the summer of 2024 has provided a tasty solution to late-night cravings.
• In July 2024, Holt Park hosted a community water fight, allowing residents to cool off in a high-energy way.
Looking ahead
When asked what Stram found to be the most rewarding part of being Creswell’s mayor, his response was simple: “It has been accomplishing good things that impact the people and the businesses that are here.”
While he will no longer be in office, Stram is excited to see what’s in store for the city of Creswell in 2025. Upcoming projects include revitalizing South Second Street and having the city’s water towers undergo seismic retrofit, which will promote earthquake preparedness, and opening an assisted living facility. In addition, “McDonald’s has paid all their permit fees and is ready to begin demolition and construction next year,” Stram said.
As 2025 begins, Nick Smith, Creswell’s new mayor, is enthusiastic about what’s to come and stands firmly in his convictions.
“I’m a proud Christian, husband and father. I will not waver, and I will not apologize for that,” Smith said. “Creswell is strong when we engage with each other and communicate for a path to a common goal that benefits the community.”
He said his goals are, “to continue to maintain a safe city with more affordable utilities,” Smith said. “Other efforts are to work with the county to improve our roads and highways coming into and out of Creswell. I want to find opportunities for our youth to get off the phone and get outside.”
Smith said he wanted to ensure that student-athletes feel supported by their town.
“I want to encourage our town to get back to its small-town roots. We are the home of the Bulldogs. I want to see that small-town support for our boys’ and girls’ sports teams and clubs. I want to see Bulldog logos and banners in windows of businesses when you drive through downtown,” Smith said.
