Dear Editor:
Most folks don’t pay much attention to local government until something feels off. When a decision hits close to home, when opinions clash, or when change feels uncomfortable – that’s usually when we look up. Funny enough, that’s a lot like life. You don’t really notice the highs without knowing the lows. Contrast teaches us what matters. I’ve found that to be true in public service.
In towns like ours, city council and mayoral positions are not paid. Still, many times they are viewed through the same lens as larger levels of government – from a distance, as if they’re something other than regular people who live here, shop here, and raise families here.
Running for office wasn’t an easy decision for me. As a business owner, staying neutral often feels necessary. When you serve everyone, politics can feel like a line you don’t want to cross. I knew stepping forward would bring opinions, criticism, and disagreement— but I also knew my city mattered too much not to try.
Right now, the world feels heavy. There are strong opinions everywhere, and people are exercising their right to speak out – and that’s important. Civic engagement matters.
But in a small town like Cottage Grove, I want to remind everyone – We’re still neighbors first.
Disagreeing doesn’t make someone the enemy. A different view doesn’t make someone bad. The person across the table or across the street is still part of this community. We do best when we talk with each other, not at each other, and when we remember kindness still counts here… not because we put a sign in our yard, we walk the walk.
Local government isn’t about politics as much as it is about people – streets, parks, safety, and the everyday work of caring for a place we love. It’s imperfect and human, sometimes hard, but deeply meaningful.
This work has been, and remains, a labor of love.
Mayor Candace Solesbee,
Cottage Grove
