Happy New Year Beaverton! What are your intentions for 2022?

#MessageFromTheMayor

In many ways, it feels like the first time in a couple of years that we’ve had an actual “new year” to plan for and celebrate. Perhaps more of us will set intentions and goals like we did in years past. Many of us are spending more time working on-site. COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in Oregon. And I am thinking about how we will retain what was special about the last couple of years. What lessons did we learn and how will we move through life differently in 2022?

Personally, I’m hopeful about the future. We already learned how to manage remote work and education. We took advantage of various technologies that enabled stronger connections and real-time collaboration. And a whole world of new delivery services opened up. You can now get almost anything delivered to your door!

We proved our resilience. We demonstrated our creativity. We leveled up our efficiency. We learned how to grow a sourdough starter! Okay, I didn’t. But if the Internet is true, approximately EVERYONE other than me managed to add that to their resume.

Will “losing weight” still be at the top of resolution lists? Or will that elusive goal be pushed out by other priorities such as spending more time with our loved ones (human and animal), deepening community connections, and creatively structuring our work schedules and locations in ways that are good for business and life-giving for us?

In 2021, we got laser-focused on overcoming this pandemic, keeping our economy strong, and keeping schools and businesses open. And I hope that in 2022, we will double down on climate action. Our planet really can’t afford for us to wait. I’m proud that as a City we are committed to climate action goals. As private community members, there are even more things we can do. What are your intentions for 2022? Let me know!

Lacey Beaty was elected Beaverton’s Mayor in 2020. Prior to serving as Mayor, she served for six years on Beaverton City Council.