Forest Grove 'State of the City' address draws standing-room-only crowd
It was standing room only at the Forest Grove Community Auditorium Monday evening as residents, city staff, volunteers, students from the Forest Grove High School, and visiting dignitaries from other cities and governments gathered to hear Forest Grove's State of the City address.
It was standing room only at the Forest Grove Community Auditorium Monday evening as residents, city staff, volunteers, students from the Forest Grove High School, and visiting dignitaries from other cities and governments gathered to hear Forest Grove's State of the City address.
After members of the Forest Grove American Legion presented the flags of the United States and Oregon, the evening's entertainment began: three songs from Forest Grove High School's Mariachi Tradición band, which was met with a standing ovation. The group of young musicians is led by Lesslie Nuñez.
"I'm hesitant to move on, because they're so good, and I have to follow that," Forest Grove Mayor Malynda Wenzl said.
After conducting a land acknowledgement in English and in Spanish, Mayor Wenzel was introduced in English by Annie Goff and in Spanish by Aniya Tellez.
Left to right, upper row: Forest Grove Mayor Malynda Wenzl, a tribute to the late Mayor Richard Kidd, the audience applauds after Forest Grove High School's Mariachi Tradición band plays. Left to right, middle column: Members of Mariachi Tradición; Washington County Commissioner Jerry Willey shakes hands with a member of the Forest Grove American Legion, Forest Grove City Manager Jesse VanderZanden speaks with a member of the Forest Grove American Legion, cake was among the refreshments at the event. Photos: Chas Hundley
Before beginning the address, Wenzel noted the contributions of the 44th mayor of Forest Grove, Richard Kidd, who died Oct. 6, 2024.
"His impact on our community will not be forgotten," Wenzel said.
Wenzel thanked outgoing city councilors Elena Uhing and Timothy Rippe, who finished their terms in December, and welcomed two new ones, Angel Falconer and Brian Schimmel, while also noting the council's first Latina council president, City Councilor Mariana Valenzuela.
The mayor, with the help of a series of pre-recorded videos by several city councilors, gave a birds-eye view of the city's activities from last year.
Watch it in full below.
