First taking the gavel as Philomath’s mayor in January 2021, Chas Jones has seen a lot over his four years in the city’s most visible governmental position. The city was working through the pandemic, a huge downtown streetscapes project was getting underway and challenges related to residential housing continued.
On Dec. 9, Jones presided over a City Council meeting for the final time. And the very gravel that he had used over the past four years was presented to him by City Manager Chris Workman as part of a plaque in appreciation of his service to Philomath.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to find myself serving as mayor at a time when the city’s been accomplishing so many of our long-term priorities,” Jones said. “We have downtown streetscapes, we’ve been working on residential housing, we have a number of amazing local businesses in town, we’ve got, I think, a strong sense of community with more street events, more gatherings.”
Jones stayed with his thoughts on Philomath’s close-knit community.
“I hear it all the time how connected people are in Philomath — even people in Corvallis love Philomath,” he said.
Jones also mentioned the police and fire departments, businesses, nonprofit organizations and the city’s residents as strengths. And he had several comments on city staff.
“I can’t say enough good things about how impressed I’ve been with our staff,” he said. “And the fact that we have such long-term staff just says volumes for the city as an employer, the city as a place that people want to call home and as a place that people want to work for.”
He mentioned the City Council as well.
“I’m incredibly grateful for my council president, Ruth Causey, who’s been president with me since I started as mayor and I really appreciate that and all the city councilors,” he said. “I really have been really fortunate to work with you.”
The mayor’s wife, Johanna, also received a thank-you — and even a round of applause from the council members in attendance.
“My wife, Joanna, she’s been there — not all council meetings are easy … She was there to help de-stress,” Jones said.
Yes, it’s true that Jones’s tenure was not all sunshine and roses. There were plenty of challenges that came with the job, especially in the first year. Meetings often ran long with what had become an arduous process with intense discussions. The atmosphere was tense at times and the group’s functionality became an issue to the point that the city attorney even proposed an intervention to try to help the group work together better.
Controversial topics included North 11th Street improvements, the removal of two councilors from the Public Works Committee, the often-troubled Millpond Crossing housing development and construction issues with the new water reservoir.
During the Dec. 9 meeting, Causey also received a plaque for her service as a city councilor since January 2019. And Workman acknowledged the service of former councilor Matt Lehman, who stepped away in November after taking a job with Cascade West Council of Governments, a position that he felt created a potential conflict of interest.
Christopher McMorran will succeed Jones in January following a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Philomath Museum. Current councilor Diane Crocker and incoming councilors Spencer Irwin and Brent Kaseman will also be sworn in to begin new terms.
The vacancy created by Lehman’s resignation will presumably be filled in January. Workman said a few weeks ago that two citizens had submitted applications for the seat, which carries a term through 2026. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Dec. 30.
For Jones, his comments created the sense that he’s going to miss certain parts of the job.
“I just love walking into local businesses and getting hugs and not being able to get out without having a big long conversation,” Jones said softly while wrapping up his comments. “It’s such a dream to be the mayor of a small town.”
2. Grave marker connects Wyoming to Philomath
A project at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne has produced amazing results that highlights an important part of America’s past — the westward migration via the Oregon Trail.
A story that appeared recently in Community College Daily, a publication of the American Association of Community Colleges, reported on two grave markers “weathered by time and the elements, memorializing individuals who died on the Oregon Trail.” The college is part of a project to preserve and replicate the markers.
And one has a connection to Philomath.
Decades ago, a rancher who was plowing his hayfield near Glendo, Wyoming, discovered an old grave stone. It belonged to a woman named Millie Irwin, who died in 1852 near the North Platte River. The stone included her name and date of death.
A second grave marker that belonged to the Snodderly family was found when ranchers grading an entrance road struck it with heavy machinery.
The human remains were excavated and the gravestones protected in a museum.
“Millie Irwin, a native of North Carolina, was traveling with her husband, Robert, and their family, aiming to start a new life in Oregon,” Joel Funk wrote in the article. “Robert Irwin and the surviving members of his family settled near Philomath, Benton County, Oregon. The Snodderlys were farmers also heading to Oregon.”
Historian Randy Brown made the connection through his research of the families to help tell a story that goes beyond just names on a headstone.
Robert Irwin, by the way, appears to have died in 1876 and is buried at Armstrong Cemetery, which is located down a gravel road off Bellfountain Road less than 5 miles from Philomath.
It’s a fascinating project and to read the full story, it’s available on the Community College Daily website at this link.
3. Climbing wall coming to elementary school
Philomath Elementary Principal Eric Beasley shared some interesting news this week about an indoor traverse climbing wall that’s coming to the school this spring. The 32-foot wall comes with a price tag of around $12,000 and will be installed by EP Climbing out of Bend.
Beasley said B&G Logging/Wren Hill Lumber, Patrick Lumber, Miller Timber and Starker Forests are all contributing to provide funds for the wall.
“The wall will have fold up and down pads that serve as fall protection when in use for traverse climbing,” Beasley said. “The wall will have different colored routes with the goal of students building core strength, mental problem solving and enjoyment.”
The wall’s usage will be incorporated into physical education instruction as well as special activities. Plans call for the wall to be purchased in January and installed over spring break in partnership with the school district’s facilities department.
A special event to unveil the new addition to the school in front of students would then follow with a celebration to include the timber industry donors.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).
