Paul Aziz has announced that he’s seeking another two-year term as Lebanon mayor in the November 2022 election.
He was first elected in 2012, then again in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020.
“We are a growing community that has reinvented itself over the years,” he said. “Lebanon is in a great position economically, and livability continues to improve.”
Aziz underwent back surgery a year ago and said he’s “fully healed, healthy, full of energy and ready for another two years of helping to guide the city.”
“We have so many positive things happening in Lebanon, it is an exciting time to live, work and play in our thriving community,” he added, listing, as examples, COMP NW medical school, the Oregon Veterans Home, Boulder Falls Inn, LBCC’s Advanced Transportation Training Center and Health Occupations Center, ENTEK, Lowe’s “and many other establishments are attracting more businesses and jobs here in town. And we cannot forget our thriving downtown area that now has an energy and look that is amazing.”
Challenges have come with growth: traffic, homelessness, wetlands issues, the pandemic and a need for a new City Hall.
“These are all things we have been working on and will continue to find solutions,” Aziz said. “During this pandemic, the past couple of years has been very challenging and difficult for all of us who live in Lebanon, from a struggling economy to social distancing, masks and more.”
Aziz said he feels that a balance is needed as Lebanon addresses “unprecedented issues, and one of the most important things is to get critical up-to-date and accurate information to the public.”
That’s why he’s spent many Saturday afternoons on a live Facebook feed, he said: to keep residents informed and up to date during the pandemic.
“This has been an important part of staying positive and working through this pandemic together as a community,” he said.