Mayor Paul Aziz announced he will not run again for a sixth term. After much thought and discussion with his partner, he determined he would like to spend more time on personal projects, hobbies and the Lebanon Museum. Aziz will finish out this fifth term, which ends in December.
Aziz ran for office in 2012 and unseated 18-year incumbent Ken Toomb. According to a press release, this was at a time when the community wanted more transparency and wanted the city to use social media and video to record events and meetings to keep the public informed.
He recalled many important projects happened and launched the city in a positive direction during his 10 years as mayor, including helping to accomplish the Lebanon 2040 Vision plan, which helped the community and city council move forward with goals that were created from the community. The plan is still being used and currently being updated.
He also worked with the council and staff to help start the revamping of downtown, starting with Strawberry Plaza and the City’s facade improvement incentives, which kicked off the resurgence of downtown.
Also during his tenure, the aging water treatment plant was replaced, the north entrance welcome monument was built, Porter Park Community Garden was built, Applegate for veterans and families was built, Crossroads Community services for veterans and those with addictions was established, and the Samaritan Treatment and Recovery was built.
Since his first meeting after being elected, Aziz had the city council meetings video-recorded and published online, which is still happening to this day.
“I love Lebanon and the people who live and work here,” Aziz said in his press release. “This is the best place I have ever lived and I hope my 10 years in office helped to make Lebanon a bit better. I am sad to know my term will end in December, however it will be really nice to have that extra personal time.”
He gave thanks to those who supported him as mayor, and to the city manager and staff for helping move the Lebanon 2040 Vision forward and for working through the pandemic.