As the heat of election season ramps up, one thing often set aside is the importance of local politics and the changes to the community climate. 

Current Corvallis City Manager Mark Shepard said Corvallis’ direction and representation was front and center as he discussed his new role on the League of Oregon Cities board, and what it means for Corvallis moving forward. 

Shepard, who has held the position for over nine years, oversees the community’s biggest issues, which he believes will bring “an additional depth of perspective” to the LOC board as only one of the three City Managers currently serving. As the LOC creates a political space for collaboration between Oregon communities, Shepard emphasized his goal to learn from his three-year term and improve his leadership by being more informed on a state level. 

Shepard emphasized that this opportunity will allow him to see ways other cities are handling broader Oregon issues. In a city where affordable housing is increasingly scarce and the homeless population continues to grow, Shepard’s work with the LOC could bring valuable insights and resources to Corvallis. 

Although these problems are currently affecting all Oregon communities, Shepard highlighted how the “collaborative” process of the LOC creates a space for city representatives to teach one another. Shepard’s unique perspective as a City Manager of the largest college town in Oregon will prove to be beneficial beyond our community as he “hopes to share the successes we have had here in Corvallis with funding and revenue.” 

As an increasing number of Oregon cities face budget cuts that affect community jobs and services, Shepard states that Corvallis has yet to make such changes, which is one of the ways the city continues to grow.

Shepard emphasized that his position in Corvallis is to “make other people successful” which guides the importance of having a wide variety of leadership representatives on the LOC. As someone who has “worked his way up” to his current community position, Shepard hopes that his growth in local government can provide a strategic practicality that comes with seeing issues at all levels and allows him to better serve the Oregon community.

While this opportunity is “an honor” for Shepard personally, he concluded that what he learns from his term on the LOC is equally important to our community engagement. As an Oregon State University alum, Shepard hopes to see young community leaders take charge of the change they want in Corvallis and “be curious” in the political atmosphere around them.

“I think it’s important that young people who are interested start to engage with their local government. That is the place you can make the most difference … the city, the county and the school district all have different roles,” Shepard said. He also emphasized that the differentiation between these roles is important for locals, and “Asking questions, seeking to understand, and looking for opportunities to plug-in” is the best way that “keeps the community engaged.”

Shepard’s new role on the LOC initiates many new and exciting ideas coming to Corvallis. However, change often begins with inner-community implementation, so Shepard urges students and Corvallis youth to call their local government officials and representatives with concerns, questions or ideas that they wish to see around them.

In such a fast-moving college town, Shepard urges students to remember that their voice has power. Whether it’s reaching out to city council members, attending a city meeting or simply staying informed, there are many ways students can help shape Corvallis’ future and advocate for the change they wish to see.

As Shepard takes Corvallis’ voice to the state level, he reminds us all to be curious, engaged and unafraid to advocate for our community — a sentiment he carries from his own days at OSU, and one he plans to carry to the LOC.