January 30, 2023 3:30 a.m. 

Last week, Roseburg City Manager Nikki Messenger and two city councilors traveled to Salem to support legislative priorities that they say would increase local authority and help communities.

A City of Roseburg release said Messenger and councilors Ellen Porter and Shelley Briggs Loosely took part in the League of Oregon Cities “City Day at the Capitol” held at the Salem Convention Center. The trio connected with city officials from throughout Oregon and learned about challenges and successes they are experiencing when working on economic development, housing and other issues.

Messenger said, “Unfortunately, every city is struggling with homeless issues. And everyone is frustrated. We spent time learning about recent court decisions and new Oregon laws and meeting directly with the LOC’s lobbyist working on homeless issues”.

Porter said she was intrigued to hear how other small cities are trying to tackle challenges involving homelessness and economic vitality. Porter said, “The highlight for me actually was talking with a city councilman from Prineville and learning how they are working to make their community recession-resistant”.

Porter stayed on Thursday to meet with individual lawmakers at the Capitol to begin discussing how the homeless crisis is impacting smaller communities like Roseburg.

As part of the trip, Messenger, Porter and Briggs Loosely joined about 200 city officials from around the state to hear briefings on legislative priorities for the 2023 session with Oregon’s new governor, legislative leadership and LOC lobbyists.