November 2023

City Manager Introduction. 

Dear Bandon residents – my name is Torrey Contreras, and I am proud to be of service to you and the City of Bandon in the capacity of City Manager.  I came to Bandon from the City of Cerritos, which is a fully-developed bedroom-community of approximately 50,000 residents, located in Southern California.  I am trained as a landscape architect and have worked as a professional urban planner for the majority of my public sector career.  Prior to being hired by Bandon, I worked for my hometown of Cerritos for thirty (30) years rising from the ranks of Planning Intern to Senior Assistant City Manager.  As the City’s second in command, I worked in support of my mentor and long-time Cerritos City Manager, Art Gallucci, who remains the longest-serving City Manager in the State of California.  I bring to Bandon extensive real-world experience in local municipal government, land use development, economic development, urban planning, environmental design, transportation, affordable housing, budgeting, public policy, organizational management, and public administration.

I am thankful to the Bandon City Council and former City Manager, Dan Chandler, for their part in assembling an amazing team of City employees.  In just four (4) weeks, I have come to realize that Bandon employees are among the most knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated employees that I have worked with over the course of my career.  With that said, I look forward to working with the City Council and the Bandon residents to develop a long-term vision for the City that will serve to guide its future.  Working transparently and in collaboration with the City Council, residents, property owners and local businesses to address the most significant issues facing the City, will serve to ensure its continued success and long-term prosperity.  Again, thank you to the City Council, City employees and residents for placing your trust in me and for making me feel at home in the majestic and beautiful community of Bandon.

Library Happenings. 

I am happy to report that the Bandon Library has been awarded a Caselle grant and will soon be receiving $1,000 to support the development of a Teens Connect program.  The library recently participated in a competitive grant process that resulted in a monetary award to be used for the creation of activities that are appealing to teens in the community.  Library staff will be seeking input from local teens for the purpose of steering the development of the program.  Specific programing for teens may include events dedicated to art, open board games and pizza, book clubs and writing groups, creative crafts, Mario Kart tournaments, special guest presentations, escape rooms, Karaoke performances, theater workshops, STEM activities, and art mural projects. Please be sure to encourage your teen to participate in the development of this program.

Holiday Lights Contest. 

Although we have yet to celebrate Thanksgiving, I am taking advantage of this opportunity to announce the City’s annual Holiday Lights Contest.  The City is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to put on the 2023 Holiday Lights Contest.  Entries must be on display in time for the Night of 10,000 Lights to be held on November 25th, with prizes being awarded on December 15th. The contest is open to all City of Bandon Electric Utility customers and winners will receive electric utility credits for use in 2024.  For more information, please visit the City’s website www.cityofbandon.org.   Happy Holidays!

Bandon Police Department News. 

I am happy to report that Bandon’s Officer Whitmer was promoted to Sergeant this month and I was able to participate in my very first Swearing-In Ceremony.  The City Council Chambers was filled with family, friends, and colleagues of Seargent Whitmer.  Additionally, City dignitaries were on hand to present Seargent Whitmer with his very own Key to the City of Bandon.

In other news, the Bandon Police Department recently hired Ron Ramer as its new Reserve Officer.  Reserve Officers are instrumental to the Bandon Police Department, as they volunteer their personal time to support the efforts of the Police Department towards ensuring the safety of the Bandon community.  Additionally, Emma Owens departed for the Police Academy this month to undergo the rigorous training and physical conditioning required to become a member of the law enforcement community.

The Bandon Police Department plans to hire two additional Officers in the coming months.  Jesse Macy is scheduled to be sworn-in on November 1st, becoming the newest member of the Department, while the other individual is currently undergoing the extensive background process prospective candidates must pass for the chance to become an Officer.

Lastly, the Bandon Police Department will be participating in the annual Trunk or Treat to be held on October 31, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  First responders and school district personnel will be handing out candy to children in a safe and secure environment provided by the parking lot of the High School Gym.

Electric Utility Updates. 

The City’s Electric Utility has retained a consultant to assist with the development and implementation of an Electric System Model that will help to improve the provisioning of electric utility service in the future.  As part of maintaining a safe and reliable electric utility, highly skilled Electric Utility employees have been testing power poles to ensure that they are structurally sound and do not pose a potential hazard.  Of the 300 power poles that were inspected, ten poles were deemed to be compromised and in need of replacement. City crews have already commenced work to replace the referenced power poles.  The City will soon be replacing its existing meter reading equipment, that is no longer supported by the provider, with a new state-of-the-art system that will improve the Utility’s overall efficiency.

I am also happy to report that no unplanned power outages occurred during the month of October.  Remember to participate in this year’s Holiday Lights Contest for a chance to win valuable and widely sought after electric utility credits!