MEMORANDUM

DATE: September 12, 2002

TO: City Council Members

FROM: Mayor Alan DeBoer

RE: Announcement in Memory of Ken Hagen

Almost four years ago, on September 21, 1998, Ashland City Councilor Ken Hagen passed away. For those of us who knew Ken, it was a time to reflect on his vision for Ashland, and to ensure his vision would continue to live on. Ken was a remarkable person. In spite of his disabilities with multiple sclerosis and being confined to a wheelchair, Ken worked tirelessly to promote a healthy environment for all of us. It was his dream to see every Ashland street bike and pedestrian friendly, and encouraged alternative forms of transportation for everyone.

Aside from his alternative transportation mission, Ken was a founding member of PACT (People Acting together can Change Tomorrow), a county-wide organization that promotes recycling. He was involved in numerous recycling projects throughout the county.

When you visit the Recycling Center on Water Street in Ashland, you will see a plaque that has been dedicated to Ken for his unwavering commitment to recycling and conservation efforts.

I would like us all to remember Ken and his intense dedication to our community. Let's take a leaf out of his book and try and recycle more and conserve our resources, and use alternative forms of transportation when we can. The bus is free in Ashland!

And lastly, on behalf of our citizens, I am proud to dedicate a plaque in Ken's name for the stretch of bike path by the Railroad Park, made possible by donations in memory of Ken Hagen and his quest for bike paths in Ashland. This bronze plaque will be mounted in concrete, along by the bike path at the Railroad Park, so we may always remember Ken and never forget his dedication and commitment to the City of Ashland.

The plaque will read:

DEDICATED TO KEN HAGEN,

ASHLAND CITY COUNCILOR, 1995 - 1998,

AND HIS EXTRAORDINARY VISION AND

COMMITMENT FOR BIKEPATHS IN ASHLAND

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