Oregon Public Broadcasting

The first mayor of the city of Damascus, Oregon, has died at 81 - after battling cancer. As Rob Manning reports, Dee Wescott will be remembered for his efforts to organize the rural community in the face of urbanization.

Wescott’s family had lived in the shadow of Mount Hood, since his great grandfather was among the first to homestead there. And before becoming Damascus mayor, Dee Wescott represented locals as urban growth was considered for the area.

Here he is testifying to Metro in 2002.

Dee Wescott: “The one thing about Damascus that I want you all to understand, is that Damascus has been rural for a long time, and they’d like to retain their rural character. But if the urban growth boundary moves, they are prepared to face the challenge that is brought by that.”

Metro later made Damascus the focus of the largest growth boundary expansion in state history.

Wescott led the effort to incorporate Damascus as a city, so the community could help plan its future. Those efforts continue, with others leading the way.

Wescott will be honored at a memorial on February 7th.

Dee Wescott talks about Damascus and the urban growth boundry