From the Desk of Jose Gonzalez

As 2024 comes to a close, it brings with it the usual end-of-year reflections—and for me, the end of my time as a Salem City Councilor. When my son asked if stepping away feels bittersweet, I told him it absolutely does. On one hand, I’ll have more time to dedicate to my family, which is the most important thing to me. On the other, I’m stepping away from an organization that’s been a major part of my life for the past four years.

I could list accomplishments or share lessons learned during my time on the Council, but that’s not the message I want to leave you with. Instead, I want to focus on what comes next—not just for me, but for all of us.

Years ago, I worked closely with a local politician who connected deeply with working-class neighborhoods like mine. They listened, built relationships, and gave us hope that we had a say in shaping our community. But when they chose not to run for office again, they also stepped away entirely. It wasn’t intentional or malicious—they deserved a break. But the relationships and momentum we’d built together vanished. Suddenly, we were back at square one, realizing we had to start over. It was exhausting and disheartening.

That experience shaped my perspective on public service. As I leave office, I want to make one thing clear: I will not disappear. I was deeply involved in our community long before I was elected, and I plan to remain just as engaged now that my term is ending. The time and trust our community invested in me won’t go to waste.

Over the last four years, I’ve gained invaluable skills and insights into how our city works. It feels like earning a “Ph.D.” in the City of Salem—a degree no one can take away. The relationships I’ve built with our incoming mayor, current and new councilors, and countless community members are real. Together, we’ve faced budget challenges and tackled tough issues, and there’s still so much more to do.

Moving forward, I’ll continue to work with our city leaders and community members to address our most pressing challenges, from financial stability to creating a Salem we can all be proud of. As I’ve always said, we’ll do it together—juntos!

So while this chapter of my public service may be ending, my commitment to our city is not. Let’s keep moving forward, building on what we’ve accomplished, and creating the future we all deserve