(Photo: Mayor Steve Hogan of Camas, Washington)
Let us introduce you to the Mayor of Camas, Washington, Mayor Steve Hogan. Mayor Hogan chatted with us this week about his political career, the new things happening in Camas, and some must-see spots for guests visiting the town. Whether you have been to Camas or have it on your list of places to visit, we have all the exciting information you’ve been looking for.
How did you become mayor of Camas? Tell us about your political career.
My career as mayor started 17 years ago. I had retired from my job and received a call that there was an opening on the city council. I decided to step up and run for election. I was elected and did four terms as a city council member. Then last year, the previous mayor of Camas left, so I decided to run for mayor and was elected. This is my first year as mayor of the city.
What do you enjoy most about being the mayor of Camas?
My favorite part is that you can really see what impact you have on the community. You get to move initiatives forward and get projects going. You can see it readily and have friends and neighbors come up to you and tell you they appreciate what you’re doing. Or they give you tips and advice on how it could have been done better. Ultimately, you get feedback, and I like that. It’s good to see our staff’s accomplishments and how it impacts people.
What are some new and exciting things happening in Camas?
There’s quite a bit taking place. We’re growing very quickly. We’re a community that was developed around industry and jobs. And we have a lot of big employers in Camas that are expanding, mainly in the Chips manufacturing area. But we have a wonderful downtown that we have been working on for the last 17 years. It’s got incredible boutiques and shops and great places to eat. The fact that we made it through the COVID-19 pandemic without serious damage being done to our businesses has been a wonderful result. We are very lucky and blessed.
We have a community with three lakes and two rivers. One is the Columbia River, and the other is the Washougal River. Right now, we’re having great weather and we’re enjoying the water quite a bit. When my family and I moved here about 28 years ago, there were around 7,000 people. Now, we have around 27,000 people and are growing every day.
(Photo: Lacamas Lake in Camas, Washington)
What are some must-see places for our guests coming into Camas?
Our restaurants downtown. They provide a great mixture for guests. We are part of the National Main Street program in Washington State, so we are shooting to have a variety of restaurants. You can find good steaks, sandwiches, Mexican food, Chinese food, and Thai food. We also have tons of great coffee shops and boutique-styled stores for guests to visit. We also have a wonderful library that sits across from city hall, where our farmers market takes place on Wednesdays.
It’s a great place, and it feels like Mayberry. It’s a town where you feel like you belong. The people are very outgoing, and there are a lot of places to sit and talk to people.
Is there anything else we should tell our guests about Camas?
In terms of the city, it has one of the strongest public-school systems in the United States. Camas also has a very vibrant feel to it. People are doing a lot of creative things in our city, both on the national level and international level. We have lots of trails and outdoor activities that are available. We are also close to Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, two very big metropolitan areas. But, when you step into Camas, you feel like you are in a very small town where you have everything you need. It’s a very calm and pleasant place. It’s a small-town community that does big town things. For people who want to live here, it’s the perfect place to move.
Visit Camas, Washington, with American Queen Voyages!
The culturally rich town of Camas, Washington, is a must-see destination. Between the delicious dining options and the many activities available to guests, there’s something for everyone to love. To visit Camas along with other ports of call, check out our Columbia and Snake River sailings today!
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