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Greetings,
I dont know about you, but there was a time when I used to think that summer started in June. In recent years, it really feels
like everything leading up to July 4th is still late spring. For a number of those long springs, I would find myself feeling disap-
pointed with the lack of summer weather, warmth and beach days. What Ive come to understand is that summer is coming, and
my outlook is proportionally improved with my willingness to enjoy whats actually happening rather than holding on to my expec-
tations. There are some things, like the arrival of summer, that you simply need to be ready to embrace when they arrive. We
cant control when it happens, but we can make the choice to take full advantage of the opportunities it provides.
Ive spent a lot of time thinking about writing this edition of "Notes from the Mayors Desk," because I have some big news to
share with you. Some of you may be disappointed while some may consider it the best news youve heard all week! After months
of consideration and deliberation, I have decided that I will not be seeking another term as Mayor of Washburn in the 2018 spring
election. I will continue on in my role through the completion of my current term in mid-April of 2018. It has been a very difficult
decision and Im sure that I am going to miss the job, but this, like the arrival of summer, is one of those moments where it's
important for me to seize the opportunity in front of me. It would take pages to fill you in on everything that has informed this
decision, but there are few things that rise to the top.
I have been slowly building a company online for the past 10 years. Its been a labor of love and has only received scraps of my
attention since my election in 2012. Its growing now and Im excited about the trajectory its on, but it will need more of my
attention if it is to reach its full potential. Ive been self-employed for most of my adult life, which has provided me the flexibility to
serve as Mayor for these past five years, but recently, I have taken a full-time, position with the School District of Ashland doing
important work in our public schools.
Finally, there have been many times over the past 5 years that Ive realized that the work that really needed to be done to move
our city and our region in the right direction was the work of the private sector. Municipalities dont do economic development,
entrepreneurs do. I want to see that work done with integrity and with an understanding how important Lake Superior is to the
world. With that goal in mind, I have been accepted into an MBA program focusing on Sustainable Management and Social
Entrepreneurship. This path will give me the tools I need to contribute to our collective future in a different and exciting way,
I know that I cant do my best work when I am being pulled in too many directions, and when I consider all of these opportuni-
ties and my role as Mayor, I know that theres simply not enough time to do it all with the focus that each of them deserves.
Its challenging to think about stepping aside when there is still much work to be done, but Ive come to realize that the work of
a municipality is never complete. There will never be a time when there arent big projects under way or ideas on the horizon, so
the decision to run or not must be informed by other factors.
I realized early on that my primary role as Mayor was helping to set a positive tone. Its subtle but important work. In that
endeavor, I feel that we, as a community, have been quite successful. Im not going to dive into the laundry list of projects and
that have been completed over the past 5 years. No one person can take responsibility for getting those things done. Its been a
collective effort. Ive simply played a role in setting the tone, and I am proud of the work weve accomplished.
Serving as Mayor to the City of Washburn has been one of the most challenging and fulfilling experiences of my life. I have
grown immensely in both my personal and professional life and I cant thank you all enough for putting your trust in me. I look
forward to continuing to serve for the next 10 months.
Washburns future is bright. Our trajectory and the inertia behind it will carry us exactly where we need to go, and I am confi-
dent that the right person will step forward to ask for your support to pick up where I am leaving off. Thank you again for the
opportunity and the support youve given me. It has been an honor.

Humbly yours,

Scott Griffiths, Mayor

washburnmayor@gmail.com
715.685.4031
If you received notice that your address would be
changing on June 30th, please be sure to change
the numbers on your house.
We understand that this is inconvenient.
(My address changed as well, so I can empathize.)
You never know when you will need to request
Emergency Services. Having the proper address
visible on your home is an important part of
getting the help you need.
Wed like to encourage all boaters
to use the new and improved
boat ramp at the Washburn Marina.
Improvements include a fish cleaning
station, bathrooms, easy pull-through
parking and the soon to be completed
boat wash station.

County Highway Garage

on Central Ave,
8:00am- 11:00
Hazardous Materials Free Medication Collection
Including: Including: Not accepted:
- Solvents & oil-based paint -Pills - Sharps
- Stains, shellac, varnish -Capsules
- Roof and driveway sealants - Syringes
-Ointments
- Pesticides & herbicides -Liquids - IV Bags
- Oil & other automotive fluids -Sprays -Tubing
- Household batteries -Inhalers
- Aerosols -Vials
- Etc. -Drops
For a complete list of accepted & prohibited items or for more information,
contact UW Extension: (715) 373-6104 or Bayfield County Emergency Mgmt: (71 5) 373-6113