That's So Auburn!

In this episode of That's So Auburn! Mayor Nancy Backus is joined by Police Commander Cristian Adams, who began his law enforcement career in Auburn in 2005 as a patrol officer. He now oversees Traffic, Records and our Community Response Team. 

The world was much different when Cristian first applied to be an officer -- he was one of about 250 applicants. Today, Auburn and many communities in Washington and South King County, struggle to fill vacant positions. 

Cristian talks about his law enforcement career, current objectives with ongoing community safety meetings across Auburn, and how his team is making a difference in Auburn.

Part 2 of our intern takeover, this time with the wonderful ladies who run the program! Mayor Nancy Backus is joined by City of Auburn Human Resource Department's Chardae Gillespie, Brianna Winters and Melissa Medisch, three women who love the work they do and the impact it has on the next generation of city workers. Listen to their spirited conversation about the NextStepAuburn program and how it impacts not only the interns themselves but the city as a whole.

City of Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus sits down with Next Step Auburn interns Angee Pogosian, William Olson, and Emma Blanton, who started in June for the 10-week internship with the city. The quartet talks about their favorite moments (so far), lessons learned, and goals for the future! Part 2 will be released in August.

Miss Auburn Maddy Lindsay and Miss Auburn's Teen Maddie McCarthy join Mayor Nancy Backus in this very special episode of That's So Auburn! Learn about the Miss America organization, the amazing scholarship and community service opportunities, and how the Maddies plan to use their platform to change the world for the better. 

This episode is all about, well, Mayor Nancy Backus! For the past two years you've heard her interview a whole bevy of guests, from school district officials, emergency managers, homelessness service providers, Miss Auburn and more. And now, the tables are turned -- literally! She's in the hot seat, ready to answer the community's most burning questions. 

Mayor Nancy Backus sits down with Anti-Homelessness Director Kent Hay, Outreach Worker Drew Conley, and community member Kyle Benson, who spent years homeless in Auburn. Kyle talks about his journey from heavy drug use to jail to now being clean and sober and in permanent housing. This is episode is also a follow-up to our very first episodes in season 1, titled "Addressing Homelessness in Auburn." There are three parts, please give them a listen!

Mayor Nancy Backus chats with Green River College's President Suzanne Johnson and Vice President for Advancement George Frasier about that gorgeous campus up on Lea Hill and the struggles it and many colleges across the country have faced since the pandemic began in 2020.

The three chat about enrollment shortfalls, what's being done, and what's the plan for the future.

Plus, and this is important, do they prefer Friends or the Office? Stay tuned to find out.

In this month's episode of That's so Auburn! Mayor Nancy Backus and Communications Manager Jonathan Glover catch up with Debbie Christian, the Executive Director of the Auburn Food Bank. If you haven't heard the wonderful news, last month, an anonymous donor wrote the check of a lifetime, all by paying for the entire outstanding bill as the food bank moves to a new, much bigger and better building.

The story is so wonderful it's ripped straight out of a Hallmark movie. But even better -- it's all true!

The trio also discusses how Debbie got into this line of work and the amazing contributions she makes each and every day to Auburn.

City of Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus sits down with Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Coordinator Amanda Valdez and 7-year-old Lucas Fernandez, who was selected to light the tree outside of City Hall earlier this year! It's a wonderful tradition that begins as a parade down Main Street from Auburn High School and ends at City Hall Plaza, where hundreds will gather to watch Lucas flip the switch.

Lucas was one of about 30 applicants, the most in the history of this event! Hear from Lucas about his favorite holiday traditions, what it means to be a tree lighter, and why this time of year is so special.

Mayor Nancy Backus sits down with City of Auburn's special events coordinator Kristy Pachciarz and Roger Olson with the American Legion Post 78 to talk about the Auburn Veterans Parade! You know, that great big giant parade that snakes through Main Street each year??? You might be wondering how it started, how it grew so big, and what it means to the folks involved (hint: a whole heck of a lot).