Inside Washington County with Rob Solomon

Our guest today is civics educator, Donna Cohen. Donna started her interesting project years ago with a stated mission "to enhance civic knowledge and to inspire political involvement."

Donna has earned two masters degrees-MLIS [Master of Library and Information Studies], and an MEd. A former teacher, Donna now devotes her time to presenting workshops geared to help adults to learn and become engaged in political activity.

Topics in our discussion include civic engagement, advocacy, fake news, and more!

Learn more about Donna's workshops.

In Washington County we have cities and a large areas of unincorporated land. The Cedar Mill area makes up a large portion of the unincorporated part of our county, and no one knows Cedar Mill better than this week’s guest, Virginia Bruce.

Virginia is a community activist who manages the Cedar Mill Historical Society, manages CPO1 in the community Participation Organization system, and publishes a monthly news publication, the Cedar Mill News.

Our conversation focuses on county history, current issues, and differences between the cities and the unincorporated areas in Washington County.

Today we focus on the upcoming vote for Beaverton Mayor. Our guests are the two leading vote getters in the May 2020 Primary Election: incumbent Mayor Denny Doyle and Beaverton City Councilor Lacey Beaty.

In this year of COVID-19 campaigning, there have been several virtual debates between these two office seekers. We decided on a different format. Each candidate was interviewed separately with similar questions. We hope this format offers an additional way to compare and contrast the candidates.

Mayor Snider was drawn to public service early in life. He worked as an emergency medical technician (EMT) his senior year of high school and served two years on the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Board in Southern California during his junior and senior years of high school. In college, Mayor Snider took a semester off to attend paramedic school in Los Angeles, and he maintains his paramedic certification to this day.

Mayor Jason Snider has been a Tigard resident since 1999. He is the administrator of Kaiser Permanente Northwest's Regional General Surgery and Plastic Surgery Departments, and began his career as a clinical manager at American Medical Response.

Oregon has had issues with the delivery of and access to mental health services for years. Ballot Measure 110, Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative, proposes to address many of the issues involved.

Today, we are taking a look at these concerns with two members of the Yes on 110 campaign – Anthony Johnson, chief petitioner and long-time drug policy reform activist, and Amelia Fowler, lead field organizer.

As of the time of this taping (August 18, 2020), we can find no organized opposition to this measure. If you have thoughts to share, please contact us.

Read recently-published SUPPORT and OPPOSITION statements here.

Our guest this week is Vision Action Network Executive Director Glenn Montgomery. Vision Action Network (VAN) is an agency that works rather quietly with other non-profits to serve our county.

Glenn joined VAN as Executive Director in March 2015 having worked in software development, sustainability work, lay ministry, and in non-profit management. He has curated a unique set of skills and experience in his varied career that serve him well in his role as convener and facilitator of cross-sector collaboration in Washington County.

Today we discuss Ballot Measure 107 with Kate Titus, Oregon State Director for Common Cause. Kate has been a long-time advocate for campaign finance reform.

Measure 107, Campaign Finance Limits Amendment, would authorize the Oregon State Legislature and local governments to limit political contributions and expenditures.

Currently, Oregon campaign finance laws allow unlimited contributions to candidates and ballot measures. Oregon is one of five states with no limits on campaign contributions.

Today Rob talks with Leticia Aguilar, Chicas Youth Development Program Manager for Adelente Mujeres. This program is primarily focused on the needs of Latinas in Washington County.

Leticia will share with us how Adelente Mujeres works in general and how it's work has been affected by COVID 19. We will also discuss the Chicas youth program.

This week Rob discusses philanthropy in Washington County with Max Williams and Todd Baker.

Todd Baker, President of Baker Rock Resources

Baker Rock Resources has been in Oregon for over 60 years and emphasizes giving back to and reinvesting in local communities in its business model. Each year, Baker Rock Resources hosts and supports numerous walks, fundraisers, community auctions, drives, and community events. Baker Rock Resources also assists countless local and regional organizations that help those who need a hand up, particularly veterans.

Max Williams, CEO, Oregon Community Foundation

The Oregon Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and businesses with directing charitable contributions and creating charitable funds. OCF is Oregon’s largest public charity. Formerly a lawyer, legislator, leader of the Oregon Department of Corrections, Max assumed his role as OCF president and CEO in 2012. He has helped individuals, families and businesses transform their philanthropy into sustained, community-driven impact, doubling the Foundation’s endowment in seven years.

This week Rob discusses philanthropy in Washington County with Max Williams and Todd Baker.

Todd Baker, President of Baker Rock Resources

Baker Rock Resources has been in Oregon for over 60 years and emphasizes giving back to and reinvesting in local communities in its business model. Each year, Baker Rock Resources hosts and supports numerous walks, fundraisers, community auctions, drives, and community events. Baker Rock Resources also assists countless local and regional organizations that help those who need a hand up, particularly veterans.

Max Williams, CEO, Oregon Community Foundation

The Oregon Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and businesses with directing charitable contributions and creating charitable funds. OCF is Oregon’s largest public charity. Formerly a lawyer, legislator, leader of the Oregon Department of Corrections, Max assumed his role as OCF president and CEO in 2012. He has helped individuals, families and businesses transform their philanthropy into sustained, community-driven impact, doubling the Foundation’s endowment in seven years.