Friday, Oct. 1, 2021
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News & Notes
TriMet breaks ground on "A Better Red"
   Officials from across the region gathered with partners from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) this week to celebrate the beginning of construction for what TriMet refers to as "A Better Red."
   The MAX Red Line is basically being extended from the Beaverton Transit Center to the Washington County Fair Complex in Hillsboro, allowing riders to travel between the Hillsboro Airport and PDX without switching trains.
   It will add 10 additional stops to the Red Line.
   To improve reliability, the project will include track improvements with two sets of tracks in some sections between the Gateway Transit Center and PDX.
   The cost of the project is $215 million.
   Nearly $100 million is coming from the FTA.
   The Red Line extension is expected to be complete in 2024.
Local women making history & looking to make changes in the fire service
   Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue's (TVF&R) Karen Bureker made history last month when she became the agency's first female captain.
   Bureker has risen through the ranks during her 19 year career with TVF&R.
   This week she, along with State Representative Dacia Grayber and other female firefighters, were featured in a national story on NBC News about women in the fire service.
   Grayber is said to be the second female firefighter to be elected to office nationwide.
   She and others are helping women see firefighting as a viable career choice, while addressing some of the issues for those serving in the industry.
   To hear more about those issues, see the NBC video above.
State Representative Janeen Sollman seeks a seat in the Senate
   Oregon Representative Janeen Sollman announced today she will be seeking the appointment for the seat Senator Chuck Riley will be retiring from in December.
   Sollman currently represents House District 30, which includes the areas of Banks, North Plains, Hillsboro, and Beaverton.
   She was first elected to the State House of Representatives in 2016 and had previously served eight years on the Hillsboro School Board.
   Sollman works for Vernier Software & Technology, which specializes in education.
Odds & Ends
  • State Treasurer and Washington County resident Tobias Read has announced he will run for Governor in 2022. To see the growing list of candidates, visit the KGW website.

  • Congratulations to Otak's Tanya Boyer, Cathy Kraus, and Rachel Laura; David Evans and Associates' Suzanne Carey and Julie McCaskill; and GeoEngineers' Melanie Klym as the Daily Journal of Commerce Oregon's (DJC) Women of Vision Honorees.

  • Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) is looking for volunteers to serve on it advisory committees and Budget Committee. To learn more, visit the THPRD's website. 

  • One last little tidbit that has some breathing a sigh relief, the Oregon Department of Forestry's Northwest Oregon District has announced an end to fire season for its part of the state. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue also has lifted its "High Fire Danger Burn Ban" in the areas it serves.
Events coming up
Wed. 10/13 at 7:30 a.m. - The Transportation Committee will meet virtually. All members are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Gail Greenman.

Wed. 10/20 at 12:00 p.m. - The Land Use & Housing Committee will meet virtually. All members are welcome to attend.

Wed. 10/27 at 7:30 a.m. - The WEA Board of Directors will meet virtually.