Friday, April 29, 2022
News & Notes
Members reconnect to hear from Washington County Chair candidates
   WEA hosted another in-person Breakfast Forum this week - the second forum this month.
   Members and guests listened to Washington County Chair candidates Kathryn Harrington and Beach Pace as they answered both prepared questions and ones from the audience.
   The two candidates addressed equity, homelessness, housing, transportation, economic development, budget, community needs, and working with the local cities.
   This event was not videotaped, but TVCTV does have a recording of the candidates at a recent League of Women Voters forum (see about 30 minutes into the video).
   To see photos of the WEA Breakfast Forum, visit the organization's Facebook page.
WEA Board endorses BSD bond measure
   Voters should be receiving their ballots in the next few days for the May 17 election.
   Westside Economic Alliance has endorsed two local measures.
   The first is for the Beaverton School District's bond measure.
   This bond would be an increase of 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value from the last bond measure Beaverton School District voters passed, bringing the rate to $2.35 per $1,000 of assessed value.
   For the homeowner of an average house assessed at $303,021 in value, this will be an increase of $76 on their property tax bill.
   The $723 million bond measure includes a couple of big projects and a lot of smaller projects that will be spread across the district.
   Under this new bond measure both Beaverton High School and Raleigh Hills K-8 School would be rebuilt - both schools are around 100 years old.
   The bond measure would also provide seismic upgrades by reinforcing six middle school structures; supply technology resources for students and staff; address deferred maintenance; and enhance security and safety.
   To see all the details, visit the Beaverton School District website.
The Sheriff's ESPD levy also gets the nod from WEA Board
   The WEA Board of Directors has also endorsed the Washington County Sheriff's replacement levy for urban unincorporated areas of the county, also known as the Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District (ESPD).
   This district was established more than 30 years ago, and voters have historically supported its operating levies.
   The current levy will expire in June of next year.
   With the new replacement levy, the rate will increase 15 cents more than the current levy, which will bring the new levy to a rate of 83 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $55 more for the average home valued at $320,655 in the district.
   Here is what the levy provides for those living in the urban unincorporated areas of Washington County:

  • Ensuring a rapid response to 911 calls in nearly half the time of the national average;
  • The county’s Mental Health Response Team – which pairs a deputy and clinician to respond to people in crisis and divert them from the criminal justice system;
  • Advanced training in crisis intervention and de-escalation for deputies to use when working with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis;
  • Deputies connecting people experiencing homelessness with community resources;
  • A public safety response to the increased overdoses and abuse of Xanax, OxyContin, Fentanyl, and other drugs in the community;
  • And maintaining current levels of policing services similar to neighboring cities. 

   For more information, please visit the Sheriff's Office website.
Oregon media pool resources on gubernatorial candidate project
Vote
   More than 60 media outlets around the state are collaborating on an informational piece focused on the Oregon Governor's race.
   The media outlets posed 15 questions to 35 candidates running for Oregon's lead elected position.
   With a few clicks, voters can learn about candidates' philosophies on issues.
   These issues include climate change, forest management, childcare, education, the economy, housing, and crime.
   To see who said what, turn to KGW's website.
Odds & Ends
  • WEA had one of its staff email accounts hacked earlier today. Passwords have been changed, and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Thank you to those who alerted us of the suspicious email.

  • Workforce Analyst Brandon Schrader has released his report on Washington County's economy for March. Click here to see how the numbers have or haven't changed.

  • Congratulations to WEA member Norris & Stevens on a $2.2 million sale in the Tigard triangle.

  • It looks like the cool weather has these bears diving into spring at the Oregon Zoo. See if these swimming siblings bring a smile to a gray Northwest day.
Events coming up
Wed. 5/11 at 7:30 a.m. - The Transportation Committee will meet. All members are welcome.

Fri. 5/13 at 12:00 p.m. - The Fundraising/Golf Committee will meet to brainstorm theme ideas for this year's event. Do you have a good theme idea? Share it with Teresa Dunham.

Wed. 5/18 at 12:00 p.m. - The Land Use & Housing Committee will meet. All members are welcome.

Wed. 5/25 at 7:30 a.m. - The WEA Board of Directors will meet.

Th. 5/26 at 7:30 a.m. - An in-person Breakfast Forum with the Westside Mayors. More information coming soon.