A community with a voice...
is a community with a choice!
is a community with a choice!
Choose Your Future
Our community is at risk to unknowingly accept a steady decline in livability
Problem - no representation on key policy-making bodies and no locally focused municipal
government/accountability to acquire funding for local objectives
Problem – no community development plans, implementation strategies to manage growth,
efficient transit and livable, or functioning centers coordinated with strong economic
development and community identity
Problem – non-flexible line-item, project focused budget spending which prevent
spending on safe streets and sidewalks, community focused events, and a planning department
to create your community vision while managing growth Metro's policies for infill
Problem - we currently pay over ~$5 million each year in franchise fees that never come back
to our urban community, your hard earned money leaves our community to directly benefit cities
Problem - no representation on key policy-making bodies and no locally focused municipal
government/accountability to acquire funding for local objectives
Problem – no community development plans, implementation strategies to manage growth,
efficient transit and livable, or functioning centers coordinated with strong economic
development and community identity
Problem – non-flexible line-item, project focused budget spending which prevent
spending on safe streets and sidewalks, community focused events, and a planning department
to create your community vision while managing growth Metro's policies for infill
Problem - we currently pay over ~$5 million each year in franchise fees that never come back
to our urban community, your hard earned money leaves our community to directly benefit cities
STEP 1: GET INFORMED
Read the Project Proposal that creates government transparency and citizen empowerment - then take action.
A City By Choice worked with local feasibility experts and highly-skilled neighbors to create the first draft of the Feasibility Study Project Definition. We sent it to Beaverton's Mayor Doyle, Chair Duyck, and Commissioner Malinowski as a place to start. 
Understand the Issues.
This list comes from what YOU told us via our civic research of talking with over 800 individuals and conducting a survey with over 300 participants.
| Learn your urban area is not a County Priority.
Andy Duyck, Chairman of the County Board of Commissioners, announces his top initiatives for the County to work on.
See the proof.
Over 300 citizens living in the Cedar Creek study area are a representative sample that want to choose their future government structure.
Get the background on how we got here.
See the research done by Bruce Bartlett and Virginia Bruce of CPO 1/Cedar Mill: www.cedarmill.org/news/UrbanNeeds/ | ||||||||
Partnership + Action = True Progress
We cannot do this project without a strong partnership between A City By Choice (aka YOU!), Beaverton and the Washington County's Board of Commissioners.
We need grant acquisition support, information and possible policy updates from each entity to educate and inform our neighbors about all the options and then empower us to choose! The project is estimated to cost ~$245,000.
We need grant acquisition support, information and possible policy updates from each entity to educate and inform our neighbors about all the options and then empower us to choose! The project is estimated to cost ~$245,000.
Government Transparency and Citizen Empowerment a new concept?
On June 30th, the Board of County Commissioners met to discuss their role in providing countywide and municipal services. County leaders want assurances from local citizens that you understand nothing in life is free - their next step is to survey our area to ask what services you'd like and how much you're willing to pay for these.
Get prepared - Educate yourself - Get involved- Do you want proactive and holistic planning services with code enforcement and design reviews? More library services? What about community economic development efforts? How about community events, more bike/walking paths, and safe streets to bike along? | An article in the Oregonian highlights the Board is actively working to change state law to add new service districts, aka more taxes with no additional representation.
How much are you willing to pay $1/$1,000 or $2/$1,000 or $2.60/$1,000 or $??/$1,000 for additional services? Which ones? How much is local control of flexible spending for your interests and your community worth? Or do you want to continue with elected officials from other county districts carving up your community as they see best? How much is local representation and accountable worth to you? Chime in on our blog or join us on Facebook today! |
Join CPO 1, CPO 7, Washington County CCI and THPRD -
June 2011 - CPO 1 agrees to send a letter of support.
May 2011 - Washington County CCI votes to send a letter of support. At their June meeting, Bob Davis, County Administrator attended and provided additional info.
April 2011 - THPRD sends letter of support for the study
April 2011 - CPO 7 - Sends letter of support
| Chair Duyck has sent a response to ~100 signed letters of support below.
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STEP 2: SIGN THE LETTER
Washington County Board of Commissioners
155 N. First Avenue
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Re: Support of Feasibility Study for “Cedar Creek” Study Area
Dear Commissioners,
The residents of unincorporated Washington County deserve an opportunity to choose their system of local government and they need information to make an informed choice. To that end, I (we) support the feasibility study proposal offered by A City By Choice for residents north of Highway 26. The repeatable process outlined in that proposal can be used next by the residents living in the Aloha-Reedville area as they adjust their Urban Service Agreements in Phase 3 of their sustainable community project and other unincorporated urban areas that desire sustainable communities. I (we) urge the County to support and provide financial support for the feasibility study proposed by A City By Choice.
Residents in the unincorporated areas are rapidly approaching a crossroads where the status quo will no longer be feasible. The current path is not sustainable due to expected population growth with an increased demand for additional municipal services, a desire for local representation and more local control over fiscal resources. As stated in the County’s 2020 plan, Washington County does not have the policies or financial tools to meet the increasing need for the additional municipal services to the urban unincorporated area. All governance options should be studied, including incorporation into a new city, annexation to an existing city, and increased County service districts. I (we) do not take the position on which governance choice is appropriate but without a feasibility study it is impossible for anyone to weigh the options.
With a feasibility study all interested parties … the County, the City of Beaverton, and the local residents … will have the information needed to make choices now for a sustainable future.
Best Regards,
155 N. First Avenue
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Re: Support of Feasibility Study for “Cedar Creek” Study Area
Dear Commissioners,
The residents of unincorporated Washington County deserve an opportunity to choose their system of local government and they need information to make an informed choice. To that end, I (we) support the feasibility study proposal offered by A City By Choice for residents north of Highway 26. The repeatable process outlined in that proposal can be used next by the residents living in the Aloha-Reedville area as they adjust their Urban Service Agreements in Phase 3 of their sustainable community project and other unincorporated urban areas that desire sustainable communities. I (we) urge the County to support and provide financial support for the feasibility study proposed by A City By Choice.
Residents in the unincorporated areas are rapidly approaching a crossroads where the status quo will no longer be feasible. The current path is not sustainable due to expected population growth with an increased demand for additional municipal services, a desire for local representation and more local control over fiscal resources. As stated in the County’s 2020 plan, Washington County does not have the policies or financial tools to meet the increasing need for the additional municipal services to the urban unincorporated area. All governance options should be studied, including incorporation into a new city, annexation to an existing city, and increased County service districts. I (we) do not take the position on which governance choice is appropriate but without a feasibility study it is impossible for anyone to weigh the options.
With a feasibility study all interested parties … the County, the City of Beaverton, and the local residents … will have the information needed to make choices now for a sustainable future.
Best Regards,
We need your help to keep working to help you choose your future government.
Metro, County and Beaverton make daily civic planning decisions that directly and indirectly impact you and your livability. The wheels are in motion, the only problem: you’re not driving.
On June 14th, A City By Choice delivered 111 signatures to the letter above along with a the project definition which outlines the need for the County to first educate its citizens on our governance options, allow us to define what levels of service and representation are best for our community, then choose the option that best fits our needs. To date, we're still waiting...
On June 14th, A City By Choice delivered 111 signatures to the letter above along with a the project definition which outlines the need for the County to first educate its citizens on our governance options, allow us to define what levels of service and representation are best for our community, then choose the option that best fits our needs. To date, we're still waiting...
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