Column: The Real Story – Dirk Knudsen; Editor
The Hillsboro Herald ran a story a while back that no one had filed for the Ward 2 Position A City Council Seat. A week after the story ran and was read by over 3,000 locals, we saw a slate of candidates file, all right before the deadline. There are some very good choices that Hillsboro voters can select to represent them for this council seat. They are as follows:
Ward 2, Position A
Six Hillsboro residents filed to run for the open seat currently held by Council President Kyle Allen, who will depart the Council in January 2023 after serving two terms, due to term limits. The six candidates are (in alphabetical order by last name):
The Herald has reviewed the candidates and their records and statements made available for review. We did not conduct specific interviews with candidates but reviewed information about them. Out of that group, one candidate stands out, so much so that we feel compelled to endorse her election.
Kipperlyn Sinclair is known for her work here in the Hillsboro community. She has been involved in many aspects of local government and volunteered for local organizations. But so have other candidates. Sinclair showed her ability to lead during some crucial Planning Commission matters that came before the City over the past few years.
The Jackson-East area (a planning term for 30-plus homes off Sewell Road) has been in the news a lot over the last few years. What happened to the citizens of that area was wrong. Our City Council forced these homeowners to be rezoned to Industrial to make way for more factories, chemical plants, and disruptions to the historic Tualatin Plains. These brave landowners struck out against the City planners and fought for their independence and rights to live peacefully on their small acreages. Hillsboro wasn’t having it, and in the end, with heads held high, the current group of City Council members voted to convert these homes and farms into factories – did so forcefully.
The small acreages that are Jackson-East are as bucolic and rural as anyone can find in Washington County – not for long, however.
Before the Jackson-East Zoning Ordinance was finalized to Industrial by our City Council, the process was ruled upon by the Planning Commission. On that commission was Kipperlyn Sinclair. She had the pressure and expectations of being on a City commission or committee. It is expected that members toe the line and rule in favor of the codes and zoning requests that are sent up by the City planners. I know this because I serve on the Planning and Zoning Hearings Board. It is a fact that the Jackson East process started inside City Hall and at the State level. So when it came time to vote with her fellow planning commissioners, Sinclair must have had some pressure to vote in favor of the Industrial designations. However, after hearing overwhelming sentiments and pleas from affected property owners, Sinclair stood up and voted against the proposal. She and other commission members stood up and voted to preserve the residential status of this beautiful area. Unfortunately, the decision was ultimately made by our City Council, who voted 7-0 in favor of the change.
The City Council has voted 7-0 on everything that has come before them for years now. We need some NO votes once and a while.
Because Kipperlyn showed us that she will stand up and do the right thing to support our citizens in need, we are supporting her and recommend that you do the same.
We know her personally, and she is a positive force for change and quality of life. That is something Hillsboro desperately needs right now.
Here is a statement that Kipperlyn released on her Instagram:
I’ve filed for Hillsboro City Council, Ward 2, Position A, and I need your vote to further serve our community!
Local government is about people, place, policy, and priorities.♻️
Over the last five years, I’ve diligently served our community as a small business owner and volunteer — @eatdrink_washco & Grandma Chonga’s Salsa.
I’ve dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours in civic advocacy to know our community, create meaningful public engagement, execute initiatives, and share local resources that build collaborative networks.
Now I need your help:
1) Spread the word
2) Endorse Me
3) Host a house party
4) Volunteer
5) Post a yard sign
6) VOTE
If Elected City Council I will fight for…
1) Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
2) Economic Development in support of small businesses
3) Housing & Homelessness
4) Sustainability
Hillsboro Boards & Commissions Served:
-Planning Commission, @cityofhillsboro
-Public Engagement Chair, City of Hillsboro
-Small Business Entrepreneurs Council, @washingtoncountychamberor
-Founder/Director of the Hillsboro Wishing Tree Initiative, Hillsboro Downtown Together
-Hillsboro Downtown Partnership, Board Secretary
-Hillsboro Farm to Fork, HDP Promotions
-Hillsboro Food Coop, Outreach @hillsborofoodcoop
LIBERATION FRIDGE:
LOCAL GOVERNANCE REQUIRES PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT… Join Me!
Aren’t there 6 city councilors? True they are puppets to what unelected staff puts in front of them and always vote for what Dias has concocted in the dark back room. (Note: the mayor only votes to break certain tie votes, the last being Jerry Willey, I believe.)