Election Night in America is over. Today, many Americans celebrate as just as many are in disbelief at the outcome. If you are weak of heart and soul today, please read my statement at the bottom of the page. As a state, Oregon still has some races awaiting a final count before they can be called. But by and large, those races are done. You can easily track all of the Statewide races right here: https://gov.oregonlive.com/election/
For those of us in the West Valley, we had some really interesting outcomes:
- Voter turnout was at 66%, low for a major election year, but about where the Herald predicted while tracking the number the past 2 days.
Hillsboro: A new Mayor (Beach Pace) and Three new council members will take up their work on the first of the year. With massive job losses in Hillsboro now and the question of the future of Tech in the valley on the table, this new council will face new challenges.
Fluoride On The Ballot – The NOs won the day- BUT
As the Herald predicted yesterday after reviewing our poll on Fluoride (70% NO-30% Yes), the advisory Vote on putting Fluoride went down along a 60-40 line. The majority of citizens do not want or trust Fluoride in the water.
You can read up on all the details here. However, the City of Hillsboro Water Department will be hard-pressed to force Fluoride into the water systems now. It would be risky to Spend Millions to add it to our water when a clear majority of people do not want it. But this advisory vote will come to the new City Council, and this new group is on record to favor Fluoride. This issue is far from over but the Voters have spoken very loudly.
NORTH PLAINS
Let there be no debate. The storylines out of North Plains this year could be a hit TV Reality series. Never before has a small town had so much on the line and seen such a reversal of politics and power. Starting with a very aggressive land expansion plan earlier this year pushed on by Mayor Teri Lenahan and her Council, this small Oregon town has been through political upheaval. A group of local citizens called The North Plains 4 rose up and ran for office to replace those in power. Outside, money poured in to keep Lenahan and her Council in power, assuring that the land expansions would happen. Hundreds of millions in land profits were on the line, and so was the character and future of this town. Despite being outspent 100-1, the North Plains 4 won the day. Across the board. It was close, but as of now, the Mayor’s office is going to a political first-timer, Ariel Goodwin, and three North Plains council seats will be filled by Mandy Hagedorn, Katie Reding, and Aaron Dumbrow.
What this group decides to do about the City of North Plains’s growth will be measured and thoughtful. I suspect many revelations will come as they take the helm and discover what has been happening behind the curtain, along with the books that have not had a proper financial audit in years. The overarching storyline here is that the State of Oregon, the power elite in Hillsboro and Washington County, and the sitting leaders all wanted hundreds of acres to come into the Urban Growth boundary, clearing the way for heavy industry to move in. All of that power, money, and influence was focused on this beautiful Oregon ag town- and it failed. A small handful of people led their fellow citizens out of the morass and won the day.
Beyond that, these brave souls in North Plains appear to have awakened the agricultural leaders, farmers, and land owners in what I am calling the West Valley. Pushed by METRO, Governor Kotek, Hillsboro Leadership, and Washington County, people in the shrinking cultivated valley land realize the fight must be had now more than ever. The Californication of the Tualatin Valley has been happening for decades, but alarm bells went off once it reached Jackson School Road and Meek Road. Collectively, we see the belief many have that a Green Wall needs to be erected and held at all costs, and this North Plains group, along with the 1000 Friends of Oregon and Save-Helvetia, appear to have awoken that proud sentiment so rightfully held by Washington County farmers and their families. This is an excellent thing and a debate worth having in the minds of many citizens.
We see this fire burning in Banks, Oregon, just a few minutes from North Plains.
Banks Election
Marsha Kirk will be the new Mayor of Banks. The City Councilwoman is deeply tied to the community and its history as an agricultural town. In the past year, however out of state land development interests and large National home builders have lobbied to collapse the Quail Valley Golf course and the founder of Banks home in favor of hundreds of lots. Kirk has been outspoken and firm on issues that must be addressed, such as water. Kirk is a tiger and will not sit quietly while her town drastically changes. I expect to see the two cities work with each other on a variety of things as we advance.
Find all election results for the entire State of Oregon here – https://results.oregonvotes.gov/ResultsSW.aspx?type=CTYALL&cty=28&map=CTY
The Herald congratulates all winners and wishes you the best as your time in office begins.
To all hurting today over the National situation, take heart. Our country has survived many things these 250 years, and we will all survive this. Be strong of heart and loving- and never give up your beliefs. Never. With these new politicians, we hope that seeds of our beliefs and ideas for a better world have been planted and that they will bring us the world we dream of. One where we are all free to love and live as we choose with the simple belief that we will do no harm to each other and help each other rise to a higher place. Ideas, like seeds, will grow and thrive; nothing can ever take them from us if we stand steadfast. Now is the time for us all to do just that.
View this video if you are needing a boost today-
Thank you, Dirk. We need now, more than ever, a fourth estate that will report honestly. You have done that through this campaign. There is likely much to learn about the goings on in North Plains governance that will need to be reported. This story is just beginning.
I believe our stories tipped the scales which helped this outcome. I have plans for soemthing bigger now…
Today was a great day in two out of three jurisdictions for me. Nationally I predicted an “electoral landslide” since before the Dem’s coup d’etat in June and then the selection of such a foolish candidate. That was easy and the Hillsboro City Council elections were even easier.
Unfortunately, the final vote leaves Hillsboro’s government in even worse condition, but it was easily predictable. The City Council will be totally controlled by the new Mayor for the next eight years. First she will hand pick her replacement, then in 2026 she will hand pick the term limited Councilor Ocuna’s candidate, and if Councilor Sinclair doesn’t play ball with the Mayor she’ll be easily defeated for re-election. This is easy to predict!
Now for the most outstanding, terrific, and wonderful outcome of last night. The “North Plains 4” all Won! Dirk’s reporting has been fantastic. Without his coverage the crap that has occured in North Plains would have certainly gone mostly unknown. Mayors Steve Callaway and Teri Lenahan did all they could to cover it up and “assault” the local constituents. I am so proud of the NP4 and will be supporting them vigorously. Let’s start with the buy out funding to be able to say goodbye to the new City Manager right away!
***Predictiction: Callaway & Lenahan become high priced Lobbyists….Beware!
Given the thousands of views those stories generated, and the closeness of the voting margins, I believe the Herald had a special place in this election. That makes me very proud!
I can’t thank you enough for your fair, honest, and frank coverage of the previous city government. I mirror you curiosity and agree that an audit is long overdue.
Thank you, Kane. I think we showed the truth and the people understood what they needed to do. That is why I was attacked repeatedly…. and that will continue.
We appreciate you and your excellent investigative reporting on the issues in Hillsboro and North Plains. The video at the end provided a message of hope to those who are weak of heart and soul after the election. You are a compassionate and kind person. We need so many more of you in this upside world. You fight for the right reasons and the right causes. Please know how much you are respected and appreciated. Take care.
Good for you Dirk – THANKS for all your insights and straight-ahead, informed and insightful journalism.
I don’t know if I have a specific opinion about North Plains, but I do know that the only way out of the incredible housing crisis we are in is to build new homes. Thousands of new homes. It is an incontrovertible fact that in order to bring housing prices down, existing homeowners are going to lose value. Lower home prices means a decrease in value for those who already own homes. It is literally impossible to have another outcome.
Everyone acknowledges that homes are too expensive, and everyone gets mad when the new homes might be built near them. We should be doing everything we can to decrease the cost of new residential construction, and finding somewhere to build, and build a ton.
I can tell you from being at the Hillsboro city council meeting Tuesday — they already have a 150 acre area which will have 1,100 more homes–off of River Road edge of town called Witch Hazel Village South. South Hillsboro is not fully developed yet–but is being built at record speed.
I am a bit hopeful, if Hillsboro doesn’t continue to develop more and more Industry at the record pace they have this century–maybe we will get caught up on our housing. Time will tell.
To add another topic on affordability for this development:
No specific mention of affordability (which we all know is unlikely) — this was a report on building fees: SDC’s–specifically the ones for transportation infrastructure of this development (TSDC and TSD?–that part confused me) and for neighborhood parks & trails in this development (PSDC). One point I picked up on: thanks to previous reporting by Dirk–and a question by a city councilor; these fees are not based on square footage of unit, instead total $ wanted divided by number of homes & similar for multifamily units. Unless this is considered in assessing these SDC fees–affordability will not be aided it seems by smart decisions. As stands, a very small home will be charged the same as the largest mansion (again I have no details on what sizes of homes they are building there).
There will be a 60 day public hearing on this–to 1/5/2026. (question? will it be advertised anywhere–I was there to speak against HPW’s significant sewer (8%+4% already given in July) and SWM (20% + 4% in July) utility rate increases–supposedly a public hearing, but NO advertising–passed of course already.
AND while I am talking about Utility Bill Rate Increases:
Also, currently a proposed rate increase in Hillsboro’s Transportation Utility fee — 10.8% — this was at least advertised in the recent city mailing and email Happening in Hillsboro. Public Hearing November 19–assuming at Hillsboro City Council Meeting.
https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/our-city/departments/public-works/transportation/street-and-road-maintenance/transportation-utility-fee
From attending Utilities Commission–Water meetings (all the past 2 years) and hearing a lot on the Fluoride question–I see NO intent on Hillsboro water’s part to push this through–and it will not go to the city council. The council’s input was only needed to approve it to be put on the ballot for a community vote. Hillsboro water had this vote in response to dental and medical professionals who came and talked at their meetings several times asking for this.
I will certainly alert you if I hear anything else–but I don’t expect to–except the results of the vote.
Clean Water Hillsboro certainly expects the City and Utilities Commission to honor the majority outcome on the NO FLUORIDATION results for our drinking water. Hillsboro and Lebanon send a message to Salem as well. Move on to another area to benefit the health of Oregonians.
North Plains certainly was a bright spot — excellent reporting Dirk. Being a Hillsboro resident, where I finally become aware (after living here 35 years!) and just the past 2 years, how little our leaders are interested in listening to our input–I was especially happy for North Plains. And now I see for Banks also :-)