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Human Rights! in Washington County We hear a lot about human rights we do have or should have. Just what is a human right? What are the right Americans are entitled to? And how do we protect and enshrine those rights in Washington County? Our guest this week is Joy Stevens, chair of Beaverton’s Human Rights Advisory Commission.

Beaverton School District has gone through the process to select a new Superintendent. Guiding the District next school year is this week’s guest -Gustavo Balderas. Mr. Balderas was the American School Superintendents Association’s  2020 National Superintendent of the Year. He begins in Beaverton on July 1. Gustavo brings experience as a teacher, a counselor, assistant principal, principal, district administrator, and assistant superintendent. He has served as Superintendent in both Oregon and California. He comes to Beaverton after serving as Superintendent in Edmond, Washington.

We are not too far from the 2022 primary election. Elections- especially local elections can, and most often do, have an impact on our everyday life. In an encore episode from early last month, We’re going to discuss how the issues impact our county’s Latino community. Joining us are Maria Caballero Rubio-executive director for Centro culturale, Hector Hinojosa a well known community activist from Hillsboro, and Olga Acuna-Olga Acuna, President of the Latino Policy Council.

We’re continuing our look at the primary elections - this week focusing on the race for  Washington County Chair. Our guests are incumbent Katherine Harrington. Before entering public service, Kathryn enjoyed a 22-year career in the high-tech industry. Moving into politics, she has served on Portland Metro and was elected County Chair in 2018. And we Have Beach Pace. Beach has lived in Washington County with her wife and children since 2012. Committed to a life of service, Beach is the Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Columbia Northwest and a Hillsboro City Councilor.

We are still focusing on the May primary election. This week we consider the competition for Washington County District Attorney. The DA race is an important, if not crucial one. The DA sets the tone and policy for the Department. The DA protects & serves the community. Our community. Joining us are the two candidates, incumbent Kevin Barton and Challenger, Brian Decker.

This week, we are into the primary election season. We welcome two challengers for metro council, position number 4- Incumbent Juan Carlos González and challenger James Ball. Let the debates begin!

This week, in an encore presentation on a very important issue - we look at guns. How does gun violence impact our communities? There are mass shootings which make headlines but make up less than 1 percent of the more than 38,000 gun deaths in our country every year. Bullets have become the leading cause of death for children and teens. The impact appears obvious, and it is. People are hurt or killed. But there’s damage to loved ones who survive, and an impact on the community that we will explore. Joining us today is Hilary Uhlig, Director of Oregon’s branch of Moms Demand Action. Uhlig joined the Oregon chapter four years ago, and now leads the chapter with 12 local groups statewide comprising thousands of supporters and volunteers. And we have Jennifer Langston who serves as the state survivor membership lead for the same organization.

Today, in an encore episode from earlier this year, we explore some non profit organizations who are doing their very best to help people struggling to survive the current economic realities in our County. Affordable housing is extremely hard to find, grocery prices are skyrocketing and gasoline costs are unbearable for too many. Joining us  is Lisa Mentasana, co director of  the Newly reopened Beaverton Resource Center; Lois O’Halloran, Board Chair for Beaverton’s Family Promise; and Gregg Clemmons, Board President for St. Vincent de Paul in Hillsboro.

Our focus this week is on Oregon’s forests- in Washington County and Statewide. Oregon is known for beautiful forests and a long history of logging those forests. We want to take a good look at those forests & all the trees! To learn what’s harming the industry, what’s happening to our forests and why- and given the threats to forests, what’s being done to preserve forested lands. Our guest today is Sean Stevens, Executive Director of Oregon Wild, a non profit organization working to protect the Oregon Wilderness.

We are not too far from the 2022 primary election. Elections- especially local elections can, and most often do, have an impact on our everyday life. We’re going to discuss how the issues impact our county’s Latino community. Joining us are Maria Caballero Rubio-executive director for Centro culturale, Hector Hinojosa a well known community activist from Hillsboro, and Olga Acuna-Olga Acuna, President of the Latino Policy Council.

Beaverton elected a new mayor last November and, after a vote to change the form of government, hired its first city manager. It’s new for Beaverton residents, and it’s new for City Council and City staff. Today we meet Jenny Haruyama, Beaverton’s City Manager. Join us for insights into a major change in how Beaverton works.

The country, our county and our cities within Washington  County have a lack of affordable housing. Metro has passed a bond, agencies like Bienestar and Here Together are working hard to provide assistance to those in need. This week, in an encore presentation, we take a look at a group that has been working on this issue for decades-in their own way. We are going to discuss housing with Habitat for Humanity. Our guest is Steve Messinetti, executive director, Habitat for Humanity-Portland region.

This week we take a look at emergency services in Washington county. Lately, it seems there have been a lot of emergencies-a global pandemic, forests burning, flooded areas and more. The Emergency Management Office works to minimize the effects of major emergencies and disasters on the community. Today we’ll learn how they their job. Our guest is John Wheeler, manager of the Washington County Emergency Services Department.

  Homelessness is a National, state , county and city issue. It’s a visible issue and hidden as well. This week, in an encore show from last November,  we look at the homelessness situation in our county. We consider what resources we have, what’s being done with those resources and just what the future looks like. Our guests this week will help us do just that. Joining us is Nathan Teske – Nathan is the Executive Director of Bienestar, a Washington County-based nonprofit that provides affordable housing for primarily Latinx residents of Washington County. And, Mereida Alcazar.-Mereida is a case manager working in Bienestar’s new Supportive Housing Services program. In addition to her work, Mereida has a personal story of her own experience that she will share with us. And We have Jes Larson. Jes works for Washington County. She is the County’s Supportive Housing Services Manager. Join us as we dive into a complex issue.

  Today, we explore some non profit organizations who are doing their very best to help people struggling to survive the current economic realities in our County. Affordable housing is extremely hard to find, living costs are skyrocketing- magnified by pandemic related issues it’s overwhelming for so many. Joining us  is Lois O’Halloran, Board Chair for Beaverton’s Family Promise; Lisa Mentasana, co director of  the Newly reopened Beaverton Resource Center; Lois O’Halloran, Board Chair for Beaverton’s Family Promise; and Gregg Clemmons, Board President for St. Vincent de Paul in Hillsboro.

This week, in an encore program from this Fall, we take a look at mental health services in Washington County. We try to understand what our County needs in Mental health and just how Washington County government plays a role. We also consider the impact of Covid 19. Our guest  is Nick Ocon, Director of our County’s Behavioral health department, covering both mental health and addictions.

This week, we look at guns. How does gun violence impact our communities? There are mass shootings which make headlines but make up less than 1 percent of the more than 38,000 gun deaths in our country every year. Bullets have become the leading cause of death for children and teens. The impact appears obvious, and it is. People are hurt or killed. But there’s damage to loved ones who survive, and an impact on the community that we will explore. Joining us today is Hilary Uhlig, Director of Oregon’s branch of Moms Demand Action. Uhlig joined the Oregon chapter four years ago, and now leads the chapter with 12 local groups statewide comprising thousands of supporters and volunteers. And we have Jennifer Langston who serves as the state survivor membership lead for the same organization.

This week, we are one-on-one with First District Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici has represented the First Congressional District of Oregon since February of 2012. The district includes Washington, Yamhill, Clatsop, and Columbia counties and part of Multnomah County. We discuss pandemic issues, insurrection accountability and much more!

This week is our last encore show for the holidays -next week, a new program, featuring Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici-one on one. This week take an encore look look at the city of North Plains. Our guest is Mayor Teri Lenahan.  Mayor Lenahan has served on the North Plains City Council since 2008. In addition to serving as Mayor since 2016, she was Council President from 2011-2016, and serves on the Budget Committee, the Urban Renewal Agency, and the North Plains Events Association. Join us on this visit to North Plains in Western Washington County.

After more than 30 years in the aircraft industry, our guest in this encore presentation from September – King City mayor Ken Gibson, retired to King City in 2006. He has been on the City Council since 2008. Gibson has been mayor of King City since 2016. He will be retiring this week. Our County will miss his leadership. Inside Washington County wishes the Mayor an enjoyable retirement. We discuss the early effects of the pandemic, policing issues, growth plans and more! https://media.blubrry.com/inside_washington_county/content.blubrry.com/inside_washington_county/Inside_WACO_2_16_21_Mayor_Ken_Gibson.mp3