“I would like to share that anyone can do it,” said Academy member Eddie Plourde (bottom left). “As an adult with an intellectual disability, [anyone can] get out of their comfort zone. Come and do the Civic Leadership Academy when it comes up again.” | City of Hillsboro
“I would like to share that anyone can do it,” said Academy member Eddie Plourde (bottom left). “As an adult with an intellectual disability, [anyone can] get out of their comfort zone. Come and do the Civic Leadership Academy when it comes up again.” | City of Hillsboro
The 2022 Civic Leadership Academy is helping shape new boundaries for Hillsboro’s City Council Wards.
With two councilors elected from each ward, the boundaries impact how Hillsboro neighborhoods are represented in city government.
Over six weeks, the 13 academy members worked with Portland State University (PSU), City staff, and community leaders to develop leadership skills and research potential impacts of redrawing wards.
They evaluated two ward maps developed by PSU’s Population Research Center with criteria based on community engagement conducted earlier this year. Ultimately, the Academy came to consensus on a new map that was proposed and presented to City Council in November.
“Early on in our process, we came to the conclusion that our group really values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and we wanted to make sure we use this lens,” said Academy graduate Erin Russell Smith.
To create their recommendation, the group took stock of which voices were missing from the conversation and interviewed community members to bring in those perspectives, she explained.
The proposed map balances ward population, meets legal requirements and criteria passed by Council, and prioritizes:
- Equitable access to public transportation
- Economic opportunity distribution
- Preservation of school boundary zones
- Connecting language and cultural groups
During their November presentation, the Academy graduates also noted the impact of public transportation on livability and urged City Council to explore new opportunities to meet the community’s needs.
In January, the Council will consider a second reading to approve and adopt the Academy’s revised ward boundaries.
2023 Civic Leadership Academy applications open next summer.
Original source can be found here.
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