I have lived in Portland for 15 years. I am an environmental attorney currently doing health policy work, and I also manage a small urban farm. I am passionate about the environment, livable neighborhoods, vibrant business districts, and embracing diversity and diverse opinions. I have served with numerous boards and advisory groups, and have extensive local government experience. My hope is to help our great neighborhood become even more awesome.
Matt Otis
As a current board member my main focus has been related to our Land Use and Transportation issues as the committee chair. When I first volunteered for the position 2 years ago, I knew it would be challenging, but I had no idea how complex the moving parts could be. Urban Planning is the ‘sports team’ of Portland, with each person choosing a side and fighting hard. I’ve poured through literally thousands of pages of codes and projects to bring the key issues forward to our neighbors. Drafted letters to council to shift the dialog towards positive change. Worked with developers to change the size and shape of their buildings to better fit the area. Helped families and business owners with questions about their projects. Facilitated calm and engaged discussion on highly-charged topics, that gave everyone in attendance an opportunity to have a voice. Created detailed and accessible reports on new developments in the neighborhood.
If elected to the board for another term I’d like to focus on 3 things:
- Continue using my skills as a professional facilitator to break down the complex city issues into digestible and Richmond-specific information
- Hold productive meetings to create positive movement on upcoming big-picture land use and transportation projects
- Reform our rulesets to allow for more-productive and collaborative meetings
There’s a lot happening in Portland, and a lot happening in our neighborhood. I’d like to work to help make sure that what does happen is the best it can be for all involved.
Jonathan King
In 2008 when I retired from teaching at Oregon State University (after almost thirty years) my wife and I wanted to live in a vibrant Portland neighborhood. We fell in love with and bought a house in the Richmond area. In the last ten years I have seen many changes in our neighborhood and appreciate how Important it is to be involved. I recognize how our Board serves as a vehicle for community input.
I thrive on volunteer work. As a Richmond Neighborhood Board member, I have been the RNA Treasurer for the past seven years. More recently I also serve as the Richmond CleanUp Coordinator and the neighborhood newspaper coordinator. Our annual CleanUp has been especially challenging and rewarding as a way to bring neighbors together, work with our many wonderful volunteers, and earn money for our Association.
As a Vietnam Vet, I also very much want to help veterans in need. I serve as a volunteer driver, transporting disabled vets to and from the VA hospital.
I believe my experiences, working with both young and older adults, provide me with a well-rounded perspective.
I am committed to making Richmond an even better neighborhood and would be honored to continue my service as a Board member.
Sharon Hatch
I am a native Portlander who has lived in the Richmond neighborhood since 2012, with a commitment to safety, livability, sustainability, and equitable representation in our neighborhood. I am an operations executive for a national physical therapy provider, a mother of two young children, and passionate about volunteering and being an active participant in my community. Having lived through so much change in Portland generally, and in this neighborhood specifically, I am running for the board so that I can have an impact as the neighborhood continues to grow and change at a rapid pace. If I’m elected I pledge to put the needs and interests of the greater neighborhood first, above my own personal opinions and beliefs if there is a conflict. I am particularly interested in finding ways to outreach and listen to those members of our neighborhood whose voices may otherwise go unheard or be overshadowed. Thank you for your consideration, and I hope for the opportunity to serve the Richmond community.
Allen Field
I have served on the Board because I enjoy working on the many projects the RNA does for the community.
The projects I have focused on include: organizing Richmond’s 1st Annual Graffiti & Litter CleanUp Day (June 16) on Hawthorne-Division-Clinton; helping organize Richmond’s Spring Clean Up and Plant Sale; helping organize the annual Friends of Trees planting; drafting and mediating about a dozen Good Neighbor Agreements as the RNA’s Liquor License representative, I’m currently working on a GNA with neighbors and a new bar on Hawthorne; organizing the free movie in Sewallcrest Park, now in its 9th year (Kubo and the Two Strings will be August 10); drafting a Portland in the Streets Grant application to improve the right of way on SE 45th between Woodward and Brooklyn; I’m the Sewallcrest Community Garden Manager; and as the RNA’s Community Spaces representative, I led the effort to improve and simply the schedule at Sewallcrest’s Off-Leash Area. I also store and manage the RNA’s block party barricades, available for rental for a minimal fee.
In the past, I worked with PBOT to draft the RNA’s Division St. Pedestrian Safety & Sidewalk Plan to make Division safer during heavy construction of apartment buildings. I organized the Richmond One-Can-a-Month Recycling Challenge which helped 12 families switch from weekly to monthly garbage pickup.
I am running again for a Board seat because it allows me to continue to work on these many projects that help make Richmond a vibrant, livable and healthy community.
Chrystal Brim
Hello Neighbors,
I'm ready to make a volunteer commitment to the RNA to learn more about our neighborhood, deepen community connections, and make contributions toward incremental improvements. I grew up in the Portland Metro area and have lived in many other states and countries, in villages, towns and major cities. I’ve seen sleepier times and now see both the vibrancy and opportunities that growth brings to our region as well as the challenges. I value both local knowledge and strategies informed by broader thinking and experiences. I also enjoy group dynamics, process and facilitation. During my first year of board participation I will focus on small business support and participation in Neighborhood Emergency Training (NET). I also like to pick up trash and plant trees.
Thank you,
Chrystal Brim
Jett Black
Hello, my name is Jett Black. My partner and I are recent transplants from the Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood and have proudly called the Richmond neighborhood home for two years. My goals for being on the board are to assist in the continuing healthy growth of our wonderful community and help improve the lives of those who live here while bringing their voices forward.
I believe the community should have vital input into the decisions made by the board and ensure all residents are fairly and appropriately represented. As our neighborhood continues to experience the inevitable changes of a growing and prospering city, I would like to see all future growth in our community — however perceived — is reasonable and measured so that we may all enjoy the benefits of living in this amazing urban environment.
In seeking this position as a local Realtor at Inhabit Real Estate and a local business owner, I bring many years of customer service experience. I believe my skills would allow me the flexibility to listen to the wants and needs of neighbors from an objective position while being mindful of their point of view as well.
By serving on the board, I expect to contribute to the continued growth and success of our neighborhood.
Thank you,
Jett