Council thanks first youth city councilor, Meghan Turley
The City Council on June 16 unanimously passed a resolution thanking Meghan Turley for being Tigard’s first youth city councilor, a non-voting member of the council who represents the youth perspective in matters of local government.
“I personally want to thank you for what you’ve done in the first year of representation,” Mayor Jason Snider said to Turley, whose one-year term ended June 30. “I think in the last couple of months, it’s been even more critical that we have your voice and the voice of our whole Youth Advisory Council, and it’s going to continue to be even more important.”
The other council members echoed Snider’s gratitude, praising Turley for her dedication to her post and the insights and perspective she brought to it.
Councilor Tom Anderson noted Turley’s status as the first youth city councilor, adding, “You’ve really grown throughout the year; we really appreciate you.”
Councilor Liz Newton, who sat next to Turley on the council dais before the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to in-person meetings, said that she was impressed with Turley’s level of preparedness for City Council meetings.
“I’m going to miss sitting next to you,” she said. “and I wish you all the best.”
Tigard’s second youth city councilor, Emilio Calderon, began his term on July 1.
‘If I we’re mayor’ contest winner congratulated
The City Council on June 23 congratulated Templeton Elementary 5th grader Maeve Keast for her winning “If I were mayor, I would …” contest submission. In addition to the council’s kudos, Keast received a $50 Visa gift card and a Tigard pin, and her poster will be entered into the statewide contest. The grand prize is $500. “I think I’m on the panel to judge them this year. I may be kind of partial, though I’m only one of a number of mayors who are in that group,” Mayor Jason Snider said. “Maeve, I want to congratulate you and thank you on behalf of the city for participating. And I’m very excited that we’re going to be well represented at the statewide contest.” Keast joined the virtual council meeting from home.
School board condemns racism, pledges to be ‘anti-racist’
The Tigard-Tualatin School Board on June 8 approved a resolution condemning racism and committing to be anti-racist in a 4 to 1 vote. Students inspired the resolution and helped write it, according to a press release.
The resolution, which references George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery as recent victims of racism and police violence, calls for the district to be “actively anti-racist,” adopt a hate-speech policy, “use an equity lens for all future curriculum adoptions” and to have a more diverse workforce.
“I have been talking about hate speech since my freshman year. I can’t keep waiting. It’s been enough time,” Tigard High School student Abdirahim Mohamoud said to the board. “I have a little sister coming to THS next year. A little brother going into his sophomore year. They shouldn’t have to deal with that. Our job is to come to school in a safe environment and learn. And your job as a district is to provide that. I have done my part. Now I’m asking you as a district to do yours.”
The district will seek input from students and the community and put together an action plan based on the resolution, according to the release.
Max’s Fanno Creek Brew Pub gets new owner
The team behind Cooper Mountain Ale Works, a Beaverton nano-brewery, has purchased Max’s Fanno Creek Brew Pub in downtown Tigard. The sale was first reported by industry publication The New School. Closed since March, the brew pub reopened in late June for food, beer and cocktail service in the restaurant and its outdoor patio. In a Facebook post announcing the reopening, Max’s said, “You will recognize the servers and bartenders from before we closed earlier this year. The kitchen is made up of an all-new team making some incredible new items for the menu.” The brew pub’s new posted hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
