Tom Hughes (Oregon politician)
Encyclopedia
Tom Hughes is a politician and former educator in the U.S. state of Oregon
. He is the president of Metro
, a regional government in the Portland metropolitan area
. A native of Hillsboro
, he served as on that city's planning commission and city council
before serving two terms as mayor from 2001 to 2009. He spent nearly 30 years as a public school teacher and briefly worked as a consultant for a law firm
. The plaza at the Hillsboro Civic Center
is named in his honor.
, Washington County, Oregon
, in 1943. The family moved back to Hillsboro in 1952. He was raised in that city and attended Hillsboro High School where he graduated in 1961. In 1965, he graduated from the University of Oregon
in Eugene
with a bachelor of science degree in history. He originally planned to become a chemistry teacher, but switched to history. Two years later he earned a master of arts degree in history from the University of Arizona
in Tucson
.
After college, he spent some time in San Francisco, California
, where he sold roofing material before returning to Oregon. Back in Oregon, he began teaching first as a substitute teacher, and later as a full-time teacher in the Beaverton School District
. He also received a teaching certificate from Portland State University
. Hughes taught at Aloha High School
beginning in 1973 and taught a variety of social studies subjects. As a teacher he taught government and helped organize the Model Democratic Presidential Nominating Convention beginning in 1972.
and lost. Hughes then took a position on Hillsboro’s Planning and Zoning Hearings Board in 1985 and in May 1989 was appointed to the Hillsboro Planning Commission where he remained until 2000. During this time he also served on the budget committee for Hillsboro High School (1986–1987) and was on a county committee that examined the county’s charter (1982–1984).
, and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. In the November general election Hughes defeated Godsey to win a four-year term as mayor winning 61% of the vote.
Hughes took office on January 2, 2001, with priorities to increase the size of the Hillsboro Police Department
and improve transportation. The next year he called for more land for the city to accommodate growth and in hopes of adding a university to the area during his State of the City address. Later that year he and other county leaders expressed dismay at Metro, the regional government, concerning the purchase of open spaces in the county using bond money approved by regional voters. Hughes complained that the county and city were not receiving as much land as they should based on the tax amounts. On May 29, 2003, he suffered a mild heart attack and had minor heart surgery at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
to undergo angioplasty
and install a stent.
At the time, Providence Health System was looking to build a hospital in the city, and Hughes opposed the building of a new hospital that would compete with the only hospital in the city. Hughes would have been taken to that hospital, Tuality Community Hospital
, but the emergency room was full. After three days in the hospital, Hughes was released and a week later took part in the demolition of a building. He operated a track hoe to tear down part of the building as part of a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hillsboro Civic Center
that would serve as the new city hall. During his first term as mayor, he also was the chairman of the Metro Policy Advisory Committee and worked to alleviate tensions over noise at the Hillsboro Airport
.
. Hughes won re-election to a second four-year term with 72% of the vote. During his second term he traveled to Mexico for a conference held by the Mexican government where he also hoped to find a city to partner with as sister cities. The city also worked to revise the city’s charter, but kept the two-term limit and basic role of the mayor the same. Hughes earned a Certificate of Achievement in Leadership from the National League of Cities
in 2007 and served as president of the League of Oregon Cities.
He also was the co-chair of the Fairgrounds Revitalization Task Force that proposed changes to the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro, made city service available on the Internet, and began the broadcasting of city council meetings. In 2008, he shared an award from the League of Oregon Cities with Beaverton Mayor Rob Drake for his work in government. During his time in office the city built the Civic Center, opened the new main branch of the Hillsboro Public Library
, and created the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center
, while working to attract the Pacific University Health Professions Campus
and a Genetech
facility, and working to re-open the Venetian Theatre
. He also fought Metro on the urban growth boundary, while residents near Turner Creek Park
complained about recurring sewer overflows. On January 6, 2009, Hughes left the $3,000 per-year position and Jerry Willey was sworn in as the new mayor.
. In April 2009, the city renamed the plaza at city hall as the Tom Hughes Civic Center Plaza, and in May the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce named him their distinguished citizen for 2009.
Hughes announced in December 2009 that he would run for the office of president of the Metro Council
in the 2010 election. He finished first in a three-way race, garnering 37 percent of the vote after endorsements by most of the area's newspapers and chambers of commerce. Hughes faced Bob Stacey in the November 2010 general election and won by approximately 1,000 votes out of 400,000 votes cast. Hughes was sworn into office on January 4, 2011.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. He is the president of Metro
Metro (Oregon regional government)
Metro, formerly known as Metropolitan Service District, is the regional governmental agency for the Oregon portion of the Portland metropolitan area...
, a regional government in the Portland metropolitan area
Portland metropolitan area
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area , also known as the Portland metropolitan area or Greater Portland, is an urban area in the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington centered around the city of Portland, Oregon. The U.S...
. A native of Hillsboro
Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
, he served as on that city's planning commission and city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
before serving two terms as mayor from 2001 to 2009. He spent nearly 30 years as a public school teacher and briefly worked as a consultant for a law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
. The plaza at the Hillsboro Civic Center
Hillsboro Civic Center
The Hillsboro Civic Center is a government-built, mixed-use development in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. The development includes the city hall for the county seat of Washington County, located west of Portland, Oregon. Covering , the Civic Center has a total of over in the complex...
is named in his honor.
Early life
Tom Hughes was born in HillsboroHillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
, Washington County, Oregon
Washington County, Oregon
- Major highways :* Interstate 5* Interstate 205* U.S. Route 26* Oregon Route 6* Oregon Route 8* Oregon Route 10* Oregon Route 47* Oregon Route 99W* Oregon Route 210* Oregon Route 217* Oregon Route 219-Demographics:...
, in 1943. The family moved back to Hillsboro in 1952. He was raised in that city and attended Hillsboro High School where he graduated in 1961. In 1965, he graduated from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
with a bachelor of science degree in history. He originally planned to become a chemistry teacher, but switched to history. Two years later he earned a master of arts degree in history from the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
in Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
.
After college, he spent some time in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, where he sold roofing material before returning to Oregon. Back in Oregon, he began teaching first as a substitute teacher, and later as a full-time teacher in the Beaverton School District
Beaverton School District
The Beaverton School District is a school district in suburban Beaverton and Portland, Oregon, United States. The Beaverton Elementary School District 48 was established in 1876, with other elementary districts later merged into the district. The elementary district was later merged with the high...
. He also received a teaching certificate from Portland State University
Portland State University
Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
. Hughes taught at Aloha High School
Aloha High School
-Demographics:*American Indian 2%*Asian or Pacific Islander 12%*Black 6%*Hispanic 23%*White 62%*Multiple Categories Selected 5%-Academics:In 2008 75% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 517 students 389 graduated, 69 dropped out, 14 received a modified diploma, and 45 are...
beginning in 1973 and taught a variety of social studies subjects. As a teacher he taught government and helped organize the Model Democratic Presidential Nominating Convention beginning in 1972.
Political career
Hughes was elected to his first political office in 1976, winning a spot on the Hillsboro City Council where he remained until 1980. After leaving the city council he worked as a lobbyist for the League of Oregon Cities from 1980 to 1982. In 1982, he ran for a seat in the Oregon Legislative AssemblyOregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
and lost. Hughes then took a position on Hillsboro’s Planning and Zoning Hearings Board in 1985 and in May 1989 was appointed to the Hillsboro Planning Commission where he remained until 2000. During this time he also served on the budget committee for Hillsboro High School (1986–1987) and was on a county committee that examined the county’s charter (1982–1984).
Mayor
In 2000, Hughes launched a campaign to become mayor of the city. He ran against John Godsey on a platform of slower growth, including opposing the addition of the South Hillsboro urban reserve to be within the urban growth boundary. Hughes also proposed televising the city council meetings during the campaign. During the campaign, Hughes raised about $8,800 compared to Godsey’s approximately $6,000. Major donors to Hughes campaign included the firefighter’s union, a teacher political action committeePolitical action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
, and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. In the November general election Hughes defeated Godsey to win a four-year term as mayor winning 61% of the vote.
Hughes took office on January 2, 2001, with priorities to increase the size of the Hillsboro Police Department
Hillsboro Police Department
The Hillsboro Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency of the city of Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. It is a regionally accredited agency with 115 sworn officers on the force. As of July 2010, the chief is Carey Sullivan in a city of over 90,000 residents west of Portland,...
and improve transportation. The next year he called for more land for the city to accommodate growth and in hopes of adding a university to the area during his State of the City address. Later that year he and other county leaders expressed dismay at Metro, the regional government, concerning the purchase of open spaces in the county using bond money approved by regional voters. Hughes complained that the county and city were not receiving as much land as they should based on the tax amounts. On May 29, 2003, he suffered a mild heart attack and had minor heart surgery at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, is a non-profit, acute care hospital in the Portland metropolitan area of the U.S. state of Oregon. The center is Providence Health & Services’s largest Oregon hospital. St...
to undergo angioplasty
Angioplasty
Angioplasty is the technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel, the latter typically being a result of atherosclerosis. An empty and collapsed balloon on a guide wire, known as a balloon catheter, is passed into the narrowed locations and then inflated to a fixed size...
and install a stent.
Tuality Community Hospital
Tuality Community Hospital is a non-profit, general care medical facility located in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. The 167-bed facility was founded in 1918 in downtown, and is the only hospital in Hillsboro, Washington County’s most populous city. Tuality has partnerships with both Pacific...
, but the emergency room was full. After three days in the hospital, Hughes was released and a week later took part in the demolition of a building. He operated a track hoe to tear down part of the building as part of a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hillsboro Civic Center
Hillsboro Civic Center
The Hillsboro Civic Center is a government-built, mixed-use development in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. The development includes the city hall for the county seat of Washington County, located west of Portland, Oregon. Covering , the Civic Center has a total of over in the complex...
that would serve as the new city hall. During his first term as mayor, he also was the chairman of the Metro Policy Advisory Committee and worked to alleviate tensions over noise at the Hillsboro Airport
Hillsboro Airport
Hillsboro Airport , also known as Portland-Hillsboro Airport, is the name of a corporate, general aviation and flight-training airport serving the city of Hillsboro, in Washington County, Oregon, USA. It is one of four airports in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area owned and operated by the...
.
Second term
In 2004, he ran for re-election facing Bob Imbrie, grandson of the homesteader who established Imbrie FarmImbrie Farm
Imbrie Farm is an Italian Villa style home in Hillsboro, Oregon. It was built by Robert Imbrie and was a working farm for over a century. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977....
. Hughes won re-election to a second four-year term with 72% of the vote. During his second term he traveled to Mexico for a conference held by the Mexican government where he also hoped to find a city to partner with as sister cities. The city also worked to revise the city’s charter, but kept the two-term limit and basic role of the mayor the same. Hughes earned a Certificate of Achievement in Leadership from the National League of Cities
National League of Cities
The National League of Cities is an American advocacy organization representing 19,000 cities, towns, and villages, and encompassing 49 state municipal leagues....
in 2007 and served as president of the League of Oregon Cities.
He also was the co-chair of the Fairgrounds Revitalization Task Force that proposed changes to the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro, made city service available on the Internet, and began the broadcasting of city council meetings. In 2008, he shared an award from the League of Oregon Cities with Beaverton Mayor Rob Drake for his work in government. During his time in office the city built the Civic Center, opened the new main branch of the Hillsboro Public Library
Hillsboro Public Library
The Hillsboro Public Library is a two-location public library system in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. First opened in 1914 in a Carnegie library building, the system provides services to a population area of 157,000 people. As of 2004, the system had a usage of 674,000 visits per year...
, and created the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center
Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center
The Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center is a multi-use arts and performance venue in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Opened in 2004, it is housed in a red-colored stone building completed in 1949 as a Lutheran church...
, while working to attract the Pacific University Health Professions Campus
Pacific University Health Professions Campus
The Pacific University Health Professions Campus is a satellite campus of Pacific University located in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Opened in 2006, the campus contains the school's College of Health Professions with plans to move Pacific's College of Optometry and School of...
and a Genetech
Genetech
Genetech is a fictional corporation in the Marvel Comics universe. It is located in Sayville, Long Island in the state of New York.Genetech is involved in many scientific endeavors and appears as both an ally and an adversary of the superhuman team the New Warriors. Genetech should not be confused...
facility, and working to re-open the Venetian Theatre
Venetian Theatre
The Venetian Theatre is a movie theater, performing arts venue, and restaurant in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Formerly the Town Theater, the building re-opened in 2008 after more than a decade of inactivity and revitalization plans...
. He also fought Metro on the urban growth boundary, while residents near Turner Creek Park
Turner Creek Park
Turner Creek Park is a municipal park in Hillsboro in the U.S. state of Oregon. Opened about 1990, the park is located in the middle of the city along Turner Creek near southwest 32nd Avenue between Tualatin Valley Highway and Main Street...
complained about recurring sewer overflows. On January 6, 2009, Hughes left the $3,000 per-year position and Jerry Willey was sworn in as the new mayor.
Metro
In 2003, he retired from teaching from Aloha High School. After leaving office, Hughes took a position with Tonkin Torp LLP in the law firm’s public affairs office as a senior policy advisor. Hughes was married about 1969 to Gayle, and they had two daughters named Kristen and Karen. Hughes is also a member of the Rotary Club and the local Chamber of CommerceChamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
. In April 2009, the city renamed the plaza at city hall as the Tom Hughes Civic Center Plaza, and in May the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce named him their distinguished citizen for 2009.
Hughes announced in December 2009 that he would run for the office of president of the Metro Council
Metro (Oregon regional government)
Metro, formerly known as Metropolitan Service District, is the regional governmental agency for the Oregon portion of the Portland metropolitan area...
in the 2010 election. He finished first in a three-way race, garnering 37 percent of the vote after endorsements by most of the area's newspapers and chambers of commerce. Hughes faced Bob Stacey in the November 2010 general election and won by approximately 1,000 votes out of 400,000 votes cast. Hughes was sworn into office on January 4, 2011.