Meet the Hood River City Council

Mayor – Paul Blackburn

Bio: Our family moved to Hood River in 2000. I have been elected to City Council, Library District, and school local committees, and I have served on numerous nonprofit boards. My wife, Dr. Kristen Dillon, is the Director of Medicaid for this part of Oregon. We have 2 grown daughters, one in college and one working in DC. When not volunteering at church or local nonprofits, I can often be found enjoying the Gorge on a bike, skis or paddle board or behind my banjo.

Phone: (541) 436-0654
p.blackburn@cityofhoodriver.gov

Council President – Kate McBride

Bio: Kate has lived in the Hood River Valley all of her life. Raising two girls and donating time to school activities and related volunteer activities were her civic focus for 15 years. Kate worked in real estate sales and then for a non-profit as its land trust manager for 12 years. She served on the Hood River Planning Commission for over seven years and was then appointed to City Council in 2011, prior to running for office in 2012. She believes that planning is what will shape the community in ways residents desire. She is passionate about supporting ways to make housing affordable so local working families can continue to live here and be involved in schools, arts, recreation, and local government service. Her interests include spending time with her granddaughters, hiking, kiting, sewing and gardening. Kate also currently sits on the Hood River County Energy Planning Council. She welcomes suggestions and open communication between council and the citizens of Hood River. Please call or e-mail her anytime, with ideas and concerns.

Message Line: (541) 436-0654
k.mcbride@cityofhoodriver.gov

Council Member – Tim Counihan

Bio: I am honored to be able to serve our community. I will work hard to improve the quality of life for all Hood River residents while promoting inclusive social and sound environmental policies. I am committed to supporting our local businesses and understand that the health of our local economy helps make Hood River the safe, family-friendly town we have all come to love.
I am a father of a high school aged son and a husband. My wife of 22 years, Jen Bayer, supports the Hood River Library by volunteering for the Library Foundation and also volunteers for other causes in our community. Jen and I have lived in the Columbia River Gorge since 1993. My son was born in Hood River and is a three-time Oregon State spelling champion.

Professionally, I am a research biologist, focusing on interdisciplinary research in aquatic ecosystems. I have worked extensively on the Columbia River and also work with scientists across the US and internationally. I like to backpack, hike, ski, and fish. I also enjoy playing and listening to music and am thankful that we live in a community with so many talented artists.
I am a firm believer in learning from the diverse opinions of others. Please contact me with any ideas or concerns you may have.

Message Line: (541) 436-0654
t.counihan@cityofhoodriver.gov

Council Member – Erick Haynie

Bio: I ran for Hood River City Council for love of community and as a way to give back to this great place. My wife, Katie, and I both grew up here, and we are proud to be raising our own family here. This is an incredibly special place and I’ve been proud to call it my home. I’d love for my children, sixth generation Hood River kids, to feel it is a special place to grow up and be raised. There is some challenge because Hood River is experiencing growing pains. I strive to preserve our rural way of life, our strong sense of community, and our scenic beauty and environmental assets, while also managing the growth that is inevitable.

After graduating from HRV in 1992, I studied political science and music at the University of Portland, graduating in 1995. I received a law degree from Northwestern University (1998). Since 1998, I have practiced as a commercial trial lawyer throughout greater Oregon and Washington with an Am Law 100 law firm.

I also serve as a pro bono (volunteer) attorney, and I have served as a Board member or volunteer attorney for various local non-profits. I am a part-time piano player and, in the 1990’s, worked as a radio personality for KIHR/KCGB. I also enjoy soccer, running and spending my weekends supporting gorge-area youth sports and arts from the sidelines.

I’m the Chairman of the Board of the Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital Foundation, and am the Immediate Past President of the Hood River Rotary Club.

Message Line: (541) 436-0654
e.haynie@cityofhoodriver.gov

Council Member – Jessica Metta

Bio: My husband John and I moved to Hood River in 2005 when I took a planning job with the Columbia River Gorge Commission and we quickly fell in love with the community. Since 2008, I’ve worked at Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, now as Deputy Director overseeing our transportation services as well as leading the Gorge Technology Alliance. John and I now have three young children that we are excited to raise in Hood River and spending time with them is my priority outside of work and Council. I grew up in Charlotte, NC and went to college in Charleston, SC and Portland.

I joined City Council because I love Hood River and want to give back to my community. I think the most important roles of a city councilor are to be a listener, an educator, and a leader. I believe that Council decisions should seek to incorporate diverse points of view, and that compromise and collaboration make for good government. Please get in touch!

Message Line: (541) 436-0654
j.metta@cityofhoodriver.gov

Council Member – Megan Saunders

Bio: I’ve served on City Council since 2017. I’ve worked and continue to work to improve housing accessibility and availability, green spaces, future development planning, and public communication and input. Please contact me with any questions or comments.

I moved to Hood River in 2010 for a job with the local watershed council. Prior to moving west, I grew up near Boston and attended college in Maine. In Hood River, I work for a local irrigation district on watershed monitoring, project management, education, and water rights. Outside of work, I spend my time hiking, reading, and traveling.

Message Line: (541) 436-0654
m.saunders@cityofhoodriver.gov

Council Member – Mark Zanmiller

Bio: I believe that Hood River is truly a special place and as City leaders and proponents, we have the responsibility to encourage and build on what we have, without screwing it up. A short biography:

We moved to Hood River in 1991 and into our current home in 1992. Kym and I have two wonderful daughters. I enjoy coffee, hiking, skiing, jogging, and garden puttering. As a pedestrian commuter, I have walked/jogged over 12,000 miles in Hood River!
I have served 15 years as elected board member of the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District. I was co-chair of the City Waterfront Park Development Committee, and have stayed involved in a range of volunteer activities.
21 years working in our local high-tech industry as engineer, BD executive, and entrepreneur.

I like to ask the following when examining any issue:

Are we sure we can continue to meet previous commitments before we agree to new ones? We have to stay within our budget and have available bandwidth. The fun part is finding ways to achieve the new without adding risk.
How can we do things better and more efficiently? Strive for continuous improvement.
Are we letting ourselves think outside the box and allow ourselves to discuss bold solutions and opportunities? If we just stay with the safe choices, we are less for it.
How will our decision affect the things we love about our town – human/pedestrian scale, recreational opportunities, close connections to the environment, good jobs, a close knit community, etc.?

Like my fellow councilors, I think our goals are best reached with full community involvement and I encourage both formal and informal feedback and inputs. Please feel free to contact me.

Message Line: (541) 436-0654

m.zanmiller@cityofhoodriver.gov
http://www.facebook.com/Zanmillercitycouncil