As County Chair, Pam will bring a proven record of results across the public and private sectors to prioritize affordability, economic vitality, and public safety. She will protect our access to critical community services and programs.
As County Chair, Pam will bring a proven record of results across the public and private sectors to prioritize affordability, economic vitality, and public safety. She will protect our access to critical community services and programs.
Housing Affordability
When Pam raised her family here, most people were able to afford to buy a home and make ends meet. Now the cost of housing, on top of other living expenses, has become unattainable for too many. Pam supports a range of housing opportunities for all ages and income levels, and efforts to increase housing diversity and affordability. And she is leading efforts to preserve existing affordable homes, which keeps people in their homes and protects the availability of affordable housing and the County’s prior investment
An Example of Pam's Results: The Opal
Pam has taken an active role in innovative partnerships to construct new affordable homes like The Opal. She led a collaboration between a local church, the County, and a housing developer to resolve barriers to project completion. The result was over 50 inclusive, affordable residences in her district for people aged 55 and older with services for LGBTQI+ community members.
Homelessness
Pam knows that having people living on our streets is not reflective of the community we all want. That is why she supports new shelters and expanded services to help those experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Pam has supported new shelters and transitional housing spaces, while working closely with local neighbors on good neighbor agreements to ensure the location is successful for everyone.
An Example of Pam’s Results: The Center for Addictions Triage and Treatment (CATT)
Pam championed the Center for Addictions Triage and Treatment (CATT), which opens in 2025 and will support those struggling with behavioral health issues and substance use disorder. Pam strongly supports the Center's wraparound approach, including on-site housing and medical services, with a focus of getting people’s futures back on track. Pam helped secure additional funds to build and operate the Center, and has been instrumental in building regional and statewide support for the project.
Neighborhood Safety
Everyone deserves a safe community to call home. From safe sidewalks in our neighborhoods, to working closely with our first responders and public safety partners, Pam prioritizes ensuring all Washington County residents feel safe in their communities. Pam supports stable funding and resources for our first responders to effectively serve residents, while also prioritizing accountability and transparency to the community. As Chair, Pam will further efforts to ensure collaboration between our mental health team and public safety providers, including effective integration with the Center for Addictions Triage and Treatment (CATT).
An Example of Pam’s Results: Building Collaboration with First Responders
Pam has prioritized strengthening ties between the Commission and the Sheriff’s Department to promote community safety, including being the only commissioner to regularly attend patrol and jail deputy team meetings.
Strong Communities and Businesses
In the face of economic turmoil and federal funding cuts, Pam will use her expertise in local economic development to support our local businesses and jobs. Most of us rely on our jobs to support our families; our County also relies on our local businesses for critical funding for our schools, parks, libraries, and other government resources and services. Services we rely on may all diminish given the ongoing economic turmoil. As County Chair, Pam will work to protect Washington County from the impacts of this large-scale economic turmoil by prioritizing the strength of our local businesses. She will also be an effective steward of your tax dollars.
An Example of Pam’s Results: Pandemic Business Support
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Pam took action alongside her County colleagues to help protect our local economy, leading Washington County’s business recovery efforts with the creation of multiple Washington County Business Recovery Centers.
Equitable Progress
Pam is a champion for celebrating the incredible diversity of our county by supporting inclusivity and ensuring people of all backgrounds feel safe and secure here. In 2020, Pam led the passage of a historic equity resolution to advance racial equity. The resolution detailed specific action items, including the creation of an Equity Office, a Leadership Equity Council, and a Communities of Color Advisory Board to inform policy making and community engagement. Pam is committed to the important actions that make these ideals a reality to keep making progress for Washington County’s diverse communities.
An Example of Pam's Results: Resolution & Advisory Council Leadership
Washington County has embedded the concepts of equity throughout its work in an effort to reflect the diversity of the community. Since passage of the resolution, Pam has been involved with the Advisory Council on Racial Equity (ACRE), which she currently co-chairs. Pam has been working to integrate the work of ACRE into other aspects of the county, to put into action the strength of the group.
“Pam is a proven leader, prioritizing collaboration across communities and across governments to get results for residents. As Chair, she will lead us into a bright future for Washington County.”
“Pam is a proven leader, prioritizing collaboration across communities and across governments to get results for residents. As Chair, she will lead us into a bright future for Washington County.”
