Ballot Information: 2023

This meeting is for the election of Directors and potential amendments to the governing documents.

Below are the individual candidate statements and proposed amendments.

Please note: the candidate information below was provided by the candidates themselves and the content of any linked site is not managed or monitored by HACH.

Proposed Resolution #1:

To amend the Declaration of Restrictions to clarify the current prohibition against renting properties as short-term rentals (i.e., renting for periods shorter than 30 days).

Proposed Resolution #2:

To amend the Declaration of Restrictions to clarify that, when the Association is required to hire an attorney to enforce the Declaration of Restrictions and Rules and Regulations, the attorney’s fees and costs will be collectable from the violating owner.

Proposed Resolution #3:

To amend the Declaration of Restrictions to clarify that the Board may grant exceptions to the five-foot utility easement on the sides of homes to allow owners to install HVAC equipment (air conditioners, heat pumps, and similar) to make Article VI consistent with Washington County’s rules.

Statement of Candidates:

Ryan Connell

My name is Ryan C. Connell, and I am running for election to the board of directors. I am currently on the board, having been appointed a couple months ago to fill an open position.

Background

I have a BA from Saint Martin’s University in Political Science and a JD from Willamette College of Law, where I graduated with honors. I have worked as a prosecuting attorney and criminal defense attorney. I currently am the Justice of the Peace in Tillamook County and am a judge pro tempore for the Washington County Circuit Court, Washington County Justice Court, and Sherman County Justice Court. I am a member of the Justice Court association and Municipal Court association, where I am a member of the legislative advisory committee. I have taught Criminal Justice and Philosophy classes at Tillamook Bay Community College, where I am a member of the Criminal Justice Academic Advisory Committee.

What I will do on the board

My primary focus as a board member is two-fold: enforcement of current rules and rulemaking. I believe that rules must be enforced in an equal manner and fair manner. By equal, I mean all rules apply to all people. The board does not pick and chose what rules apply and to whom. By fair, I mean without bias. Whether I like a rule, or a person is not part of my decision making process. I do not have strong feelings about the HOA; I try to be a blank slate. If someone is in violation of a rule, I look for the least intrusive way to bring them back into compliance. I always work with people and am open to creative solutions.

I believe that rules must be easy to understand, easy to follow, and logical. I am currently reviewing the board policies and bylaws to find things that can be improved upon. I am currently looking for things to simplify and, where rules differ from other requirements, such as Washington County requirement, try to determine if there is a legitimate reason for the difference. My goal is to have a clear, easily understood set of policies.

This rulemaking authority is not without limitation. The Declaration of Restrictions can only be modified through a vote of the membership. What I will do is work to explain any proposals to change the Declaration and why I believe the changes ought to be made. If the membership vote to change those rules, fantastic. If not, I will abide by the vote.

In short, I will be objective, nonbiased, and diligent. I enjoy working with rules, policies, and procedures.  If elected, I will work to create simple, easy to follow policies and procedures; I will ensure that rules are applied equally and fairly; I will make decisions based on the rules regardless of my own opinion.

Pamela Fielder

 I have lived in the Association for over 30 years and served on the board for the last eight. I have over 34 years of business experience including 20 years with non-profits. We live in a very desirable community and I along with the rest of the Board are making great progress at continuing to evolve and improve the processes and practices of the Association. I would like to continue serving that effort.

In keeping our community, a great place for all, we need to consider the needs of everyone -- single people, families, empty nesters, senior citizens, and renters.  We need a balance that considers everyone in the future-impacting decisions we make. We have reached a critical juncture where there are homeowners who want to follow the rules and some who do not. A regular board exercise is trying to make decisions that keep everyone in the HOA happy while still staying within the bounds of our Restrictions and being fair to everyone.  It cannot be a decision where the loudest group wins; it needs to be a thoughtful process where every opinion is heard as we use this feedback to move policies forward, with the goal of making them more relevant to how we live today.

The current board has done an extremely good job of continuing to evolve our policies forward. However, we all still need to be good neighbors to each other and follow the rules that will keep our neighborhood a desirable place to live, while remaining a welcoming community for all who choose to live here. 

In the past I have been the Board’s Secretary and I currently serve as your Treasurer. In addition to the financial aspect of the HOA, I have also focused on community events and safe streets for our neighborhood. Cedar Hills Shopping Center has recently sold and there is a proposed development coming at Cedar Hills Office Park. These changes will bring new challenges to our community as the developments move forward. Washington County has changed their definition of Residential Collector Roads and I am working with the county to see how this new definition could help mitigate speeding through our neighborhoods and help keep children, adults, and pets safe on our streets, parks, and schools. It will be a challenging year ahead and I would appreciate your continued support.

Naomi Inman

My name is Naomi Inman, a 17-year resident of the Homes Association of Cedar Hills and I am asking for your vote to serve a second term as a Director for the HACH Board. I was first elected in May of 2021 and have enjoyed working to make our neighborhood, and our association, a safe, beautiful and welcoming community for every homeowner. Whether it involves meeting with homeowners to solve problems, updating policies to serve our community better, volunteering at neighborhood cleanup events, or supporting our community in emergency preparedness events, I believe that it is important to listen to our neighbors and continue to craft our website, voting process, and events to serve our homeowners well. I am committed to listening, serving, and promoting the well-being of Cedar Hills homeowners to the best of my ability in this coming term. I am very encouraged at the possibility of including online voting as an option for this and future elections, while still protecting the privacy and rights of our members. I wish you a safe and happy remainder of 2023.  

Vicki Lee

My husband and I specifically purchased a home in the Cedar Hills Homes Association, on SW Tremont in 1985 because we were so impressed with how well the homes and yards were maintained and the overall friendly neighborhood feel. We lived there until 2006 when my husband’s company transferred him to Corvallis for a few years.  Back in 1964 my in-laws actually bought the duplex we now own and live in on SW Bowmont Lane.

I also worked part time for several years, in the 1990's, for the Association verifying HACH violations, sending out notices of compliance, new homeowner packets and other general clerical work, as well as volunteering to verify and count ballots for the annual homeowners’ meetings.

I know the Homes Association has faced and will continue to face some serious issues and backlash with homeowners on property violations as well as various ballot measures. I realize there will always be something to contend with, but as a board member, my position would be to review the homeowners’ concerns and issues, uphold and enforce the HACH by-laws. Cedar Hills Homes Association has been in existence for many, many years because their homeowners want and enjoy living in an association that puts the value of their homes and the safety and livability for their families their first priority.

Thank you for your consideration.

John Stott

Hello. My name is John Stott. I joined the HACH board two years ago and I would like to continue to be on the board for the next biennium.

I appreciate our collective good fortune to be able to live in a place as wonderful Cedar Hills, however, the challenges we face as an organization and neighborhood will continue and makes the work of the association more important than ever.

I am proud of the work the board has accomplished in the last 2 years.  Most of the association policies have been revised and updated to reflect the changing environment and demographics of our neighborhood, but the job is never done.

From a technological perspective, we have worked to make online voting an option for members.  We have also made upgrades to our computer network and website, making interaction with the HACH office more user-friendly.

I will continue to do everything I can to make our home and neighborhood a place we are proud of and what to live.

Thank you for your support and please feel free to reach out to me at any time.