Camas City Council selects newest member

A 17-year Camas resident is the newest member of the City Council.

Following the public interview process of six candidates and closed executive session council discussion, Tim Hazen was the eventual winner in a close vote last night.

The first roll call vote produced three votes for Hazen from Don Chaney, Scott Higgins and Linda Dietzman; three for Kris Henriksen from Greg Anderson, Melissa Smith and Helen Gerde; and one for Clifford Duncan from Steve Hogan.

In the tie-breaker, all votes remained the same except Hogan voted for Hazen — giving him the majority necessary to earn appointment to the seat.

The vacancy was created when 15-year councilwoman Helen Gerde announced in October that she would leave her Ward 1 position as of Dec. 31 — one year short of completing her four-year term.

For the past five years, Hazen, 43, has been the owner of Premier Senior Living, a company that owns and operates three senior citizen health care facilities in Oregon. For 17 years prior he worked for Prestige Care, Inc., in Vancouver, as director of operations overseeing its 35 senior health care properties.

Hazen said he decided to apply for the city council position to play a more active role in the community.

“I’ve always wanted to serve the community in a greater capacity,” Hazen said. “I feel like I’ve got the perspective, the common goals and the skills to be able to make a contribution. At this point in my life, I feel that it’s time to give back to the community that has served me so well.”

His volunteer activities include being involved in the organization of the annual Camas Days Parade for the past 10 years, and for a period of time serving on the board of the Jack, Will and Rob youth center in Camas.

Hazen grew up in Portland and graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

He is married to his wife Biljana, and has two daughters, Anna, 13, and Maya, 11, who are students in the Camas School District.

In addition to Henriksen and Duncan, other applicants interviewed but not selected for the council seat were Mel Cardon, Dan Stephens and Michael Boyer.

Higgins, who was elected to the City Council in November 2001, but was unsuccessful in bids for a Camas School Board seat and 18th Legislative District representative position, encouraged all of the candidates to continue to be engaged, active citizens.

“I very uniquely appreciate your applying for this, and want you to continue to be involved in our community in any and every way.”

Hazen will take the oath of office prior to the Monday, Jan. 3, City Council workshop, which begins at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, 616 N.E. Fourth Ave.