MADRAS CITY COUNCIL APPOINTS CHANDRA POTTER TO REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

News Release

Date:    November 24, 2021 – Immediate Release
Contact:  Lysa Vattimo, Communications 541-325-0302 

Madras, OR – At their regularly scheduled meeting in November, the Madras Redevelopment Commission (MRC) interviewed candidate Chandra Potter for a vacant position on the Commission. Ms. Potter is a Child Safety Manager with the Oregon Department of Health and Human Services and has lived in Madras with her family for nearly 15 years. She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Willamette University and a Masters in Social Work from Portland State University. She has served as a CASA board member and a parent volunteer with the Madras 509J School wrestling team and Buff Boosters.

During her interview, Commissioners presented her with a series of four questions that addressed her specific interests for serving on the Redevelopment Commission, her ideas for revitalization in Downtown Madras, her concerns regarding housing, and how her background could benefit the Commission. On her original interest form Ms. Potter wrote that she is, “…invested in seeing Madras as a safe, welcoming city for residents and tourists.” At the conclusion interview, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend Ms. Potter to the City Council for appointment to the Commission. Immediately following the Redevelopment Commission’s meeting, at the City Council meeting, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Ms. Potter to the Commission. Her three-year term will commence January 2022 ending December 31, 2024.

Two other citizens have expressed interest in serving on the Commission; one declined to move forward in the process as they have become involved in another opportunity and the other has not yet responded to a request from the City Recorder to complete an application. “The Commission has a couple more vacancies if other Madras citizens are interested in serving,” stated City Recorder Lysa Vattimo. “All the details about the MRC and what is required to serve are available on the Madras Redevelopment Commission page of our website,” she added.

The Madras Redevelopment Commission oversees economic development through rehabilitation of older and historic structures and key sites, improvement of transportation and utility facilities in the urban renewal area, construction of needed public facilities and amenities, promotes private development, redevelopment, and rehabilitation within the urban renewal area thereby helping to create jobs, tax revenues, and self-sustaining, vital, and vibrant commercial districts. In addition, the MRC oversees the City’s Housing Urban Renewal District that is designed to increase development of all levels/types of housing in Madras. 

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