The saga of the Villages at Mt. Hood vs. Clackamas County has become more
like a Bertolt Brecht play than two governmental bodies trying to solve a
problem.

In the latest act, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will hold yet
another policy session Sept. 6 to determine either the fate, or the way
forward, for the Villages at Mt. Hood Board of Directors (BOD) – which
consists of Chair George Wilson and Carol Burk, or just one, or neither,
depending on the scenario.

Or, Wilson and Burk are still actors, perhaps, as they’ve been invited to attend
the policy session.

Newly appointed liaison to the Villages, Katie Wilson, public involvement
specialist with the County, wrote to Wilson: “I would like to invite you and
Carol to attend that policy session and ask you to please hold off on your
emergency meeting until after the BCC has discussed the Villages election.”
Wilson had prepped an emergency meeting, steadfast in his position that he is
still the Chair and the Villages is still in existence.

In previous acts, the County had “dissolved” the BOD, then later changed the
terminology to put on “hiatus.” Either way, it no longer existed. Now, it
seems, there is some form of life as the two board members have been at
least recognized.

Wilson told The Mountain Times that he will attend the session.
“We recently received word ... that the BCC have reconsidered their previous
decision (hiatus) and now plan to move forward with a candidate’s forum and
formal elections for fall of 2016,” Wilson said. “(Katie) Wilson has asked us to
hold off on a September emergency community meeting (until) they
reconvene to listen to Public and Government Affairs (PGA) staff
recommendations on how to move forward with the board. We do plan to
attend.”

Earlier, PGA had recommended to the BCC to reinstate the Board and hold
elections. But for reasons shrouded in mystery, the BCC voted 4-1 to scuttle
the Board instead. Now, just as mysteriously, the BCC will meet Sept. 6 to
discuss moving ahead with the elections.

Even with the window of opportunity, Wilson remains skeptical of the new
direction of the BCC.

“We remain steadfast and determined to proceed under the guidelines of the
current bylaws, until which time recommended amendments can be discussed
and approved by the Villages board,” he said.

It’s probably safe to assume that the Sept. 6 policy session will be something
more complicated than a simple curtain call.