Bob Reeves was there when it all began.

Now, the venerable chair of the Villages at Mt. Hood, is stepping down.

“Any time a person can be involved in their community for as long as I have is a great honor,” Reeves told The Mountain Times. “While I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Villages Board, it has never been about me. We serve because we feel that we can make a difference and have something to offer. I feel blessed that I could serve as long as I did.”

In 2005, Reeves headed a committee that met with the Clackamas County
Commissioners to form a transit district to serve the Mountain community.
When the commission offered to be the fiscal agent for the Mountain Express
bus line, the committee went to work and the transit district was formed.

That event led to the formation of the Villages at Mt. Hood, May 6, 2006, and
Reeves’ tenure began.

“One thing that is overlooked (about the Villages Board) is the relationship
developed between the county and our community,” Reeves said. “While we
always don’t get what we ask for, we have a much better line of
communication with the county staff.”

George Wilson, who now moves up to interim chair of the Board, reflected on
the endurance, commitment and dedication of the departing chair.

“He is the last of the original members,” Wilson said. “While Bob and I have
agreed and disagreed ... we were able to work together to keep the Villages at
Mt. Hood Board of Directors functional and operational despite the many
hurdles we have had to endure. We have worked together on many issues
that have been, and will continue to be, beneficial to our Mountain
community.”

Longstanding board member Judith Norval has worked with Reeves for many
years.

“Bob’s devotion to community service is nonpareil,” Norval said. “His presence
on the Villages Board will be sorely missed.”

Reeves felt this was a good time to leave.

“The board is at full strength and they have some good ideas moving
forward,” he said. “When my wife and I moved up here we did some traveling
and we would like to do some more while we still can. I also have some
projects at home that have been ignored.”

Reeves offered some advice regarding the future of the board.

“The Villages will survive as long as people serve for all the right reasons and
represent the citizens of the community without involving their own personal
agendas,” he said. “As elected people we need to remember who we work for.

I think over the years we have been very fortunate to have some very good
residents serve on the board. As long as this continues the Villages board will
be strong.”

Although he now turns a page, Reeves will continue to serve as director on
the Hoodland Fire District, the Governor’s Fire Service Policy Council, the Mt.
Hood Area Chamber of Commerce Board and the Mt. Hood Bus Committee. He
also serves on a county Homeless Committee and is a member of the local
Heart Team.

From his new position as Villages interim chair, Wilson not only lauded Reeves
for “hanging in there during rough times” but also for making the Villages a
viable entity.

“I will do my best to carry the torch,” Wilson said. “I truly wish Bob all the
best, and hope he spoils his wife and himself with his new-found free time.”
It is apparent that Bob Reeves left his mark on the Villages Board, and will
continue to serve the community in his selfless manner.