Shirley Huffman
Encyclopedia
Shirley Todd Huffman is a former politician and legal secretary in the U.S. state of Oregon
. Raised in Dayton, Oregon
, she settled in Hillsboro, Oregon
, where she served on the city council
before serving two terms as mayor from 1985 to 1993. During her time as mayor, plans for the Westside Light Rail
were approved, with Huffman receiving credit for the extension into downtown Hillsboro. After leaving office, she served on the board of directors for TriMet
and as a development coordinator for the city.
, when both were seven-years-old. They married in 1949 and had two children, son Tom, Jr. and daughter Julie. The Huffmans moved to Hillsboro in 1954 after her husband graduated from Willamette University College of Law
in Salem
. Tom had been a student of later U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield
who taught at Willamette’s undergraduate school. In Hillsboro, Shirley joined the Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown, and worked as a legal secretary for her husband until 1989.
During her first term that was to be two-years long, she worked to have the city charter revised to extend terms of the mayor to four years. The city council and city voters approved the change, with mayors now holding office for four years, though still limited to two-consecutive terms. In 1988, she was again unopposed and won re-election, this time to a four-year term. As mayor, a part-time and un-paid position, she worked in the position between 35 and 40 hours each week. This work included representing the city at official events as well as lobbying on behalf of the city.
Huffman is credited with getting MAX light rail extended to downtown Hillsboro from its originally planned terminus at 185th Avenue. Her lobbying included an episode when she spoke roughly to the head of the Federal Transit Administration
in a phone call ("I had to get a little stern with him," said Huffman), as well as trips to Washington DC
. TriMet’s general manager Fred Hansen stated, "We wouldn't be standing here [Hillsboro Central Station] if it hadn't been for Shirley, we'd be back at 185th looking to the west." For her role, TriMet added a plaque in 2000 at the Hillsboro Central Station honoring her work on the project. The plaque, dedicated on February 22, 2000, reads: "Shirley's vision and leadership brought MAX to Hillsboro, linking the region and its people together."
As mayor she was an opponent of the regional government Metro
, with actions that included introducing a city resolution calling for Metro to be kept to its existing powers and duties. The resolution was later passed by the city council. She had helped develop a similar resolution for a group representing the county and ten other cites, with both resolutions sent to a task force created by the Oregon Legislature
that was examining the role of Metro. She and county leaders later battled Metro on proposed garbage transfer stations as well.
Huffman traveled to Fukuroi, Japan
in 1988 to sign an agreement that created a sister-city relationship with the Japanese city. Fukuroi officials had visited Hillsboro in June 1987. During her time as mayor, many Japanese-based companies opened facilities in Hillsboro. Also as mayor she proposed a city ordinance to ban ferret
s as pets after an infant died after being bitten more than 200 times in its crib in 1991, but later dropped the proposal after public support emerged for allowing ferrets.
While mayor she served on the board of directors for the League of Oregon Cities, including one year as president of that organization in 1987. Also during her time as mayor, Operation Picture Perfect started to assist in beautifying the city. Huffman was mayor from 1985 to 1993. She was praised for her work on behalf of the city by other elected officials in Hillsboro. "I think her power lies in her ability to get people to agree without conflict, she defuses any situation and is able to make things happen," said councilman Jim Lushina, while incoming mayor Gordon Faber
said, "Shirley has done incredible things for our city. What a great mayor that woman has been." While she was mayor Hillsboro grew from around 29,000 residents to approximately 40,000.
In 1992, she joined the TriMet board of directors and spent eight years on the board, leaving in January 2000. Huffman was also honored that year when the auditorium at the county and city’s jointly owned Public Services Building was named in her honor. In 1994, the League of Oregon Cities gave her their Jim Richards Memorial Award. Huffman later led the campaign to approve a levy to build two new libraries and convert the Shute Park
branch into a recreation center in 2002. The measure was defeated by voters in May 2002. She also worked to develop the Hillsboro 2020 Vision plan adopted by the city.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. Raised in Dayton, Oregon
Dayton, Oregon
Dayton is a city in Yamhill County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,119 at the 2000 census. As of July 2007 its estimated population was 2,495.-History:...
, she settled in Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
, where she served on the city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
before serving two terms as mayor from 1985 to 1993. During her time as mayor, plans for the Westside Light Rail
MAX Blue Line
The MAX Blue Line is a 33 mile light rail line in the MAX Light Rail system in the Portland metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Oregon. Operated by TriMet, the line runs between Hillsboro and Gresham, via downtown Portland...
were approved, with Huffman receiving credit for the extension into downtown Hillsboro. After leaving office, she served on the board of directors for TriMet
TriMet
TriMet, more formally known as the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon, is a public agency that operates mass transit in a region that spans most of the Portland metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Oregon...
and as a development coordinator for the city.
Early life
Shirley Todd was born about 1929. Shirley met Thomas A. Huffman (July 22, 1928 - March 27, 1999) when growing up in Dayton, OregonDayton, Oregon
Dayton is a city in Yamhill County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,119 at the 2000 census. As of July 2007 its estimated population was 2,495.-History:...
, when both were seven-years-old. They married in 1949 and had two children, son Tom, Jr. and daughter Julie. The Huffmans moved to Hillsboro in 1954 after her husband graduated from Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law is a private law school located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States...
in Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
. Tom had been a student of later U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield
Mark Hatfield
Mark Odom Hatfield was an American politician and educator from the state of Oregon. A Republican, he served for 30 years as a United States Senator from Oregon, and also as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee...
who taught at Willamette’s undergraduate school. In Hillsboro, Shirley joined the Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown, and worked as a legal secretary for her husband until 1989.
Political career
Huffman’s political career began in 1978 when she joined the Hillsboro City Council. She had been asked to join the council, and agreed to what she planned to be a short-term involvement in city government. She served on the council from 1979 to 1985. In 1984, she ran for mayor, winning the November election after running unopposed and becoming Hillsboro’s first woman mayor.During her first term that was to be two-years long, she worked to have the city charter revised to extend terms of the mayor to four years. The city council and city voters approved the change, with mayors now holding office for four years, though still limited to two-consecutive terms. In 1988, she was again unopposed and won re-election, this time to a four-year term. As mayor, a part-time and un-paid position, she worked in the position between 35 and 40 hours each week. This work included representing the city at official events as well as lobbying on behalf of the city.
Federal Transit Administration
The Federal Transit Administration is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT...
in a phone call ("I had to get a little stern with him," said Huffman), as well as trips to Washington DC
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. TriMet’s general manager Fred Hansen stated, "We wouldn't be standing here [Hillsboro Central Station] if it hadn't been for Shirley, we'd be back at 185th looking to the west." For her role, TriMet added a plaque in 2000 at the Hillsboro Central Station honoring her work on the project. The plaque, dedicated on February 22, 2000, reads: "Shirley's vision and leadership brought MAX to Hillsboro, linking the region and its people together."
As mayor she was an opponent of the regional government Metro
Metro (Oregon regional government)
Metro, formerly known as Metropolitan Service District, is the regional governmental agency for the Oregon portion of the Portland metropolitan area...
, with actions that included introducing a city resolution calling for Metro to be kept to its existing powers and duties. The resolution was later passed by the city council. She had helped develop a similar resolution for a group representing the county and ten other cites, with both resolutions sent to a task force created by the Oregon Legislature
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
that was examining the role of Metro. She and county leaders later battled Metro on proposed garbage transfer stations as well.
Huffman traveled to Fukuroi, Japan
Fukuroi, Shizuoka
is a city located in Shizuoka, Japan. As of February 2009, the city had an estimated population of 85,985 and a density of 792 persons per km². The total area is 108.56 km².-Geography:...
in 1988 to sign an agreement that created a sister-city relationship with the Japanese city. Fukuroi officials had visited Hillsboro in June 1987. During her time as mayor, many Japanese-based companies opened facilities in Hillsboro. Also as mayor she proposed a city ordinance to ban ferret
Ferret
The ferret is a domesticated mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo. Ferrets are sexually dimorphic predators with males being substantially larger than females. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur...
s as pets after an infant died after being bitten more than 200 times in its crib in 1991, but later dropped the proposal after public support emerged for allowing ferrets.
While mayor she served on the board of directors for the League of Oregon Cities, including one year as president of that organization in 1987. Also during her time as mayor, Operation Picture Perfect started to assist in beautifying the city. Huffman was mayor from 1985 to 1993. She was praised for her work on behalf of the city by other elected officials in Hillsboro. "I think her power lies in her ability to get people to agree without conflict, she defuses any situation and is able to make things happen," said councilman Jim Lushina, while incoming mayor Gordon Faber
Gordon Faber
Gordon Faber is a former politician and business owner in the U.S. state of Oregon. A native of Pennsylvania, he grew up in Hillsboro, Oregon, where he served on the city’s budget committee and city council before serving two terms as mayor from 1993 to 2001. He served in the military and was a...
said, "Shirley has done incredible things for our city. What a great mayor that woman has been." While she was mayor Hillsboro grew from around 29,000 residents to approximately 40,000.
Later years
After leaving office, the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce named her as its distinguished citizen for 1993. Huffman then took a position with the organization as economic development coordinator later that year, with the city paying half the salary. She also became the chairperson for the Washington County Community Action Organization’s capital campaign in 1993 to raise $1.3 million for a new building.In 1992, she joined the TriMet board of directors and spent eight years on the board, leaving in January 2000. Huffman was also honored that year when the auditorium at the county and city’s jointly owned Public Services Building was named in her honor. In 1994, the League of Oregon Cities gave her their Jim Richards Memorial Award. Huffman later led the campaign to approve a levy to build two new libraries and convert the Shute Park
Shute Park (Oregon)
Shute Park is a municipal park in the city of Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Acquired in 1906, the park is the oldest park in the city. Located at southeast Tenth and Maple streets along Tualatin Valley Highway, Shute Park includes an aquatic center, a branch of the Hillsboro Public Library,...
branch into a recreation center in 2002. The measure was defeated by voters in May 2002. She also worked to develop the Hillsboro 2020 Vision plan adopted by the city.
External links
- "Hillsboro hopes to ride the light rail to prosperity" - Portland Business Journal