(NEWBERG, OR) – Colin Bolek, a Senior at Newberg High School, heard about an opportunity to become a Student Commissioner on the Newberg Planning Commission his sophomore year of high school. Recognizing the opportunity to impact his community, Colin applied and has served in the position for two years. A long-term resident of Newberg, and as a senior at Newberg High School, this year Colin is also leaving behind a legacy by bringing forth a resolution to include a student commissioner on every standing City board, commission, and committee.
Working with the City of Newberg City Recorder Sue Ryan, Colin brought a resolution in front of the Newberg City Council on March 15, 2021 to add student commissioners to all of the standing boards, committees, and commissions in which they can legally serve. According to Colin, “I felt it was important to encourage and provide the opportunity for young people to become involved in local government. I think large-scale, top-down changes are necessary for many types of change and reform, but I think we’ve gone too far in this direction and have lost recognition for the fact that we as citizens, regardless of age, have agency at much more local, personal levels.” The resolution also works to meet the City Council’s goal of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion, giving a voice to the younger generation on City decisions and increasing the City’s community engagement efforts.
Serving as a student on the Newberg Planning Commission, Colin has been able to provide his voice on land use matters throughout Newberg. “I was fortunate enough to have some more senior Planning Commission members mentor and encourage me. I was empowered to not just view myself as an “ex-officio non-voting student member” of the commission, but rather as an involved and active member who used their experiences, critical thinking, and ability to ask questions in order to offer input, feedback, and engagement.” He continued, “It is my hope that student commissioners can enjoy the same experiences where they feel sufficiently empowered to go in front of the City Council, propose reforms to them, and be involved in the process of implementing these reforms.”
With the new resolution comes openings for students age 16 – 24 who live in Newberg on all City Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Currently, student commissioner positions are available on the Affordable Housing Committee, the Citizens’ Rate Review Committee, the Historic Preservation Commission, the Library Advisory Board, and the Planning Commission. Students do not have to be enrolled in a particular school to apply, and can attend either high school or college, but must reside in Newberg.
Newberg Mayor Rick Rogers said of the new available student commissioner positions, “For many of us, national politics and the effects of macro legislation can seem far, far away. However, students such as Colin and others who have served in the past, show that young voices can affect change locally. So, students, here it is: a chance to help by getting involved.”
For Colin, passing this resolution means investing in both the community and its future, “I believe that student commissioners can bring a different perspective to the table. Young people now more than ever are learning about the world each day at a fast pace. The combination of this access to information and the experience these positions can provide can create capable and understanding future leaders. This is, in short, an investment in our City’s youth, providing it an invaluable service and students an opportunity to invest in themselves.”
Mayor Rogers also believes in Newberg students’ ability to effect change, “To every student in Newberg I ask: Do you want to make Newberg a better place? Do you want to learn more about how the city operates and why money is spent the way it is? Are issues involving historic preservation, the library, planning, affordable housing, or the rates families pay for city services important to you? Do you feel your voice should be heard? We certainly do. Please apply."
Applications for a student commissioner position are available now at www.NewbergOregon.gov/bc-application. Applications are due June 1, 2021. To learn more about the boards and commissions, students are encouraged to visit the City’s website.
***
To hear more news from the City of Newberg, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, or at the City Website: www.NewbergOregon.gov