If elected, Jason Snider would fill one of two open seats

November’s City Council race in Tigard is under way, with Jason Snider the first to officially file for the election.

Snider is running to fill one of two open seats on the council vacated by Marland Henderson and Nick Wilson, both of whom plan to run for mayor.

Snider, 37, filed his application with the city recorder July 9.

Snider has lived in Tigard since 1999 and served on the city’s Budget Committee from 2005 to 2009. Two of those years he served as the committee’s chairman.

Snider said he has considered running for City Council for years. If elected, he wants to keep the city headed in the direction it is currently.

“Some of (the things I want to focus on) are following through on work already planned,” Snider said, “like making sure that the partnership with Lake Oswego on water goes through, that the whole project gets completed, and the partnership is successful. It is critical for Tigard’s future and Lake Oswego’s as well.”

That project, which the city and Lake Oswego have been working on since 2008, is working to create a joint water system for the two cities by 2016.

Snider said he also wants to address traffic congestion and transportation issues along Pacific Highway.

“The long-term solution is not letting it stay the same,” Snider said.

Snider said he doesn’t have any specific proposals on how to deal with congestion through town but said the city should “be at the table and have a strong voice” and advocate for solutions.

A paramedic by training, Snider works as healthcare operations administrator at Kaiser Permanente in Beaverton.

Snider served as a Tigard reserve police officer from 2001 to 2004.

This is the first time Snider has sought elected office.

Snider is currently the only candidate in the Nov. 6 election.

In Tigard, the top two finishers fill the two open seats on the council.

Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen’s term doesn’t end until 2014, but Dirksen announced he will resign from the city after running unopposed for a seat at Metro, the regional government. Wilson, Henderson, and longtime Tigard resident John L. Cook have announced they will run in a special election to fill the remainder of Dirksen’s term, leaving the two seats without an incumbent to challenge.

Interested in running for office?

Candidates for mayor or city council must be a registered voter, have lived in the city for at least 12 months prior to the election and must submit a petition signed by at least 20 Tigard registered voters and pay a $50 filing fee.

Filing and petition forms are available in the City Recorder’s Office at Tigard City Hall, 13125 S.W. Hall Blvd.

The filing deadline for the mayoral candidacy is 6 p.m. on Aug. 6.

The filing deadline for a City Council position is 4 p.m. on Aug. 27.

For more election information, visit the city's website.