Age: 56
Hometown: Creswell
Marital status: Married
Partner occupation: Family Manager
Children: four children ages 38, 32, 8,and 7 public school
Residence neighborhood: North 1st St
Education: Printing Trades Specialist
Current employer: University of Oregon
Public sector work experience, including military: 30 years plus in the commercial print industry
Elected office held, with dates: City Councilor January 2019 – December 2022
What do you consider your top two accomplishments during your time serving on council? Please explain what steps you took to reach your goals.
ALONZO COSTILLA: The Creswell Airport runway rehab has been a tremendous accomplishment that involved the Airport Commission, Manager, and users. It required several meetings and lengthy discussions.Thanks to the efforts by Airport Manager Shelly Humble this approximately four million dollar project was 100% funded entirely with grant funds. This project will be of great service to Creswell for years to come.
It has been an honor as your city councilor to have taken part in updating Creswell’s strategic plan. This involved many hours of meetings and going over data gathered from public input. We now have a visionary plan to guide Creswell for the next five years.
Both of these accomplishments could not have been achieved, if it was not for the many people involved. Thank you Creswell.
When it comes to contentious topics — the possibility of Foster Farms reopening or the possibility of psilocybin facilities opening in the City, for instance – what skills do you possess to build consensus, reach compromise, and reflect the voices of the community?
COSTILLA: With a topic such as the psilocybin ballot measure my sense of duty is to place the decision in the hands of the voters. Voters’ outcome is a true reflection of the voice of the community, so vote, hand in your ballot and be counted.
Consensus can be reached by listening to all viewpoints and keeping an open mind as we work through issues. As a councilman it is also important to support the decisions made by the council. So I encourage all citizens to attend work sessions and council meetings and let your voice be heard. It has been my experience that despite differing opinions we all want what’s best for Creswell.
What are the most pressing issues in Creswell that are not often discussed?
COSTILLA: A funding mechanism for street maintenance; Updating our waste water treatment plant; and funding for the storm drain master plan.
What actions can the council take to better support its business community?
COSTILLA: The City of Creswell will continue to partner with Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN) to support existing and new businesses. The City will be establishing an Economic Coordinator position, along with exploring redevelopment within the city’s urban renewal district. These are outlined in the updated strategic plan along with performance measures to monitor progress. I’m looking forward to working with the council on these goals.
What plans, if any, do you have to advocate and pursue additional housing options in Creswell for both renters and potential buyers?
COSTILLA: Expand the urban growth boundary; establish appropriate relationships with developers. Explore potential incentives for developers to build smaller/affordable housing; Promote building Accessory Dwelling Units; work with nonprofits that subsidize affordable housing; explore expansion of the manufactured home park to increase affordable housing; and explore the 9% federal tax program.
These goals are also outlined in the updated strategic plan. If elected it would be an honor to work toward these goals, we can do this together.
