Name: Christine Hyink
Age: 49
Relationship: Domestic partnership
Partner Occupation: Self-employed
Children: Two adult children
Ward/neighborhood: Ward 1
Employer and occupation: Oregon Department of Transportation, Region Manager – Field Services
Private sector work experience: Project management, retail management
One word to describe your leadership style: Collaborative
One word to describe you at your best: Empowered
One word to describe you at your worst: Overextended
As a long-time resident of Oregon and someone deeply invested in the future of Cottage Grove, I’m running for city council because I believe in the power of community and the importance of having a local government that listens and acts. My platform is built around three key areas: public safety, transparency, and community engagement.
Public safety is one of my top priorities. I want to ensure that our police department has the staffing and resources necessary to keep our streets safe, and I believe we must continue to support effective, humane, and accountable solutions for addressing homelessness. I’ve strongly advocated for closing unsafe encampments and transitioning to more structured approaches like the dusk-to-dawn model. I will push for solutions that offer support for those in need while ensuring the safety and well-being of the entire community.
Transparency in government is crucial to building trust. As someone who values accountability, I will work to make sure that residents have clear access to information about city decisions, particularly around budget spending. We need a government that is open with its citizens, so they can have confidence in how their tax dollars are being used.
Finally, community engagement is the heart of what makes Cottage Grove special. I believe in fostering more opportunities for residents to get involved and voice their opinions. Whether through town halls, surveys, or casual conversations, I want to make sure that the voices of Cottage Grove are heard and reflected in our city’s decisions. I am someone who listens, and I welcome input from all members of the community.
My vision for Cottage Grove balances growth with preserving our small-town charm, where everyone feels safe and supported and where local government works for the people it represents. I am committed to serving this community with honesty, transparency, and a focus on real solutions. Together, we can ensure a brighter, more connected future for Cottage Grove.
Christine Hyink
Ward 1 Cottage Grove City Council candidate
Read the Q&A with all candidates here and other candidate biographies and columns on Chronicle1909.com under the City Government tab.
