Rob Drake

Rob has provided high integrity, dedicated service as Beaverton's Mayor since 1993. He has proven himself as a chief executive officer and City Manager successfully able to face the challenges of a growing, more complex community. Rob has demonstrated his ability to focus on key issues and hurdles facing the City throughout his years of service. Key components of Rob's service have been:

Strong Public Safety Efforts and a Safe Community

The Morgan Quitno Press 14th Annual Safest City Awards recognizes Beaverton as the safest city in the northwest - the previous three years we were ranked the 3rd safest or better. We have an outstanding community policing program that helps make Beaverton the best place to live, work and raise a family. Nationally, utilizing FBI statistics, we're ranked the 47th safest overall for cities above 75,000 population. The combined Crime Rate for 2007 dropped 7.3%.
Since 2006, we have formed and implemented a senior citizen fraud protection program known as BE SAFE. This program reaches out to senior citizens in Beaverton to be informed on how to protect themselves from being victims of identity theft and other forms of fraud that are typically aimed at unsuspecting seniors.
In 2007, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognized Beaverton's Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention Program by naming our City the winner of the prestigious Motorola Webber Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement for this Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention Program.
Strong traffic safety enforcement in neighborhoods and schools zones resulting in an overall safer environment and maintaining a high quality of life for children and families.
In 2003, the City began the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. This program trains citizen in important life saving emergency skills and assures a safer community on a daily basis and during unexpected emergencies.

Traffic Safety, Innovation & Citizen Mobility as a Priority

We stress traffic safety as a #1 priority for drivers, bike riders and pedestrians. Our award-winning Traffic Safety Unit has reduced speeding in neighborhoods and school zones utilizing photo radar enforcement and concentrated police traffic teams.
Our photo red light program has reduced injury accidents at intersections by 67%.
We have pioneered the introduction and use of blinking yellow turn lights in Washington County on major roadways to improve turning movements at intersections to help increase the flow of traffic and reduce congestion and drive times.
Beaverton is a Bicycle Friendly Community (Bronze Level) through the introduction and improvement of more bike lanes in our City - it is much easier to get around the City on bikes, promotes family togetherness and it also helps overall physical fitness.
Washington County Commuter Rail ("WES") begins in September, 2008 and Mayor Drake was instrumental in the founding, funding and implementation of the new commuter line to and from our City.
The Murray Road extension opens in early 2008 and Mayor Drake was pivotal in securing funding to complete the project.
Mayor Drake has the ear of the Governor, Legislature and Congressional delegation to help bring needed transportation dollars to Beaverton.

Strong Fiscal Management of City Financial Resources & Experienced Leader

Beaverton continues to operate in a business-like way providing efficient and cost-effective services, yet some cities in Oregon are having genuine difficulties funding basic services. On a daily basis, we strive for innovation.
We're living within our means - we're the only city in Oregon that has not reached the cap of its voter approved tax base.
In 2006, Beaverton's bond rating was improved by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's (bond rating companies), reflecting their positive opinion about the strong leadership and fiscal management of Beaverton's City government.
For each year of my administration, we have continued to receive the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) highest awards for our budgeting document and reporting processes.
We continue to receive "clean opinions" on our annual financial audits conducted by an independent, outside auditing firm. These independent audits are required annually by state law to ensure that public funds are being handled properly. This has happened every year of his service to Beaverton as Mayor.

Making Quality of Life & Innovation a Top Priority in Beaverton

You know a High Quality of Life when you see it - Beaverton has it!
In 2005, Beaverton was named an All-America City Finalist.
In 2006, Beaverton was recognized by Money magazine as one of the Top-100 Best Places to Live in America. The magazine measured 37 independent measures in arriving at our ranking.
In 2007, Beaverton was ranked the safest city in the northwest, 47th nationally.
We listen to our citizens, encourage and invite participation and work to build a strong sense of community.
Promote strong public outreach through our 12 Neighborhood Association Committees (NACs) and Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI). The City's website, www.beavertonoregon.gov, is a highly informative and interactive tool that has received numerous national and international awards. Our Your City publication is mailed to each household and business. The 24-hour Mayor's Hotline is monitored multiple times daily and calls are promptly returned. City Council and Planning Commission meetings are televised live and also online.
Beaverton's Farmers Market is hosted by the City and opens for its 21st year this May. It is the role model for many similar markets throughout Oregon and beyond.
Each summer we host the popular Picnics in the Park and Flicks by the Fountain to enable and promote citizen interaction and building a stronger sense of community.
Our Beaverton City Library is ranked 1st in its category and 4th overall statewide among all libraries by the Hennen's Public Library Ratings service.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) names Beaverton as one of only 11 communities in the nation this year as a Green Power Community for switching to100% Wind Power for operation of City facilities.
The City is converting its transportation fleet to environmentally sustainable bio-diesel and E-85 fueled vehicles beginning in 2008.
The City is a regional leader in recycling efforts, including working with multi-family complexes and area businesses to improve their percentage of recycling waste materials.
The City is a founding sponsor of the Open Technology Business Center (OTBC), located in Beaverton, which is a technology-focused business accelerator that helps entrepreneurs and small startup technology companies launch successful businesses. The Mayor is Board Chair.
Beaverton's core area adjacent to the Westside Light Rail is being redeveloped and creating a special sense of place to attract citizens and visitors.
Our Boards & Commissions programs offer traditional public services and opportunities for public involvement, but certain special ones help enhance quality of life by representing diverse groups. All introduced and created by Mayor Drake - the Human Rights Advisory Commission, Mayor's Youth Advisory Board and the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee offer a special voice for many groups and opinions in our City.

The Results Are The Proof

A Very Desirable Place to Live & Work
A Safe City
A Well-Managed City
A Responsive City Government
An Involved City