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Road Crew members work in the field to improve infrastructure and support safe travel throughout Benton County.

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Benton County is pleased to announce the hiring of Bob Richardson as Community Development director, beginning April 17. 

Richardson is a skilled planner and leader whose experience includes executing and improving land use planning policies and strategies for different local jurisdictions. He was a key contributor to the development of OSU plans including the Corvallis Campus Vision and the Sustainable Transportation Strategy. He also successfully led multiple amendments to the Corvallis Land Development Code paving the way for future OSU development.

Richardson has more than two decades of experience in land use planning in Benton and Linn Counties. He spent the last seven and half years as the land use planning manager at Oregon State University. There he provided leadership, strategy and expertise for land use planning activities and issues at OSU locations across the state. 

Prior to that, he worked for four years as planning manager for the City of Albany and nine years for the City of Corvallis as an associate planner. 

“After an intensive screening process that included two comprehensive interview processes, individual interviews with each of the Commissioners and a post interview debrief with me, I have no doubt that Bob is the perfect person to be our next community development director,” said Interim County Administrator Rick Crager. 

His references described him as a dedicated, hard-working, calm and collaborative leader. One called him “One of those individuals that you just want to work for… extremely thoughtful in his approach to local planning and makes everyone feel heard and part of the solution.”

“That’s exactly the kind of leader we need in Benton County to oversee important projects like the upcoming review and update of the Comprehensive Plan,” said Crager.

Richardson holds a bachelor’s degree in Government and Environmental Studies from St. Lawrence University and a master’s in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon.  He is a certified planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners. 

On March 31, President Trump signed an executive order intended to ban all mail-in voting except for individuals enrolled on state-specific mail-in and absentee participation lists. Eligible absentee voters include travelers, people who are seriously ill and deployed military personnel and families. 

The order directs the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to eligible absentee or mail-in voters.

A previous executive order on elections, signed in March 2025, was blocked by federal judges who said the president lacked the constitutional authority to set voting policy. The U.S. Constitution gives the power to determine the “Times, Places and Manner” of elections to individual states.

Soon after the executive order was signed, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read released a statement pledging to defend Oregon elections in court: “The Constitution is clear: states run elections. Oregon’s gold standard vote-by-mail elections are secure, fair, and accurate. We don’t need decrees from Washington D.C. My message to the President: We’ll see you in court.”

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield will also fight the executive order, according to a statement posted on social media: “Vote by mail increases access to the ballot which is the cornerstone to our democracy, and we’ll use every legal tool available to us to fight this and protect Oregonians’ right to vote.”

In 1998, Oregon voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure directing that elections be conducted by mail, and in 2000, Oregon became the nation’s first all vote-by-mail state.

Benton County leaders are closely monitoring the developing situation and remain in contact with state officials.

On April 1, the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division confirmed that elections will move forward as planned, in accordance with current Oregon law, and the issue will be resolved through the court system.

Voters’ job is to get their ballots in for the May 19 primary election, either by returning them by mail or dropping them in one of the ballot boxes located throughout the County. Ballots will be mailed to Benton County voters on April 29.

Oregonians are encouraged to double-check their voter registration and mailing address at OregonVotes.gov before April 28 to ensure they receive their ballot.

Oregon counties already use barcodes to track every vote, verify signatures to confirm identities and conduct random audits to ensure accuracy. See Benton County’s process from start to finish.

Secretary of State Read will answer elections questions from the community at a town hall on Wed, May 6, 6 p.m. in Corvallis. He will be joined by Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin and Rep. Sarah Finger McDonald at the Benton Center, 757 NW Polk Ave. Benton County will continue to take direction from the Secretary of State and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Inside the former United Methodist Church in Monroe, neighbors gathered around tables Wednesday, March 18, for a hot meal and conversation at the South Benton Resource Center’s monthly Community Lunch. 

The lunch, held at noon every third Wednesday of the month, is free and open to the public, with donations accepted. The center is located at 648 Orchard St. in Monroe. 

 Benton County commissioners Malone, Shepherd and Wyse attended the lunch, highlighting the importance of supporting rural communities and staying connected to the people and programs that help meet local needs. Their presence reflects a shared commitment to ensuring residents across the County have access to food, services and opportunities to connect. 

City of Monroe Mayor Dan Sheets said the lunch is a simple but powerful way to bring people together. 

“This is a great opportunity for the community to come together, have a meal and socialize,” Sheets said. “We definitely encourage folks to come here and socialize, and if you have a need, I’m certain that they can help somehow.” 

The South Benton Resource Center is a nonprofit that serves Monroe and rural South Benton County. Its mission centers on building community around a shared table while offering essential services and gathering spaces. 

Programs at the center include the South Benton Food Pantry, which provides fresh food, staples and necessities to area residents. The center also operates a commercial kitchen that hosts the monthly community lunch and a free community breakfast on the first Saturday of each month. 

Kepi Nak-Nak Café, located in the downstairs commons next to the kitchen, is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays as a place for people to gather over coffee or a meal. Heritage Hall offers space for concerts, meetings and milestone events. The Vina Moses Room provides clothing and household essentials through a local partnership. Each August, the center hosts the Blackberry Jamboree, an annual community celebration. 

Robin Frojen prepares the monthly lunch. She said the meals are about more than food. 

“I’m making the community lunch for our community of Monroe,” Frojen said. “This is just really important for our community and making sure our community has warm, healthy meals that are accessible to everybody.” 

Frojen recently retired after nearly 30 years as a chef and food scientist at Oregon State University. She said volunteering at the center allows her to continue doing what she loves while giving back. 

“It’s amazing,” she said. “I have been a chef for 30 years and a food scientist, and retired almost two years ago from the university, and I’m doing exactly what I love to be doing, and now I can actually make an impact. This community is something great, it really is.” 

For more information about the South Benton Resource Center and its programs, visit www.sbrcenter.org. 

Community members, local leaders and housing advocates gathered Thursday, March 19 to break ground on Third Street Commons, a 47-unit permanent supportive housing development aimed at helping people experiencing chronic homelessness in Benton County.

The project, led by Corvallis Housing First, will provide housing paired with services such as health care, behavioral health support and case management. When complete, it will be the first development of its kind in Corvallis. The facility will include fully furnished studio and one-bedroom apartments, on-site services and community spaces.

All three Benton County commissioners attended the event, underscoring the County’s commitment to expanding housing options and supporting coordinated efforts to address homelessness.

Board Chair Pat Malone shared remarks during the ceremony before joining partners and other local and state leaders to turn over the first shovel of dirt.

“On behalf of Benton County, we’re grateful to everyone who helped make this project possible and look forward to seeing residents move into Third Street Commons and begin new chapters in their lives,” Benton County Commissioner Pat Malone said.

Permanent supportive housing combines stable housing with services designed to help people maintain housing and improve their overall well-being. Project partners said the development will help fill a critical gap in the community’s continuum of care.

“This project has been years in the making and reflects the hard work of many partners who believe everyone deserves a safe and dignified place to live,” said Andrea Myhre, executive director of Corvallis Housing First.

For people who have experienced homelessness, the project represents more than a new building. It also represents stability, affordability and a path forward.

Dominic Marchese, a local who has benefitted from supportive services, said Corvallis Housing First has already had a life-changing impact.

“I’m forever indebted to this place because they saved my life,” Marchese said. “I’m hoping to have an apartment here.”

He said the support provided goes beyond housing.

“It makes me feel great that there are organizations out here to help people who are struggling,” Marchese said. “They’re life-saving.”

Jason Sutherland,  another local who has received housing support through Corvallis Housing First, said stable housing has been critical during ongoing health challenges.

“Everybody with Housing First has just been phenomenal,” Sutherland said. “They’ve been there for me through everything.”

Sutherland said the organization helped him secure housing and has continued to support him as his health has declined.

“They’re looking out for people, not just those with addiction, but people with serious health conditions,” he said.

Project leaders said the effort reflects years of planning and collaboration among Corvallis Housing First, the City of Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon Housing and Community Services and other public and private partners.

Construction is expected to be completed in September 2027, with residents moving in shortly afterward.

Organizers said the groundbreaking marks an important step toward expanding supportive housing and helping more people in Benton County stabilize and rebuild their lives.

Photos from the event are available at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196115871@N03/albums/72177720332612970

Benton County launched its recognition of Women’s History Month on March 3 with a proclamation before the Board of Commissioners. Now, the County is highlighting a special week within the month. National Women’s Military History Week, observed annually from March 16-20, honors the service, sacrifices and achievements of women in the U.S. armed forces. 

One of the women veterans who serves the County every day is Katalin “Kathy” Pusztavari, who served in the U.S. Army before continuing her commitment to public service through her work supporting law enforcement operations and community programs in Benton County. 

Military service

Pusztavari served in the Army as a legal specialist. She was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and Fort Lewis, Washington, where she assisted Judge Advocate General (JAG) attorneys and supported legal operations. 

Her fellow service members and opportunities to travel were among the most meaningful parts of her military experience. 

“I enjoyed the people I worked with and the roles and responsibilities in the various installations I was stationed at,” Pusztavari said. “I also loved the east coast and the trips I took on vacation to view Virginia, Georgia and Florida.” 

Today, Pusztavari supports the Benton County Sheriff’s Office as a Policy and Accreditation Specialist. Her work focuses on ensuring agency policies and forms are up to date and gathering documentation required to maintain professional accreditation standards. 

She also coordinates several community outreach efforts, including the Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy, National Prescription Drug Take Back events and preparation of the agency’s annual report. 

Continuing a career of service

Pusztavari said the skills she developed during military service continue to influence the way she approaches her work today. 

“My job requires me to be methodical in record keeping and tracking items,” she said. “In the military I learned to keep inventory of my own items, assist JAG attorneys and follow the chain of command.” 

Those lessons, she said, continue to guide her work in a structured law enforcement environment. 

“Working in the military also taught me to respect ranking officers and non-commissioned officers and understand how organizations function within a chain of command,” she said. 

Pusztavari said many veterans quietly continue their commitment to service long after their military careers end. 

“You never know if you are working next to someone who has served,” she said. “Some people may not want to advertise that they have served, but most have likely found it a privilege and honor.” 

Learn more about Benton County’s recognition of Women’s History Month: 
https://boc.bentoncountyor.gov/benton-county-celebrates-womens-history-month/ 

Learn more about Women’s Military History Month: 
https://www.military.com/history/womens-history-month