“Chat with the Chair” – Commissioner Kit Johnston Opens the Door for Direct Conversations with the Community

By Rebecca Wallis

Yamhill County, OR – January 30th, 2025

Yamhill County Commissioner Kit Johnston is launching a new initiative called “Chat with the Chair,” giving residents an opportunity to meet with him in an informal setting to ask questions, voice concerns, and hear directly from their county leadership. The first meeting will take place on Thursday, February 6, from 6 to 7 p.m., at the new Yamhill County Campus, formerly known as Oregon Mutual Insurance (OMI), located at 400 NE Baker St, McMinnville, OR 97128. Attendees should go to the first floor, first room on the right, and look for signs to guide them.

“I decided to start out with a monthly time rather than weekly to see how much interest there is,” Johnston explained. “If there is a lot of interest, then I will add more days and times.”

Johnston said one of the main reasons for starting this initiative is accessibility. “The Board of Commissioners meetings happen during business hours, and many people are unable to attend,” he said. “Changing the BOC meetings to outside of regular business hours is not feasible. We have county counsel, administration, and department heads who need to be present at the meetings. They are not elected officials, and they were hired with daytime government working hours in mind. This helps them to maintain a healthy home and work-life balance.”

Beyond the scheduling conflict, Johnston recognizes that many residents get their information from secondary sources. “While BOC meetings are recorded, it’s not the most engaging thing to sit and watch a recorded meeting that maybe happened several days ago by the time someone gets around to watching it,” he said. “Many people rely instead on social media, news sources, and even comment sections for their information. I would rather people hear information firsthand. This gives them an opportunity to do that.”

Another reason for launching “Chat with the Chair” is to create a more approachable environment for those who may find formal meetings intimidating. “Sometimes people might just feel intimidated going into a BOC meeting to provide comment or ask questions,” Johnston said. “During ‘Chat with the Chair’ there is no dais, microphones, or recording. It’s just an informal conversation between people who care about Yamhill County.”

Johnston emphasized that he wants this to be a space where residents feel comfortable discussing issues that matter to them. “I want people to be able to ask questions and have real conversations without feeling like they’re stepping up to a podium in a formal government setting,” he said.

For now, the event will be held on the first Thursday of every month, but Johnston said he is open to expanding it if community interest grows. “If people really respond to this and we see a lot of participation, then I’m more than happy to add more days and times,” he said.

The first “Chat with the Chair” will take place on Thursday, February 6, from 6 to 7 p.m., at the new Yamhill County Campus (formerly Oregon Mutual Insurance), 400 NE Baker St, McMinnville, OR 97128, first floor, first room on the right. Look for signs. Residents are encouraged to attend and take part in this opportunity to connect with Commissioner Johnston in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Photo Credit: Commissioner Kit Johnston