16 September 2026
Washington County Board of Commissioners: Standards of Conduct

Dear Washington County Board of Commissioners,

As residents and businesses of Washington County, we want to express our deep concern regarding the conduct of Board Chair Kathryn Harrington during the September 15, 2026 County Board meeting.

During the meeting, Chair Harrington was seen making an obscene hand gesture toward Commissioner Nafisa Fai. Regardless of the disagreement or circumstances that preceded the exchange, such conduct is inappropriate for an elected official, particularly the Chair of the Board of Commissioners, during an official public meeting.

Our elected officials are entrusted with representing the residents of Washington County and are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism, civility, and respect. Washington County’s own Rules of Procedure recognize the importance of order and decorum during Board proceedings.

This incident was not simply a personal disagreement between two individuals. It occurred during the public business of our county and was witnessed by members of the public. Conduct displayed in that setting affects public confidence in our local government and the standards we expect from those elected to serve.

We recognize that Chair Harrington has issued an apology. While an apology is an important first step, we believe the Board should also address the incident formally and transparently.

We are therefore asking the Washington County Board of Commissioners to:

1. Publicly address the incident and acknowledge that this conduct was inconsistent with the standards expected of an elected county official and Board Chair.

2. Review the incident under the Board’s applicable rules, policies, and procedures to determine whether any standards of conduct or decorum were violated.

3. Consider a formal censure or other appropriate disciplinary action if the Board determines that the conduct warrants it. A censure would provide an official written expression of the Board’s disapproval and establish that disrespectful conduct toward another elected official during a public meeting is not acceptable.

4. Consider whether Chair Harrington should relinquish their role from any Board leadership assignments if the Board’s review determines that such action is appropriate.

5. Clarify expectations for respectful conduct among Board members, particularly when disagreements become contentious, so that residents can have confidence that county business will be conducted professionally.

This request is not about taking sides in a disagreement between commissioners. It is about accountability and the standards we expect from the people elected to represent us.

Washington County residents and businesses deserve elected officials who can disagree vigorously while still treating one another with dignity and respect. Public service requires a higher standard of conduct, especially when an official is serving as Chair of the Board.

We respectfully ask each commissioner to take this matter seriously, address it publicly, and take whatever appropriate action is necessary to reinforce the standards of professionalism and accountability expected in Washington County government.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

88
signatures
72 verified
  1. Desiree Williams-Rajee, Board Chair, BBPU, Beaverton
  2. Justice Rajee, Beaverton
  3. Yehderah Tobiga, Finance, Beaverton Black Peoples’s Union (BBPU), Beaverton
  4. Amy Brownell, Beaverton
  5. Tony A, STUDENT, PORTLAND
  6. Haley Atherton, Social worker, Tigard
  7. Marimee Jules, Beaverton
  8. Fatuma M, Portland
  9. Oluwatosin Iyasele, RS, Portland
  10. Ashley Roberts, Portland
  11. Laya Rajee, Student, Fisk University, Beaverton
  12. Nerissa Williams, Retired, Beaverton
  13. Pat McCreery, Educator, Portland
  14. Carmen Cowan, Senior associate, Tigard
  15. Jessica W, Beaverton
  16. Latricia Tillman, Portland
  17. Haoua, Nonprofit, Portland
  18. Saeedah A Abitalib, Housing Navigator, Community Action, Beaverton
  19. Nichole Watson, Educator, Portland
  20. Quisha Light, Beaverton
  21. Isaac Lee Morris, Beaverton
  22. Amberstarr Lumsey, AmberStarr Lumsey, Beaverton
  23. cameron whitten, Activist and Nonprofit Leader, Portland
  24. Lauren McCartney, Teacher, Beaverton Education Association, Portland
  25. Barbie Minor, THPRD, Beaverton
  26. Mahlet A, Home care manager, N/a, Portland
  27. Kristen Richardson, Caregiver, Beaverton
  28. Charlene McGee, Public Health Administrator, Portland
  29. Dorian Russell, Hillsboro
  30. Karim Delgado, Bar Member-Manager, The 649 Bar, Hillsboro, OR
  31. Christina Marie Ridder, Portland
  32. Lynnette Jackson, Retired, Beaverton
  33. dori king, retired educator, Beaverton
  34. Kaman Minor, Event Manager, Board Member, Business Owner, Beaverton
  35. Meleani Bates, Equity Strategist, Deliberate Consultancy, Milwaukie
  36. Sierra Hunter, Beaverton
  37. Shannon Brown, Tax Payer & Parent, Beaverton
  38. Jasmine Cardenas, Former Washington County employee, Former Hillsboro & Portland resident
  39. Molly Chidsey, Business owner, Molly Chidsey Illustration & Design, Portland
  40. Bri Williams, Social worker, Portland
  41. Jacky Ha, Air duct cleaning, PRO CLEANING, Beaverton
  42. Carmen Thompson, Retired, Retired, Portland
  43. Kenyatta Trice, Strategy Consultant, TRICE Occupational Consulting Solutions, LLC, Portland
  44. Katie Banks, Resident, BBPU member, Beaverton
  45. Jeannette Cephus, OD Practitioner
  46. MaryBeth Piccirilli, Portland 97229
  47. Veronica Jones, Director, BBPU, Portland
  48. Novella Hamilton, Business Owner, Beaverton
  49. Branden Banks, Coach, BBPU Member, Beaverton
  50. Aliyah Taylor, PROUD Educator and Momma, Beaverton School District, Beaverton
  51. Madison Smith, Beaverton
  52. Aja Riley Bennett, MH Therapist, Beaverton
  53. Bridget Jackson, Publicist/Business Owner, Portland
  54. Heather Nealy, Beaverton
  55. Makda Eyobe, Program Manager, BEAM Village, Portland
  56. Scott Carpenter, Portland
  57. Annmarie Dennis, Washington County Resident, Portland
  58. Evelyn Kocher, Candidate, Evelyn for Beaverton, Beaverton
  59. Aidan OConnor, Educator, Growing Gardens, Portland
  60. Michelle Jockers, Executive Assistant, Beaverton
  61. Elona Wilson, Executive Director, , Portland
  62. Syed Qasim, Technical Consultant, Beaverton
  63. Camila Vega, Student, Beaverton
  64. Tamida Baldwin, Beaverton
  65. OLUWATOSIN IYASELE, BBPU Board member, Tigard
  66. Jelana Canfield, Family & Student Engagement Specialist, Hillsboro School District, Hillsboro
  67. Shirley Araiza Santaella, Hillsboro
  68. Cassie Wilson, Portland
  69. Ashley Cena, Former BSD Teacher, Former Beaverton Resident
  70. Blayne Soleymani-Pearson, Attorney, Beaverton Resident
  71. Amber Starks, Small Business Owner, Portland
  72. Aimee Bloomer, Beaverton
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