Former Bend Mayoral Candidate Appointed to Another Government Job
Chris Piper, who has held many top positions throughout his business career has been appointed to the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC). His previous appointment was controversial.
Chris Piper, a longtime business executive and Bend resident, started his government career being appointed in 2019 to the Bend City Council - a move that was highly controversial at the time. Many residents thought it reeked of a “backroom deal” with then-Mayor Sally Russell.
First reported by Julia Shumway in an investigative piece for The Bend Bulletin, public records showed overwhelming community support for Kerani Mitchell, a woman of color with nonprofit and accounting experience in Central Oregon. Over 40 emails were sent in support of Mitchell - but Chris Piper, a white businessman, ended up with the job.
Mayor Russell did not include Piper in her top five list of candidates, recording him under “others considered” according to public records. Additionally, in emails to multiple City Councilors, Mayor Russell did not have Piper in any of her picks of top candidates. Yet, after exchanging over 20 texts with Chris Piper and receiving emails from a few of Bend's top business leaders, Mayor Sally Russell cast the tie-breaking vote in support of Piper over Mitchell.
Piper then ran in 2020 for a full term in the City Council seat he was appointed to but lost handily to Councilor Megan Perkins. In 2022, Piper ran for Mayor of Bend with large support from the real estate and business community - raising over $120,000 - a large portion coming from the Central Oregon Association of Realtors PAC. Though he out-funded his opponent Melanie Kebler 2-1 and ran as a moderate Republican, Piper lost to Kebler garnering 45% of the vote.
In a tweet this week, Piper announced that he was appointed to the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Councils’ (COIC) Board of Directors. Of the 17 Directors, he will be representing Deschutes County Business and Industry. According to the Deschutes County Commissioner's Office, he was unanimously appointed. The board is made up of two hard right Republicans - Commissioner Patty Adair and Tony Debone and one Democrat - Commissioner Chang.
Piper, who has extensive experience in business, serving as a President, Vice President, General Manager, and Director for various businesses is undoubtedly qualified for the position. According to their website, the COIC specifically appoints members, “from private business, Post Secondary Education and Chambers of Commerce.”
His previous appointment in 2019 was much more controversial. Though many pointed to foul play and “backroom deals” - his opponent, Kerani Mitchell graciously thanked her supporters and reminded everyone that, “I imagine we probably share more in common than what the mayor and council’s deliberations may have led you to believe.”
Notably, she pointed to a problem that the City of Bend and other government agencies have been criticized for in recent years; filling vacant government positions with appointments.
As noted by Mitchell, “…the vacancy appointment process underscores the necessity of elections and representation by the people and of the people.” Also pointing out the inherently undemocratic process “disproportionately affect(s) opportunities for people of color and folks that are struggling to make ends meet or part of our LGBTQ community”
Little has changed about this process and with an increasingly polarized electorate in Bend, and Central Oregon as a whole, one can see this issue easily arising again.
I like how this is a comprehensive and readable statement of facts which leaves the reader enabled to make up their own mind.
interesting that the best funded candidate didn't win the mayoral election. sounds like his current position is better suited to his experience.