Hillsboro names local historian and community engagement adviser amid public pushback

The Hillsboro Township Committee on Oct. 14 formally created two mayoral volunteer posts and approved appointments meant to expand local outreach and historical programming.

Mayor’s office appointees Greg Gillette and Vivic ("VC") Ralph were introduced and each was praised by township members for community work; the committee then approved the nominations by separate roll‑call votes.

The mayor described Gillette’s social‑media and local‑history work and said the historian role will support events tied to the national 250th anniversary. Committee members highlighted Ralph’s outreach to faith and cultural communities and said the new engagement adviser will help bridge gaps between municipal government and diverse resident groups.

Public comment at the meeting was sharply divided. Supporters described Gillette as a tireless volunteer who has helped preserve and publicize town history. Ralph’s supporters credited him with building stronger connections between Hillsboro’s Asian and faith communities.

Others criticized the process for creating the volunteer positions and asked why the roles were not publicly advertised. One speaker accused Gillette of having supported demolition of a historic residence years earlier, a claim he and members of the dais responded to by outlining the legal history of that property and noting that the demolition decision had been litigated and upheld. The mayor and several committee members said the demolition had been brought by the property representatives and reviewed through the historic commission and state courts, not the appointee alone.

Committee members said these are mayoral appointments and stressed they reflect the mayor’s prerogative to recruit volunteer advisers. The committee also noted the appointments are volunteer roles intended to bolster work already underway — including preparations for next year’s 250th anniversary — and could strengthen the township’s ability to pursue preservation grants.

The committee also approved a set of additional personnel hires and appointments (part‑time crossing guards, municipal‑court support and other roles) as part of the evening’s routine business.

What’s next: Both appointees will serve in mayoral volunteer roles. Committee members said they expect the historian post to become active in grant and anniversary planning, while the engagement adviser will continue outreach programs and liaison work with community groups.

(Reporting note: quotes and attributions in this article are drawn from public statements recorded at the Oct. 14, 2025 Hillsboro Township Committee meeting.)