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Redmond Area Park & Recreation District Position 2

Special districts in Oregon are formed to govern specific resources. Examples are people’s utility districts, library districts, sewer districts, irrigation districts, ports and cemetery districts. Some districts get revenue only from taxes. Others, such as water districts, get revenue from ratepayers. Others may combine the two sources. Each district is governed by a board of directors which is responsible for the operation of the district and its financial accountability. ( https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/198.010 )Qualifications: Candidate must be a registered voter in the district. ORS 266.310(2)Salary: A member of the governing body of a district may receive an amount not to exceed $50 for each day or portion thereof as compensation for services performed as a member of the governing body. Such compensation shall not be deemed lucrative. The governing body may provide for reimbursement of a member for actual and reasonable traveling and other expenses necessarily incurred by a member in performing official duties. [1971 c.403 §2; 1983 c.327 §2; 1983 c.740 §53a; 1989 c.517 §1; 1995 c.79 §74]In Event of Vacancy: Except as otherwise provided by law, a vacancy in an elected office in the membership of the governing body of a district shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the remaining members of the governing body. If a majority of the membership of the governing body is vacant or if a majority cannot agree, the vacancies shall be filled promptly by the county court of the county in which the administrative office of the district is located. [ORS 198.320]

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  • Candidate picture

    Lena Berry
    (N)

  • Candidate picture

    Mercedes Cook
    (N)

  • Jeremiah Pedersen
    (N)

Biographical Information

Outline your plan to use funding as efficiently as possible to provide necessary services to as many people as possible.

How do you plan to involve residents of the district in decision making? How will you keep them informed of district activities?

What aspect of working for the District is most important to you?

Mencione su plan para usar el financiamiento de la manera más eficiente posible y proporcionar los servicios necesarios a la mayor cantidad posible de gente.

¿Cómo piensa involucrar a los residentes del distrito en la toma de decisiones? ¿Cómo les mantendrá informados sobre las actividades del distrito?

¿Qué aspecto de trabajar para el Distrito es el más importante para usted?

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Town Where You Live Redmond, Oregon
Your Experience/Qualificatons 2016-current: Reiki Provider, St Charles Cancer Center's Integrative Therapies 2020- current: Member Redmond Collective Action 2020-current: Coordinator for Popup Kitchen Collective serving hot meals and mutual aid items to our houseless community in Redmond 2017-2018: Vern Patrick Elementary PTC President 2015-2017: Vern Patrick Elementary PTC Vice President
County Deschutes
I will push for funding with local Bond measures to upgrade and build new Redmond Parks & Recreation District's facilities. Our Swim Center was built in the 1970's to serve a population of 6,000 people. The facility is 50 years old and our population is now 30,000, and is increasing by 3 to 5 people daily. I will also approve more sports, neighborhood parks program activities and family activities.
Residents will be involved in the funding process by approving the Bond which will fund upgrades to current facilities, as well as build new facilities to expand services in our area. District activities and actions can be found on the RAPRD website, which is updated with meeting agendas & minutes, as well as the Activities magazines that are sent to all residents each season which outline available programs.
The most important aspect of working for RAPRD for me, is making sure that we meet the growing needs of our community for youth league & adult sports programs, exercise & shower facilities, and programs that will enrich our quality of life and community spirit, as we continue to grow. Who we elect as Board Members, will directly impact what goals the RAPRD team is allowed to pursue.
Lo siento, mi Espanol no es bueno, pero... Presionaré para obtener fondos con medidas de bonos locales para mejorar y construir nuevas instalaciones del Distrito de Parques y Recreación de Redmond. Nuestro centro de natación fue construido en la década de 1970 para atender a una población de 6.000 personas. La instalación tiene 50 años y nuestra población ahora es de 30,000, y está aumentando de 3 a 5 personas por día. También aprobaré más deportes, actividades del programa de parques del vecindario y actividades familiares.
Los residentes participarán en el proceso de financiación mediante la aprobación del Bono que financiará las mejoras a las instalaciones actuales, así como la construcción de nuevas instalaciones para ampliar los servicios en nuestra área. Las actividades y acciones del distrito se pueden encontrar en el sitio web de RAPRD, que se actualiza con agendas y actas de reuniones, así como las revistas de actividades que se envían a todos los residentes cada temporada que describen los programas disponibles.
Para mí, el aspecto más importante de trabajar para RAPRD es asegurarnos de satisfacer las crecientes necesidades de nuestra comunidad de programas de deportes de ligas menores y adultos, instalaciones para hacer ejercicio y duchas, y programas que enriquecerán nuestra calidad de vida y espíritu comunitario, como seguimos creciendo. Quienes elijamos como miembros de la Junta, afectarán directamente los objetivos que el equipo de RAPRD puede perseguir.
Campaign Address 4657 SW Volcano Ave
Redmond, Oregon 97756
Town Where You Live Redmond
Your Experience/Qualificatons Redmond little league board of directors Redmond early learning center board of directors
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Mercedes-Cook-for-Redmond-Area-Park-and-Rec-District-101560392047054/
County Deschutes
Term 4
Organizational Improvement Fiscally smart solutions in utilization of facilities and current land ownership. Accessibility and inclusion for the multiple communities and people that represent these communities
I intend to drive improvements to how we organize youth sports, how we support our volunteer coaches, and how we build continuity in these programs to feed into our middle school and high school sports programs. Let the residents attend the meetings and voice their opinions on what they want and need.
Youth Sports. Have you ever coached? The kids in our community need coaches who have the knowledge of sports to prepare them for older programs. Kids need us now more than ever.
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Campaign Address 255 SW 11th ST
Redmond, or 97756
Town Where You Live Redmond
Your Experience/Qualificatons I have experience in public speaking, and working in professional industries. Making decisions and planting seeds for future results are all part of my daily activities. As a board member of the RAPRD, I'll need to make decisions about the future of our community. I coach youth wrestling and my children are involved in other youth sports in our community as well.
County Deschutes
Term 4 years
I've already taken time to review the annual budget to know what we're working with. I will use funding to employ staff to operate physical and sport activities. One exciting opportunity we have is to partner with local businesses and collaborate with them for Parks and Rec activities. In doing so, this will both save tax payer money and help local businesses.

A big concern is the need for an activity Center in Redmond. Our current facility will be demolished due to ODOT expanding roads. A bond of around 40 million was introduced last voting season and it was voted down. I'd like to brainstorm ideas to help offset the costs such as partnering with local businesses.
Making decisions without the communities involvement would be a great wrongdoing on my part. I plan to involve residents is to use Social Media. Using Social Media, I can create polls to seek input from the community. Even if the input is something I disagree with, my role is to do the will of the people.

Great Question! The aspect of working with the RAPRD is that this is MY Home. Not only do I live here, I was born and raised here and I want my children to enjoy this communitie like I was.
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