County Commissioners set policy and adopt budgets for their counties. They supervise County departments either directly or, when there is a County Administrator, indirectly. Counties provide a wide range of important public services, from managing elections to maintaining roads. To qualify, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a registered voter, a resident of the district for at least a year prior to the General Election, and 18 years of age or older.Term: 4 years. This position is nonpartisan.
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Contact Phone
503-709-9652
Campaign Phone (public)
503-709-9652
Town Where You Live
Clatskanie
Your Experience/Qualifications
Coordinator, Lower Columbia River Watershed Council; Third Generation Columbia County Farmer; 4-H Leader; Community Volunteer. Education: MA, Syracuse University; BA Political Science and Russian, Willamette University; Clatskanie High School. Governmental Experience: Columbia County Commissioner; Precinct Committee; Columbia 5J School Board; Columbia County Budget Committee; CPAC; Oregon State Weed Board; Oregon Sheep Commission; Oregon Board of Agriculture; American Lamb Board;
County
OR
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2028
Certainly one of the biggest challenges facing Columbia County is that 72% of our workforce must leave the county every day for their jobs. We have an abundance of available industrial land and a well-qualified workforce. We have significant economic development opportunities throughout the county which we need to turn into well-paying jobs for local residents and high industrial tax revenue to fund public services. Our county has 18 separate departments, and all of them are challenged by funding shortages. In my opinion, the highest priorities are law enforcement, roads, and public health, all of which would benefit greatly from increased industrial tax valuation. I will continue working to add local jobs and funding for public services.
My life as a third generation Columbia County farmer, and my lifetime of experience have been focused on a team-building style of leadership which has included teaching young people cooperation and responsibility through the 4-H program; working with farmers across the state, nation, and internationally in my roles on the Oregon State Board of Agriculture and the American Lamb Board; finding solutions that meet the needs of property owners, environmentalists, and industrial interests through my 20 years as coordinator of the Lower Columbia River Watershed Council; developing an entrepreneurial, environmentally-friendly wool insulation product, and being part of an effective county management team as commissioner for the past 7 1/2 years.
I represent Columbia County on the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority, which is funded exclusively by the state and federal governments. Beyond ensuring that we have strong representation when it comes to funding for low income public housing, the county's primary role in addressing housing issues is through the Land Use Planning Department. Housing is in large part a supply and demand situation. The solution to the housing needs of moderate and higher income residents is largely in the laps of private builders. However, with Oregon's restrictive land use laws, and the limited amount of developable land, the county needs to ensure an efficient and helpful land use department which responds, when necessary and appropriate, to modifications.
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