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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Union County Commissioner Position 3

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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    Kathleen Cathey
    (N)

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    Robin Church
    (N)

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    Brent Clapp
    (N)

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    Merle Comfort
    (N)

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    John Edward Coote
    (N)

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    Caleb Sampson
    (N)

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    Brian Sather
    (N)

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    Jake Seavert
    (N)

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    Mark Simmons
    (N)

Biographical Information

What are the three greatest challenges facing the County, and how would you address them if elected?

What qualities and experience make you the best candidate for County Commissioner?

What role would you support for the County to play in addressing the supply of housing in the region?

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Contact Phone 541-805-8924
Campaign Phone (public) 5418058924
Web Site (leave blank if not applicable) http://kathleenforcommissioner.com
Town Where You Live La Grande
Your Experience/Qualifications EOU graduate. 35 years in public service, including 18 years as a field representative for a US Senator. Working with grants, budgets, research, writing comprehensive plans, facilitating groups & solving problems. Across Eastern Oregon, working disasters, helping local governments & individuals navigate complex permitting requirements for irrigation infrastructure, riverbank stabilization, riparian projects & the like. Worked to bring a VA clinic to La Grande that serves 1,000 veterans.
Facebook http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556083985731
County OR
Term 2025
Term Expires 2029
Addressing the tragic consequences of M. 110, holding people accountable, supporting treatment programs so those committed to recovery can become stable, get back to work and give back to their families and the community.

Mental health and addiction treatment is fragmented and often disconnected from law enforcement. Too many suffering people go out of town, search online or simply go without the care they need. My practice is to connect people with each other and with resources. I have solid relationships with Eastern Oregon behavioral health providers and can bring ideas and opportunity to the table.

The lack of housing & cost of housing is stunting our community, We need to grow the supply of affordable worker housing.
More than 30 years experience connecting with people to address problems and deliver results. In behavioral health, addictions, child and family issues, and working broadly on federal issues.

Working with Sen. Wyden and his VA and health care experts: brought VA clinic to La Grande and fought to keep the VA from moving residential A&D treatment 160 miles further away; address PBMs and prescription drug shortages for generic ADHD medicines.

Working with communities on infrastructure issues like funding for water and wastewater projects, federal permitting and payment delays.

Work with farmers and ranchers on irrigation, soil & climate science & international trade. Earned the 2023 "Above and Beyond" award from the Oregon Wheat Growers.
Every community here needs a housing strategy that includes developable land, infrastructure, planning and zoning.

We already have options for housing rehab for seniors, and first-time home buyers programs with match programs for individual savings.

There are good models for incenting housing. If we pull together projects, we can bring in funding experts from the state and federal government. Oregon HUD is already supporting this collaborative process.

People feel that affordable housing for lower-income folks is in adequate supply & that may be so. My emphasis is on the need for middle-income housing for teachers, nurses, trailer factory workers. Growing the tax base is important, and it's not either/or. We can support everyone.
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