County Commissioners set policy and adopt budgets for their counties, and they manage the county departments, either directly or, if there is a County Administrator, indirectly. Counties provide a wide range of important public services. To qualify, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a registered voter, a resident of the district for at least 1 year prior to the election, and at least 18 years of age.Term: 4 years. This position is nonpartisan.
Town Where You Live
McMinnville
Your Experience/Qualifications
Yamhill County Commissioner, 2021-current; Small Business Owner, 2013-current; Yamhill County Budget Committee 2019-2021; Newberg Rural Fire Protection District Board, 2017-2018
County
Yamhill
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2028
First, Measure 110 has exacerbated our drug & alcohol addiction and mental health challenges to the point where Yamhill County needs to invest in a detox/sobering center. We are actively looking for community partners and will integrate this plan into the legislative reform that recently passed, making possession of hard drugs a misdemeanor. Second, our expenses (mainly personnel related) are outpacing our revenue. Commissioners will need to focus on efficiencies and cost-saving measures to prioritize critical services without adding burden to taxpayers. Lastly, the State is constantly trying to erode local control and push unfunded mandates on counties. Commissioners will continue to fight to uphold personal freedoms and civil liberties.
I have been a small business owner since 2013 and manage several small businesses with my husband. I served on the Yamhill County Budget Committee prior to being elected as Commissioner, which gives me experience over numerous years into county budget constraints and critical service expectations of the public. My tenure as County Commissioner started during Covid, and I've proven that my values of protecting personal medical freedom and civil liberties stood strong against immense pressure by the State to lock everyone down. No county employee lost their job due to unconstitutional mandates. I am a hands-on Commissioner that scrutinizes every dollar to make sure our taxpayers are getting the best value and are not treated like piggybanks.
The housing crisis is not going to be solved by one government entity. It will take coordination by the State, counties, special districts, and cities. The Governor's housing plan is ambitious but most cities lack the funding for the water and sewer infrastructure needed to expand housing to that level. The State will need to invest many millions for local municipalities to expand. Yamhill County has been doing its part by partnering with our cities (so far McMinnville & Newberg) to fast-track the UGB process so it doesn't take 20 years to identify developable land. Commissioners also recently approved Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in rural residential zones to allow for secondary housing for aging parents or young kids needing homes.
Contact Phone
503-487-2718
Campaign Phone (public)
503-487-2718
Town Where You Live
Newberg
Your Experience/Qualifications
Prior Governmental Experience: City of Newberg System Development Charges Subcommittee, 2023 Community Service: Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce Board President; Liaison to Newberg School District; Newberg Youth Soccer CPRD Coordinator
County
Yamhill
Term
2024
Term Expires
2028
Economic Prosperity: Yamhill County is growing and evolving to support economic opportunities in its major industries of agriculture, wine, and travel. Creating pathways to post-pandemic prosperity for our county's businesses is one of my highest priorities.
Affordable Housing: We must implement a housing strategy that supports affordable housing supply and honors the rural character of Yamhill County.
Community Safety: Too often, emergency services in our county respond to the effects of mental illness and addiction in our community. I will work to expand and support the crisis intervention and mental health outreach teams in Yamhill County HHS, so law enforcement can focus on criminal investigations and emergencies to life and property.
With my background as a parent, landowner, Rotarian and neighbor, with family members “across the political spectrum,” if elected I will concentrate on bringing balance to the county commission, supporting small business and promoting economic development in communities in Yamhill County.
My government experience includes serving on the city of Newberg’s System Development Charges Committee, which was responsible for developing recommendations to the City Council. Our committee recommended a 75% reduction in SDCs on single-family homes under 1,000 square feet, waiving SDCs entirely for child care facilities and creating “a more business-friendly environment” in the city.
My family is the fifth generation to call Newberg, and Yamhill County, home. Right now, too many residents are being priced out of our community. This means fewer residents living and working in local jobs and spending their dollars in our community, and jeopardizes our economic prosperity.
Oregon's Governor and State Legislature are actively passing legislation to increase affordable housing supply and promote solutions for how to do that. We must elect County leadership who can collaborate and represent our way of life, and that is a priority of my first term as your Yamhill County Commissioner.
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