Upload
statesman-journal
View
222
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
1/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Ron Butcher (City Council) November 2012
- HowlonghaveyoulivedinSilverton?Imovedherepermanentlyin1994
- Tellusalittleaboutyourself:family,age,work,education,interests?Iam58Yrsold,Divorcedwith2Sonslivingoutontheirownnow,IamanInsuranceAgentworking
primarilywithConstructionBusinesses,HighSchoolGraduatemanyyearsagowithsomeCollege,Outside
interestsareGolf,travel,andhaveassistedwithSwimmingprograms.
- Doyouhaveawebsitewherevoterscanlearnmoreaboutyouandyourcampaign?Ifso,pleaseincludetheURL.
NounfortunatelyIdonot.
- Isthisyourfirsttimerunningforoffice?Whatothercitygovernmentpositionshaveyourunfororservedin?
IranforCityCouncilabout6yearsago,butnothingsince.
- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?IhaveservedasanOfficerinaLocalHomeBuildersAssociationaswellastheStateHomeBuilders
Association.
- Inyourmostrecently-heldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?WiththePreviousmentionedpositions,IhaveservedasTreasurerwhichrequireddeveloping,aswellas
monitoringandmaintainingtheannualBudget.ThePositionsalsorequiredLongRangePlanningandGoal
SettingfortheAssociation,bothattheLocalaswellastheStateLevel.
- Whyareyourunningformayororcitycouncil?Ihavelistenedtopeoplethathaveexpressedconcerns,and/or,complaintsaboutwhattheCityhasbeen
doing.Itseemsthattheydidnothaveawaytoproperlyexpressthoseconcerns,soIhavedecidedtorunfor
CityCounciltobringthoseconcernsforth.
- Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?IfeelthatIwillbringanewandfreshoutlooktoworkingontheissuesthatfaceourCity.Itisalwaysgood
tohavesomeonenewbringingtheirideasforth.
- Whataretheissuesthatmattertoyoumostinthiselection?TomakesureweoperatewithaFiscallyresponsibleBudget.Wecannotoperatewithexcessivespending
andweneedtomakesurethatanycutsbedoneresponsibly.IamalsointerestedintheDowntownarea
andwhereweareheadedthere.IamalsointerestedinwhathappenswithourPool.
- Whatwouldbeyourfirstpriorityifelectedtooffice?
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
2/25
ToreviewalloftheCityExpenditures,andifcutsneedtobemadetomakesureweoperatewithaBalanced
Budget,thenthosecutsneedtobedoneresponsibly.
- Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishduringyourtermasmayororcitycouncilor?JusttobesurethatanydecisionsthatIwouldmakewouldbeinthebestinterestsoftheCityasawhole.
- Inyouropinion,whatcharacterizesthecityofSilverton?Howdoyouthinkitshouldlookin5,10,20years?
ItrulyenjoythesmalltownfeelthatSilvertonhas.ItisagreatplacetoraiseafamilyandIwouldhopethatwe
cankeepitthatwayforthenext10,20plusyears.Tokeepthecrimeratelow,tokeepourCityFestivals
runningsmoothlysothatpeoplecantrulyfeelathomehereinSilvertonwouldbeagreataccomplishment.
- Ifyourqualifications,opinionoractionswerechallengedinpublic(e.g.ataCityCouncilmeeting),howwouldyourespond?
If challenged then I would review what they had to say and respond. I do not believe that my Qualifications
would be challenged. Even though I do not have any experience in City Government, I believe that theExperience I do have from the Home Builders association, and dealing with the State Government with some of
the issues facing that Industry, allows me to better understand how the City functions.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
3/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Laurie Carter (City Council) November 2012
- HowlonghaveyoulivedinSilverton?Wemovedherein1978becausethisisthemostcharmingtownintheWillametteValleyand
wethoughttherewasroomforanotherdentist.
Tellusalittleaboutyourself:family,age,work,education,interests?
- MyhusbandhasbeenadentistinSilvertonfor34years.Weraisedourtwodaughtershere(ouryoungerdaughterwasmarriedattheOregonGardenthesummerof2011).Ourolderdaughtermarried
aSilvertonboy,sowearedelightedtoshareourtwolittlegrandsonswiththeirotherSilverton
grandparents.IhaveaBachelorsdegreeinEnglishandIworkformyhusbandastheoffice
administrator.Iaminterestedingardening,knitting,travel,reading,learningFrench,crossword
puzzles,andespeciallyhistory.
- Doyouhaveawebsitewherevoterscanlearnmoreaboutyouandyourcampaign?Ifso,pleaseincludetheURL.YoucanvisitmyhusbandshomepagethroughtheChamberofCommerceormybiographyon
theCitywebsite.
- Isthisyourfirsttimerunningforoffice?Whatothercitygovernmentpositionshaveyourunfororservedin?
Iranin2010butlost,andwasappointedtofillacouncilvacancy.PreviouslyIwasonthecityPlanning
Commissionuntilwemovedoutsidethecitylimits.
- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?IwastreasurerforSilvertonTogetherinthe90s.IconcurrentlyservedontheOregonJudicial
DepartmentsCitizenReviewBoardfortenyears,andwasstatechairpersonfortwo.IwasappointedbythegovernortoserveontheOregonChildrensCommissionin1996.Priortothebirthofourdaughters
wasanassistantvicepresidentatBenj.FranklinFed.SavingsandLoanAssn.andabranchmanagerand
loanofficer.IamcurrentlythepresidentofP.E.O.,anorganizationdedicatedtoeducationforwomen.
- Inyourmostrecently-heldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?AlthoughIveonlybeenacouncilorfor19months,itwasmyideatousethemoneyfromthemetersto
giveanannualfixeddonationtothemuralssocietyandothercharitableorganizations.Therevenue
fromthemeterswasaneutralbecauseofthecostofmaintainingandmonitoringthem,andthepolice
departmentfavoreddiscontinuingthem.Also,Iproposedthecityhaveabannertohonorourreturningservicemenandwomenandarrangedforthattobepermanentlydisplayedonanannualbasiswithout
costtothecity.WorkingwithChiefLewis,weissuedaproclamationandpersonallyhonoredour
returningguardunits.Ialsomadethemotiontorefertheswimmingpoolwintermaintenanceissueto
thevoters.
- Whyareyourunningformayororcitycouncil?
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
4/25
IloveSilverton,Igetgoosebumpseverytimewedriveintotownafterbeingaway,andIlikebeing
involved.Ithinkitsreallyfrustratingtositonthesidelinesandcriticizethedecisionsofcityleaders;its
morerewardingtoactuallybepartofthedecision-making.
- Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?Iamanaregisteredvoterandhavelivedinthecitymorethantwelvemonths!
- Whataretheissuesthatmattertoyoumostinthiselection?LikemanysmalltownsinOregon,wearefacingshrinkingrevenues;wehavetobecarefulhowwe
spendourresourcestohavethegreatestimpact.Personally,IwouldliketoseetheparkinPioneer
Villagedeveloped,andconnectivityimprovedinthatareaandalsointheNorthsideAdditioncommonly
knownasMillTown.Ialsowanttoseetheearlywarningsystemupandrunningbeforewinterthis
year.Longterm,weneedtoattractnewenvironmentallyfriendlybusinessestoSilvertonbyfacilitating
affordablehousingforemployees.Wealsoneedtoupdateoursewerandwaterrunoffsystems,sothat
werenotjustpatchinganoldsystemthatdoesntservetheneedsofathrivingcity.
- Whatwouldbeyourfirstpriorityifelectedtooffice?o 1.Workwiththenewcouncilandcitygovernmenttoprioritizeissuesbyconsensusbasedonthe
forthcomingcitysurvey.
o 2.EncouragecitystaffinitspursuitofgrantsforbetterconnectivitytotheNorthsideAdditionandPioneerVillage.
- Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishduringyourtermasmayororcitycouncilor?IwouldhopeinfouryearstoseethatdowntownSilvertonhasnovacanciesandlotsoftrees!Andthat
PioneerVillageandNorthsideadditionhaveparks,andsidewalksandbikepathsconnectingthemto
downtown.
- Inyouropinion,whatcharacterizesthecityofSilverton?Howdoyouthinkitshouldlookin5,10,20years?
ThankgoodnessSilvertonisstilltheuniquelylovely,tree-filledcityitwas34yearsagoandhasntbeen
thevictimofinjudicioussprawl.Ihopein34yearsgrowthwillcontinuetobecarefullyplanned.
Silvertonischaracterizedalsobyitsdiversepopulationofyoungfamiliesandretiredpeoplewitha
thrivingartscommunity.Iexpectinthefuturewewillbemoreculturallydiverse,andweneedto
welcomeandembracechange.
- Ifyourqualifications,opinionoractionswerechallengedinpublic(e.g.ataCityCouncilmeeting),howwouldyourespond?
Thatspartofbeingonthecouncil.Thefirstthingistolookintooneselfandseeifthecriticismsare
justifiedandwhatonecandotoimprove.Ifthechallengesaretomyfundamentalbeliefs,thenIhave
tostandupformyownpersonalethos.IhavelearnedthatIhavecorevaluesthatareconstantandthat
Icanrefertowhenmakingdifficultdecisions.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
5/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Jason Freilinger (City Council) November 2012
- HowlonghaveyoulivedinSilverton?IwasbornandraisedinSilvertonandlivedheremostofmylifeexceptwhenIwasincollege.IhaveactuallylivedinSilverton38ofmy43years.
- Tellusalittleaboutyourself:family,age,work,education,interests?MywifeandIhavebeenmarried13years.WehaveadaughterthatisafreshmanatSHS.IamagraduateofPortlandStatewithadegree
inBusinessAdministrationMarketing.Ihaveworkedinthetelecommunication/electronicsindustryforthelast20years.PastpositionsIhaveheldincludeAT&TRegionalSalesManager,T-MobileSiteDirector,
andIamcurrentlytheowner/operatorofthenewSilvertonRadioShack.Myinterestsincludefamily,
Silverton,history,geography,andgardening.
- Doyouhaveawebsitewherevoterscanlearnmoreaboutyouandyourcampaign?Ifso,pleaseincludetheURL.Facebook:FriendsofJasonFreilinger
- Isthisyourfirsttimerunningforoffice?Whatothercitygovernmentpositionshaveyourunfororservedin?IhaverunforCountyCommissionerandSchoolBoardinthepast.IcurrentlyserveontheSilvertonPlanningCommission.
- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?SilverFallsSchoolDistrictFacilityPlanningCommitteefortwoterms.5yearsontheBoardofSEDCOR(StrategicEconomic
DevelopmentCorporation).3yearsontheBoardofOaknollEstatesHOA(2asPresident).20years
ManagementExperienceintheprivatesectormanagingorganizationsofupto1,200associatesand
Managers,andbalanceda$50,000,000.00budgetannually.
- Inyourmostrecently-heldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?Iamproudofmysuccessinthecorporateprivatesector.Iwasconsistentlyoneofthetopperformingmanagers/directors
inthenationbothatAT&TandT-Mobile.Iconsistentlybalancedbudgetsandexceedperformance
expectations.Thisledtothefinancialsuccessthatallowedmetopursuemyaspirationofopeninga
successfulbusinesshereinmyhometownofSilverton.
- Whyareyourunningformayororcitycouncil?IhavealwayshadadrivingpassionformycommunityofSilverton.Currentlyweareinafinancialandcrisisthatwillrequireustobalancethebudgetwhilemeeting
theneedsofourcommunity.IwanttokeepSilvertonassmalltownwithagreatcharacter,butalso
successfulfiscallyandeconomically.
- Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?IbelievemyexperienceintheprivatesectoraswelasmyexperienceinorganizationslikeSEDCORwillmakeitpossibleformetoprovidevaluableinputaswe
gothroughthesetryingtimes.Iknowthatthenumberoneattributeofagoodleaderisonethatlistens
objectivelyandrespectfullytoall,makesaninformeddecision,andclearlycommunicatesavisionforthe
future.IwillalwaysbeavailabletomembersofthecommunityandwilllooktothemforinputonallIdo.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
6/25
- Whataretheissuesthatmattertoyoumostinthiselection?Iwillworktobalancethebudgetwithoutraisingtaxes,ensurethesecurityofthecommunity,starttheworkofrepairingourbrokeninfrastructure,
andhelptocreateanenvironmentofcivilconstructivediscussionthataddressestheneedsofthe
communitywhiledependingontheresidentsofSilvertonforinput.
- Whatwouldbeyourfirstpriorityifelectedtooffice?Balancethebudgetwhileprovidingforthefuturestabilityofthecitywithoutraisingtaxes.
- Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishduringyourtermasmayororcitycouncilor?Weneedtorestructurethecitygovernmentsothatwearenotspendingmorethanwearetakinginwhilestillprovidingthe
neededservicesforthecommunity.Currentlywearenottakingcareofoneofthecitysprimary
responsibilities-sewerandwaterinfrastructureandtransportationinfrastructure.TheOlsenditchisan
exampleofsomethingthatneedstobeaddressedimmediately.Thecitycurrentlyhasamasterplanthat
includesexpensiveadditionslikebridgestonowhereandBy-Passes.TheseplansaredrivingupSDCfees
paidbydeveloperswhilenoteffectivelydealingwiththecityspastgrowingpainissues.Revisingthe
masterplantofocusoncosteffectivewaystoaddressgrowthanddevelopmentbyupdatingtheexisting
infrastructurewillleadtolowerSDCfeesandmorebeingdonetoservethecommunityasawhole.
- Inyouropinion,whatcharacterizesthecityofSilverton?Howdoyouthinkitshouldlookin5,10,20years?Silvertonismuchmorethanjustasmalltown.Ithasathrivingartcommunity,richhistory,and
multipleattractivedestinations.Wearediversecommunitythatiswelcomingandfriendlytoall.Weneed
tobuildonthatwithoutdestroyingit.ForSilvertontocontinuetothriveithastogrow,butithastogrow
inamannerthatissmartandnotexcessive.Ienvisionatownthatcontinuestohaveathrivingdowntown
withitsownuniquecharacter.AtownthatpeopleinandaroundOregonandtheUnitedStateswillwant
tovisitandtalkabout.Wewillhavemodestresidentialandindustrialgrowththatkeepsuseconomically
strongwhilenotturningusintojustanothersuburbofSalemorPortland.
- Ifyourqualifications,opinionoractionswerechallengedinpublic(e.g.ataCityCouncilmeeting),howwouldyourespond?Iwillalwaysberespectfulandlistencloselytoallconcernsbroughtbeforethe
council.Iwillaskquestionstogainmoreunderstandingofwhattheconcernsare.Iwillcontinueto
alwaysremainopentonewpositionsandfactsregardingasituationevenifIhavealreadyvotedon
something.IfIhavemadeamistakeIwillownitandlearnfromit.Iwillneverinsultortalkdownto
anyone.
- JasonFreilinger
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
7/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Ken Hector (City Council) November 2012
- HowlonghaveyoulivedinSilverton?32years.
- Tellusalittleaboutyourself:family,age,work,education,interests?MarriedtoDarby33years,4children,3grandchildren.
WorkDirectorofCommunityOutreach&GovernmentalAffairs,SilvertonHealthEducationBatchelorofArts,Psychology,Univ.ofPortland
InterestsFamily,travel,golf,communityservice.
- Doyouhaveawebsitewherevoterscanlearnmoreaboutyouandyourcampaign?Ifso,pleaseincludetheURL.
No.
- Isthisyourfirsttimerunningforoffice?Whatothercitygovernmentpositionshaveyourunfororservedin?CityofSilverton:Mayor16years,Citycouncil7years,BudgetCommittee3years.
- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?Ihaveservedonanumberofnon-profitBoardsovertheyears,includingleadershippositionsinthe
followingorganizations:
SilvertonTogetherPresident
WoodburnChamberofCommercePresident
OregonSelf-InsurersAssociationPresident
WillametteEducationServiceDistrict(WESD)BoardChairManagement-LaborAdvisoryCommitteeAppointedbyGovernor
- Inyourmostrecently-heldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?AsVice-Chair,andnowChairoftheWESDBoard,towhichIwaselectedforZone3in2010tobeachange
agent,IhaveworkedcollaborativelywithmyfellowBoardmemberstoeffectthechangesnecessaryto
eliminatethemanydocumentedproblemsthathaveplaguedWESDformanyyears.Theresulthasbeena
changeofdirectionandcleanauditsforWESD.
- Whyareyourunningformayororcitycouncil?
ItiscleartomethattheCouncilhassufferedfromalackofleadershipoverthepast4years.Iamrunning
forCouncilinordertoutilizemyprovenleadershipskills,andtheabilitytoworkcollaborativelywitha
governingbodytoonceagainachievethelevelofserviceandpositiveaccomplishmentsthatthecitizensof
Silvertonexpectanddeserve.
- Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
8/25
The23yearsofpreviousserviceontheCouncil,including16asMayor,duringwhichtimetheCouncil
overcamemanysignificantchallenges,clearlyreflectsmyqualificationandabilitytoserveeffectively.
- Whataretheissuesthatmattertoyoumostinthiselection?ElectingaMayorandCouncilorswhowillputtheinterestsofSilvertonaheadofpersonalagendas.TheCity
isexperiencingasignificantanddeterioratingfiscalproblem,whichwontberesolvedifthepettinesswe
seeregularlyatcouncilcontinues.ItistimeforCounciltoworkopenlyandtransparentlyforthegoodofal
Silvertonians,notjustthosewithspecialinterests.
- Whatwouldbeyourfirstpriorityifelectedtooffice?BringingCounciltoconsensusontheproblemsweface,identifyandprioritizethesolutions,andtakethe
stepsnecessarytoimplementthosesolutionsasquicklyaspossible.
- Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishduringyourtermasmayororcitycouncilor?Resolveourfiscalproblems,returncivilityandprofessionalismtotheCouncil,andwiththetoolsavailable
tous,seektoattractnew,cleanmanufacturingandlightindustrialbusinessesthatpayfamilywagesand
providehealthandrelatedbenefits,whilepreservingourqualityoflife.
- Inyouropinion,whatcharacterizesthecityofSilverton?Howdoyouthinkitshouldlookin5,10,20years?
Silvertonisablendofhistoricandnew.Weneedtopreservethatwhichwecherish,whilerecognizingthat
somechangeisinevitable,andcanbegood.Onewaytopreserveourqualityoflifeistoaddressour
infrastructurechallenges,lestwefallfartherbehind.Expandingoureconomicbaseisbutonewaytohelp
meetthosechallenges.Sowhilewewillseecosmeticchangesoverthenext20years,theSilvertonof2032
shouldstillreflectthesmalltownfeelandfriendlinessthathasmadeitagreatplacetolive,workandplayfordecades.
- Ifyourqualifications,opinionoractionswerechallengedinpublic(e.g.ataCityCouncilmeeting),howwouldyourespond?
Dependingonthenatureofthechallenge,Iwouldrespondfactuallyandprofessionally.Ifitwasoveran
opinionoranaction,IwouldexplainhowIreachedtheopinion,orwhyItooktheactionIdid.Attheend
oftheday,everyoneisentitledtotheiropinion.However,whileopinionscandiffer,factsdonot.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
9/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Steve Kaser (City Council) November 2012
- HowlonghaveyoulivedinSilverton?IamathirdgenerationSilvertonianhavinglivedintheareafor65yearsandinSilvertonfor29years.
- Tellusalittleaboutyourself:family,age,work,education,interests?MywifeNoriandIhavefivechildrenandelevengrandchildren.IhavebeenaDrillingProductManagerfor37years.Throughmywork,
IbelongtothestatedrillingassociationsofOregon,Washington,Idaho,MontanaandWyoming.IdevelopandpresentongoingContinuingEducationSeminars,approvedbythevariousstates,todrilling
contractorsasarequirementinmaintainingtheircontractorlicenses.
- NoriandIheldhuntereducationclassesatourhomeinSilvertonoveratwenty-yearspanearningtheGoldInstructorAwardfromtheOregonDepartmentofFishandWildlife.HundredsofSilvertonarea
youthsattendedourclasses.Ourfamilylovesalloutdooractivitieswithaspecialfondnessforfishingat
DiamondLake.Igainpersonalstrengthandenjoymentoutofhunting,fishing,oilpainting,antlercarving,
writingshortstoriesandpoetry.
- Doyouhaveawebsitewherevoterscanlearnmoreaboutyouandyourcampaign?Ifso,pleaseincludetheURL.NoIdonot
- Isthisyourfirsttimerunningforoffice?Whatothercitygovernmentpositionshaveyourunfororservedin?ThisisthefirsttimeIhaverunforanelectedoffice.IamcurrentlyservingontheCityof
SilvertonBudgetCommittee.
- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?AspartofmydutiesasaProductManagerImanagedamachineshopsupplyingdrillingtoolstocustomersthroughoutthe
Northwest.Iwasresponsiblefortoolingdesignandmanufacturingstayingwithinabudgetsetbyrevenues.Inaddition,mydutiesincludingthetrainingofoursalesforcewhilesupportinganddirecting
themintheirendeavors.
- Inyourmostrecentlyheldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?Byworkingcloselywiththemachinistsandwelders,theshopgrewtobecomethelargestdrilltoolingmanufacturingfacility
intheNorthwestandweachievedcompanywidesalesinexcessof15milliondollars.
- Whyareyourunningformayororcitycouncil?Tocurbthewastefulspendingofourtaxdollars,returnfiscalresponsibilitytoourcitygovernment,improvetherelationshipbetweenthecitycouncil,citystaffandcitizens,andprovideallthecitizensofSilvertonwiththesamebasicreliableinfrastructureneedsof
water,sewer,streetandsidewalkstheypaytaxesfor.
- Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?Irelyheavilyoncommonsenseandlogicinaddressingissues.Ihavethecouragetosaynotofrivolousspending,andamunafraidinaskingthe
importantandsometimestoughquestionsofaccountabilitythatgowithmakingdecisionsonspendingof
taxpayersdollars.IhavenoproblemadmittingpubliclywhenIamwronginmybeliefsorstatements
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
10/25
makingthenecessarychangesandthenmoveforward.Throughoutmybusinesscareer,Ihavebeen
requiredtoworkwithinaverystrictbudgetandmakeneededadjustments,asrevenuesrequire.
- Whataretheissuesthatmattertoyoumostinthiselection?Restoringthecitysfinancialhealthandreservefundstoacceptablelevels,infrastructurerebuildingandimprovementsandrepairingthecitizens
faithandrespectfortheircitysgovernment.
- Whatwouldbeyourfirstpriorityifelectedtooffice?Returningthecitytofinancialstability.
- Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishduringyourtermasmayororcitycouncilor?Strongpermanentfinancialhealthforthecity,updatingthecitysinfrastructure,andimprovecitizen/government
relationships.
- Inyouropinion,whatcharacterizesthecityofSilverton?Howdoyouthinkitshouldlookin5,10,20years?Theresidentsthemselvesarewhatcharacterizethecity,notpedestrianmallsortrailsalongSilver
Creek.Councildecisionshaveandarebeingmadebasedonwhatmakesthecitylookgood,ratherthan
whatisgoodforthecitizensofSilverton.Thecityshouldstrivetomaintainthesamelookinthenext
twentyyearsthatitwasnotedfortwentyyearsago.Wewereatogethercommunitythen;todayour
communityissplitanddividedcausedbythedivisiveattitudeofourcitycouncil.
- Ifyourqualifications,opinionoractionswerechallengedinpublic(e.g.ataCityCouncilmeeting),howwouldyourespond?Iwelcomepublicquestionsorchallengesastheypresenttheopportunityfor
learningandbetterunderstandingonbothsides.Iamnotendorsedbyoraffiliatedwithanyspecial
interestgroupotherthanthecitizensasawholethereforeIwillbecompletelyopenminded,listen
carefully,askand/oranswerquestionsinadirectmannerbeingtruthful,honest,andaboveallrespectful
ofeveryonescivilandhumanrights.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
11/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Kyle Palmer (Mayor) November 2012
- HowlonghaveyoulivedinSilverton?46years(IwasborninSilvertonHospitalandexceptfor2separateyearsduringcollegeandinmy20s,Ihavealwaysbeenhere).
- Tellusalittleaboutyourself:family,age,work,education,interests?Im46,IwasraisedhereandattendedEugeneField,RobertFrost,MarkTwain,andSilvertonHighSchool.IhaveworkedforSilverCreekAnimalClinicinSilvertonsince1993andhavebeenPracticeManagersince1998.IhavebeenaCertified
VeterinaryTechniciansince2009andamworkingonspecialtyacredidationinthefieldofveterinary
dentistry.IamalsotheManagerofEvansValleyStablesinSilvertonathoroughbredracehorseoperation
andhavebeentheresince1986.Since2009,IhaveservedastheExecutiveDirectorofNorthwestEquine
PractitionersAssociation,andsince2010Ihavebeenafreelancewriterandregularcontributorto
VeterinaryEconomicsandFirstlineMagazinetwonationalveterinarymanagementmagazines.I
completedapproximately2yearsofundergraduateclassesatChemeketaCommunityCollegeinthelate
80s,focusingonSpanishandEnglishLiterature.Iplantofinishsomeday.Myinterestsincludeathletics
golf,tennis,baseballandvolunteeringinourcommunity.
- Doyouhaveawebsitewherevoterscanlearnmoreaboutyouandyourcampaign?Ifso,pleaseincludetheURL.Yeswww.palmer4silverton.org.
- Isthisyourfirsttimerunningforoffice?Whatothercitygovernmentpositionshaveyourunfororservedin?NoIamcurrentlyfinishingmyeighthyearasaSilvertonCityCouncilorandranunsuccessfully
forMayorin2010.
- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?Besideswork,IhaveservedinthefollowingcapacitiesBoardMember,Treasurer,andPast-PresidentoftheSilvertonChamber
ofCommerce;BoardMember,Treasurer,andPast-PresidentoftheSilvertonRotaryClub;BoardMember
andTreasurerHomerDavenportDaysandoftheHomerDavenportCommunityFestival;BoardMemberof
theSilverFallsFamilyYMCALeadershipCouncil;ChairmanoftheSilverFallsSchoolDistrictBondAdvisory
Committee;BoardMemberofSilvertonAreaLittleLeague;FoundingBoardMemberofSilvertonYouth
JuniorBaseball.
- Inyourmostrecently-heldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?IveservedastheCityCouncilliasontotheYMCAboardandhavehelpedweatheradifficulttimewithrespecttothepools
futureandtheirservicecontractswiththecity.Ihelpeddevelopcitysupportforcompletionofthe
regional-classathleticfieldscomplexatSilvertonHighandhavehelpedmovetherelationshipforward
betweentheSchoolDistrictandtheCity.IvehelpedpushtheSkateParkandDogParkcloserto
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
12/25
completionbyworkingwiththosecommittees.Ivedevelopedareputationasamoderatevoiceofreason
whoisnotpartofavotingbloc,butrathertakeseachmatteronmeritandisabletolobbycouncilsupport
whenneeded.
- Whyareyourunningformayororcitycouncil?Onereasonandonereasononly.Ifnotforthisreason,IdberunningforCityCouncil.IexpectleadershipfromaMayorandIcanprovidethat.Respectforthedemocraticprocess,awillingnesstodebaterespectfully,aninterestinbuildingconsensusandactual
problemsolvingarethingsIcanandwilldeliver.Inmyopinion,thereareopportunitieswhentheMayor
hasanobligationtomediatethepassiononbothsidesofissuessuchasthestreetscapeprocessandthe
efforttorecallmyselfandothercouncilorsbygivingthepublicallsidesoftheissuesandanyfacts
available.Iwillbringbalanceandreasontothosetimesandprovidetheleadershipthatrisesabove
politics.Iwillreturntothestandardofmeetingwithregionalmayorsandeconomicpartnersinorderto
helpmoveourcityforward.
- Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?Eightyearsofcouncilexperience,countlessleadershippositionsthroughoutthecommunity,yearsoffinancialmanagementexperience,acommitment
toSilvertonovermylifetimeandleadershipskillsthatmustbepartoftheofficeofMayor.
- Whataretheissuesthatmattertoyoumostinthiselection?Prudentfinancialmanagement,EconomicDevelopment,SidewalkConnectivitytosomeoftheoutlyingareas(throughgrants),equalityandbalance
inoursewerandwaterrates,andcreatinganenvironmentwhereopposingopinionsarearegularpartof
respectfuldecisionmaking.
- Whatwouldbeyourfirstpriorityifelectedtooffice?Toschedule2-4publicTownHallmeetingsforeachyearandreallydrivecitizeninvolvementinourprocess.Beforethosemeetings,however,Iwillstandup
andmakesurethatthepublicandthecouncilknowsthataneweraofrespecthasbegun.Nooneshould
fearvoicingtheiropinionorbetreateddisrespectfullyforhavingadifferentone.HalfofthejobofMayoris
aboutleadershipandcreatinganenvironmentwheregoodgoverningcantakeplace.
- Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishduringyourtermasmayororcitycouncilor?AsMayor,Ihopetoreturn
theprocessofgoverningtothatofrespectfuldebateandconsensusbuilding.Youwontreadcomments
frommeinthemediathatdisrespectfellowcouncilors.Diversityofopinionisimportantandthe
democraticprocessisworkingwhenamajorityvoteaspecificway.Idalsoliketoseereformofoursewer
andwaterrateswecantcreateaneffectivelongrangecapitalimprovementplanwithknowingthat
ratesarebeingappliedfairly.Thecityshouldcontinuetoplayaroleineconomicdevelopment,pursuing
industrialparktenantsandimprovingourbusinessenvironment.Iwilloverseeanapproachtoourbudget
thatbalancesrestraintwiththeuseofotheropportunitiestohelpusmoveforward.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
13/25
- Inyouropinion,whatcharacterizesthecityofSilverton?Howdoyouthinkitshouldlookin5,10,20years?ThecityofSilvertonisinbettershapethanmanyotherlocalcities.Wehaveavibrantdowntown
botharchitecturallyandnowliterallywehavesomeremarkablenaturalresourceslikeSilverCreekand
SilverFalls.OurhistoricdowntownandtheOregonGardendrawvisitorsherethatarentgoingtoother
localareas.Silvertonhasawealthofcitizenswhovolunteertokeepourcommunitymovingforwardand
theirpassionabouthowourcityshouldlookandactisterrific.In5yearsIhopeweareatthetailendof
thiseconomicdownturnandthatourbusinesscommunityhasjustcontinuedtodobettereveryyear.I
hopeourpopulationisrelativelystable.IhopethatourUrbanRenewalDistricthasfinishedsomeprojects
thatwilladdtoeconomicdevelopment.IlookforwardtoseeingacompletedSkateParkandDogPark.In
10years,IhopethatwewillhaveseenmajorinvestmentsinSilvertonsbusinesscommunityandindustrial
park.IhopethatwehaveidentifiedwaystocapitalizeonSilvertonsagriculturalrootsandremainrootedin
alocaleconomyeventhoughmanyforcespushuselsewhere.Ihopeourdowntownhasundergonesome
improvementsbutstillretainsthecharmthatweallenjoy.IhopetheOregonGardenenjoysawealthof
visitorsonanannualbasis.In20years,Ihopeourpopulationisstillstable,butmajorbusinessand
industrialpartnershelpoffsettheburdenonourwaterandsewerratepayers.IhopetoseeaSilverton
thatisundertheleadershipofthoughtful,respectfulcitizenswhoincludetheentirepopulationindecisions
thatshapethefuture.
- Ifyourqualifications,opinionoractionswerechallengedinpublic(e.g.ataCityCouncilmeeting),howwouldyourespond?Sinceyouasked,bothhavebeenchallengedinpublicduringCityCouncilmeetings.In
alloccasions,Ihaveremainedcalm,exudedrespectforthecitizen(s)involved,answeredeveryquestionto
thebestofmyability,andattemptedtohavethemleavewithagoodsenseofwhoIamandwhatmy
actionswere.ThisisanareathatIthinkiscriticaltocityleadershipelectedofficialsmustnotonlyallow,
mustnotonlyinvite,butmusttrulyembracetheopportunitytohearacitizencomplaint.Letsfaceit
citizenshavecomplaintsineverycityandifwerenothearingthemandrespondingtothem,wearenot
doingourjob.IhavealwayshadthefollowingpolicyIwillansweranyonesquestionaboutanytopic
itstheonlywaytoapproachthisjob.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
14/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Stu Rasmussen (Mayor) November 2012
- HowlonghaveyoulivedinSilverton?IhavelivedinSilverton64years.
- Tellusalittleaboutyourself:family,age,work,education,interests?Victoria(mysignificantother)andIhavelivedattheJamesStreethouse(BologniaHall)since1988.Weenjoy
shoppingatGoodwillandthriftstores.Wehavefivecatsthatallowustolivehereaslongaswefeedthem
andseetotheireveryneed.IworkasafreelancesoftwareengineerandoperatethePalaceTheatre7daysa
week.IgraduatedwithanASEEfromChemeketaCommunityCollege(thenSalemTech)in1968and
subsequentlyworkedforanumberofhigh-techventuresinthearea.IhavemanyvariedinterestsIdo
precisionmetalworking,collecthandcuffsandindulgeintheoccasionalhomeimprovementproject.
- Doyouhaveawebsitewherevoterscanlearnmoreaboutyouandyourcampaign?Ifso,pleaseincludetheURL.
www.StuRasmussen.com
- Isthisyourfirsttimerunningforoffice?Whatothercitygovernmentpositionshaveyourunfororservedin?
IwasfirstelectedtotheSilvertonCityCouncilin1984andhaveservedatotalof24yearsinelectiveoffice
hereinSilverton.Thisincludes20yearsasmayororcouncilorand4yearsonthelibraryboard.
- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?IhaveconcentratedmypoliticalactivitieshereinSilvertonwheremyheartis.Inmybusiness(PalaceTheatre)
Iamtheco-ownerandgeneralmanageroftheenterprise.Ihavealsomanagedorledengineeringtaskforcesonvarioussoftwareandhardwareprojectsforavarietyofhigh-techmanufacturersinthearea.
- Inyourmostrecently-heldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?MostrecentlyIhavebeenconcentratingonbringingthePalaceTheatreliterallybackfromtheashesofafire
inApril.AlthoughitwasateameffortIbelievethatwithoutmywillingnesstostepupandleadtherestoration
thePalacewouldhaveclosedpermanentlyandSilvertonwouldhavelostastarplayerinthedowntown.It
wouldhavebeeneasiertowalkawayandretire,butthatsnotmystyle.
-Whyareyourunningformayororcitycouncil?
Thisisacriticaltimeforlocalgovernmentandourlocaleconomy.Asafiscalconservativeithasshockedmeto
watchasamajorityofourcouncilsquandersourprecioustaxdollarsonwastefulpetprojectswhileignoring
thecomingrevenueshortfall.Wedesperatelyneedcoolheadswithcommonandbusinesssenseandfiscal
responsibilitytocarefullymanageandpreserveourtaxdollars.Frankly,ifthecommunityre-electsmeas
Mayorandalsoelectsknownwastrelstoothercouncilpositionsthenweareinbigtrouble.AsMayorIdonot
havevetoauthorityoverwastefulspendingasmallmajorityofthecouncilcanspendSilvertontaxmoney
liketheresnotomorrow.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
15/25
- Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?Ihaveover40yearsexperienceowningandoperatingentrepreneurialbusinessesinSilvertonplus24
yearsasanelectedofficial.Inmyopinionthatsthebestexperienceandqualificationsofanycandidate
running.
- Whataretheissuesthatmattertoyoumostinthiselection?MaintainingSilvertonasSilvertonwithouttryingtoturnitintosomesortofuglyCaliforniaclone.Thisisaclassiccommunitythatresidentsandvisitorsfallinlovewithjustasitiswedontneedartificial
improvementsthatonlycostusmoneyfornobenefitotherthanegogratificationofthepromoters.We
needtoconcentrateonthecoreissuesthataffecteveryoneinSilvertonmaintainingpublicsafety,
providingpurewater,adequatewastewatertreatmentandmaintainingourstreetsandsidewalks.
- Whatwouldbeyourfirstpriorityifelectedtooffice?- Workingwiththenewlyelectedcounciltoreviewandre-prioritizethecurrentplansforvariouspublicprojectsand
bringtheminlinewiththefiscalrealityofourtime.Reviewcityprogramsandeliminateunnecessaryorredundant
cityfunctionstosavetaxpayerdollars.
- Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishduringyourtermasmayororcitycouncilor?Iwillbalancecityspendingwithincomeandnotrelyonsavingsorreservestooperateintothefuture.
Wealreadyoweenoughonthecreditcardwithoutgoingfurtherintodebt.Iexpecttoexplore
alternativewaysofprovidingcityservicesthatwillmaximizebenefittoourcommunitywhile
maintainingcriticalemergencyresponsecapacity.
- Inyouropinion,whatcharacterizesthecityofSilverton?Howdoyouthinkitshouldlookin5,10,20years?
Silvertonis40milesand40yearsfromPortlandandwelikeitthisway.Aclassictimecapsulewithmodern
amenitiesand21stcenturytechnologyAgreatplacetoliveandraiseafamily.Wehavethebestofboth
worldsandIhopepeopleyearsinthefuturewillfeelthesamewaybecauseoftheproactivestepswetakenowtokeepitthisway.
- Ifyourqualifications,opinionoractionswerechallengedinpublic(e.g.ataCityCouncilmeeting),howwouldyourespond?
Ithasbeenmyexperiencethatmyqualifications,opinionsandactionsareregularlychallengedinpublic.After24years
ofsuccessfulpublicserviceIhaveacquiredathickskinandfirstconsiderthequalifications,experienceandopinionsof
thepersonquestioningmebeforeresponding.ImgoodatwhatIdoandIhaveclear,logicalandverifiablefactual
informationtobackitup.Imaintainmysenseofhumorandknowthatitistheemptybucketthatmakesthemostnoise.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
16/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Dana Smith (City Council) November 2012
- HowlonghaveyoulivedinSilverton?Weweresearchingforanewhomeforourfamilyand
architect/engineeringbusiness14yearsagoandstumbledintoSilvertonduringHomerDavenportDays.
Wesawthecouchraces,heardthenoonwhistleandknewwebelongedhere.Ihavebeenactiveinthe
schoolsandbusinesscommunitieseversince.
- Tellusalittleaboutyourself:family,age,work,education,interests?Iam53,marriedtoandbusinesspartnerwiththeloveofmylife,VictorMadge.Wehavetwoadultchildren,SamandSydneyMadge,who
attendedlocalpublicschool.IearnedbothBSandMSinCivilEngineeringfromtheUniversityofMissouri.
lovehiking,camping,sailingandgenerallyhangingoutwithmyhusband,kids,anddog.Iamespecially
passionateabouteducationandempoweringgirlstoseekcareersinnon-traditionalfields.Twoofmy
biggestpetpeevesareinefficiency,ingeneral,andcomplaintsthatsomethingisnotbeingdonerightbut
makingnoconstructiveefforttoremediate.
- Doyouhaveawebsitewherevoterscanlearnmoreaboutyouandyourcampaign?Ifso,pleaseinclude
theURL.http://www.facebook.com/DanaSmithForSilverton
- Isthisyourfirsttimerunningforoffice?Whatothercitygovernmentpositionshaveyourunforor
servedin?IwaselectedtoandservedontheSilverFallsSchoolDistrictBoardofDirectors,2005-2009,and
servedontheCityofSilvertonParksMasterPlanningCommittee.
- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?
2 years Robert Frost PTA treasurer and Jog-a-thon, Chair
1.5 years SHS site council
7 years on Silverton Fine Arts Festival Committee, current Chair
Co-Chair One High School Campaign
Bond Advisory Committee for SHS Phase II
28 years project engineer/manager
General contractor for construction of our Silverton home
Occasional construction manager for Habitat for Humanity
- Inyourmostrecently-heldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?Ijustfinishedaterm
asChairoftheSilvertonFineArtsFestivalwhichbrought6000attendeestotown.SincetheCityhad
relativelynewpersonnelinseveralkeypositions,ongoingcoordinationandcommunicationwasessential
tomaintainFestivalqualityandkeepourpartnerscomfortablewitheventoperations.
- Whyareyourunningformayororcitycouncil?IamrunningforCityCouncilbecauseIbelievethat
personalitieshavegotteninthewayofeffectivedecisionmakinginthelastfewyears.Asstatedearlier,
Immoreinclinedtovolunteerthancriticizethe(lackof)effortsofothers.
- Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?Withmyeducationandlifeexperience,Iamwell
suitedtoprocessinformationandrenderopinionsbasedonrationalanalysisratherthanemotionor
intuition.Iamalsorespectfulofopinionsthatmaydifferfrommine,donttakethosedifferencesasa
personalaffrontandcanmoveforwardwithoutprejudiceifnotinthemajority.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
17/25
- Whataretheissuesthatmattertoyoumostinthiselection?Ihavenopreconceivedagendaotherthan
bringingcivility,respectandintellecttotheposition.
- Whatwouldbeyourfirstpriorityifelectedtooffice?Ithinkthemostimportantthingforrookie
Councilorsistoeducatethemselvesonprotocol,currentissuesandmostimportantlybudgetandpriority
directivesgiventostaff.IwouldsetnopersonalprioritiesuntilIhaveathoroughunderstandingofexisting
conditions.ThatsthewayIapproachmyworkandmylifeingeneral.
- Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishduringyourtermasmayororcitycouncilor?Ihavenoagendaother
thanacommitmenttorespectfuldebateandethicaldecisionmaking.
- Inyouropinion,whatcharacterizesthecityofSilverton?Howdoyouthinkitshouldlookin5,10,20
years?Silvertonsmostvaluableassetisthefriendly,unselfishpopulation.Ihaveneverseenamore
philanthropicandinvolvedcommunity.Thatsentimentwasechoedinthesurveyofartistswho
participatedintheFineArtsFestival.Asforthephysicalappearance:Ihopeitlooksmuchthesamewitha
vibrantdowntownandthrivingbusinesscommunity.Butthatdoesnothappenbyaccidentandwithout
effort.Theremustbeintentionalinvestmentininfrastructuretomaintainlivabilityandattractnew
businesseswithoutdiminishinglevelsofservice.Ofcourse,budgetingisaconstantbalancingactandmy
philosophyistothinkinthelongtermwheneverpractical.
- Ifyourqualifications,opinionoractionswerechallengedinpublic(e.g.ataCityCouncilmeeting),how
wouldyourespond?Iwouldsimplyreiteratemyqualificationsandtrytoexplainmorefullythethought
processbehindmyopinionoraction.Itisinevitablethattherewillbedifferencesofopiniononmany
issues.AndIamcertainlywillingtoacceptthatIwillnotalwaysbeinthemajority.WhenthathappensI
intendtoacceptitwithgraceandmoveontothenextissue.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
18/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Steve Springer (City Council) November 2012
- HowlonghaveyoulivedinSilverton?
Fouryears
- Tellusalittleaboutyourself:family,age,work,education,interests?Aboutmyself,ImmarriedtoBarbarawithtwounmarriedadultchildren.Imretiredaftermanyyearsasan
educator.Mostofmyprofessionallifewasashighschoolteacheroradministratorinpublicschoolsandas
headteacherinaprivateschoolforthelasttwelveyears.Ienjoyedashortstintasabuildingcontractorwith
twelveemployees.
MyformaleducationincludesaBAfromBostonUniversityinpoliticalscienceandGerman,anMSdegreefrom
theUniversityofOregonineducationadministration,andagraduatelevelcertificateinspecialeducation
fromtheUniversityofVermont.
Myparticularinterestsareforestmanagement,vegetablegardening,hiking,andreading.Ialsolikemusic,andamamemberofFestivalChoraleOregon,amid-valleychoralsociety,whereImalsothetreasurerand
pastpresident.Iconsidermyselfasupporterofthearts.
- Doyouhaveawebsitewherevoterscanlearnmoreaboutyouandyourcampaign?Ifso,pleaseincludetheURL.
Nowebsite
- Isthisyourfirsttimerunningforoffice?Whatothercitygovernmentpositionshaveyourunfororservedin?
IservedfortenyearsontheRandolph,VTSchoolBoard,andjustpriortomovingtoSilverton,served
fortwoyearsontheRandolphVt.CityCouncil,(VermontSelectboard).
InVermontIwaschairofthemunicipalwater&sewercommittee,andservedonthemunicipalbudget
committee.
InSilvertonIwasappointedtoandcontinuetoservetheCitizenInvolvementCommitteeandcurrently
chairasubgroupworkingonthenextSilvertoncommunitysurvey..
Ihavelongenjoyedbudgetingandfinancialmanagement.
- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?
Besidesmanagingclassroomsofhighschoolstudents,Iworkedforsixyearsassupervisingprincipalof
athreeschooldistrictwhereImanagedover50facultyandstaffpersons,anddeveloped,publically
defendedandcontrolledabudgetofnearlyonemilliondollars.
-
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
19/25
- Inyourmostrecently-heldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?
Asaschoolboardmember,Iwasintheforfrontofanefforttosecureabondlevyforanew
elementaryschool.Iwasalsoasuccessfullabornegotiator.Asamemberofthewater&sewer
committee,Ibecameawareofaseriouswatersupplyissueandinitiatedstepstosecuremunicipal
fundingforamajorrebuildofthepipeline.Ialsopressedforandwassuccessfulintakingstepsin
controllingasignificantsurfacewaterinflowtoamajorsewerline,preventingwastewaterfrom
flowingintoanadjacentstream.
WhileservingontheCityCouncil,Iuncoveredthefailurebyalocalcorporationtopaytaxesdueand
successfullypersuadedtheCounciltotakeappropriateaction.
- Whyareyourunningformayororcitycouncil?
Firstly,Iwasaskedandpersuadedtorun.Second,IenjoytheworkofaCouncilorandmunicipalservice
ingeneral,andfinally,Imenergizedwhenthereareopportunitiestomakethecityrunbetterandbe
moreaccountabletothetaxpayers.
- - Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?
BecauseImexperienced.Althoughmypublicservicewasinadifferentpartofthecountry,manyofthe
issuesarethesame:insufficientmoney,keepingtaxesincheck,personnel,mattersandstaffing,
accountability,careofcityresourcesetc.
- Whataretheissuesthatmattertoyoumostinthiselection?
1. Needforincreasedtransparencyofgovernmentoperationsandexpenditures,2. Increasingcitizeninvolvement,knowledge,andinterestingovernment.3. Accountabilityofallmunicipalfunds,includingtheUrbanRenewalfunds,theGeneralFund,waterand
seweraccountsetc.
4. Reducingdebt.5. ExaminingCityCodes,withaviewtowardnotinhibitingbusinessdevelopment.6. Developingandmaintaininggoodcityparks7. Theneedforanactivelowinterestbusinessloanprogram.
- Whatwouldbeyourfirstpriorityifelectedtooffice?
Takingbeginningstepstoincreasecitizenparticipationincitygovernment.
- Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishduringyourtermasmayororcitycouncilor?
TwoyearsisnotalongtimeforaCityCouncilornewtoSilverton.Iexpecttolearnaboutthemunicipal
fundingstructure,andindoingsomakemunicipalfundingprogramsmoretransparenttothepublic.
Ihopetoseeaspecificplaninplacetoaddresstheissuesrelatedtothecityparks..
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
20/25
Finally,Iwillworktowardafullytransparentsmallbusinessloanprogram.
- - Inyouropinion,whatcharacterizesthecityofSilverton?Howdoyouthinkitshouldlookin5,10,20
years?
Silvertontodayconsistsofavarietyofcomponents,includingcorporatebusiness,serviceto
agriculture,adowntownretail/restaurant/residentialdistrict,significantresidentialneighborhoods,
artsprograms.touristattractionsetc.
IthinkSilvertonshouldmaintainthecurrentbalance,withperhapsagreateremphasisandsupportfor
smallbusinessandretail.Atthesametime,strongsupportshouldbeofferedtomajoranchor
businesses,especiallythosewhichmightofferlongevity.
- Ifyourqualifications,opinionoractionswerechallengedinpublic(e.g.ataCityCouncilmeeting),howwouldyourespond?
Thisdependsonthenatureofthechallenge.IfIhaveafactualrebuttal,Iwilldeliverit,probablyonce.
Ifitspersonal,Iexpecttoremainquietandhopethatthemayor,asacollegialperson,wouldruleit
outoforder.Ifitisinanywayanattempttoentanglemeinadebate,Iwilllikelynotrespond.
Ifitneedsfactualinformationcurrentlyunavailableatthemeeting,Imightoffertogettheinformation
tothepersonlater.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
21/25
1
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Jim Squires (Mayor) November 2012
How long have you lived in Silverton?
I have lived in Silverton 52 years.
Tell us a little about yourself: family, age, work, education, interests?
I am age 58, one of eight children. I served two tours in the US Marine Corps and am now on a service-relateddisability pension. For several years I owned and operated a telecom business. I graduated from ChemeketaCommunity College. My personal interests are community activism, traveling, fishing, gold panning, andexploring ghost towns. Spending time with my grandkids.
Do you have a website where voters can learn more about you and your campaign? If so, please include the
URL.
I do not have a website. However, I encourage people to call me at 503-534-6450 or email me [email protected].
Is this your first time running for office? What other city government positions have you run for?
I previously ran for mayor of Silverton. I also ran for and was elected to the Silverton School Board and theChemeketa Community College Advisory Board.
What leadership positions have you held outside of city government in Silverton?
I have been a member of the Silverton School Board, Chemeketa Advisory Board, and the Oregon SchoolBoards Association. I was a founding member of the Silverton Mural Society and was a member of bothKiwanis and Elks. For the last several years I have been working with the owners of commercial properties in
trying to recruit new businesses to Silverton and in trying to stimulate more citizen involvement in Silvertoncivic affairs. My efforts were largely responsible for the Citizen Involvement Committee, of which I am amember. I was very active in promoting and participating in the Spring Clean-up of our historic down towndistrict. In other words, I have been unofficially doing for Silverton what I believe a mayor should be doing.
In your most recently-held leadership position, what have been your achievements?
I am most proud of my efforts to establish the Citizen Involvement Committee, which now had 15 citizenmembers.
Why are you running for mayor or city council?
I am running for mayor for three primary reasons:
The average citizen has been excluded from the citys decision-making process. As mayor Iwould be uniquely positioned to promote more citizen involvement. In fact, I am well-known inthe community for my advocacy for the average citizen and would recruit citizen advisors tohelp guide my decisions. I believe that if Silverton had put in place a regular Town Hall processwe could have avoided a great deal of the conflict and bad feelings that have been common inrecent years.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
22/25
2
I believe the city should lead in recruiting new businesses and previous administrations have notmet that obligation. As mayor, I would work hard to promote Silverton as a business-friendlyenvironment. I believe the city should partner with the business community and I wouldestablish a joint city/business task force to create this partnership. As an example of the need,Silverton residents have seen their water rates increase five times this year because we lackindustrial rate-payers.
The city has been remiss in handling its financial affairs. We are now broke and are $33 millionbehind in maintaining our basic infrastructure. I believe I have the correct penny-pinchingperspective to guide the community out of its current fiscal crisis. In particular, I am veryopposed to using urban renewal funds, which our citizens provide through taxes, to benefit asmall group of insiders. We have used up our general fund credit card and city leaders are nowtrying to get around that by using an urban renewal credit card. Taxpayers, of course, are goingto pay for it in either case. There is no magic money tree.
Why are you qualified to be mayor or city councilor?
In addition to being elected to the Silverton School Board, I have held a number of responsible positions inSilverton that have given me valuable experience in civic administration and community involvement. I believe
I am the only candidate who is truly committed to giving our citizens a voice in their own community. As aprevious small business owner I have experience in all of the same issues that are part of operating acommunity. For the past four years I have attended all city council and planning c omission meetings and worksessions. Because I am a retired, disabled veteran, I will be able to be a full-time, rather than part-time, mayor.
What are the issues that matter to you most in this election?
I believe the two most important issues are community involvement and fiscal responsibility. Previousadministrations have failed in both areas and we definitely need a change.
What would be your first priority if elected to office?
The first priority absolutely must be to get our fiscal house in order. We need to quit spending money we donthave and we need to spend what money we do have on bringing our infrastructure in line with current andfuture needs.
What do you hope to accomplish during your term as mayor or city councilor?
I hope to put Silverton on a sound financial footing and create an environment in which Silverton residents trulyhave a voice in how their city is run.
In your opinion, what characterizes the city of Silverton? How do you think it should look in 5, 10, 20 years?
I believe the most important characteristic of Silverton is that people really like living in a small, intimatecommunity that has all of the necessary health, cultural, recreational, and business amenities. However,Silverton has lost some of its previous vibrancy because its basic infrastructure has been neglected. In addition,the city has not recruited the kind of community-friendly businesses it needs for sustained growth. In five yearsSilverton needs to have its finances corrected so that slow, careful, growth can occur. In less than five years theindustrial park should be filled with environmentally-friendly, tax-creating, small businesses. In 10 years,Silverton should be a bit larger but have regained its culturally vibrant past and be so fiscally sound that it has asubstantial emergency fund. In 20 years Silverton will be at the top of everyones list of most desirable places tolive. Nah, well do that in less than 20 years.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
23/25
3
If your qualifications, opinion or actions were challenged in public (e.g. at a City Council meeting), how would
you respond?
I would love it. I always have and always will want people to say exactly what they think, regardless of whetheror not I agree. A good, open, honest dialogue will go a long way in ensuring that our community decisions arethe best ones we can reach.
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
24/25
Appeal Tribune Candidate Questionnaire Scott Walker (Mayor) November 2012
MywifeAndreaandImovedtoSilverton fourteenyearsago.BecauseourhomewasannexedintoSilvertonin2002,
wedidnotliveinthecityforafewyears.
Wehavebeenmarriedforthirtyfouryears.Itisthesecondtimearoundforbothofus.Shehasthreechildrenwholive
inNewYorkandCalifornia.MydaughterisaschoolteacherinMichigan.Weareblessedwithfivegrandchildren.We
decidedtomovetonewplaceforourretirementyears.AfteranexhaustivesearchwefoundSilvertonandpurchased
propertyherein1993.Ourincomeisderivedfrompensions,SocialSecurity,andsavings.WebothhaveMasters
Degrees.Myinterestsare:playingatgolf,travel,photography,lapidary,gardening,music(especiallyclassicalandblues)
andservicetomycommunity.FortwelveyearsIhavedriventheSilvertonHospitalCareVan.IalsobelongtoSilverton
LionsandvolunteerattheMissionofHope(aMarion-PolkFoodshareagencyinSilverton).Thesearegreatorganizations
andwouldrecommendthemtootherSilvertonians.
Idonothaveawebsite butwillrespondtoanyquestions:[email protected]
IranforCityCouncil andwaselectedin2010.
MyelectiontoCityCouncil ismyfirstsignificantleadershipposition.Ihavealwaysbeenaworkerinvarious
organizations.Ienjoybeingonthefrontlinesofserviceorganizations.
Inthelasttwoyears Ihavegonebeyondtheissuespresentedtothecitycouncilbycitygovernmenttothosebroughtto
mebyourcitizenryandmyanalysisofSilvertonsneeds.Theseinclude:
Iinitiatedtheprocessthatresultedinparkingmetermoneygoingformaintenanceofthemurals.
Iinitiatedtheprocessthatresultedintheonlynon-planningordinance(SocialGaming)enactedbycouncilsinceJanuary
2011.
IconvincedthecitytoevaluatethepossibilityofundergroundstorageofAbiquaCreekwaterwhichwouldinexpensively
securelatesummerwateravailabilitytoSilvertonforfuturegenerations.ThecityswaterconsultantidentifiedthisasthemajorissuefacingSilvertonandproposeda2,000,000gallon$2.7millionabovegroundwaterstoragefacility.Salem
stores550,000,000gallonsofSantiamRiverwaterundergroundinfourwellsatacostoffourmilliondollars.Experts
havelookedatourgeologyandbelievethereisagoodchancethatundergroundstorageofwaterwillbesuccessfulin
Silverton.TheCityBudgetincludesfundingtothoroughlyevaluatethecostandpotentialityofundergroundstorageof
waterinSilverton.
IconvincedtheBudgetCommitteeandtheCounciltotestourdrinkingwaterforaknowncarcinogenfoundinother
Oregondrinkingwaterfromsimilarsources.
IsuccessfullymediatedaseriousdisputeinvolvingtensofthousandsofdollarsbetweenamajorSilvertongroupandcity
government.
Iconvincedthecitytoassumeresponsibilityforexteriormaintenanceofbuildingsleasedtolocalcitizengroups.The
newrentalagreementsreflectthatchange.
IamrunningforMayor forseveralreasons.IbelieveitisthebestwayformetosuccessfullycontinuetheworkIhave
beendoingthepasttwoyears.Additionally,themayorwillplayakeyroleinrestoringSilvertonsfinancialhealthandmy
extensivebudgetbackgroundwillbeuniquelyhelpfulinthisprocess.Ialsowantrestoreasenseofcivilitytocouncil
proceedingsandprohibitcitizensfromcharacterassassinationsofcouncilmembers.Citizenscancriticizewhata
7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires
25/25
councilorsaysduringcouncilmeetingsorhowacouncilorhasvoted,butcriticizingtheirpersonalqualitieshasnoplace
atcouncilmeetings.
MyworkonCouncilqualifiesmetobemayor.
Themostimportantissue tomeisSilvertonsfinancialsituation.Silvertonhasbeenspendingmoremoneythanitis
receiving.Thedifferencebetweenourgeneralfundspendingandrevenueisestimatedtobeashighas$700,000.Ifthis
continueswewillhavetostartborrowingtomeetourpayroll.Fixingthisproblemwillbepainfulanddifficult.
Myfirstprioritywillbereversingthevotewhichauthorizedspending$450,000tomakeoveroneblockofMainStreet.
Noneofthesefundshavebeenspent.Theproposedmakeoverwould,amongotherthings,widenthesidewalksbythree
feet,narrowtheroadbysixfeet,andreplacethematuretreeswithtwigs.Ourresourcesarelimitedandtherearemany
moreworthyusesforthesefunds.Beforeyouvoteformayorandcouncilorsfindouthoweachcandidatewouldvote
ontheoneblockmakeover.Itpassedlastyearonavoteof4to3.Twoofthecouncilorswhosupportedthemakeover
arevacatingtheiroffice.Mr.Palmer,whoisrunningformayor,supportedthe$450,000oneblockmakeover.
Ihopethatduringthenexttwoyearswecanmaketheadjustmentstoourrevenueandspendingtobringbalanceto
ourfiscalsituation.
Silvertonisawonderfulplace .Itisarefugefromachaoticworld.Ihopethatinthenext5,10,and20yearsthe
essentialcharacterofourtowndoesnotsignificantlychange.
IfIwerechallenged,Iwouldlistenwithwhatwassaidandrespondwiththetruth.Ifthechallengeweretrue,Iwould
acknowledgeit.Ifitwerefalse,Iwoulddisputeit.