Please support John Nelson for North Wasco County School Board-ZONE 4

To the editor,

My father unexpectedly passed in September 2024. He spent 35+ years in civil service for his country. First in Vietnam, then retired from the U.S. Dept. of Interior. At his gravesite I watched an elderly member of the Legion who could barely hold the U.S. flag sit on a bench, with the help from his son, he held the U.S. flag for the duration of the grave service, in honor of my dad. He refused to give up his hold on the flag, not for personal gain but because he wanted to serve. I watched other members of the Legion perform a 12-gun salute in honor of my dad’s service in the Air Force, as a civil servant, and as a Legion member.
I am concerned about the disconnect in the USA with people running for office, as a means of power, self-dealing and status instead of serving the needs of the country. I have known John Nelson for over 10 years, first as a SMART volunteer reader, and later in Kiwanis. John’s history of public service is impressive. He was an Elementary School teacher for 24 years with 21 years of service at the Warm Springs Elementary School. For the past 12 years he’s acted as a Board Director for the North Wasco County School District 21. I have served on several boards with John. He is thoughtful, conscientious, hardworking, and uses his personal experience, wisdom and vision to promote the educational needs of every child.
I am concerned that Wasco County is not investing in the education of all students. Communities that support their schools by passing school bonds make it possible to have up-to-date facilities to serve the students, staff, and the community. Better, well-funded, schools attract businesses and offer growth opportunities for The Dalles. I have no doubts that John Nelson’s primary concern is for the welfare and education of all students without regard for his own gain. His aim is to help. That is the type of candidate we must support.

Shannon Tissot, Attorney, The Dalles