Meet The Candidates: Wasco County May 16 Election
By Tom Peterson
Welcome to meet the Candidates. We have brought together as much information as we can on local candidates and will add to this story as more is received.
We tip our hats to all who have thrown their hat in the ring or are continuing to serve on a board to support their neighbors and lift up their communities. Thank you.
Generally, there are just 6 contested races in Wasco County.
Of note are contested races for district positions in North Wasco County School District, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Dufur School District, South Wasco County School District, Mosier Fire District and Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation.
Election day is May 16, and ballots must be placed in a dropbox by 8 pm, or postmarked on or before election day. May 23 is the last day to ballots by mail with valid postmarks will be accepted.
Contested Race / North Wasco County School Board, Zone 1
Katie Kuehnl, The Dalles
Position running for: School Board Director Zone 1
Age: 33
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
I am a mother of 5, trauma informed, child and developmental education training, countless classroom volunteer hours and I am a PreK-2nd grade leader at church.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
My family and I are deeply involved in sports. This includes volleyball, soccer, football, baseball, softball, wrestling and track. Involvement ranges from coaching to being a very loyal and proud spectator! We have participated in every age group starting in early youth leagues through highschool level sports. I'm also a faithful attender of our church here in The Dalles.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
1. More parental involvement in the discussion of problematic curriculum.
It is important to improve communication with parents and community members in the know about what's happening within their district so they have the right to voice their concerns or praises. As well as public board meetings and speaking forums for open discussion.
2. Finding suitable solutions to behavioral issues within the classroom.
The safety of all children and staff should be our main focus on this topic. Ensuring the teachers/staff are trained in de escalation procedures and equipment with the proper knowledge, skills and tools to address these behaviors. This would include, but not limited to, access to support for all the children affected by what they are experiencing in a disruptive classroom setting.
3. Advocate and find more funding to build new and/or repair our current schools
It is key that we keep up with legislation for school funding and help find appropriate grants to bring to the district.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
I have multiple children in this district and it is important to me that I advocate for them and other parents like myself.
5. What am I not asking that you think is important for people to know about you?
Hard work, dedication and drive are what have gotten me to where I am in my life today. It is important to me that I am a voice for those unheard and can advocate for student and parents around the district.
Adrian Lopez, Mosier
North Wasco County School District 21 Board Member Zone 1
Age: 32
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
I have served one year on the school board, representing Zone 1, after being appointed by the board to fill a vacancy. I have learned a lot during that year and feel prepared to continue working to give our kids the best educational opportunities possible. I have also served as a trustee for the Teamsters local union 670 for the past 5 years.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
I have lived in Mosier for more than 25 years. I attended school in this district, and now my daughter is attending school in the district. The community of Mosier should have representation on the school board and I believe I am the best candidate to do that.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
First, we must provide a quality education for our students. We must improve and maintain our school facilities. And we must ensure student and staff safety. We can do these things by supporting staff and students with the resources necessary to ensure that every child's needs are met, and they are given the opportunities to achieve their goals. Good facilities are crucial to student success, as they can help create a safe learning environment. Student and staff safety is about more than facilities, though. It means making sure everyone feels safe physically and emotionally. It means listening to students and parents to understand what is needed to make them feel safe, and then taking action to make necessary improvements.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
After a year on the board, I feel like I'm just getting started. I believe it is important that Moiser and the growing Hispanic community get a voice in District 21 and I will be honored if chosen to represent them.
5. What am I not asking that you think is important for people to know about you?
Right now, there's a lot of political pressure on school boards from outside forces. I'm not a political person. I'm running for this position for the kids and for our community. I just want to make sure they have the best educational opportunities our community has to offer.
Uncontested North Wasco County School District 21 races:
Zone #2 (Precincts 1, 2, 6, & 7) 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Dayna Wynn-Elledge
Zone #3 (Portions of Precincts 1 & 6) 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: David Jones
Zone #6 (Portions of Precincts 2 & 3) 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Jose Aparicio
Contested Race / Northern Wasco County Parks & Recreation, Pos. 2
Stevie Elledge, The Dalles
Northern Wasco CountyParks & Recreation, Pos. 2
Age: 41
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
I have a BS degree and have worked in a few different industries post graduation, the theme I can emphasize as a relevant skill to Parks and Recreation is my resourcefulness, and my dedication to seeing projects through to completion. I am a problem solver who listens, adjusts, and genuinely is hoping to do some good in my community. I have served as a board member for The Dalles Little League for two years and volunteered in this community in various capacities for hundreds of hours over the past several years.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
My love language is acts of service, making others happy makes me happy. I absolutely love seeing kids I've coached, or volunteered in their classroom "out in the wild" as I say. I am running for a board seat because I hope to be a part of the group that steers the future of North Wasco County. I am a voice for regular families and I believe that Parks and Recreation plays a vital role in our community. I believe that every child has the right to a safe place to play, and that our taxpayer dollars should be spent wisely to accomplish this mission.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
Lack of classes and activities offered - There are budgeted funds to start offering youth programs starting hopefully this summer, I would like to continue that funding and grow the program(s) to offer a wide variety of activities and camps to both youth and adults in our community. To me, offering recreation is a critical part of NWPRD's mission.
Need for a dog park - I have some resourceful ideas on how we can incorporate existing park property for a dog park, until a more extensive dog park can be built. I plan to present my ideas to the board and hope to be convincing.
Rebuilding existing park spaces and developing new park spaces - Replacing many of NWPRD's play structures is important to the safety of our community, Sorosis would be at the top of that list. We need ability-inclusive parks, we need more parks on the West and far East sides of town. These are expensive projects that are going to require community investment, grants and creative solutioneering to accomplish.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
I want to make an impact on our community. I want to see a bunch of 4-year olds playing indoor soccer for the first time. I want to see hoards of kids off to spring break camp, and educational-based summer camps, kids who can't afford some of the other camps offered in the Gorge. I want to be a part of a thoughtful and responsibly built dog park, and I can't wait to see and be a part of all the meet-ups that will happen in that space. I hope to encourage community partnerships between Parks & Recreation and other existing organizations. I want to help make The Dalles an even better place for our people, and children to live.
5. What am I not asking that you think is important for people to know about you?
If I say I am going to do something, you can trust that the job is going to be done to the best of my ability.
Kasey McCullough, The Dalles
Northern Wasco Parks & Recreation, Pos. 2
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
I attended Dufur High School, then Boise State University for Pre-Med/Sports Medicine, then Linn Benton CC and Oregon State University, where I completed a BS in Fermentation Science, and finally Siebal Institute of Technology for Brewing Technology and Advanced Brewing Theory. I started working at Ninkasi Brewing Company, then left for San Antonio, Texas to start a brewpub. We were very successful, and with antiquated and highly restrictive laws in many of the states in the South, we were cutting edge. I started consulting throughout the southern states, helping open several breweries, all which are thriving today. I have opened 14 breweries in all.
I own and operate 2 small businesses, 1 being a brewery, and the other as a General Contractor for residential builds. I am very passionate about both ventures, and have learned a great deal through formal education, but more importantly, through my experience as a business owner/operator. Balancing budgets, cutting costs, streamlining and making the workflow as efficient and cost effective as possible, and managing a workforce are some of my strongest leadership skills.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
I grew up in a family that instilled community pride, community involvement, strong work ethic, and leadership qualities. My grandfather was Bill Hulse, the Wasco County Judge during the Rajneesh time period. He also dedicated a large portion of his life to making sure that the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center was built and opened because he cared so much about the area and people here. My parents, Kenn and Kim McCullough, were both deeply involved with almost every community activity from 4-H, the Lions Club, youth sports and activities, church functions, etc, always lending a helping hand to anybody who needed it along the way. This all contributed to the shaping of who I am today, and how much I care about the community. You can often find me doing many of the same community activities like my parents and grandparents were so involved with.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
I have attended several of the most recent Parks Department meetings, including the annual budget committee meeting, where I was the only candidate to attend. The budget meeting was very informative, but showed some of the issues and concerns that are facing the district. I cannot narrow them down to 3, but here are some of my main concerns that I will be addressing
We lack a dog park, which has become a fairly basic community amenity in almost every community. We have a very temporary, makeshift park set up at Firehouse Park, which lacks shade, a double gate (essential for safety of people and dogs), benches, etc. It is on the Parks Departments’ list of priorities, but fairly far down the list. This needs to be prioritized now that Sorosis Park is being revitalized with replantings, some future facilities upgrades, etc, and the pump track construction will be underway soon.
We underutilize some of the great parks that we have. Waterfront Park is one example. I would like to see some mixed-use facility upgrades at several of the parks, that can be used for different community functions and activities. One of my biggest concerns is the lack of programs for ALL ages, not just youth sports, which we can all agree are important. Seeing some debts come off the Parks books this coming year should free up some funds for more programming, upgrading the spaces we have in place and cleaning them up a bit more. There is a lot of concern with the state of some of the parks with vandalism, trash, and drug use that needs to be addressed.
I am greatly concerned with rising costs, particularly taxes. In the past 3 years, SDC's (System Development Charges) have gone way up, which in turn raises housing prices for us all. Parks SDC fees for example, have gone up 400% in that time period, and I would like to make sure that your hard-earned tax dollars do not go to waste on things that will not benefit the community directly.
The sports facilities at Kramer Field are needing drastic facility upgrades, and have constant safety concerns with vandalism and people camping in the dugouts. Not an ideal situation for the safety of our youth. This is a complex issue on many levels. Wasco County owns the property, and the Parks Department has a lease to maintain the property. This is obviously a big issue for all involved, particularly for the Parks Department, as they do not own the property Kramer Field sits on, but are being asked to foot the bill of all the upgrades. I believe it is time to seek a resolution with a new sports facility that will not only benefit youth sports, but include all ages.
I also would like to see much more transparency and communication from the Parks Department, and more community updates on current projects, prospective projects, activities, etc, as they have been working really hard on some great things to come.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
I want to be elected to the Northern Wasco County Parks and Rec Board of Directors so I can give back to my community. I would like to leave a lasting mark on our parks, as I care a great deal about them, and the people who utilize them. We have many wonderful parks to enjoy, but I'd like to make lasting improvements for us all to enjoy for years to come and ensure that your hard-earned money does not go to waste.
NORTHERN WASCO COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DISTRICT / Uncontested
Position #3 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Brewster Whitmire
CCCNews will update this story with Whitmire’s information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
Contested Race / Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Pos. #3
Walter Denstedt, The Dalles
Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Pos. #3
Ae: 66
1) What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
I have been an emergency responder since 1976. From 1992 until 202 I worked as a Paramedic/Firefighter here in The Dalles. Also, I have worked for the local College as an EMT Instructor.
2) Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
Though most of my years as a responder have been in The Dalles area I have experience with other Fire Departments, Ambulance services and Search and Rescue in other parts of Oregon.
3) What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
MCF&R Currently has a very high turnover rate. Some effort has been made in the area of recruitment. I may be able to help in that area but mostly I feel that I have unique experience that could help with retention.
Hands-on training is very important, and providing this opportunity is one of my main concerns. Having personally obtained training sitting at a computer can be beneficial; however, it is far too easy to allow this approach to be overused.
Enhancing MCF&Rs Hazardous Materials capability is something that has not been given enough attention. There is an awareness that 2 railroads, a major freeway, and barge traffic sometimes move hazardous materials. All of this puts the local area at risk. For this reason, I would like to do more to prepare for this type of emergency.
4) Why do you want this job?
People from many walks of life can be valuable Board members. I would like to be a Board Director because I think that myself and other people with similar experiences as a responder can assist others due to their useful perspective.
5) What am I not asking you that you think is important for people to know about you?
If someone disagrees with me I want to know as long as the person is honest about their reason. There is no need to be careful about how the opinion is expressed. Sugar coating is not needed when talking with me.
Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Director #3
CCCNews will update this story with Peters’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
MID COLUMBIA FIRE AND RESCUE / Uncontested
Position #5 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Dick Schaffeld
Columbia Gorge Education Service District
Stephanie A. Ritchie, The Dalles
Columbia Gorge ESD, Zone 1
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position? I've served as an educator for over 50 years, first as an elementary classroom teacher at St. Mary’s, here in The Dalles, then as an administrator. My next educational experiences were as an administrator in the Cascade School District in Turner, OR for nine years. This was followed by several years of providing school improvement support at the Columbia Gorge ESD and finally as a coach to administrators whose schools needed improvement under federal Title 1 guidance. Once I retired, I was elected to serve on the CGESD School Board and look forward to continuing that work.
2. Tell us something about yourself that most people might not know about you.
My family includes a rambunctious dog, kind and supportive children including a son, a daughter, a son-in-law and two bright and busy granddaughters!! At 8 and 10, they are starting to learn to sew, a fun interest of mine. Starting when my daughter was 8 I lead a 4H sewing group and look forward to continuing to teach this skill to my small slice of the current generation
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
The Columbia Gorge Education Service District provides a wide range of support to the school districts in Hood River and Wasco Counties. Someone once said that the keyword in our name is Service. Some of those services include migrant education, professional training for educators, STEM programs, early childhood education, support for early child care, district nursing support, and technology support.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
The work of the CGESD is important for the students in our region and our Board works to help our districts to be successful.
Douglas M Nelson. Ed.D., The Dalles
Columbia Gorge Educaitonal Service District, Board of Directors, Zone 4 - At-large
Age: 75
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?I am a retired school superintendent with over 50 years of experience in public education. I have served on the CGESD Board for two years and previous to that I served on another school board for two terms. I was also president of the Oregon School Boards Association.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
I have a very part-time consulting role helping school boards select superintendents.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
1. Maintaining programming that has ramped up in the past few years as a result of the pandemic and additional funding. 2. Ensuring that the goals of the ESD are met including the goals to increase early childhood and daycare needs of the area. 3. Providing the support school districts need to continue to weather the issues that have been created by the pandemic such as staff shortages and mental health support. As a board member, my role is to support the initiatives and work of our superintendent and staff and hold them accountable for achieving our goals.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
I believe in public education and the value it has for our country and democracy. Our ESD provides services to ensure that all students benefit. I believe in giving back and lending my expertise.
5. What am I not asking that you think is important for people to know about you?
ESD's support local school districts and the students and families they serve. Our role is in the background but is a very valuable function to ensure that all students are served and receive a quality education
Columbia Gorge Education District, Zone 5
CCCNews will update this story with Nigl’s information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
Contested Race / Mosier Fire District Board Position 3
Kristen “Kris” McNall, Mosier
Mosier Fire District Board Position 3
Age: 57
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
30+ years in IT and legal industries; 23+ years living in Mosier; 12+ years volunteering with Mosier Fire. Mosier Fire Board Treasurer and Budget Committee. Mosier Watershed Council co-chair, helping bring Mosier Million(s) for well repairs. Chair Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board. Donated 1000+ hours on Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licenses, derailment and its aftermath, administered over 2000 pandemic vaccinations. MS Computer Science.
I’ve lived in Mosier for 23 years and helped bring the “Mosier Million” and “Mosier Million 2” to our area as co-chair of the Watershed Council. I have also been involved with Mosier Fire in various ways for over a decade, initially joining as a volunteer in 2010 because I wanted to help keep our community of Mosier safe, serving on the budget committee for the past several years, and the Board since 2021.
Over the years, I’ve donated 1000+ hours getting and maintaining Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licenses, responded to the derailment and its aftermath, administered over 2000 vaccinations during the pandemic, and spent many hundreds of hours on a variety of board projects and committees.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
Numbers are fun! Ok, if you know me, you know that I really appreciate spreadsheets and I want to understand financial flows and where all our money gets spent. But I expect that a lot of voters haven’t worked with me. I’d much rather just do the work than talk about what I’ve done so I find campaigning really hard.
I’m afraid of needles so if one of my fellow volunteers needs to practice starting an IV on me I lie down first. However, this experience gives me a great deal of empathy for people when I treat them, and a strong desire to help people who don’t like shots get through the vaccination process as comfortably as possible.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
Recruiting and retaining volunteers; keeping those volunteers and our community safe; building a new facility within budget. Each of these challenges requires that Mosier Fire has the financial resources necessary.
Our volunteers and citizens are very clear that we all want a full-time Fire Chief. Paying that individual is by far our biggest budget line item. Many districts Mosier’s size don’t have a full-time paid chief. We need to ensure that we manage our budget, and seek grants for other expenses when we can, so that we have a budget to pay a reasonable salary and benefits. Having the right person in the job of Mosier Fire Chief is key to volunteer recruitment and retention.
I became more involved with the Board as I saw ways to help keep my fellow volunteers safe. Before the derailment settlement enabled the district to buy new apparatus, our fire vehicles were old and unreliable. I heard too many stories about life safety threats of unsafe equipment that we had in prior years when we had less funding. To ensure that doesn’t happen again in 15 years, I spearheaded the creation of a written plan that finances the Chief’s priorities for new fire engines and other vehicles.
I also realized it’s crucial to plan for Mosier Fire’s financial future as we work with the City to build a new facility. Mosier Fire is a small district that punches above our weight. In order to support our Chief and volunteers to operate at the level we do, the district regularly seeks outside funding in addition to optimizing our tax revenue. Despite the amount of work we do to meet all of the requirements for winning grants and accurate reporting, it is a powerful way to maximize our services.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job? I’ve made this long-term financial planning work the focus of my board involvement, applying my skills from 30+ years within the computer and legal industries to various projects for the department, including:
Creating a financial plan for equipment purchases over the next thirty years
Writing the loan application to Business Oregon for our new Joint Use Facility (a key step to securing funding for the facility; locking in a low 2.18% interest rate before interest rates rose)
Working with our Chief to create department budgets
Reestablishing appropriate financial controls and necessary policies, including providing our bookkeeper and auditor with the information they need
Ensuring that we performed on our federal SAFER grant which keeps us in good standing with FEMA
Serving as Board Treasurer
Additionally performing the work of the Board Secretary over the past year, creating agendas and required public meeting notices
Focusing our our compliance with public meeting law for maximum transparency
If elected, I will work with our Chief to continue updating our financial plans to make sure we have our financial house in order so we can provide volunteers with safe vehicles and equipment, implement the priorities of the Chief, and build a new facility that will keep us safe into the future. I am one of many volunteers who keep Mosier Fire going, but I have a proven track record of showing up and doing the work. I’m asking for your vote to continue that service.
5. What am I not asking that you think is important for people to know about you?
A good question I’d love to see asked is: in what ways have you helped Mosier Fire?
I believe that the Mosier Fire Board should be part of the team that keeps Mosier Fire going. We have one full time employee, our Chief. Our operational volunteers do lots of work keeping us safe. The Board should be willing to step up to assist the Chief when useful.
But there are a number of ways to help outside of serving on the board. We are always looking for people for the budget committee and we currently need help with note taking, which is important for communicating with the community.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours working on our books and our financial planning. I send out all of our meeting notices, rather than hire a paid recorder. I’m one of our volunteer IT people. By working together we all keep our community safe.
Rob Miller, Mosier
Position running for: Mosier Fire District Board - Position 3
Age: 66
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
I am a lawyer who brings 20 years of experience as an independent consultant in police integrity and internal investigations identifying and curing problems in a wide variety of public safety agencies, from the Los Angeles Probation Department to the Portland Police Bureau, from the Mississippi Juvenile Prison [and] to the West Linn PD.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
I once investigated on-the-job deaths and severe OSHA violations for a few years. As a result, I have perhaps an overdeveloped concern for worker safety....plus, I'm probably one of the few people who puts a seat belt on while driving a tractor.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
Stabilizing Mosier Fire's leadership -- there have been four chiefs in the last five years.
Reaching an agreement with the City of Mosier on a clear timetable for completing the new fire station and boosting recruiting of volunteer firefighters on that basis.
Communicating the direction and priorities of the Fire District to the community
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
Two main factors persuaded me to run for this position. First, fire is a huge factor for everyone in the community; I would be honored to be chosen to help plan for it and to minimize it's negative impact. Second, the Mosier Fire District is a remarkable volunteer department that is a huge resource to Mosier and surrounding towns. It must remain strongly supported by the community and by an attentive, effective Board with a unified mission.
5. What am I not asking that you think is important for people to know about you?
My wife and I run a hard cider business and own an orchard on the rocky prairie right behind Mosier. Fire is on our minds.
MOSIER FIRE DISTRICT / Uncontested
Position #1 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Steve Fisher
Position #4 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Joanne Rubin
Position #5 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Carol Goter
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
Tygh Valley Rural Fire Protection District
Dan Van Lehman, Tygh Valley
Tygh Valley Rural Fire Protection District, Director, Position 2.
Age:62
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
Five years as a firefighter on the Tygh Valley Fire Department
2. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
Volunteers, funding, community support
3. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
Build on the good work of the two directors who are leaving the fire board.
TYGH VALLEY RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Position #3 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Desirae Tarrance
Position #5 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Marcia G Whitney
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
White River Health District
Julie Whetzel, Maupin
White River Health District Director, Position 2
Age: 58 (but didn’t your mama ever tell you that you should never ask a woman’s age?)
She did, but I am incorrigible - Tom Peterson
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
I graduated from UC Irvine in 1986 with a degree in Biological Sciences. In 1987 I earned my Secondary Life Science Teaching Credential with Supplementary Authorization in Chemistry. I taught middle school science in the Capistrano Unified School District (in Southern California)
for 30 years. Throughout my career, I served in various leadership positions at the school and district level in addition to teaching in the classroom, including science department chair and Middle School Science Curriculum Specialist. Over the years, I planned and led multiple staff
development workshops for other science teachers and mentored new middle and high school teachers. In 2017, I retired from teaching and moved to Maupin full-time, which, for me, was a dream come true. My husband and I had first visited Maupin in 1992; we came to flyfish the Deschutes and fell in love with the town and the South Wasco area. We knew right away that this was where we wanted to be, but family obligations required us to remain in SoCal for the next several years. For the next 25 years, we spent every school vacation in Maupin, where we gradually became involved with the community, even though we were not full-time residents. Since late 2021, I have applied my science background and experience in working with a team to the WRHD Board of Directors to serve out an unexpired term for a board member that had resigned. My current term ends in June, and I am hoping to be elected to continue the work for another term.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
Though this is my first Health District-related Board, I have a lot of past experience in serving on advisory Boards. In 2003, I was an appointed member of the Ladera Ranch Middle School (LRMS) Planning/Leadership team. As a member of that team, I helped plan the science lab facilities and purchase equipment for LRMS while it was under construction. An additional part of my role was to develop school culture and professional learning community goals and interview potential staff before the school opened. In 1998-2000 I was an appointed member of the Cal State Instructional Materials Panel (IMAP) for science, in charge of recommending science texts and materials for state adoption. As an IMAP member, I reviewed textbook programs for grades 6-8, evaluating their alignment with the current state science standards. I then co-authored reports under the umbrella of the larger California Curriculum Commission, which advised the CA State School Board as to which texts to adopt. In 2001-2002 I served on the Orange County Ocean Institute’s Toshiba Teachers Advisory Team, which was created to help the Ocean Institute restructure and remodel their teaching facility. Specifically, I advised the Institute on ways to make the physical structure and curriculum more aligned with current middle school and high school state science standards. In each one of those experiences, as a Board we had to find a way to meet the needs of students, schools, and the community while working within budget, staffing, and time constraints. When you think about it, that’s not so different from my role on the WRHD Board.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
I believe that access to quality health care is a human right, and shouldn’t depend upon one’s job, income, socioeconomic status, race, or zip code. The WRHD was established in 2001 to bring medical care to the citizens of South Wasco County. The original Deschutes Rim Health Clinic opened in 2007. Without the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic, our residents would need to travel a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour each way for access to medical care. This is unsustainable for many of our population. Studies show the wellness divide between rural and urban residents. Our rural community deserves to have access to services on par with higher
population areas. The construction of the new Deschutes Rim Health Clinic was completed in the fall of 2022 and opened for business in mid-October. The new clinic was built completely from grants, a conventional loan, and community donations; no tax dollars were used. The new clinic will improve healthcare access and expand healthcare services to all residents of South Wasco County, as well as our large population of summer visitors.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
The WRHD Board oversees the expenditure of taxpayer funds to support the delivery of healthcare to the citizens of South Wasco.Though the new Clinic is up and running, the work is not yet done. The Clinic has an amazing staff of medical and dental care professionals dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the South Wasco Community. They need our support to continue in their mission. In addition to supporting the current Clinic and staff, the WRHD is working toward expanding the health and wellness services that can be provided. I’m excited at the possibilities that are being explored and would like to be a part of bringing these to fruition in the coming years.
WHITE RIVER HEALTH DISTRICT / Uncontested
Position #1 UNEXPIRED 2 YEAR TERM Filed Candidates: Allison Bechtol
Position #4 4 YR TERM
Position #5 UNEXPIRED 2 YEAR TERM Filed Candidates: Melissa Napoli
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience. Here is a recent CCCNews story about Napoli.
Contested Race/ Dufur School District #29 Position #2
Cynthia Kortge, Columbia District-Petersburg/Dufur
Dufur School District #29 Position #2
Age: 48
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
My dedication to education started long ago as a former student of Dufur Schools and a parent of two Dufur graduates. I have a background in early childhood education, with a BA in Human Development from Washington State University and after graduation, I moved back to the area and started working with toddlers, preschool, and school-age children and then as Assistant Director of Great ‘n Small Child Development Center. After my daughter was born, I moved into staff training and employee experiences as the Chief Experience Officer at Mid-Columbia Medical Center, essentially educating adults instead of children.
Throughout my career, I have spent many hours volunteering inside and outside of the classroom as well as sitting on numerous board positions including the Mid-Columbia Health Foundation, TD Youth Football, Wasco County Fair & Rodeo, Wonderworks Children’s Museum, DCA Board of Directors, Fort Dalles Displays, Dufur School District Bond Improvement Committee, various scholarship committees throughout the county and state as well as many different fundraising initiatives for local youth. I have been part of the Dufur School Board of Directors since 2019 and I have sat on numerous budget, scholarship, and fundraising committees inside and outside of the school.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
After college, I spent a year in Tubingen, Germany as an au pair for a German family. There were two school-age children, and I helped the family manage daily activities, helped with homework (the children were fluent in English, French, and German) and household chores. I also attended a class to learn German so we could communicate effectively. This was an amazing opportunity for me to experience European culture, travel, and learn other customs and traditions. While this was not a traditional study abroad program, many of the life lessons learned have helped me navigate through a variety of different educational experiences, job opportunities, and volunteer positions. This was an impactful experience for me, and I treasure that I was afforded the opportunity and I hope that I can help students find their same passion for learning and education.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
While there are many issues that schools are facing that make educating students more difficult, three of the most critical for Dufur Schools are school safety, lack of funding, and teacher recruitment and retention.
Over the last three years, educators, students, parents, and school districts faced unprecedented pressure as they navigated a deadly pandemic and strived to maintain a quality educational experience. While the daily disruptions of COVID-19 have disappeared, the effects of isolation, learning loss, anxiety and stress for our students has been compounded exponentially, and schools are left to deal with the aftermath with less funding, less staffing, and inadequate support systems.
To combat these challenges, the Dufur School Board of Directors has invested heavily in resources and systems that will tackle these issues head-on. In 2020 we completed an $8 million facility renovation that secured the school with locked access points, perimeter safety, high-quality cameras and increased staff training and drills with local law enforcement. We have added additional counseling services, employees, and increased access to the mobile medical unit & telehealth services to assist students and families with better navigating their physical & mental health needs. In March, the board approved moving forward with a $90,000 planning grant to build a Student Based Health Center on our campus for students, families, and staff. The school administration and staff has also worked diligently with students and families to ensure that disruptive student behavior is dealt with immediately, effectively, and fairly to ensure that the education experience is not negatively impacted.
Rather than continue to leave school funding completely in the hands of the state legislature, the district has been actively pursuing local, state, and national grant funding and other revenue streams to continue to improve and add on to the programs and services we can offer our students and families and continue with improvements to our facilities. Our most recent award was a $2.5 million grant for seismic and structural rehabilitation to improve our lower gym and hallways. We have also restructured our scholarship and education funds and established the Ranger Pride Education Foundation to grow and nurture donations to offer even more support for Dufur graduates and increase educational opportunities for all students.
While facing a nationwide teacher shortage, our district has worked hard to increase compensation and look for additional ways that we can support current and future staff in unique ways. For the 2022-2023 school year the board approved moving to a modified monthly schedule that incorporates better professional development days, learning opportunities, flexibility for learning labs, and experiential learning options that has been extremely successful for our teachers and their students and make Dufur Schools an exceptional place to work.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
I am once again seeking this board position as I would like to continue to build on the experience I have had in this role since 2019 and continue to build on the great momentum of improving education for all Dufur students & their families. Over the last four years, the Dufur School district has made incredible strides in the education experience for our students despite facing some very significant challenges. Some of the highlights include:
Passing a $4 million bond and securing a matching grant of $4 million for an $8 million project to update and secure the school which included additional classroom space, improved safety features, better traffic flow, additional parking, improved athletic fields and concessions, updated heating and cooling systems, new bus storage and technology improvements.
Established Ranger TECH, our Career and Technical Education programs to enhance learning for all students interested in the trades and apprenticeship programs. This program has grown rapidly and is set to offer even more options to students starting in elementary school.
Restructured and established the Ranger Pride Education Foundation to support the scholarship and education funds for students and educators and assist with fundraising and securing grant funding for the school.
Implemented the MY DAY Friday schedule to further enhance experiential learning, concentrated learning labs, professional development and recruitment and retention.
5. What am I not asking that you think is important for people to know about you?
I care deeply about this community, our students, their families, our teachers, and staff. I want to be sure that the constituents in our district understand that I am heavily invested in the well-being and success of everyone. I know that by working together we can continue to achieve great things for the Dufur School District and ensure that this community continues to thrive. My dedication to education is not just a campaign slogan, it is a commitment and personal mission to listen to each one of our students and assist them with their educational journey in the best way possible.
Dufur School District #29 Position #2
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
My formal education is in literary interpretation. I believe I can bring that skill to the school board policy making. Policies have intended and unintended consequences. My desire is to bring more dialogue, public input, and the ability for district voters to easily know what specific policies mean for the district in an understandable way.
I have served on various boards throughout the years. I've also coached. I'm on the Camp Morrow Board of Directors. I have also coached middle school basketball, coached AYSO soccer, coached high school baseball, coached little league baseball, and also served as Little League President for Dufur Little League. I've been in the classroom as a substitute teacher at Dufur School for grade school through high school. For my primary job I oversee ministries at Dufur Christian Church. My experience in leading a non-profit would be a good fit in representing the residents of the Dufur School District. For 20 years (16 in Dufur) I have led, counseled, mentored, and served families. Those skills include counseling, conflict-resolution, mitigation, encouragement, and listening. Within leadership, it includes fundraising, budgeting, event-planning, policy-making, and board meetings.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you?
I have served in the background at Dufur School for more than sixteen years. My first volunteer position was as a chaperone to the 2007 basketball playoffs in Baker City. I'm not jumping in to jump in. I have an eighth grader as well as a fourth grader in the school system. If I am honored to serve for one term I'd see my son graduate. For two terms I would see my daughter graduate. Is it vital that a board member have kids in the school system? No. Is it helpful? Yes.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
1. A concern that voters have is the divide between Salem legislature and values that Wasco county residents have concerning their child's education. I promise to evaluate, analyze, and communicate what hundreds of pages of guidance means for our local community. I desire to stay after school board meetings in order to listen to voters that have concerns about the education system in Oregon. 2. Competitive pay for teachers is an issue for any school district. We have top notch volunteers that go over the budget every year for what works for our school district and I'd like to make sure that we stay competitive within the market. 3. Open Communication
Curriculum choices, decision making, and policies should be easily found and communicated. I promise to have open and honest communication regarding information that affects policy.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
I hesitate to call it a job. It is not a job. It's a service to the community. I already serve in various capacities within the community and I feel it is a duty, as a parent, to step-up and be involved in my children's education. I want to be a servant-leader for the community.
5. What am I not asking that you think is important for people to know about you?
If anyone would like to know more they can see my website: www.tim4dsd2.com or send me an email: tim4dsd2@gmail.com I'm not sure how many people in the Dufur community know but if they've heard "Touchdown Rangers" from the announcers booth during football games: that was me! GO RANGERS!
Janna Hage Dufur, Oregon
Dufur School Board, Position 5
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
I was born and raised in The Dalles. As an adult my husband Garry and I raised our kids in The Dalles and Dufur, and we owned and operated our businesses in the community. Our kids attended Dufur School and now my four grandchildren attend there as well. We have received a lot from our community and now that we are retired I feel like it is time to give back.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
I was appointed to fill a vacated board position in March 2022 and after spending the last year learning more about how the school district works and how we have the power to help our kids learn and grow I am very excited to continue to serve on this seat. I am aware of the challenges we face in helping our kids learn in a safe, sane and healthy environment and quite frankly that is a big job. I think the Dufur administration, teachers and school board do a very good job of working towards that goal every day and I want to continue to be part of what we are accomplishing there.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
Schools are faced with a multitude of hard issues these days and they are all challenging. State funding shortfalls, the continuing ramifications of the Covid school closures, unfunded mandates by the state and federal governments, as well as the myriad of cultural problems such as drug and alcohol abuse in homes, poverty and homelessness that all affect the students ability to learn. All of these and more are issues we are dealing with every day in schools that we need to address in order to help our students grow and thrive.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
I hope to bring common sense in making decisions for our kids and their families. Many communities are so divided these days and no two people seem to agree on any one topic and that is the same with educating our children. I am always willing to consider both sides of a discussion and help us make good decisions that are best for the kids always. They are the reason we are there. I am impressed with the job Dufur is doing at handling these issues and would be proud to continue that work.
Wamic Rural Fire Protection District
John M. Ickes, Pine Hollow
Wamic Rural Fire Protection Distr. Pos. 1
Age: 69
1. What skills, education, qualifications, and experience do you bring that are relevant to this position?
Former Finance Committee Chairman, small business owner, prior service member.
2. Tell us something about yourself, relevant to this position, that most people might not know about you.
As a boy I used to like playing with matches. Fortunately I outgrew that.
3. What are the 3 main concerns/issues facing your District and how do you plan to address them?
Hopefully I will find out what the issues are after the election. I know of no polls documenting the 3 main concerns/issues. Prioritizing the issues based on safety, security and financial capabilities.
4. Why do you want this job or better yet, if you’re going for another term, why do you do this job?
I wanted to perform a community service without having to be arrested first.
5. What am I not asking that you think is important for people to know about you?
I enjoy finding ways to economically fix things that are broken.
WAMIC RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT / Uncontested
Position #2 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: John Creel
CCCNews will update this story with Creel’s information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
SOUTH WASCO COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1
ZONE #2 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Caralynn Delco
ZONE #4 UNEXPIRED 2 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Gregory Wiedeman
ZONE #5 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: JC Udey
ZONE #7 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Janine Belozer Justin Gotham
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
TOOLEY WATER DISTRICT
Position #3 4 YR TERM
Position #4 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Amanda Valentine
Position #5 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Debby Jones
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
TOOLEY WATER DISTRICT
Position #3 4 YR TERM
Position #4 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Amanda Valentine
Position #5 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Debby Jones
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
TYGH VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
Position #1 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Dan P Jaffe
Position #2 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Wendy Martin
Position #3 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Eli Jamieson
Position #5 UNEXPIRED 2 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Nick Laflin
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
PINEGROVE WATER DISTRICT
Position #1 4 YR TERM
Position #2 4 YR TERM
Position #5 UNEXPIRED 2 YR TERM
WAMIC WATER AND SANITARY AUTHORITY
Position #1 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Jeff Burgener
CCCNews will update this story with Burgener’s information once it is received. Thanks for your patience. Position #2 4 YR TERM
Position #3 UNEXPIRED 2 YR TERM
PORT OF THE DALLES
Position #2 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Greg Weast
Position #4 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Staci Coburn
Position #5 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Mary Hanlon
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
SOUTH WASCO COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT
Position #1 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Dennis Zipprich
Position #2 UNEXPIRED 2 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Josh Thompson
Position #3 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: David Deurwaarder
Position #5 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Kari Hansen
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
DUFUR RECREATION DISTRICT
Position #1 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Samantha Filbin
Position #3 4 YR TERM Filed Candidates: Vicki Vaughn
Position #5 UNEXPIRED 2 YR TERM: Filed Candidates: Lou Svoboda Tess Welk
CCCNews will update this story with these candidates’ information once it is received. Thanks for your patience.
Measures
Measure 33-107 Dissolution of Columbia Rural Fire Protection District
Measure 33-108 Five Year Levy for General Funding Operations - Shaniko looks to impose $1.50 per $1000 of assessed property value. Tax projected to raise $7,449 in first year.
