silverton candidate questionnaires

7/31/2019 Silverton Candidate Questionnaires

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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?


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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.


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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.


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?


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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.


ThankgoodnessSilvertonisstilltheuniquelylovely,tree-filledcityitwas34yearsagoandhasntbeen

thevictimofinjudicioussprawl.Ihopein34yearsgrowthwillcontinuetobecarefullyplanned.

Silvertonischaracterizedalsobyitsdiversepopulationofyoungfamiliesandretiredpeoplewitha

thrivingartscommunity.Iexpectinthefuturewewillbemoreculturallydiverse,andweneedto

welcomeandembracechange.


Thatspartofbeingonthecouncil.Thefirstthingistolookintooneselfandseeifthecriticismsare

justifiedandwhatonecandotoimprove.Ifthechallengesaretomyfundamentalbeliefs,thenIhave

tostandupformyownpersonalethos.IhavelearnedthatIhavecorevaluesthatareconstantandthat

Icanrefertowhenmakingdifficultdecisions.


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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.


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- 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


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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.


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.


ItiscleartomethattheCouncilhassufferedfromalackofleadershipoverthepast4years.Iamrunning

forCouncilinordertoutilizemyprovenleadershipskills,andtheabilitytoworkcollaborativelywitha

governingbodytoonceagainachievethelevelofserviceandpositiveaccomplishmentsthatthecitizensof

Silvertonexpectanddeserve.

- Whyareyouqualifiedtobemayororcitycouncilor?


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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.


Silvertonisablendofhistoricandnew.Weneedtopreservethatwhichwecherish,whilerecognizingthat

somechangeisinevitable,andcanbegood.Onewaytopreserveourqualityoflifeistoaddressour

infrastructurechallenges,lestwefallfartherbehind.Expandingoureconomicbaseisbutonewaytohelp

meetthosechallenges.Sowhilewewillseecosmeticchangesoverthenext20years,theSilvertonof2032

shouldstillreflectthesmalltownfeelandfriendlinessthathasmadeitagreatplacetolive,workandplayfordecades.


Dependingonthenatureofthechallenge,Iwouldrespondfactuallyandprofessionally.Ifitwasoveran

opinionoranaction,IwouldexplainhowIreachedtheopinion,orwhyItooktheactionIdid.Attheend

oftheday,everyoneisentitledtotheiropinion.However,whileopinionscandiffer,factsdonot.


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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


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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.


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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


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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.


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- 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.


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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.


www.StuRasmussen.com


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.


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- 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.


Silvertonis40milesand40yearsfromPortlandandwelikeitthisway.Aclassictimecapsulewithmodern

amenitiesand21stcenturytechnologyAgreatplacetoliveandraiseafamily.Wehavethebestofboth

worldsandIhopepeopleyearsinthefuturewillfeelthesamewaybecauseoftheproactivestepswetakenowtokeepitthisway.


Ithasbeenmyexperiencethatmyqualifications,opinionsandactionsareregularlychallengedinpublic.After24years

ofsuccessfulpublicserviceIhaveacquiredathickskinandfirstconsiderthequalifications,experienceandopinionsof

thepersonquestioningmebeforeresponding.ImgoodatwhatIdoandIhaveclear,logicalandverifiablefactual

informationtobackitup.Imaintainmysenseofhumorandknowthatitistheemptybucketthatmakesthemostnoise.


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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.


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- 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.


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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.


Nowebsite


IservedfortenyearsontheRandolph,VTSchoolBoard,andjustpriortomovingtoSilverton,served

fortwoyearsontheRandolphVt.CityCouncil,(VermontSelectboard).

InVermontIwaschairofthemunicipalwater&sewercommittee,andservedonthemunicipalbudget

committee.

InSilvertonIwasappointedtoandcontinuetoservetheCitizenInvolvementCommitteeandcurrently

chairasubgroupworkingonthenextSilvertoncommunitysurvey..

Ihavelongenjoyedbudgetingandfinancialmanagement.

- WhatleadershippositionshaveyouheldoutsideofcitygovernmentinSilverton?

Besidesmanagingclassroomsofhighschoolstudents,Iworkedforsixyearsassupervisingprincipalof

athreeschooldistrictwhereImanagedover50facultyandstaffpersons,anddeveloped,publically

defendedandcontrolledabudgetofnearlyonemilliondollars.

-


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- Inyourmostrecently-heldleadershipposition,whathavebeenyourachievements?

Asaschoolboardmember,Iwasintheforfrontofanefforttosecureabondlevyforanew

elementaryschool.Iwasalsoasuccessfullabornegotiator.Asamemberofthewater&sewer

committee,Ibecameawareofaseriouswatersupplyissueandinitiatedstepstosecuremunicipal

fundingforamajorrebuildofthepipeline.Ialsopressedforandwassuccessfulintakingstepsin

controllingasignificantsurfacewaterinflowtoamajorsewerline,preventingwastewaterfrom

flowingintoanadjacentstream.

WhileservingontheCityCouncil,Iuncoveredthefailurebyalocalcorporationtopaytaxesdueand

successfullypersuadedtheCounciltotakeappropriateaction.


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..


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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.


Thisdependsonthenatureofthechallenge.IfIhaveafactualrebuttal,Iwilldeliverit,probablyonce.

Ifitspersonal,Iexpecttoremainquietandhopethatthemayor,asacollegialperson,wouldruleit

outoforder.Ifitisinanywayanattempttoentanglemeinadebate,Iwilllikelynotrespond.

Ifitneedsfactualinformationcurrentlyunavailableatthemeeting,Imightoffertogettheinformation

tothepersonlater.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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


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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.

silverton candidate questionnaires

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