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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 12, 2010)
election Vernonia 2010 Candidates Questionnaire (continued) portunity for great things to be accom- plished. Ernie Smith: I believe that our schools are our biggest project, and even though that is a district project, it is also a city project. I see our schools as a gateway to a brighter future for our community. If you look at where any industries re-locate you will see that the first thing that they look at is the school system. When people are looking for someplace to live, the first thing they look at is the schools. I believe that as a city councilor I would make sure that the city and the schools continue to work hand in hand in moving forward. I believe the next highest priority project for our community is our waste water sys- tem. As I understand it DEQ has made this a top priority for our community and we are running out of time to fix this. I believe that we need to take advantage of the Gov- ernors Directive to help Vernonia, and use that help to not only fix our lagoons but to make sure that our waste water system will be ready to support our current needs and the needs of the future, which I be- lieve will be steadily increasing. The oth- er high priority for our community is our budget, and how we manage it. I believe that for our small community to survive, we will need to think outside the box. By this I mean we may need to see if there are better ways of doing business that actu- ally reduce public spending while increas- ing private business. An example might be that instead of paying public employees to mow our parks, we instead contract with a local landscaper can apply more manpow- er without us paying additional benefits. I believe that there are many opportunities out there, and we just need to be open to look at them. Burton Tschache: Infrastructure update and repair, most notably the septic ponds, sewage piping and developing a more ef- ficient effluent system functionality; flood mitigation and I would add overall project analysis to assure we are seeking the cor- rect remedy for the issue, short and long term. However none of this happens without getting our financial house in or- der. We have funding sources available at the highest levels since Governor Ku- longoski signed an Executive Order for assistance with our infrastructure work. We must use that money wisely which means we must get more involved in the detail. With my understanding of finance, process and projects combined with my computer skills, I can perform additional analysis, where necessary, to help us bet- ter monitor and understand the process and progress of our various projects. 3. What do you see as the role of a City Councilor in our city government and how would you intend to fill that role? What do you think is the time require- ment needed to fulfill this position and do you have the time and ability to ful- fill this role? Cindy Ball: First and foremost, a city councilor is a representative of all the citizens, and should be trying to fulfill the wishes of the people without damaging the position of the city. I have always encouraged people to attend council meet- ings; to bring both their issues and their questions/comments to government atten- tion. The time requirement for this job depends on what quality of work the council member wants to provide, and the current issues being worked on by the city. In the past, I have spent 20 hours a week in research when working with a difficult issue. On the other hand, there are weeks when the agenda is short and I can work through the council packet in a hour or two. Like any other task, the longer you work on it, the more practiced you become. There is always something new to learn, and no member of the coun- cil should shy away from that task. Willow E. Burch: City Councilors should educate themselves on the issues at hand and be able to make decisions based on facts. Communicate and develop a good understanding of the needs and desires of the community. The time it takes is the time it takes. I believe that in college the rule of thumb is 4 hours study for every hour in class. If you figure 2.5 to 3 hours each for City Council and Planning Com- mission meetings twice every month. Then another 2.5 to 3 hours each for Stra- tegic Planning, Public works, Downtown Association, along with various work- shops and meetings as they arise. Adding approximately 15 to 18 hours for meetings per month to 60 to 72 hours for study it comes to 75 to 90 hours minimum. I have been investing this since November 2009. I believe these hours would have been bet- ter spent if I were provided with the facts to start with. Catherine Helmer: I see the role of a City Councilor as: A student of the City, asking lots and lots of questions. A problem-solver. Looking at what is for the greater good of the City/not carrying a personal agenda. Attending trainings on city leadership, emergency management, etc. Opening up communication between the Council and the citizens of Vernonia. I also believe that Councilors should be involved in the City outside of the Council Chambers and their committee requirement(s). Councilors should also attend ac- tivities that other cities invite them to at- tend, such as the League of Oregon Cities events, the quarterly City/County dinner, etc. I intend to fill the role of a City Councilor as I have been for the past 2 ½ months; I’ve been asking lots of ques- tions. I’ve had many meetings with the Interim City Administrator and the City Recorder. I’ve also been meeting with each of the City’s department heads to learn more about their departments/duties, etc. I email clarifying questions to the ap- propriate department head before Council meetings and ask questions at the Council meetings. I am involved in our community in the following ways: I’m a member of Vernonia Pride, Strategic Planning Com- mittee, Parks Committee secretary as well as the Council Liaison to the Parks Com- mittee, First Friday and will be a co-co- ordinator of First Friday events next year. I’m also on the newly formed, Upper Nehalem Valley Sustainability Coalition, and “The Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia” group. I also have a few other volunteer projects in the works. Regardless of the results of the November election, I will re- main involved in these and other groups/ projects. I’ve attended a League of Oregon Cities event (City Hall week) with the In- terim City Administrator and a quarterly City/County dinner as the sole represen- tative for the City. I will be attending a series of FEMA Emergency Management Institute classes in November. I believe the time requirement is 20+ hours per month. I feel that the agen- da and packet must be reviewed cover to cover and questions must be asked of City staff prior to Monday’s meeting. This all takes time. Currently, I spend a minimum of 5 hours per Council meeting weekend reviewing the packet, approximately 1-2 hours per week sending emails with my questions, 1-3 hours at each Council meet- ing and approximately 1-2 hours emailing follow-up questions/comments after each meeting. Yes, I do have the time and abil- ity to fulfill this role. I won’t lie, at times it has been a bit challenging to juggle a full-time job, family time, participation in other volunteer activities that I love to do, serving on 2 committees and 3 commu- nity groups, building my beaded jewelry hobby into a business, studying my packet and doing all of my research that I do to better understand topics that I don’t know much about and create my questions that I’m going to ask at the meeting. However, the rewards out-weigh the challenges and I am blessed to have a supportive family and employer. My husband and I make sure to schedule at least 1 date each week and I am allowed to work flex hours on the Tuesday after Council meetings, if we run late into the night. october12 2010 13 one isn’t happy, you just need to be able to listen and give them the respect that you understand their point of view or position. I plan to use sound judgment, common sense, and logic to try and insure that the people we have hired to run our city have the tools needed to be successful, while insuring that they understand the direction that we need them to go. As for time that is needed to fulfill this position, I know that in addition to Bi-Weekly council meeting, there are other committee meetings, bud- get meetings, town halls, as well as hours of reading minutes, recommendations as well as workshops and training sessions. I know from experience that any job like this takes lots of time, and I am willing to put out as much as I can to do a good job for the citizens of Vernonia. Burton Tschache: The job of a city coun- cilor is multifold, first you set overall city policy and more importantly, you must assure the policies are being carried out properly. The role is filled by active su- pervision, by observing and computer systems reporting relevant data. I believe that the time requirement has grown ex- ponentially as there is so much to be done and all we can do is give it our best. I have the time, ability and desire to do the job. I am also a good listener and would be a good ambassador for Vernonia. 4. The City is currently under tight fi- nancial constraints. What is your un- derstanding of those constraints and Edward Johnson: No Response how have they limited the City’s ability Steven Johnson: I intend to remember to conduct business? that we are representing the interest of all our Vernonia residents. We need to Cindy Ball: The City’s current fiscal sit- see that we are responsibly managing our uation has taken many years to achieve. City budget with common sense checks Some of the responsibility belongs to the government and the citizens who often and balances. I know we have a minimum of two meet- apply pressure to achieve a specific goal. ings per month. Each Councilor is also on But some of the issues (e.g. the water at least one other committee or board that treatment project) are the result of decades meets at least once a month. There will of neglect of that system. In the case of the water treatment need to be time for research, reviewing memos and notes, and general prepara- project, no significant system upgrades tion for the meetings. My guess is that to were done for a very long time. Today, the fulfill the Councilor position responsibili- City is being forced to bring the system up ties could involve approximately up to 20 to current usage requirements. Had some hours per month. I would have the ability improvements been done over the course of years, we would not be facing a huge and time to fulfill that responsibility. overhaul of our system; now required by Marilyn Nicks: City Councilors are to the state. The result of this lack of fore- represent and serve the community as a sight by city government and voters over whole. Responding to public safety issues, the past decades is that the financial bur- maintaining and improving infrastructure, den falls on this generation. ordinances, overseeing city finances, and departments are a few of the duties of a Willow E. Burch: The City has been run- councilor. Being a City Councilor is a ning for too long, over spending without huge responsibility. It should never be consideration for the consequences or of taken for granted or treated lightly. You the repercussions. The constant turnover cannot put a time limit on this kind of po- of management has caused starts and sition. It takes as long as it takes and you stops with no follow through on important should be prepared to do the job. I will projects that never got out of the planning take the time for this role, ask questions, stage. Putting us hundreds of thousands and continue to educate myself, listen, and of dollars in debt. Leaving the citizens of Vernonia holding the bag. Vernonia has work hard for this community. experienced flood, windstorms and snow- Ernie Smith: I believe that a city coun- storms leaving us reeling from natural cilor is much like any other board member disaster right into the lap of the biggest in that we set policy, approve procedures, financial depression of our country since make recommendations and set goals and the ‘Great Depression’. Now we have to oversee major budget issues and manage find a way to pay for it all while we fix it. the city administrator. I also believe that And pay for it all at once. There is no one a city councilor has to be willing to lis- solution. What we have is vision and fight, ten to the concerns of the citizens of our and as Vernonia we are strong and we will community, and needs to be thick skinned pull through. I just do not want to see us when people aren’t happy with what is continue to chase our own tail in this fight. happening. It is true what they say “you I want to see us get it right and set Verno- can please some of the people some of the nia on her feet. time, but you can’t please all the people all the time”. The thing is you have to accept Catherine Helmer: My understanding that and not take it personally when some- continued on page 14
