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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2020)
10 candidate questionnaire october15 2020 November 2020 Election Candidate Questionnaire Responses continued from page 9 found that our parks are not well maintained. I will look at creative solutions to maintain and enhance recreational opportunities for all. With half our county owned by the timber industry our recreational spaces are slowly diminishing. I will proceed with partnering with these agencies to find solutions to open space for the public to utilize. I will champion support for and advo- cate for our vulnerable populations to make sure their needs are met and we are taking care of our com- munity as a whole. I will continue to support our youth and senior citizens by investing in programs to serve them. 4. What is your vision for the future of Columbia County? Position 1 Brandee Dudzic – I envision Co- lumbia County as a diverse array of thriving communities. We will have a robust farming community that provides our towns with locally sourced foods. Our downtowns are brimming with restaurants, inde- pendent coffee shops, storefronts, including artists and florists, and even a few breweries. Our river will attract visitors from all over the country who kayak, fish, and kite- surf, and infuse our economy with their spending. My vision is for us to thrive economically without sac- rificing our identity. Under my leadership, Co- lumbia County is a safe and inclu- sive place for all. With input from community-led discussion, we can create a strategic plan to accom- modate our expanding community needs without cutting services or leaving anyone out. I believe in a Columbia County where we have it all: economic prosperity, environ- mental sustainability, accountable leaders, and a transparent gov- ernment. My vision for our future is that we are led by people who really care, not by politicians with deep pockets and a few good con- nections. The most important thing I can do as commissioner to sup- port this vision is to do my job and do it well. Focusing on the health and welfare of my community is al- ways the correct answer. Margaret Magruder – Our current overarching need is to maintain the health of our citizens and the health of the economy of Columbia Coun- ty during and following the present pandemic. My goal is to grow em- ployment in all areas of Columbia County while maintaining livability; to achieve a balance between large industries, small business, natural resource industries and agricul- ture; to expand existing businesses and bring in new enterprises to pro- vide the jobs we need and the tax revenue that supports our county services. I will strive to bring more family-wage jobs while still being conscious of our current resources and the environment. I am dedicated to provid- ing county services in the most ef- ficient ways possible with improved technology, expanded collaboration with private and public partners, and the employment and retention of high caliber staff. It is my goal to ensure that all county residents are represented, responded to, and respected by all departments of Columbia County Government. I believe that through an open ex- change of ideas, we can bring bal- ance to the environmental, eco- nomic, and cultural concerns of county residents. I look forward to continuing to work closely with my fellow citizens to promote the pros- perity of the county, while protect- ing its livability. Position 3 Casey Garrett – I envision Colum- bia County as a place to be admired by our neighbors. We can stand out as one of the most desirable loca- tions within our region to live, raise a family, visit, and bring your busi- ness to. We are a county that has a lot of room to grow and takes great pride in our independence. Our residents enjoy the quality of life a rural county has to offer, while still having reasonable access to the city. My vision for our county is to maintain our unique character as we grow. I see our county as an oasis of opportunity. We should le- verage our assets to grow in a way that strengthens our independence and makes us a more attractive place to do business, to work and to live. Alex Tardif – My vision for Colum- bia County is one of prosperity and opportunity for everyone. I envision a county where everyone can work making a family wage salary, where everyone can choose their recre- ational option and live in a safe, healthy community with attainable housing. I imagine a balance be- tween our forests, farms and wa- terways, working together to cre- ate a strong sustainable economy. I envision thriving downtowns full of small businesses that showcase our local talent. To achieve this we need to utilize our forest, we need to promote our farms, and shop lo- cal at our small businesses. A place where our children receive quality education with access to youth ac- tivities and services. A community that values connectivity and invests in roads and broadband to remain competitive. A place where we val- ue our senior citizens and veterans and ensure their needs are being met. I know that with my continued leadership, hard work, team work, and willingness to listen to you, the community, we can build the strong county we all desire. 5. Our country, our state, and even our county are currently politically divided. What do you think we need to do to bring our citizens back together? Position 1 Brandee Dudzic – Allow me to be blunt; we need a conflict reso- lution expert to take the lead, and that’s me. In order to come back together, we need to prioritize our shared needs and goals and work backwards from there. When I fa- cilitate mediations, I guide partici- pants away from either/or thinking, away from win/lose outcomes. We have an entire community of sub- ject matter experts, and I know that together, we hold in our hands all the solutions to our problems. As a leader, I reject the scar- city mentality that keeps us divided and living in fear. In order to heal and get to a place where good deci- sions are made, we must listen to each other’s perspective and lived experiences. It is a county commis- sioner’s job to ensure this is hap- pening. In political theory there is only one purpose of government, to make the lives of its constituents better. That is my goal. We aren’t standing on two sides of an aisle; we are trying to figure out the best way to summit a mountain. You asked how we can bring people back together, but I assert that we aren’t that far away to begin with. the issues and address them head on collaboratively. We need to com- promise. The two party system cre- ates a blame game, and that has to end. We are all here living the best life we can, we should be working together to help each other. We should be voting on the best candi- date with the best policies to serve our community, not by party. The Columbia County Commissioner positions are non partisan, this is by design. In order to be an effec- tive leader you must be willing to listen to both sides, collaborate and create the best policy for the com- munity. As an Independent candi- date I am that bridge to help each side reach the best outcome for our community. Margaret Magruder – I believe that most people want the same things for themselves and for oth- ers - physical and financial security, and opportunities to pursue per- sonal happiness. The problem is, we don’t always agree on how to achieve those things. We need to adopt the attitude of the 18 th -cen- tury French philosopher Voltaire, who is translated as saying: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” In recent years, our so- ciety seems to have lost the ability to respect the differing opinions of others without demonization and personal attacks. People of good- will can disagree without one side or the other being “haters,” “fas- cists,” or “stupid.” Toning down the rhetoric and adopting an inclusive, bipartisan, open-minded and open- hearted approach to our problems would help immensely. The response of the citizens of Columbia County to the needs of those impacted by the wildfires is an example of how we can work to- gether in a positive way to achieve success. My life, my past leadership experience, and my service on the Columbia County Board of Commis- sioners is focused on team-build- ing – uniting people from differing viewpoints to find collaborative and innovative solutions. State Representative 31 st District Position 3 Casey Garrett – As a county, I think we need to focus more on local issues and goals rather than national politics. I do not believe Columbia County residents are all that divided when it comes to the things that are most important to us. We all want to live in a place where we’re treated fairly and have opportunities to better ourselves, and our communities. As your commissioner I pledge to keep Columbia County my number one priority. I will work my tail off to ensure your tax dol- lars are managed responsibly, and to make a positive difference. We need to stay positive and not allow negative narratives to overwhelm us. If you are interested in learning more about me and my vision, visit caseyforcommissioner. com. Alex Tardif – We need to listen to each other. We need to respect each other. We need to examine 1. Please introduce yourself, tell us about your qualifications or background, and why you are running for office? Brian Stout – I live in Columbia County with my wife of 30 years. I’m a father, grand-father, and a small businessman. Having been a small business owner and local community volunteer in this district for most of my life, I have watched our State fail the people time and time again under leadership that does not speak for our local com- munities, people and values. I am a strong believer that the citizens know what is best for themselves and their families as opposed to ca- reer politicians who are continually operating through the lens of their special interests. Oregon has gotten out of control with overspending, poor fis- cal management and never ending taxation with little to show for it. Extreme legislative actions being passed in Salem under the one- party supermajority is taking its toll on rural Oregon. We must change that now. My pledge to you is to be your voice, the voice for the peo- ple. I will work diligently to be that voice of common sense and bal- ance. Brad Witt – As a young man, I worked in sawmills to put myself through college. After the spotted owl put so many of us out of work, I went on to advocate for work- ers whose livelihoods depended on the forests. I served on the Board of Forestry and fought for my old friends at the mills. Today, as your State Representative, I am proud to have supported Vernonia by: • Rebuilding Vernonia Schools after the devastating floods by securing the final $4.5 million for the proj- ect. • Bringing comprehensive vocation- al training and shop classes back to our schools. • Lowering the price of prescription drugs. • Protecting health insurance cov- erage for over 1 million Oregonians. • Supporting workers and public health by passing Paid Sick Leave for all workers. • Increasing the supply of afford- able and decent housing through innovative programs. continued on page 15
