Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Columbia Gorge news. (The Dalles, OR) 2020-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 2021)
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Columbia Gorge News www.columbiagorgenews.com 11 ELECTION COLUMBIA GORGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE -- POSITION 1 Frank Polehn No photo submitted 1) Why did you decide to run for position 1 on the Columbia Gorge Community College Board of Directors? I was looking at schools and noticed increased teaching of beliefs and other propaganda which seemed to affect the facts, reality, and understanding of people. First I looked at District 12 but found the 7 position did not seem available. So then I decided the college would be the best choice. With two empty positions on the board I figured an easy fill of a need. Special District Election May 18 The main ballot mailing will be April 28. The last day to register to vote was April 27. Ballots are due Election Day, May 18, 2021. All candidates filing for the Special District Election on May 18, in Wasco and Hood River counties were sent a questionnaire with four simple questions regarding their candidacy: 1) Why did you decide to run for a position on the [name of board]? 2) What is your background/profession, and where do you live? 3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to serve on the board? 4) What changes do you think the district needs to make? Each candidate was also asked to provide a photo- graph, and limited to 100 words in responding to each question. Many of their responses are published below, with priority given to contested races. Additional responses will be featured in the May 5 edition of Columbia Gorge News. Those candidates that did not receive the question- naire (sent to their email as filed with the county clerk) are encouraged to respond as soon as possible for inclu- sion in the May 5 edition. Those candidates who did not see the questionnaire or respond in time can still send their answers to Mark Gibson via email, markg@gorgenews.com, for inclusion online and in the coming May 5 edition. Print Deadline is April 29. Additional candidates will be featured in next week's edition. 2) What is your background/profession, and where do you live? I am a 1978 graduate of Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture. I have never de- cided to run for any board because I felt I did not desire that type of ego trip. I am a local orchardist retiring. My 150 spatial IQ allows me to notice and evaluate correctly inconsistencies in beliefs, passions, and actions by indoctrinated control forces. My efforts will be toward challenging those inconsis- tencies and moving toward education of facts, reality and true problem recognition. 3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to serve on the board? My biggest effort will be to find and minimize propaganda and resultant indoctrination which increases over time in education institutions because control issues create desire of leaders to control students and faculty when interactive discussions and debate would actually reach better solutions. I would like to have another opportunity to use my knowledge and background to help all learners, not just those in my classroom and school. I hope to be a representative for teachers and learners in our community. Holly Price 2) What is your background/profession, and where do you live? I am a current resident of The Dalles and I am an ele- mentary teacher in the Hood River County School District. I have been teaching for 13 years. I have taught in the city of Portland and privately at the American International School of Hong Kong and QSI International School of Shekou, China. I have taught grades 1-5 as well as Service Learning at the high school level. I was also a middle school, JV and var- sity volleyball coach for many years. I received my Master’s of Education from the University of Oregon and am special- ized in Educational Technology. 3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to serve on the board? My top priorities if voters select me to serve on the board are all focused on students, teachers and staff. I want to be a voice for students and teachers that are teaching and learning in a classroom right now. I want to make sure students, teachers, staff and families of all backgrounds, races, and cultures are getting what they need to thrive and be successful. This may be access to high quality technology, professional development, or early learning, depending on the need. It is important to have a balance of people who are actively working with students and administrators that make decisions for schools. I hope to be part of that balance. 4) What changes do you think the district needs to make? I cannot see what changes need to be made straight away but, if elected, my inquiry would be around distribution of funds, policies on testing and assessment data, and access to high quality education and technology across all districts that the ESD represents. Additional candidates will be in next week's edition, or find us online at www.columbiagorgenews. com. Four additional candidates have filed for the Columbia Gorge Community College board, all uncontested: Position 2, four year term: Jonathan Fost Position 3, two year term: Tim Arbogast Position 5, four year term: Kim Morgan Poisition 7, four year term: Lucille Begay 1) Why did you decide to run for a po- sition on the Columbia Gorge Education Service District? I decided to run for a position on the Columbia Gorge Educational Service District Board of Directors because I care about educational opportunities for every sort of student in the Columbia Gorge. I have roots Stacey in the community and want to make use of Holeman my training and experience in education to contribute to both the providers and the patrons of the ESD. 2) What is your background/profession, and where do you live? My husband Mike and I settled our family in The Dalles in 1987. I have a degree in elementary education from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, a master's in special ed from Portland State, and am National Board Certified. I’ve taught kindergarten through fifh grade in different combinations, spent years on The Dalles Community Connections team, and was director of a D21 Structured Learning Center for students with Autism and Multiple Disabilities for 10 years before retiring in 2014. I’m currently a distance educator for Heritage Institute and Director of Beca Project, a scholarship nonprofit in Guatemala. Jon Paul Anderson 360-921-1541 Mill: 509-427-8413 2022 Wind River Hwy • P.O. Box 8 Carson, WA 98610 2) What is your background/profession, and where do you live? I am proud to call The Dalles home. I grew up east of here in Umatilla, Ore. After completing a master’s in public ad- ministration at the UO, I worked for the university for several years as part of a team that secured increases in aid for stu- dents and built bridges between the University, the economy, and communities across the state. I currently work for the state in a program that empowers communities to meet their economic development goals. I will bring to the CGCC board knowledge of the higher education industry, strong commu- nity relationships, and skills in listening and collaboration. 4) What changes do you think the district needs to make? They can do more of what they are already doing. They are already doing a great job of connecting students with careers. They are very active in working with industry to address workforce needs. They are one of the institutions in our community focused on ensuring that every kid has access to the training they need to succeed. I want to help them do more of it. COLUMBIA GORGE ESD (UNCONTESTED) ESD ZONE 4 Susan Gabay 1) Why did you decide to run for a po- sition on the Columbia Gorge Education Service District? I consider experience with and un- derstanding about the Columbia Gorge Education Service District to be very import- ant in an effective board. I have confidence in the evolving potential that our Education Service District has to serve current and fu- Susan Gabay ture community needs. I am impressed with the outstanding team of CGESD directors and staff and the statewide network of service districts that has developed over the past several years. 2) What is your background/profession, and where do you live? I have lived 45 years in the Mosier Valley and have worked in public service through the State of Oregon Department of Human Services for over 40 years. Prior to retiring in 2017 as Self-Sufficiency Program Manager for the five county Columbia Gorge District, I worked primarily in Wasco and 3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to Hood River counties and know them very well. I am a long serve on the board? term board member of One Community Health and have If voters select me to serve on the ESD board, my top priori- volunteered with various different organizations. ty will be getting up to speed on the current services and sup- 3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to port network provided by the ESD. I look forward to getting to know the other board members and the administration of serve on the board? My top priorities for our ESD will be strengthening the in- the ESD and to visiting the districts and entities it supports. I will strive to be an active listener, to learn from those who are frastructure, adapting to pandemic and post pandemic condi- already in place supporting educational opportunities in the tions, and continuing to support our growing STEM, Migrant Columbia Gorge, and to use my experience and resources to Education, Early Childhood, School Improvement, and move the mission forward. Information Technology programs. I am especially interested in the implementation of the Student Success Act with special 4) What changes do you think the district needs to emphasis on student wellness, safety, and suicide prevention. make? Also I will be keenly tracking progress toward expanded and I think it’s premature for me to propose changes to the ESD, improved school based health services in Wasco County as but I will approach this new position, if I’m elected, with an I know the ESD has been working on a planning and design open mind and a spirit of optimism and support. “It took a lot of pressure off of maintaining my own home. I pay one payment, and that makes life a whole lot easier.” WKO-High Cascade Mills Douglas Fir White Fir Pine 1) Why did you decide to run for position 1 on the Columbia Gorge Community College Board of Directors? Over the past year, I’ve reflected a lot on our community. My wife Carrie and I feel extremely grateful to be part of a community full of caring and thoughtful people. I found myself wanting to find new ways to give back. With my experi- ence working in higher education at the University of Oregon and as a current CGCC Budget Committee member, the CGCC Board seems like a fun and important place to invest time and energy. Together, we can strengthen the bridges between classrooms and careers for our kids and help meet the workforce needs of our small businesses. MORE RACES NEXT WEEK'S EDITION Resident at The Springs at Mill Creek Buying Logs & Timber No photo submitted 3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to serve on the board? I will focus on three key areas as a member of the CGCC 4) What changes do you think the district needs to Board of Education: make? • Strengthening the connection between the curriculum at I have not been involved in the school for some time. I do CGCC, careers, and four-year degree tracks; not know what problems actually exist outside of the knowl- • Working to expand partnerships with employers to develop programs that lead into high-wage jobs for our kids edge most schooling has moved toward belief control and and neighbors; One particular challenge I am excited to help away from reality exposure. I expect to be mostly a check address is the shortage of trained workers in the construction, on board decisions by other members. I am the type to seek information on both sides of a decision and attempt to reach tech, and hospitality sectors. • Ensuring access to education for our underserved the most useful and ethical solution. See related story page A2. communities. COLUMBIA GORGE EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT — ZONE 2 1) Why did you decide to run for a po- sition on the Columbia Gorge Education Service District? Nathanael Stice Independent Living Assisted Living I Memory Care 1201 West 10th Street I The Dalles 541-296-1303 TheSpringsLiving.com See ESD, page 13