14
Wednesday,May5,2021
Columbia Gorge News
www.columbiagorgenews.com
ELECTION
PORT OF THE DALLES
— POSITION #3
PORT OF HOOD RIVER — POSITION #3
John Willer
1) Why did you decide to run for a posi-
tion on the Port of The Dalles board?
I want to put my knowledge and experi-
ence as a business owner for 20+ years in
the Gorge to use by faithfully continuing the
mission of the Port, which is “…to support
the creation, retention, expansion and
recruitment of businesses and jobs that will
enhance the economy of the District.”
John Willer
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
I am an Ophthalmologist by trade, however I have a
wide variety of experiences. I served on the Board of Mid
Columbia Fire and Rescue District (MCFR), Urban Renewal
Advisory Committee (and the Board), Budget Committees
for MCFR and the Port, Civil Service Commission for MCFR,
and Rules Advisory Committee for the Board of Advanced
Estheticians. I have volunteered as a Paramedic (Ohio),
Reserve Deputy in Hood River, and have participated in
numerous international surgical missions. I have lived in the
Gorge for 20+ years, the last 16 years in The Dalles.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
My top priority is to maintain the Port’s legacy of operating
in a fiscally responsible manner and to be a worthy succes-
sor to Mike Courtney, who endorses me as his replacement
as he retires from 24 years of service to the Port.
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
Overall the Port of The Dalles is running in a very effi-
cient manner. The only change I think the District needs
to make is to look outside of The Dalles “Metro” area for
opportunities.
Marcus Swift
1) Why did you decide to run for a position on the Port
of The Dalles board?
I love our community and I am always looking for new
ways to give back. The Port of The Dalles and our entire
community are at a crossroads. We have real challenges, but
also incredible opportunities for economic growth and job
creation. But it’s going to take bold ideas and new leader-
ship. My skills and experiences starting and growing a small
business in The Dalles, creating and passing good public
policy, and working on complex land use issues are a perfect
fit to help lead The Port forward into the next phase.
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
I am a proud resident of The Dalles. I invested my life sav-
ings to start a successful small business in Wasco County be-
cause I love the community and its people. I am an attorney
who works with local families, seniors, and small businesses
to solve complex problems and find innovative solutions. In
2020 alone, I provided over $25,000 in free or low-cost legal
services to local residents. I also volunteer in the community
as a member of the Wasco County Planning Commission
and as Vice President of the Mid-Columbia Bar Association.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
I will work to support and expand local small businesses,
attract new, good-paying jobs to our area, and revitalize
downtown The Dalles. I will do it with a focus on fiscal
responsibility, collaboration, and strategic vision. I want to
explore how the Port can attract more jobs in value-added
agriculture, be creative about flexible manufacturing spaces
and create a culture of entrepreneurship. I also want to ex-
plore the viability of The Port selling smaller parcels of land
to businesses who may wish to relocate to the waterfront but
can’t afford and/or don’t need a full acre.
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
The Port leadership and staff do an outstanding job.
However, I would like to see more transparency and accessi-
bility from the Port Commission. As a director, I will provide
regular updates to taxpayers, so they see the value of the Port
and can engage in the conversation. I also think it becoming
a necessity for the Port and every other local government
agency to be more involved in conversations around the cost
of living and housing availability in our community.
Mike Fox
Lach Litwer
1) Why did you decide to run for a posi-
tion on the [name of board]?
It is generally recognized that our bridge
needs to be replaced. It is old, narrow and
many deem it unsafe. Replacement efforts
have been too slow and fragmented. This
needs to change immediately to make sure
a new bridge is in place before the old one is
Mike Fox
shut down.
Bridge tolls are currently augmenting
revenues from other sources to develop and maintain Port
properties. Once bridge tolls are unavailable (highly likely
with a new bridge), impacts will occur. We need to develop a
transition plan to address these new realities.
1) Why did you decide to run for a posi-
tion on the Port of Hood River board?
I am running because I want to ensure
that kids like mine, growing up in Hood
River County, have meaningful local career
opportunities when they grow up.
The Port is responsible for the infrastruc-
ture that our local agricultural, technology,
Lach Litwer
and recreation industries depend on today,
and for fostering the industries of tomorrow. There are sig-
nificant challenges; our bridge is old, port-owned buildings
need updating, and housing is too expensive for much our
workforce to afford.
As a parent, a veteran, and a small business owner, I am
prepared and motivated to navigate these challenges as a
Port Commissioner if elected.
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
I believe my background prepares me well to help.
With an Engineering Degree and 45 year career with a
major engineering / construction company, I was respon-
sible for major elements of project execution / control for
mega projects worldwide. These projects included Airports,
Roads / Bridges, Sea Ports etc. I am familiar with all types
of contracting mechanisms. I am now retired and live in
Parkdale. My family has lived in the Hood River valley con-
tinuously since the 1890’s.
My background uniquely prepares me to deal with the
two major challenges facing the Port Commission.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
Expediting replacement of the bridge. To do this help
from communities on both sides of the bridge will be re-
quired. We need to raise approximately $350 to $450 million,
which will be extremely difficult. We are in competition
with other larger communities in trying to replace aging
infrastructure. There is a glimmer of hope with the massive
Infrastructure Bill being discussed in Washington DC. But
we must act quickly!
Preparing, then transitioning other Port operations away
from bridge toll revenues is also a priority. We have a few
years to implement this change, however we must start now!
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
The Port Administration as well as the Port Board of
Commissioners have served the community well through
the years. However, a much more focused effort is needed
to find a way of replacing the bridge on an expedited basis.
Tolls collected through the years were not set aside to fund a
new bridge. They were used for existing bridge maintenance
and Port property development including other Port proper-
ties such as the Airport. This reliance on bridge tolls must
be eliminated in a carefully controlled manner. Use of future
bridge tolls as collateral on property development activities
must also be eliminated.
Visit mikefoxhoodriver.com for more information.
WKO-High Cascade Mills
Buying Logs
& Timber
Douglas Fir
White Fir
Pine
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?
We live in Hood River, between the Heights, Westside and
downtown. Our five year old is in kindergarten at May Street
Elementary.
Before returning to Oregon to raise our kids, I oversaw
infrastructure project policy at the Department of Defense.
These projects leveraged federal funding as well as pub-
lic-private-partnership dollars. This experience managing
and building federal, state, and private partnerships unique-
ly qualifies me to help address bridge replacement and other
challenges the port must navigate.
I now co-own two small local businesses, one building
workforce housing in rural Oregon communities, the other is
a small utility developing rural broadband infrastructure.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
A. My first priority is the strength and safety of the Hood
River bridge. The downgrade of our bridge’s capacity should
alarm everyone. It connects us to our markets, business
partners, and neighbors. We cannot allow it to degrade.
B. I will advocate for attainable workforce housing. Hood
River teachers, agricultural workers, and small business
employees are being priced out. If our workforce can’t afford
living here, our economy will never reach its full potential.
C. The port’s waterfront spaces could serve both recre-
ational and business needs better. As a Commissioner, I’ll
ensure both are enhanced in future development plans.
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
A. We must commit to a viable bridge replacement plan
within 24 months. Whether public or private funding is used,
we must act swiftly to ensure our bridge serves our economy
and community safely and effectively.
B. Funding the new bridge will mean toll revenue, cur-
rently half of the port’s budget, will no longer available for
economic development programs. To close the budget gap,
the Port has to exercise greater fiscal discipline and grow
revenue by developing its vacant land and better managing
existing real estate assets. For more information about me
and my priorities for the port, visit www.votelitwer.com
GORGE LITERACY
VOLUNTEER TRAINING
May 19th, 4-6:30pm
May 21st, 9-11:30am
The location will be online via Zoom
Gorge Literacy exists to provide free basic literacy
instruction and support to adults in the CGCC
service area enabling them to reach their goals and
realize their potential in their family, work and
community lives.
Training will delve into the organization’s mission,
adult learning, tutor expectations, general learner
profiles and potential tutoring opportuni ties. No
tutoring experience is necessary.
Please RSVP with
Matt Fitzpatrick
at 541-506-6042 or email: mfitzpatrick@cgcc.edu
Columbia Gorge Community College
is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
JACOB BERTRAM
The Dalles, Oregon
Jacob, or Jake, lives in The Dalles, Oregon and is
an avid gamer, photographer, and amateur chef.
A 2019 graduate of the Edward R. Murrow College
of Communication at Washington State University,
Jacob is a major fan of the Cougs. While away from
the screen, Jacob enjoys hanging out with his
girlfriend, Laura, and their two cats, taking care of
his herbs he planted this spring and looking for the
nearest source of water to take a swim. Jacob covers
most everything for our Washington readers, including
city and county news. He also helps update our digital
platforms for Columbia Gorge News.
JacobB@gorgenews.com
541-296-2141, ext.
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