Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 1996)
TEN - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 15, 1996 Candidates' Forum Morrow County Treasurer Candidates for Morrow County Treasurer, Gayle Gutierrez, Marie B. Key and in cumbent Margo Sherer were asked to respond to the follow ing questions concerning their candidacy: How can you assist in making the treasurer's office more accountable to the voters?; What are the major issues facing you as Morrow County Treasurer?; What is your role as treasurer?; What changes would you make if elected?; Do you feel that north Morrow County is well served by the treasurer's office?; How can you assist in healing some of the interdepartmental cour thouse problems?; and Why should the voters elect you over your opponents?. Following are their responses: Marie B. Key, 56 lone, has lived in the county 18 years. She and her husband, Joe, w ho is employed with Kinzua Resources, have three grown children, Lenora, Tim and Jef frey, who are all now living in lone. Their son, Rick died in 1993. Key has been employed as the office manager for the Morrow County Public Works/Road Department Office for the last three years. Key has completed 72 college credit hours and has received a one- year certificate of completion in business management at a Tyler Commercial College. Key has been a Parent-Teacher's Association (PTA) treasurer and president and is past presi dent of the Women's Aglow club. She has served two years on the Commission of Children and Families and has been secretary-treasurer for the Christian Life Center for one year. "The treasurer is accountable to the voters by Oregon statutes," says Key, "but many of the voters don't know that. I would try to make the voters more aware of what the treasurer does and the treasurer's responsibility to them. "Trying to re-establish a healthy, positive cooperative relationship with other county officials and departments. Regaining the taxpayers' respect for the office and coun ty government in general. "T h e treasurer manages county revenues. There are 30 county funds and 60 trust and agency funds. The treasurer manages the special transpor tation fund (seniors). Those are the duties and they are govern ed by Oregon statutes. I feel that any elected official should always act as an ambassador to the people they serve. "Several positive changes: I would try to improve com m unication between the treasurer's office and the coun ty court and other county departments. I would try to be more aware of what's going on in county government in general. I would work very hard to earn the respect of the public, other county officials have learned to interact positively with all types of peo ple in all situations; that has been proven at the Public Works/Road Department. As much as the treasurer's posi tion allows, I will work to bring healing to north and south Morrow County. Margo Sherer, 55, lone, has lived in Morrow County 37 years. She and her husband, Dick, who owns a hay and cat tle ranch, have three grown sons, Scott, Todd and Brett. Sherer has been the Morrow County Treasurer for 15 years. A 1959 graduate of Odessa High School, Odessa, WA, Sherer has attended numerous classes and workshops relating to her job. She has a certifica tion from the Oregon Associa tion of County Treasurers and Finance Officers. In addition to being county treasurer from 1981 to 1996, Sherer was Mor row County tax collector from 1979 to 1994. She is also a 14-year member of Soroptimist Gayle Gutierrez, 39, Hepp International of Heppner and ner has lived in Heppner for 13 has been their treasurer for five years. She and her husband, years. Kim, who is employed as a "T h e Morrow County mechanic with Morrow Coun Treasurer has long had to ty Grain Growers, have two decide whether it is better for children, Jessica, 12, and the county for its money to be Joshua, nine. Gutierrez has invested locally or whether in been an accounting technician vestments should be made with Morrow County for four where the very best interest years. Gutierrez is a graduate rate can be earned," said of lone High School and has an Sherer. " I have always used a associate of science degree from combination of both. The Blue Mountain Community checking accounts are with the College. She and her husband Bank of Eastern Oregon. At the are active in their children's ac present time, I have one minion tivities and she assists him in invested in government agen coaching girls' softball. cy discount notes with First In terstate, one million in a "I can assist in making the bankers acceptance and an treasurer's office more accoun agency note with US Bank, table to the voters by always be $350,000 in Inland Investment ing accessible and having any Fund with Inland Empire Bank information that they may want and three million in the Oregon readily available,'' says Gutier State Treasurer's Investment rez. "The door will always be Pool. open to the public." "If elected, I plan to organize "The major issues facing the a county investment advisory treasurer are properly investing committee, asking four to six the taxpayer's monies in a safe professional and lay people to and secure place while earning meet with me on a quarterly the highest interest possible basis to review and discuss and ensuring that there is county investments. enough accessible cash to be " I have served all of the able to do day to day citizens of Morrow County by business." creating procedures that enable the taxing district to receive "O ften times people are their taxes and interst earnings disgruntled with their elected in a timely manner, days faster officials. I want to be a leader than required by Oregon in making people proud once statute. I transfer to their bank and employees. again of their elected officials accounts whenever possible or "Taxes assessed in both and make them feel good about north and south Morrow offer same day pick up. Coun their county government. ty funds and trust and agency County come into the "A s for the day to day opera treasurer's office. All monies funds are paid interest earned tions, 1 see very few changes. that come to the county benefit on commingled funds based I would work with all the the county as a whole. Exam upon each fund's daily average departments in a spirit of ple: the health nurses, mental cash balance. "In cooperation with the tax cooperation to make certain health, planning, law enforce that the county runs smoothly ment, roads, etc. Since most of collector, I have made ar rangem ents so that tax and efficiently as possible. the growth is in the north end, "There is no south end or more personnel resources are payments can be made at any north end of the county where expended there. Gains made branch of the banks that have the treasurer is concerned. It is on investments are made to county accounts. I am always open to new ideas. one county without boun benefit all of the county. "I have authorized the state daries. The funds are not split " I would improve com of Oregon to pay all Morrow when they are invested. munication between the County revenue directly to our treasurer's office and other "I can assist in healing the in departments, and try to be pool account in Salem to avoid terdepartmental courthouse aware of problems, work load, delayed or lost-in-the-mail problems by treating everyone etc., they may be having. 1 checks, thereby maximizing in fairly and with respect. Ensur would never bring personality vestment revenue. " I report monthly to the ing that the lines of com conflicts into a professional set munications are open to every ting. I'm a very positive person departments and districts that office no matter what problems and always try to be fair and get leave funds with me. Anyone may occur. When all the along with everyone. To me be wanting a copy of any informa departments are working as ing positive means encouraging tion I have need only call me, one, everyone benefits, in the potential of every person. and that information will be cluding the taxpayers. To me, being professional sent to you. "W e're all working together doesn't mean setting yourself "H aving worked in the up as superior, it means being under the leadership of the treasurer's office before, it the best you can be at getting county court to keep the lines would not be on-the-job train the best out of others.. .and let of communications open bet ing. Once again I would make ting them know they've done ween departments with staff certain that communication bet well. meetings where we express our ween all the offices are open. concerns and discuss our pro "I have the education and ex I would be committed to the perience to do the job, and do fessional objectives. We are all idea that the voters deserve my it well. I have a much broader determined to do the best job time, loyalty and 100 percent range of experience in both the possible and are always ready effort." public and private sector. I to offer our professional sup port to ther departments. "1 have demonstrated profes sionalism , efficiency and straight forward honesty in my four terms as treasurer and would be honored to be re elected to a fifth term ." Morrow County Commissioner Three people are running for Morrow County Commis sioner, two on the Democratic ticket, John Wenholz and David Burns, and one unop posed on the Republican ticket, Bill "Whisker Bill" Marren. Either Wenholz or Burns will face Marren in November. Following are the three can didates' responses to questions asked concerning their views on Morrow County and their candidacy. The questions included: What do you feel is your role as a Morrow County Commis sioner?; As a board member, do you feel you represent the county as a whole or the area from which your were elected?; How can you help accom modate the growth and in dustry and accompanying pro blems in the north end of the county, while maintaining quality of life in an uncertain economic situation in the south end of the county?; What do you feel is the commissioner's role in the current problems concerning the Morrow Coun ty Health District? Should the health district reamin as a county-wide entity or should the district be divided?; How can you encourage the separate county departments to be more accountable to the public?; Do you feel north Morrow Coun ty is well served in the area of county services? If not, how can this be rectified?; How can you assist in healing the anger and resentment that exist bet ween north and south county residents?; The home rule pro posal was recently defeated. Do you believe that home rule would better serve the citizens of Morrow county?; Should county com m issioners be elected from districts or at large? Why?; What are the other major issues facing you as a oounty. commissioner?; ,What • changes would you make if elected?; Why should the voters elect you over you opponents?. David Burns, 49, Irrigon, has lived 14 years in Morrow Coun ty. he and his wife, the former Debbie McCoy, a teacher in Ir rigon, have two children, Alysun, 11, and Jessica, nine. He has been a custom cabinet maker with "Custom Cuts Construction" in Irrigon for the past nine years. He and his wife have been partners for the past six years in "Education with Imagination", writing children's songs, poems and stories that she uses in summer workshops for teachers around the Northwest. He is also the owner of "Sportsman Outdoor Services", setting up hunting trips to Alaska and Hawaii. He is a registered Oregon guide and leases part of the Ron Cur- rin, Sr., ranch for deer every year. Burns attended Pendleton High School and graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration. He served a two-year term and was elected vice chair of the Citizen's Advisory Committee for Destruction of Chemical Weapons at Umatilla. Burns is a member of the Irrigon Chamber of Commerce, a past member of Irrigon City Budget Committee,is a coach for girls' softball and basketball teams and has been a member of the Irrigon Community Church for the past 14 years. "The county court is basical ly responsible for policy mak ing, budgeting, personnel, legal counsel and general ad ministration of the county," says Burns. "Additionally, since our county is fairly large with over 2000 square miles of country, I see part of the court's responsibilty to be sure all parts of the county are represented and that we all communicate with one another so that we all understand our needs as an in dividual community as well as a united county "By reassuring the south end that we are not going to leave them behind. Ours should be a united county. I would do all I could to fully understand the south ends needs and help them diversify and change to keep up with the new economic demands of that area. The north end needs to have a long range, well-thought-out economic plan as well. Too much economic growth in too short of time can reap long term problems including the need for more housing, increased crime rate, pollution problems, etc. We want careful, healthly, prosperous growth-we also need to determine just what type of reputation we want our area to have. We want to attract the type of new industry that will bring steady, long term employment and that will pro vide a healthy environment as well. "The county court has little legal standing on the medical clinic issue in Boardman. My inclination would be to want the district to stay united. Health program benefits, as I understand it, give lower prices for larger memberships. I also think it is just a bad precedent to have a district withdraw. However, the Boardman folks seem determined and seem to know exactly what they want. They seem to have the financial backing to support their own clinic, so I don't see that the court has much to say about this decision. It is still to be determined, probably in court, exactly what statutory pro cedures need to be followed to legally withdraw, hoever. The eventual withdrawal could free up about $150,000 that the court then could place elsewhere in the county. "That's the court's job. I know there is a serious conflict in one of the departments at this point resulting in a lawsuit. A person needs to be qualified for the position, but needs to get along with the staff and managment to be an overall good county employee. Since most of these positions are elected, it is the voting public's responsibility to choose the people that are right for the job. "The north end has tradi tionally lagged behind. This has all begun to shift some with the new growth at the north end. We are now seeing the real possibility of a new medical clinic in Irrigon as well as a new community center (with help from the county court through tippage fees). Fair distribution of tippage fees, as well as available lottery funds and with the injection of medical district funding, I think the north end is now beginning to receive a fair share of the funding and services available. " I grew up in Pendleton, have lived the past 14 years in Irrigon. My wife's family mov ed to Irrigon in the mid-forties. We have just built a nice, new home in Irrigon, have two daughters in school here. 1 have never had any axe to grind or built-in biases against any area of the county. I would see myself as a focal point to heal the differences-look at the positive aspects of the county instead of the negative. I also don't mind confronting a dif ficult issue head on and seek ing a fair solution. Most pro blems in this world seem to be based on misunderstanding and miscommunication. I would try to always be open to suggestion and ready to help in any way possible. We have a lot we could lose, but an awful lot more to gain by working together. "I think home rule does have some good benefits. I thing Eastern Oregonians will always be a 'show me' type of folks who are slow to accept new ideas. I think they will want to sit back and watch the other ocunties who have adopted this scheme and see how it works. I foresee the issue coming back up again in the future, possibly with different results. I think the main stumbling block now is that we don't want to lose any direct control over our public officials-and that is what most people perceive as the problem with home rule. " I think there should be the judge, once candidate from the south end, one repesenting Ir rigon, one representing Board- man, and one at large. The voters may not want to invest that much in and increased ad ministration cost, however. If that is the case, they should all remain at large and let the voters decide. "Road funding for new and repair. I think we should have some type of study to show what roads are being used the most and where the new needs might be. Funding should be allocated according to use and need; the regional 'narco' jail should be studied very careful ly so The Dalles/Hood River areas don't get the major share of beds at the expense of Mor row County; Morrow County still has, in my opinion, not tapped fully into the great recreational potential of the are. We need to do more to en courage visitors to stop and spend money here instead of going on by to other areas; in creased gang activity. Although relatively small, our area has seen an increase in crime and gang activity. It has to be stop ped now; better coordination with the Hispanic community. They are playing an ever- increasing role in the growth of our area. " I am better educated. I worked very hard for my education and I am proud to have it behind me. Education is still at the foundation of what America is all about. A college education is available to almost all kids who really strive to have it. It is what helps make a person more well-rounded and better prepared to take on the difficulties of life and business and to make good decisions.; I am more political ly involved. The Governor's Advisory Commission on the Chemical Weapons is a very important group who will help determ ine the future of Umatilla and Morrow County. The proposed incinerator (that is five incinerators) will, in my opinion and the opinion of an increasing number of scientists, will cause long-term health pro blems for our area and will cost the taxpayer way too much. There are alternative methods that are safer and cheaper and are ready for use now. I have served on this committee for over two yhears and have been elected as vice-chair. I am cur rently serving a second two- year term; I am more creative. Einstein one said that creativi ty was more important than superior intelligence. Every product we have started was an idea in some creative person's head. 1 create custom hard wood products as well as create new children's stories and songs out of my head. The answer to most of ur county's problems will be found in the heads of the most creative peo ple. I think 1 am one of those.” Bill "Whisker Bill" Marren, 41, Boardman, has lived in the county since 1981. Marren, who is single, has owned the -Continued next page
