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SIX- Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday. October 30, 19%
Candidates Forum M.C.
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Tuesday, Nov. 5, two
candidates
for Morrow
County
Treasurer,
Gayle
Gutierrez and
incumbent
Margo Sherer, will face off at
the polls and three candidates
"Whisker Bill" Marren, Jerry
Peck and John Wenholz, will
vie for the Morrow County
Commissioner's spot currently
held by Don McElligott.
McEUigott earlier said that he
would not seek the position
another term.
The Gazette-Times asked the
candidates to respond to
questions concerning issues
and
their
candidacies.
Following are their responses:
1 would happily provide infor
mation (it's all public record) to
any interested citizen who
asks. I am also always open to
new ideas.
Do you feel that north Mor
row County is well served by
the treasurer's office?
I have served all of the citi
zens of Morrow County in
creating procedures that en
able the taxing district to re
ceive their taxes and interest
earning in a timely manner,
days faster then required by
Oregon statute. I transfer to
their bank accounts whenever
possible or offer same day pick
up.
In cooperation with the tax
collector, 1 have made arrange
ments for tax payments to be
made at banks in Heppner,
lone, Boardman and Umatilla.
How can you assist in heal
ing some of the interdepart
mental courthouse problems?
We're all working together
under the leadership of the
county court to keep the lines
of communications open bet
ween departments with staff
Margo Sherer
members where we express our
concerns
and discuss our pro
Margo Sherer, 55, lone, has
fessional
objectives. Court
lived in the county 37 years.
Sherer and her husband, Dick, agendas are posted and
who owns a hay and cattle minutes are distributed as a
ranch four miles from lone, means of communications. I
have three grown children. am a part of the Public Informa
Sherer has been Morrow Coun tion Committee which is sen
ding out a county newsletter
ty Treasurer for 16 years.
each
quarter. We are all deter
She graduated from Odessa
mined
to do the best job possi
High School in Odessa, WA.,
ble
and
are always ready to of
and has attended numerous
fer
our
support to other
classes and workshops relating
departments.
to her job. She has received cer
What changes, if any would
tification from the Oregon
you
make if elected?
Association of County Trea
If
re-elected,
I plan to organ
surers and Finance Officers.
ize
a
county
investment
ad
Sherer was Morrow County
visory
committee,
asking
4-6
Treasurer from 1981-19%; Mor
interested
professional
and
lay
row County Tax Collector from
people
to
meet
with
me
on
a
1979-1994; the president of the
regular basis to review county
Oregon Association of County
investments. They would help
Tax Collectors from 1984-85;
me prepare a written county in
and president of the Oregon
Association of County Trea vestment policy by clearly de
fining scope, objectives authori
surers and Finance Officers
ty,
qualified institutions, diver
from 1989-1990.
sification
and maturity.
Sherer is a 14 year member of
This
policy
would be review
Soroptimist International of
ed
by
the
Oregon
Short Term
Heppner and has held the of
Fund
Board,
the
governing
fice of treasurer for five years.
board
for
the
Oregon
State
Please explain what a trea
Treasury
Local
Government
In
surer's job and duties are.
vestment
Pool,
before
final
The county treasurer is the
adoption by the Morrow Coun
cash manager for 30 county
ty Court.
funds and 60 trust and agency
What are the other major
funds (entities other than Mor
issues
facing you as Morrow
row’ County). Cash manage
County Treasurer?
ment is the practice of plann
A major issue at this time is
ing, monitoring and manipula
ensuring the services of this
ting cash to accomplish any
one person office remain unin
organizations objective of hav
terrupted and efficient.
ing sufficient liquidity to pay
Why should voters elect you
obligations when they are due
over your opponent?
while maximizing investment
I have 16 years experience in
revenues.
cash
management to best direct
The treasurer receipts all
the
nearly
20 million dollars the
county and trust fund revenue.
treasurer
annually
receives. I
The treasurer has the banking
have
demonstrated
profes
responsiblities including de
sionalism
,
efficiency
and
positing, bank transfers, check
straight-forward
honesty
in
my
signing, check reconciliation,
four
terms
as
treasurer
and
check ordering and safe keep
would be honored to be re
ing, loan applications and in
elected
to a fifth term.
vestment of a four to seven
Please
comment on the law
million dollar investment port
suit you have against the coun
folio.
ty. For example, why did you
This department is one per
file suit against the county?
son who makes decisions and
What do you hope to gain by
does all of the work.
the lawsuit (financial settle-
The treasurer distributes pro
ment-if so how much? Rein
perty taxes, interest earnings,
statement?)?
etc. and pays the taxing dis
I have been the elected
tricts.
treasurer
for 16 years. I was
Do you feel county taxpayers
also
appointed
tax collector in
are better served by local in
1979
and
worked
in both
vestments which return money
capacities
until
June
22,
1994,
to the local economy or by out-
when
I
was
dismissed
as
tax
of-county investments which
collector.
The
pending
legal
may earn a higher interest rate?
aciton is a challenge to my
I have always diversified by
abrupt removal from the tax
type and financial institution in
collector
position in 1994. I
order to minimize risk. At the
believe
that
my professional
present time, our county banks
reputation
required
that I take
with one exception are offering
this
action.
the same rate of interest as out-
of-county investments. The
State Treasury Local Gbvern-
ment Investment Pool offers li
quidity and a high rate of in
terest, but I am proud to help
the local economy with county
investments whenever pos
sible.
How can you assist in mak
ing the treasurer's office more
accountable to the voters?
I report monthly to county
court, departments and dis
tricts that leave funds with me.
Gayl* Gutierrez
:;*y .
iv
Gayle Gutierrez, 39, Hepp
ner, has lived in Morrow Coun
ty since 1%9 except for a brief
time in The Dalles. Gutierrez
and her husband, Kim, who is
a mechanic for Morrow Coun
ty Grain Growers, have two
children, Jessica, 12, and
Joshua, 9.
Gutierrez has been employed
as accounting technician with
Morrow County for four years
and has worked for Morrow
County for seven years.
Gutierrez graduated from
lone High School and received
a associate in science degree
from Blue Mountain Com
munity College.
She is involved with Hepp
ner Little League and her
children's activities.
* Please explain what a trea
surer's job and duties are.
The treasurer has many
duties. The main duty is to pro
perly invest the county's funds
and make sure there is enough
cash on hand so the county can
do day-to-day business such as
paying the accounts payable
and payroll. Other duties in
clude receipting in revenue,
maintaining bank and invest
ment accounts, maintaining
cash balances of county and
trust and agency funds, check
signing and invoice verifica
tion, tax refunds, preparing tax
turnovers for trust and agency
funds, and county land sales.
The treasurer also handles the
Special Transportation Fund
needs, but it is not a required
service of the treasurer's office.
Do you feel county taxpayers
are better served by local in
vestments which return money
to the local economy or by out-
of-county investments which
may earn a higher interest rate?
It would be wonderful to be
able to invest all the county's
funds locally at all times. The
taxpayers deserve the highest
rate of return as possible, but
it can't always be done locally.
I would do my best to have as
much invested locally as possi
ble because it does return
money to the local economy.
The taxpayers are served best
when their money is invested
wisely and safely.
How can you assist in mak
ing the treasurer's office more
accountable to the voters?
I can make the treasurer's of
fice more accountable to the
voters by always being accessi
ble and have any information
they may want readily avail
able. If there is enough interest
by the public, I can prepare
quarterly reports and mail them
out to those people that are in
terested, or they can come in
the office and just ask.
Do you feel that north Mor
row County is well served by
the treasurer's office?
I feel the north and south
ends of the county are served
equally well by the treasurer's
office. There are no boundaries
where the treasurer's office is
concerned. The Treasurer does
not invest the funds thinking
this part is for the north end
and this part is for the south
end.
How can you assist in heal
ing some of the interdepart
mental courthouse problems?
I have a wonderful working
relationship already establish
ed with all the departments. I
will continue this positive rela
tionship by treating everyone
fairly and with respect. Ensur
ing the lines of communications
are open to every office no mat
ter what problems may occur.
I am very open minded and I
am willing to listen to what
anyone might have to say...
good or bad. When all the
departments are working as
one, everyone benefit», includ
ing the taxpayers.
What changes, if any would
you make if elected?
The major change I would
make would be to implement a
written investment policy. My
opponent mentioned in your
May 15th edition that she
would start an investment com
mittee. I feel that you need
written guidelines before bring
ing people in to advise. I have
Treasurer
already requested and received
several investment policies
from other counties. I plan on
collecting the best ideas from
these policies and incorporate
my ideas on the safest and
most productive means of in
vesting the county funds. I
would have this policy in place
within the first year of my first
term.
What are the other major
issues facing you as Morrow
County Treasurer?
I would bring back the re
spect and integrity the office of
treasurer once had. I want to be
a leader in making people
proud of their elected officials
and make them feel good about
their county government.
Why should voters elect you
over your opponent?
With my experience working
for the county, including the
treasurer's office, the respect I
show and have earned from the
employees and elected officials,
and with my written invest
ment policy, 1 know I could
serve Morrow County with the
integrity and the professional
ism we all know it deserves.
Jerry Peck
Jerry Peck, 56, Boardman,
has lived in Morrow County for
48 of his 56 years. He is divorc
ed, has four grown children.
Peck has been employed as a
grocery store manager for the
past IV 2 years at Plaid Pantry/
Inc.
Peck graduated from Board-
man High School and attend
ed Oregon Technical Institute
from 1958-59. He was Morrow
County Commissioner from
1985-1992, Mayor of Boardman
in 1976 and 1984, and served on
the county school board from
1968-1975. Peck is a member of
the Historical Society and was
involved in Cub Scouts and Lit
tle League. He was also a
member of the Coast Guard
Auxiliary.
What do you feel is your role
as Morrow County Commis
sioner?
To represent the citizens of
Morrow County in matters re
lated to local, state and federal
issues affecting Morrow
County.
As a board member, do you
feel you represent the county
as a whole or the area from
which you were elected?
Both. A commissioner should
convey concerns of his area to
all county officials, but the deci
sions the commissioners make
should represent the entire
county.
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 insecure
economic situation in the south
end of the county?
The growth and industry in
the north end of the county will
necessitate more services to be
provided, such as housing and
law enforcement.
In the south end, we need to
provide assistance to the agri
cultural and forestry-based eco
nomies and build upon the
tourism and recreation aspects
such as our museum, the Mor
row County parks, Blue Moun
tain Scenic Byway and increas
ed recreational hunting. At the
same time, we need to continue
searching for other diversified
industry for the south end.
Hopefully, having a new eco
nomic development specialist
working for the county full
time, will help bring this to
fruition.
What do you feel is the com
missioner's role in the ongoing
Commissioner
problems concerning the Mor employed outside of Morrow
row County Health District? County, I have always con
Should the health district re tinued to maintain my resi
main as a county-wide entity or dence in Boardman. Unfor
should the district be divided? tunately, like many other
The commission's role is for Boardman residents, my
mation and setting boundaries employment takes me out of
for special districts, but should the area during my work week.
not be involved in management I spend most of my days off in
Boardman and have always
of the district.
I have long advocated dis considered it my home. I have
tricts being formed where the certainly spent enough time
users of a service are the peo here to keep up on county
ple who vote on that service, isues. I continue to live in the
but a fair and equitable tax house I built 25 years ago and
valuation base must be achiev sold to a relative five years ago
after my divorce. I maintain
ed to make this possible.
What is your position on 1100 square feet of living space
maintaining Pioneer Memorial in this house. I am also a part-
Hospital in Heppner? Is there owner of both commençai and
residential property and
a future for the hospital?
I feel that Pioneer Memorial therefore I am a Morrow Coun
Hospital must be maintained in ty taxpayer. It is my plan and
Heppner. We must periodical desire to spend full time in
ly evaluate what services Boardman after being elected to
should be provided in order to the Morrow County Commis
assure a continued future for sion.
the hospital.
What is your position concer
ning the current plans to build
a medical clinic in Irrigon?
I think the community of Ir
rigon needs to be a partner in
the decision-making process to
determine the need for a medi
cal clinic in their community. It
is important to analyze the
medical needs of each area of
the county and to make sure
they are maintained.
What would you like to see
changed in road maintenance
or the road department?
John Wenholz
I would like to see more of
John Wenholz, 54, Irrigon,
our roads completely rebuilt to
has
lived in the county 23
today's standards, with ade
years.
Wenholz and his wife,
quate base and width. 1 am
Jeanette,
who is a housewife
very pleased with the direction
and
former
registered nurse,
the road department is taking.
have
two
grown
children.
They are working hard to part
Wenholz
has
been
self-em
ner projects with other agen
ployed
for
the
past
25
years
and
cies, making both dollars and
is
the
owner
of
Irrigon
Motors.
construction projects go far
Wenholz graduated from
ther.
Madison
High in Portland and
How would you encourage
attended
Portland State Uni
the separate county' depart
versity:
He
has be£n a member
ments to be more accountable
of'.the
Morrow
County School*
to the public?
Distridt
locaFad
visoiy commit*
I believe county Uepartttt^hti
tee.
He
has
been
involved with
become more cognizant of
Little
League
and
Babe Ruth
public accountability when
baseball
programs
and is a
they are required to make _
member
of
the
Irrigon
Cham
presentations at public meet
ber
of
Commerce.
ings. This also is a good oppor
What do you feel is your role
tunity for citizens to ask ques
as
Morrow County Commis
tions of these departments.
sioner?
Do you feel north Morrow
My job will be to serve all of
County is well served in the
the
people of Morrow County
area of.county services? If not,
equally
and to try to ensure that
how can this be rectified?
we
have
a smooth running and
I think the citizens of north
efficient
county government.
Morrow County have been fair
As
a
board
member, do you
ly well served in the area of
feel
you
represent
the county
county services. As the popula
as
a
whole
or
the
area from
tion increases in the north end,
which
you
were
elected?
providing of more services will
As I have stated from the
have to be evaluated.
start,
all of the commissioners
How can you assist in heal
have
to
represent the county as
ing the anger and resentment
that exist between north and a whole.
How can you help accom
south county residents?
I feel that I have the ability to modate the growth and in
communicate well with both dustry, and accompanying pro
ends of the county, voicing the blems, in the north end of the
concerns of each to the other. county, while maintaining
This anger and resentment quality of life in an insecure
seems to lie within a vocal economic situation in the south
minority. It is not necessarily end of the county?
Historically, the south end
the feeling of most of the citi
has
helped finance the needs of
zens.
the
north
end. Now the reverse
Should county commis
is
starting
to happen. Beyond
sioners be elected from
the
money
issues, one end
districts or at-large? Why?
can't
survive
without the sup
I would like to continue to
port
of
the
other,
and this coun
see the county operate with at-
ty
won't
survive
if we stay
large positions because it gives
separated.
But,
1
do
not see the
voters the ability to choose the
best candidate regardless of county commissioners' jobs to
be economic development.
where they are from.
What are the other major Bringing economic develop
issues facing you as a county ment is better left to the Port of
Morrow, the local Chambers of
commissioner?
Major issues include: emer Commerce and private interest.
gency preparedness for nerve The role of the county commis
gas incineration, crime preven sioners is to ensure that these
tion and jail space, continued developments contribute to the
evaluation of services provided, welfare of the county in a
and prioritization of funding for positive way.
What do you feel is the com
departments.
missioner's
role in the ongoing
Why should the voters elect
problems
concerning
the Mor
you over your opponents?
row
County
Health
District?
I have experience for this
Should
the
health
district
re
position. In the eight years I
main
as
a
county-wide
entity
or
previously served as a county
should
the
district
be
divided?
commissioner, I developed a
We have an elected medical
good working relationship with
many other local, state and board to solve those problems.
federal agency representa However, when an issue ends
up with the county commis
tives.
Please address the issue con sioners for a decision, we will
have to study all of the evi
cerning your residency.
Although I am currently dence available and try to make
Continued, next page