SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 28, 2001
Candidate's Forum
The ballots for the March
13 mail-in election have been
sent to Morrow County voters.
Contested races to be decided
include the Morrow County
School District directors for
Zone 2 and Zone 6; Morrow
County Health District Position
3; and the lone Lexington
Advisory Committee Position 2.
In the Morrow County
School District Director race
Zone 2, John Renfro, Lexington,
and Michelle Gale, Imgon, will
go up against incumbent Dwayne
Carroll, Imgon.
Dwayne Carroll (No photo
available)
Dwayne Carroll, 62,
lives in the Imgon area. Carroll
and his wife, Gerry, have two
grown
children,
Jeanne
Dabulskis and Larry Carroll.
Carroll, who came to
Morrow County in 1960,
graduated from high school in
Wasco. He served in the U.S. Air
Force as an E5 with the U.S. Air
Defense Command from 1956-
60.
Carroll
is a self-
employed farmer and has been
owner of a small trucking firm
since 1961.
Carroll is a member of
the Oregon Wheat League, the
Oregon Trucking Association,
the
American
Trucking
Association,
the
National
Federation
of
Independent
Businessmen and the Columbia
Basin
Grain
Growers
Association.
He has been a member of
the Morrow County School
Board since 1986 and served two
terms as board chair.
As a long-time school
board
member,
Carroll
commented on the time required
to fulfill the duties of the office.
"This particular office requires a
huge allocation of personal
time," said Carroll. "Willingness
to ‘dedicate that time is
paramount."
Why would a voter
select
you
over
your
opponent?: "A firm commitment
to education proven^ by time
already serving the needs of
Morrow County."
If elected, what is the
biggest challenge facing you?:
"The largest issue of immediate
concern is the bond levy
necessary to allow the district to
deal with increasing crowding
and class size."
What major project
would you like to see
accomplished?: "The addition of
classrooms to address the
increased enrollment and long­
term maintenance needs of
present facilities. Without a levy,
maintenance needs and student
education must compete for the
same dollar."
Michelle Gale (No photo or
information available)
John Renfro
John Renfro, 64, resides
in Lexington. He and his wife,
Pamela, have a grown daughter.
Renfro, who came to
Morrow County in 1994,
graduated from high school in
Clatskanie. He graduated from
Portland State University with
bachelor and master of science
degrees. He served with the U.S.
Army with the Army Security
Agency in Germany for three
years.
Renfro was employed
with the Oregon State Police for
2-1/2 years, with the Clackamas
Juvenile Court for eight years
and with the Clackamas County
Sheriffs Office for 22 years.
Renfro was a member of
the Oregon City School Board
for two years and served on the
Lexington City Council and as
i
Lexington mayor. He was
Clackamas County Sheriff for
four years.
Renfro has experience
teaching part-time, in contract
negotiations, with personnel in
the public sector and has had
local budget experience.
Why would a voter
select
your
over
your
opponent?: "Broader knowledge
of the job duties, local budget
law, public personnel rules, open
meeting laws, more awareness of
the needs and wishes of students,
parents, staff and public, ample
time to devote to the job."
If elected, what is the
biggest challenge facing you?:
"To provide leadership to return
confidence and support of the
public to the school board."
What major project
would you like to see
accomplished? What is your
first priority?: "To encourage
support and cooperation from the
public
to
improve
staff,
curriculum and program levels."
Barney Lindsay
Barney Lindsay, 30, lives
in the Lexington area, he and his
wife, Kimberly have two
children, Kaelyn, three and Alex,
one.
Lindsay, who was bom
and raised in Morrow County, is
a fourth generation county
farmer. Linsday graduated from
Heppner High School, Blue
In the Morrow County Mountain Community College
School
District
Director and the University of Idaho at
Position Zone 6, John Kilkenny, Moscow. He has a bachelor of
Heppner, opposes incumbent science degree in agricultural
education from UI and an
Barney Lindsay, Lexington.
associate degree in general
studies from BMCC.
He is a farmer on the
Lindsay Ranch and has been a
teacher with the Morrow County
School
District
and
the
Hermiston School District.
Lindsay is a member of
the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
where he serves as a lector, a
member of the parish council and
a member and former chairman
of the Holy Name Society. He is
also a member of the Elks Club,
the Knights of Columbus and the
University of Idaho Alumni
Association. He was a member of
the Heppner High School
Agricultural Education Advisory
Board from 1993-94, an assistant
football coach for Hermiston
John Kilkenny
High School and an assistant
John Kilkenny, 43, lives
track coach for Heppner Junior
in the Heppner area. He and his
High School from 1996-97.
wife Diane, have three children
Lindsay has been a
16. B and It
member of the Morrow County
' - " V '' Kilkenny has livëd in
School Board and the Morrow
Morrow Cotïrîty since 1957. He
County
Soil
and
Water
graduated from Heppner High
Conservation District Board
School and received a degree in
since 1997 and the Morrow
business from the University of
County Grain Growers Board
Oregon.
member and secretary since
Kilkenny has operated
1998.
the Kilkenny Ranch for 20 years.
Why would a voter
Kilkenny is a member of
select
you
over
your
the Catholic Church. He served
opponent?: "I have been a
as Morrow County Rodeo
student, a teacher, a coach and a
director for six years, on the
board member for the Morrow
Heppner High School Site
County School District. 1 have a
Council for two years and is a diverse background in education
current member of the Heppner- and I understand the issues
Lexington Advisory Countil. He facing our schools in Morrow
was a director of the Morrow County."
County Grain Growers for nine
If elected what is the
years and a member of the biggest challenge facing you?:
Morrow
County
ASCS "Funding public education K-12.
Committee for six years.
A stable funding source for
"Firstly, I have three public education is critical to
children in school and know ensuring success for our
first-hand what takes place every students."
day. Secondly, I have 20 years of
What major project
business
experience
and would you like to see
understand
the
financial accomplished? What is your
obligations
involved
with first priority?: "My first priority
running the district as a is ensuring quality education is
business," said Kilkenny.
offered to all our students.
Why would a voter Students in every community
select
you
over
your should have equal access to
opponent?: "I hope that I would course offerings and scheduling.
be more able to convince the The major project which I would
majority of the board to think like to see accomplished is
independently and to not look for restoring programs that were
the easiest solution to problems. eliminated or adding course
The school board must always offerings
through
distance
put needs of the children ahead education."
of everything else."
Three people are vying
What major project for position 3 on the Morrow
would you like to see County Health District board,
accomplished? What is your Susan Payne, Imgon, and John
first priority?: "To have a Prag and Marja Sayles, both
school board that is open and Boardman.
accessible to all members of the
county. When people come Susan Payne (No photo or
forward to speak they will be information available)
welcome and listened to.
Decisions will not automatically John Prag (No photo available)
be made just because they were
John Prag, 66, lives in
recommended
by
the Boardman with his wife. Lynn
administration. Administrators Prag has three children, 40, 36
will look at all possible options. and 20.
When decisions are made, the
Prag, who came to
financial costs will be fully and Morrow County in 1969,
accurately reported to the public. graduated from Columbia Prep
When decisions are made, they and attended the University of
will be made at meetings, not Oregon, majoring in business.
before the meeting is started."
Prag was an Oregon Air National
Guard captain, medical services
officer.
FAX SERVICE
Prag has been a self
employed
rancher and realtor for
Send or Receive
35 years.
Heppner Gazette Times
He is a member of the
Boardman
Chamber
of
Commerce and the Greater
Or e g o n
Development
Corporation. He has been a chair
of the Boardman Planning
Commission, a member and chair
of the Morrow County School
Budget Committee and a member
and chair of the Morrow County
Budget Committee. He is a long­
time businessman and has had
six years' experience with the Air
Force Medical Service and
supply officer.
Why would a voter
select
you
over
your
opponent?: "Fiscally responsible
30-plus year resident."
If elected what is the
biggest challenge facing you?:
"Maintaining financial viability
of the medical district."
What major project
would you like to see
accomplished? What is your
first
priority?:
"Assuring
financial security of the Irrigon,
Boardman and Heppner medical
clinics and amublance services."
bond levy pass, making it
possible to continue to support
the construction of a new
elementary building and practice
gym in lone. 1 am very receptive
and willing to listen and discuss
input from concerned citizens."
Smith supports
restoring senior
and disabled
programs
State Representative Greg Smith
(R-Heppner) expressed support
recently for restoring funding for
senior and disabled programs. The
programs are slated for cuts in
Governor John Kitzhaber's budget.
"These programs provide vital
services to some of the most
vulnerable Oregonians," Smith said.
"I am pledging to do everything
I can to make sure these programs
get the funding they need."
Smith isjoimng his colleagues
in the House Republican Caucus
and House Speaker Mark Simmons
(R-Elgin), who announced his
Gregg A. Rietmann
intention to fight for senior and
Gregg A. Rietmann, 37, disabled funding. Simmons also
and his wife, Cheryle, have two announced the creation of a
children. Tanner, seven, and bipartisan Speaker's Task Force on
Marja Sayles (No photo Evan, six. Rietmann has lived in Funding for Senior and Disabled
available)
Morrow County since 1963 and Services, which will be holding a
Marja Sales, 48, lives in graduated from lone High series of hearings across Oregon
Boardman. She and her husband, School. He received a bachelor to examine the impact of the
Greg, have two children, Tina, of arts degree in business Governor's proposed cuts.
28, and Garth, 25. She came to administration from Pacific
"I am disappointed that the
Morrow County in 1987.
University.
Governor has chosen to heave
Sayles graduated from
Rietmann has been seniors and the disabled out of his
Holy Names Academy and owner of 2 R Farms, Inc., since budget," Smith said. "My House
received an associate degree 1990.
Republican colleagues and I are
from Bellevue Community
He is a member of the dedicated to restoring those cuts."
College.
lone United Church of Christ, the
Smith added that House
Sayles
has
been lone Amphitheater and Park Republicans will also be introducing
employed as a secretary with Committe and the Oregon Wheat legislation for prescription drug
Morrow County Behavioral Growers League.
reform, tax credits for long term
Health Services for over 12
Rietmann has had 10 care and research to find treatments
years.
years experience as the lone for age-related diseases.
She is a member of Our High School Varsity football
. "We can't turn our backs on our
Lady of Guadalupe Catholic coach and eight years experience seniors, "Smith said. "'They have
Church in Boardman and a as the lone High School JV done so much for Oregon, it's time
member of the Columbia River basketball coach.
we stood up for them."
EMT Association of which she
has been secretary-treasurer the
last three years.
Why would a voter
select
you
over
your
opponent?: "As a citizen and
service provider in Morrow
County I am interested in the
continuation of such services and
the fiscal health of the Morrow
County Health District."
Rick Osmin new manager of
Hermiston New Holland Ford
Two lone residents,
Darrin Padberg and Gregg A.
Rietmann are up for one spot on
the Ione-Lexington Advisory
Board.
Rick Osmin (left), Meloney Calhoun and Mike Hastings
Darrin Padberg
Darrin Padberg, 35, has
lived in Morrow County his
entire life. He graduated from
lone High School and attended
Blue Mountain Community
College, Mt. Hood Community
College
and Oregon State
University. He has one son, 2-
1 / 2 .
Padberg has been a
farmer with D&M Padberg for
15 years.
He has been a member of
the Elks Club for 14 years, the
lone Community Agri-Business
Organization for 15 years, the
lone Rural Fire District for one
year and a member of the Jodan
Elevator Board of Directors for
five years.
"Over the years I have
always been a school supporter,
whether athletic or academic. I
have had good relationships with
the administrators, faculty and
students that I think gives me a
good feel for the school system."
If elected what is jthe
biggest challenge facing you?:
"With
continuing
budget
restraints, we need to explore
possibilities of how to maximize
and utilize a high quality of
education for all students,
considering current teacher loss
and limited space. Also, a large
challenge for all of south
Morrow County is to keep our
schools alive and thriving."
What major project
would you like to see
accomplished. What is your
first priority?: "I am working
with Yes for Kids to help the
Rick Osmin, formerly of
Heppner, was hired as the new
manager at the Hermiston New
Holland Ford as of February 1.
"I'm looking forward to
building the business here and
providing excellent customer
service," said Osmin. "I invite
anyone to stop by for a visit or
call me with any questions or
needs that you have. I'm excited
about being back in this area and
closer to home."
Osmin graduated from
Heppner High School in 1991
and attended Eastern Oregon
University from 1991-94. After
college he moved to Portland and
was employed as a claims
adjuster for 3-1/2 years. At that
point, he realized that he missed
Eastern Oregon and moved back
to LaGrande, where he began a
sales position with LaGrande
New Holland. He had been
employed there for the last three
years, until he was hired to take
over management of the
Hermiston
New
Holland
February 1. Doug Fluharty,
formerly owner of just the
Quincy,
Washington, New
Holland Ford, purchased the
Pasco, Othello and Hermiston
New Holland stores last
September.
"In January I was
presented the opportunity to be
the new store manager. It was a
good career move for me as well
as an opportunity to get closer to
home," said Osmin. "I've always
known that this store could do
better
and
I've
always
daydreamed of being here and
running this store. I never
imagined that after only three
years I would be running this
store."
As new manager, Osmin
says that he and the new owner
intend to make the Hermiston
store more customer-oriented.
Osmin has increased the parts
inventory by over 100,000 and
has improved the billing situation
since the previous ownership.
"The parts inventory is full and
we hopefully plan to have all
standard parts and commonly
used parts at the store. We have a
commitment to parts, service and
sales that have been missing
from the Hermiston store for
some time," says Osmin.
Parts
manager
is
Meloney Calhoun, who has been
with Hermiston New Holland for
the past two years. "Her parts
knowledge is good," said Osmin.
"She's got a positive outlook on
the parts situation which was
limited in the past."
Mike Hastings, service
manager, is "very reputable,"
says Osmin, and has been with
the company for the last 2-1/2
years.
Osmin is the son of A1
and Donna Osmin of Heppner.
He and his wife, Amy, have a
daughter, Tanna, 1-1/2, and a
new baby due in April. The
family is in the process of selling
their home and moving to the
Hermiston area.
Error discovered
in Boardman
ballots
An error has been
discovered in the March 13
write-in ballots for Boardman,
according to the Morrow County
Clerk’s office.
The ballots have been
corrected and remailed to
Boardman voters.
YE W S DEADLINE
S p.m. Monday