Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 8, 2014)
EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 8, 2014 E L EC T IO N FO RUM Kathv Marick Candidate for Hep pner City Council, Posi tion 5 Age: 54 Marick grew up in the Willamette Valley in Foster, OR. She graduated from Sweet Home High School in 1978. She moved to Heppner in 1999. She then met John M ar ic k , a n d the couple m arried in 2001. They bought Wil Kathv M arick low Creek Diner in 2003. Marick has owned and operated two small busi nesses, as well as raising an international family that in cludes three biological chil dren, one adopted child, 12 exchange students, and fos ter children, which she says provided “many chances to govern in a large family.” Daughters Jenny, 17, and Abbie, 12, are still at home, as well as Danish exchange student Nanna Marie, 17. Why are you running for city council? “ 1 love our community. Now that J1_L our children are getting older I wanted to be more involved as a servant to the community.” What do you feel is the higgest challenge facing Heppner? “Economics.” How would you address this as a member o f the city council? “I would work as a team with the other council members to find ways to bring more employment opportunities.” What are some ways you would reach out to the community and encourage more participation in the decisions made by the coun cil? “1 want to be a voice for the people of Heppner. Having served this commu nity’ in our business, Willow Creek Diner & Bakery, for 11 years, we have heard the concerns o f many locals and would like to address their concerns. Our family has a servant's heart and wants to be involved in making Heppner an even better community than it already is. Heppner is the friendliest, most accepting town I have ever lived in. Our family loves living in this tight-knit community.” Mayoral candidates continued... Cody High (cont.) ence in our community and guarantee that all citi zens’ voices are heard and all decisions are made for the best interest of the city. I want to be mayor so 1 can ensure that the meetings are run with the people in mind, that everyone has the time necessary to express their thoughts, everyone is treated with respect regard less of their opinion, the agenda is followed, and the city council’s actions are kept track of and not put on a back burner and forgotten to time.” What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing H eppner? “ Money will always be the biggest chal lenge facing Heppner. With a small community, finding resources to address all the concerns a city has (streets, parks, w ater and sewer) w ith o u t o v er-ch arg in g those who live here or hav ing things fall into disarray will always be a struggle for the city to overcome.” How would you address this as mayor? “The only way to address budgetary issues is to be vigilant with our spending. Making sure that we are examining all expenditures, constantly looking at all sides to find the best solution no matter how unorthodox and mak ing decisions that continue to make Heppner the place we call home. 1 like to think that during my past time on city council I was conscious of these facts and acted accordingly, and 1 will continue to do so if elected as your mayor.” What are some wavs you would reach out to the community' and encourage more participation in the decisions made by the coun cil? “As Mayor I would en courage anyone to talk with me or any other council member about any issues/ thoughts they may have. If you wish to know what the city has planned, 1 encour age you to go to city council meetings and/or talk with our city manager; she will get you the information you need. Participation is an active choice. First vote for someone who you believe will do what’s best; if you are not registered, go sign up at the county clerk’s of fice. Speak up and let your voice be heard so those who serve you know what you desire.” -Continuedfrom PAGE ONE JoAnne Burleson Candidate for Hep pner City Council, Posi tion 5 (Incumbent) Age: 83 B urleson o riginally cam e from Canby, OR. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree. Aside from serving several years on the Heppner City Coun cil, B urle son served on various boards and committees in Canby. A widow, she JoAnne has no fam- Burleson ily in the area. Why are you running fo r city council? “ I love Heppner and wish to make a difference.” What do you fe e l is the biggest challenge fa c ing Heppner? “ We need to somehow bring in new business and hope it will bring in more families and income to the community.” How would you address this as a member o f the city council? “I would try to work with the north end of the county and look into ways to encourage growth.” What are some ways you would reach out to the community and encour age more participation in the decisions made by the council? “I am involved in the community, and would and do visit with the public on some of the ideas and views they may have on issues.” Deadline for news and advertising: MONDAY AT 5 P.M. Skip Matthews (cont.) his degree at Oregon State. Matthew holds a Bach elor of Science in agricul ture from Oregon State University. He has 25 years of experience with various workgroups, committees and boards, most notably the Willow Creek Park Dis trict since around 1995. He also served eight years on the Heppner City Council previously and is currently in year two of a four-year term on the council. Why are you running fo r mayor? “I have a deep love for this town. 1 raised my family here and my wife is a multi-generational resident. I am hoping that, if elected, I can make a dif ference in the future of our community. My main goals are to find ways to help with The Heppner High School Future Business Lead economic development in ers o f America invites the community to wear pink Heppner, continue with all day on Oct. 16 and at the home game on Friday, support for infrastructure Oct. 17, to support breast cancer awareness. FBLA invites community to wear pink Attention Parents of K-4th Graders! Our Annual Holiday Design Contest Is On! Designs Due At Local Branches By 11/03/14 Winner Gets $125 Plus Other Perks! Holiday Design Contest Winner Last Year: Aliyah McMillan of Clarkston, WA * Pick Up Entry Form« At V ourlocal Branch! Heppner 127 N Main St 541-676-5745 1 { û k ° mmunity B A N K Local Monay Working For Local Paopla www communitybanknet com Member FDIC l I Adam Doherty Candidate for Hep pner City Council, Posi tion 6 Age: 35 Doherty was bom and raised in Heppner, the son ofCindi and Mike Doherty. A local high school gradu ate, Doherty and his wife, M olly Sue D o h e rty , have one d a u g h te r , *-* - Aimee Rose Turrell. w h >’ Adam are you run- Doherty ning fo r city council? “I want to take an active role in helping the community that 1 live in. I would like to give back to the community that has given so much to me.” What do you fe e l is the biggest challenge fa c ing Heppner? “I feel like sustaining our growth and economic impact in South Morrow County is one of the biggest challenges that Heppner as a community faces.” How would you address this as a member o f the city council? “With the opportu nity to serve as part of the Heppner City Council, I feel as a collective we will be able to come up with a plan of action that best fits H eppner’s unique needs as a community; that will have the greatest positive impact on our growth and economic impact.” What are some ways you would reach out to the com m unity and encour age more participation in the decisions made by the council? “I would help the public to be informed of the topics to be discussed prior to the monthly meetings.” development and promote citizen involvement in city government.” What do you fe e l is the biggest challenge fa c ing Heppner? “The catch phrase is ‘economic devel opment.’ But it is more than a catch phrase. We need to maintain and develop the goods and services that we currently enjoy. Our popu lation, although fairly sta ble, 1 feel it is barely enough to sustain our city the way it is. Bringing population and business to Heppner is critical to our long-term viability." How would you address this as mayor? “I think the city should continue to play a role in groups such as Wil low Creek Valley Economic Development Group and G reater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation. In addition there are net working opportunities in other organizations such as The League of Oregon Cities, Oregon Mayors As sociation and Eastern Or egon Visitors Association that may provide leads to solutions. It seems that the resources to do these sorts of activities is limited at times, and I hope to offer my time and experience to change that.” What are some ways you would reach out to the com m unity and encour age more participation in the decisions made by the council? “I think we need to educate people to become active in the process prior to city council actions. For example, the council only approves the city budget after the Budget Commit tee meets to recommend it. Likewise, we have com mittees that meet regularly on police matters, housing, beautification, utilities and planning. I think we need to do a better job of getting citizens involved in these meetings and agenda items prior to the council’s final decisions.” Diann Nagel Candidate for Hep pner City Council, Posi tion 6 Age 66 Bom in Michigan, Na gel spent most of her adult life in Clark County, Wash ington. She and her hus band drove through Heppner for many years ■ . on their way to Sunflow er Flats to go camping Diann Nagel w ith th e ir family. She says they stopped in town often, and saw a house they fell in love with. The rest, as they say, is history; the couple retired and moved to Heppner in 2006. Their five children live throughout the U.S., and the Nagels have 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. N agel holds both a bachelor’s and master's de gree and, after raising their five children, she returned to school to complete her doctorate. She was involved in student politics during her time in school, and also worked for the Department of Commerce for two years. Why are you running for city council? “I am hop ing to make a difference. 1 was raised to believe we are to give back. This is my chance to do that.” What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing H eppner? “ The biggest challenge in Heppner right now is the influence o f illegal substances. Talk ing with members of the com munity I have been told stories of having their homes broken into and pre scription drugs stolen, drug paraphernalia found in their yards, and taking grandkids to the ER for an overdose of ‘Spice.’ This is no longer a big-city problem. It is now our problem as well.” How would you address this as a member o f the cits' council? “We need better a ‘Neighborhood Watch,’ bet ter police presence, and ac countability’for offenders.” What are some ways you would reach out to the com m unity and encour age more participation in the decisions made by the council? “I would have an open Town Hall meeting with the council, police and community to discuss the issues, and what we can do to stop this epidemic of drugs.” Joe Perry (cont.) in agricultural econom ics from Washington State University. He has served as Heppner mayor for the past two years. He also serves on the boards of the Mor row County Health District and the Willow Creek Park District. Why are you running fo r mayor? “I am running for mayor because 1 think it is important being involved in the Heppner community, and I think 1 have done a good job being mayor for the past two years.” What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing Heppner? “Finding a way to improve all o f the streets and old water and sewer lines in Heppner. Finding the funding necessary to make the needed improve ments to our waste-water treatment plant. Meeting the needs of all the residents of Heppner.” How would you address this as mayor? “ I would continue to work with Greg Smith to receive funds from the State of Oregon to make the needed improvements. I would also continue to have Kim (Cutsforth, current city manager) continue to apply for grants as they become available.” Deadline: I Clorene “G lo” Les- peranee Candidate for Hep pner City Council, Posi tion 6 Age 62 Lesperance’s family originally located to Hep pner from Roseburg in 1974, when her fath er bought a business in town. After graduating high school, she majored Glorene in m arket Les pera ilee in g m a n agement in college, but was unable to complete her degree due to the need to gain full-time employment. She returned to school later and attained a certification in bookkeep ing. Lesperance held a seat on the board of directors o f the Umatilla Morrow County Red Cross, as well as being local coordinator in charge of disaster pre paredness, recruiting, evac uation and communication with the local government agencies. She and her husband, Steve, have two grown chil dren who both still live in Heppner. allowing Lesper ance to spend her free time with her grandchildren. Why are you running fo r city council? “I feel there is a need for someone to represent the desires of the citizens of Heppner, and 1 believe 1 have the ability to address their concerns. I am retired now and have the time to devote to the honorable position of coun- cilperson.” What do you feel is the biggest challenge fa cin g Heppner? “The economy is the biggest challenge facing our community. The tow n is disappearing, due to attrition." How w ould you a d dress this as a member of the cits' council? "We need to concentrate on ways to bring business back to the area and ways to keep them here. By this, I mean more incentives for small busi ness owners. Tax breaks, no extra charges on such things as utilities, are just some of the ways we can accomplish this. We need to encourage local shop ping by more advertising, drawings, discounts, later business hours and even, possibly, street fairs.” What are some ways you would reach out to the community and encourage more participation in the decisions made by the coun cil? ’’Allow the citizens enough time to digest and respond to new legislation before it is enacted. En courage public opinion on proposed actions, existing codes and performance of city employees by placing “opinion” drop-off boxes in strategic locations. En courage more critical let ters to the local newspaper and see to it that they are addressed by the coun cil. Mail questionnaires to residents, along with their waters bills, pertaining to upcoming proposals. Show no favoritism to any select group concerning any legis lation brought forth by any member of the city council, city manager, mayor, city employee or any member of their families.” What are some ways you would reach out to the com m unity and encour age more participation in the decisions made by the council? “I would continue to encourage all residents o f Heppner to attend city council meetings to stay informed and be involved in the business decisions made by the city council.” Monday at 5 p.m.
