FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 29, 2020
PETERSON
J DOHERTY
ARMATO
ers League, including one
term as Morrow County
President; and two terms
on the Port of Morrow
budget committee. I also
have extensive experience
in education policy and
budget oversight, com-
munity development, and
church work at the local
level in Ione. I was raised
with cattle and now farm
mainly wheat in the Ione
area; I also oversee family
farmland near Boardman.
Do you have family
here? Spouse? Children?
My family operates
a Century Farm south of
Ione and my brothers still
farm in the area. My wife,
Lea Mathieu, is an educator
and minister who has taught
and preached in Boardman,
Heppner and Ione. Our
three children graduated
from Ione schools and our
oldest son, August, has
returned after college to
continue the family farm-
ing tradition with his wife
Sami, who grew up on a cat-
tle ranch near Baker City.
Why are you running
for a county office?
I have volunteered with
local and countywide or-
ganizations all my life,
and now that my children
are grown and my son is a
partner on our farm, I have
even more time to devote
to public service. I am run-
ning for Morrow County
Commissioner because my
family – past and future - is
rooted here and I want to
see our strong individual
communities cooperate
for everyone’s benefit. The
county has seen significant
growth in the past several
decades and I would like
to see us come together
for continued sustainable
growth and positive change
in the future.
of my first term as commis-
sioner. In addition, I am
currently the president of
the Association of Oregon
Counties. Past Soil and
Water Conservation District
Chair, Jefferson County
and past Morrow County
SWCD Board member.
Do you have family
here? Spouse? Children?
Amazing wife of 34
years, Kelly. My son Bryce
and his beautiful wife, Han-
nah.
Why are you running
for a county office?
Four years ago I felt
called to carry the message
of the honest folks of the
county who heretofore had
no standard bearer. Whether
it is the neglected agricul-
ture and small business
folks or those yearning for
an even break, their mes-
sage is building in strength
and strengthens my resolve.
What do you feel is the
biggest challenge facing the
office you are running for in
Morrow County?
If a snapshot in time, it
is certainly the monumental
challenges of Covid-19.
The healthcare implications
from both contracting the
virus and the devastation
wrought by suppressed
personal productivity. I am
reluctant to otherwise de-
note a “biggest challenge.”
for more than four years
for the Morrow County
Sheriff’s Office, giving me
an understanding of various
county-wide issues.
Do you have family
here? Spouse? Children?
I do have a significant
amount of family here: my
mother, my grandparents,
aunts, an uncle and several
cousins. I am not married
and have no children.
Why are you running
for a county office?
I am running for county
office out of a duty to serve.
I want to have a long lasting
and positive impact on the
county I call home and I
want to give back to the
people who have given,
and continue to give, so
much to their communities.
I want to help shape the
future of our county and to
do this there is a need for
collaboration and teamwork
across departments and oth-
er entities. I know I have the
ability and drive to facilitate
and achieve these goals.
What do you feel is the
biggest challenge facing the
office you are running for in
Morrow County?
The county faces many
What do you feel is the
biggest challenge facing the
office you are running for in
Morrow County?
The biggest challenges
facing us are related: We
are too often divided by
community and agencies
to work effectively for the
economic well-being of the
entire county. Issues that
apply to multiple commu-
nities in Morrow County
include housing, internet
access, infrastructure and
employment opportunities.
These and related issues are
best addressed by the coun-
ty working in cooperation
with towns and agencies.
How would you address
that challenge if you win?
Even though I have
lived my entire life, other
than college years, on farms
south of Ione, I recognize
the need for a vision wider
than my own small com-
munity. It is imperative that
we listen to, learn from and
work with each other. I will
address the challenge of
fractured communities by
listening to all sides prior to
making informed decisions
for the betterment of all,
and by earning the trust of
those I work with and for.
Why do you feel you
are the best candidate for
the job?
As stated above, I have
extensive experience in
agriculture, policy and busi-
ness development through-
out the county and I have
respect for all of our com-
munities and agencies. I
know the other commis-
sioners I would work with,
Melissa Lindsay and Don
Russell, well enough to
know that we could work
together with mutual re-
spect and for the betterment
of all Morrow County.
SWEEK
a long time but never did.
I know, I’m a little older,
I thought I would give it
a shot.
What do you feel is the
biggest challenge facing the
office you are running for in
Morrow County?
Getting people to work
as a team and not alone,
work for the common good
of Morrow County.
How would you address
that challenge if you win?
Let the elected officials
run their own departments
and not micromanage ev-
eryone. Making time for
running the office and still
work a 10- to 12-hour day.
Why do you feel you
are the best candidate for
the job?
Talk to all the peo-
ple and work together and
not alone for the good of
Morrow County. Use some
common sense.
CAPECO – Is Here to Help
CAPECO is still working to help those in
our community with their energy bills. We
are working from our home offices to assist
you. We can still process your energy
application through the mail, email, fax and
phone.
CAPECO strives to deflect some of your
energy costs for income eligible residents
of Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, and Wheel-
er counties by delivering the Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LI-
HEAP) and the Oregon Energy Assistance
Program (OEAP). Income eligible house-
holds may receive a one-time payment,
which is paid to the utility vendor. Eligibility
is based on the household total gross in-
come for the last 30 days. For example, a
household of four with income at or below
$4,163.92 will qualify for assistance.
The stimulus payments from the CARES
Act, which can be up to $1,200 per per-
son or $500 per child, are not counted as
income.
The LIHEAP/OEAP program is open to
the general public. Anyone wishing to
apply, please call 541-276-1926 or
1-800-752-1139 for Pendleton office, or
541-289-7755 or 1-800-214-4776 for the
Hermiston office.
You can also reach us on the CAPECO
website www.capeco-works.org
How would you address
that challenge if you win?
We have secured a rap-
id test kit and an impossi-
ble-to-procure additional
ventilator in the plan should
this pestilence not quickly
pass. I pray that it shall. I
would like to revisit my
desire for a health all in pol-
icy that I advocated for in
my first term. I have joined
Commissioner Lindsay in
an aggressive plan to assist
small business folks in
maintaining some hope for
the future. As far as, “big-
gest challenge,” I hold that
we need a holistic approach
as everything is intimately
connected.
Why do you feel you
are the best candidate for
the job?
I have a record that
reflects accomplishments
and no fear of fighting back
against the establishment
when it breaches our trust.
As I write this, I have reg-
istered no donors. Don’t get
me wrong I won’t necessar-
ily turn away assistance, I
just worry that asking for
funds is asking for trouble.
Some special interest group
or people with an agenda
will prop up a candidate
and “own” his or her vote. I
work for you, all of you and
pledge to pour my heart and
soul into the effort.
K DOHERTY
experience.
I believe it is the philo-
sophical arguments behind
the laws that make you a
good judge, not the expe-
rience itself. Why do we
have laws? What are the
benefits to society of the en-
forcement of laws? What is
justice for all? What are the
social norms of the times?
There is a historical, moral
and cultural basis to the law.
Knowing these concepts
like I do, gives me the re-
quired modes of injury and
judgment needed for the
adjudication of the laws.
My back ground in phi-
losophy has taught me how
to critically problem solve,
sort through rhetoric to find
fact, and recognize an op-
posing argument on merit.
Judges are “the mouth piece
of the law, not its source.”
I hold the prowess to in-
terpret and apply the legal
principals of the law, with
tact, courage and prudence.
I hold a mediation cer-
tificate from Arizona Law
School that embraces a
dynamic sphere of special-
ized communication skills;
neutrality, compromise and
negotiation techniques that
augment jurisprudence and
adjudication. This captures
the essences of what is
needed to adjudicate small
claims cases.
The Justice of the Peace
in Morrow County is re-
sponsible for holding tru-
ancy court. I have 26 years
of experience in the school
system, in four districts in
Oregon, motivating our
youth. I sat on the Morrow
County Community Educa-
tion Committee as an elect-
ed official and understand
the challenges and oppor-
tunities of the children in
our community. I served
as a mentor at Riverside
High School. I saw what a
positive impact can do for
our adolescents. Judges can
have that positive impact on
a community as well.
Along with traffic ci-
tations, Justice Court also
handles Fish and Wildlife
violations and boating fines.
As an avid marksman, hunt-
er, licensed boat owner/
operator and a former guide
business owner I know
the rules, regulations and
laws that pertain to those
activities.
Do you have family
here? Spouse? Children?
I have been married for
34 years. With this marriage
to my husband came a huge
Irish Catholic family. Most
of them live within the area.
We enjoy gatherings togeth-
er, laughter and song. We
raised a handsome son, that
married a beautiful daugh-
ter-in-law. They too have
made Morrow County their
home. Bryce picked up
my passion, the outdoors,
and became a fishing and
hunting guide, launching
O’Doherty Outfitters in
2018. Hannah works for
Genex serving regional
dairy operations. They both
have a fondness for the
ranching tradition and the
labor of love that comes
with. We are a ranching
family that built a business
from the ground up. We
relied on sound judgments,
disciplined practices, a
good budget and relation-
ships. We pride ourselves
around personal and pro-
fessional ethics, integrity
and respect for our ranching
community. When we sell
our product it comes with a
leathered handshake.
Why are you running
for a county office?
I followed my hus-
band’s dream of building a
cattle ranch and raising our
children in that lifestyle.
It is now time for me do
follow my own dreams.
My quest for knowledge
and perhaps my passion
for a good argument led me
right into the study of law.
What a great opportunity
this would be to put my
knowledge to work. We
need a compressive judge
that sees things from all per-
spectives. I am excited for
the opportunity to judicially
serve my community.
What do you feel is the
biggest challenge facing the
office you are running for in
Morrow County?
Morrow County cur-
rently has an outstanding
uncollected receivable and
delinquent debt of well
over a million dollars from
the Justice Court. I believe
we need to move to a pro-
active management of the
collections on our accounts
receivable. The number of
fines each fiscal year sent
to collections is significant.
There needs to be some ac-
countability in this position,
not just as standalone for
the administration of the
law, but for the whole of the
office. We need to address
challenges, chief among
them is housing. A shortage
of housing impacts growth
and economic development.
It prevents many young
families from moving back
to our communities and
impacts hiring practices
for multiple businesses and
special districts that serve
those same communities.
Part of our housing short-
age challenge is a lack of
buildable lands and infra-
structure and the county
has the ability to assist these
communities in supporting
housing growth.
How would you address
that challenge if you win?
I will address the chal-
lenge by finding ways to
improve infrastructure in
the communities, such as
assisting with improving
community sewer and wa-
ter systems and helping to
develop buildable lands
through the utilization of
incoming funds. I would
also work with The Oregon
Department of Land Con-
servation and Development
for rezoning and ask for
their assistance in the re-
evaluation of our floodplain
restrictions.
CRAWFORD
communities and I consider
this to be valuable experi-
ence that will help me do
the best job I can do.
Do you have family
here? Spouse? Children?
My spouse is Stacey
Jessen, we have been to-
gether for 15 years, and he
works for Jay Coil Fabrica-
tion as a welder. All of our
children grew up in Ione/
Heppner area, graduated
from Ione High School and
their jobs have taken them
out of this area.
Why are you running
for a county office?
I am running for a
county office because I
want to continue to serve
Morrow County residents.
I am invested and commit-
the success of our collection
methods.
How would you address
that challenge if you win?
There are many great
options available to us. Or-
egon statutes allow justice
courts to assign judgments
to the Department of Rev-
enue. It is administered
through the refund offset
program. When a citizen
receives a refund, the debt
will be deducted and re-
turned to the county. There
is a small fee of 10 percent,
however, Senate Bill 55
allows for the collection
of fees associated with
that debt. Additionally, a
third-party collection sys-
tem can be implemented
simultaneously that would
allow for credit bureau re-
porting as well.
Why do you feel you
are the best candidate for
the job?
Civic life is important
to communities. I believe
there is value in public ser-
vice. We are living in a time
of vast political rhetoric;
people want confidence in
our local public institutions.
I have been an active mem-
ber of this community for
over 20 years, I know and
love Morrow County. My
trust, integrity, character
and reputation are backed
by an educational back-
ground in law. Judgment
needs to be inclusive of the
entire human experience,
but exclusive of bias and
prejudice. I am the only
candidate that is not trained
solely in enforcement. I
do not have former col-
leagues who will sit across
the bench and bear witness
to the public. I will be fair,
impartial and faithful to the
position.
ted to our community and
would consider this to be an
honor. I do not want to be
a bystander; I want to help
make lives better.
What do you feel is the
biggest challenge facing the
office you are running for in
Morrow County?
Making sure that fine
fees do not balance the
budget and should be used
only to deter criminals.
How would you address
that challenge if you win?
I would tailor the fines
to a person’s ability to pay
(such as small payments),
community service, and/or
use another available disci-
pline if the person does not
have the ability to pay. I will
educate people about the
rules they broke and make
them aware of the changes
that could have occurred so
that they can be aware and
not recidivist. Researching
ways to help people with
this problem is something
I plan to do if I am elected.
Why do you feel you
are the best candidate for
the job?
My education in Crim-
inal Justice is current and
I have worked in the legal
system for 14 years. I have
16 years of background
knowledge in the county
including but not limited
to budgeting, county court
minutes, property and land
laws, knowledge of Ore-
gon Revised Statutes and
working with jury pulls. I
will learn, listen and I care.
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