FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 7, 2020
DOHERTY
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years, Kelly, my son Bryce
and his beautiful wife Han-
nah and a little cowboy or
cowgirl on the way.
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 per-
sonal productivity. I am re-
luctant to otherwise denote
a “biggest challenge.” I see
our county as a whole, no
north, no south. No part of
the county should be left out
or left behind. There should
be no blighted areas. Our
unincorporated rural areas
need to share in the success
of the county as our farms
and ranches remain the
PRATT
Officer for newly hired
deputies/officers.
What, if any, prior ex-
perience do you have?
I have been involved
in some aspect of public
service since I was fifteen
years old. It started over 29
years ago, when I joined
the Washington State Patrol
Explorer Program as a teen.
While at college I obtained
an EMT certificate, and
subsequently joined the
Douglas County Fire Dis-
trict #2 (WA) as a volunteer
firefighter/EMT, serving for
about five years. I was then
recruited to join the Chelan
Police Department (WA) as
a reserve police officer. I
was also hired by the Doug-
las County Sheriff’s Office
(WA) as a dispatcher. At
which point, I was actively
involved as a volunteer fire-
fighter/EMT, reserve police
officer and dispatcher all at
PETERSON
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backbone of our economy
and through proper plan-
ning, our commercial and
industrial sectors should
know no bounds.
How would you address
that challenge if you win?
As far as, “biggest
challenge” I hold that we
need a holistic approach
as everything is intimately
connected. Our number
one resource is the people
of Morrow County and it’s
their voice I stand behind.
To address their needs, the
things they desire and their
wants for the future. My
plan is their plan.
Summary
I have a record that
reflects accomplishments
and no fear of fighting back
against the establishment
when it breaches our trust.
I have no hidden agenda
and no political backers
influencing my vote. Don’t
get me wrong, I won’t nec-
essarily turn away assis-
tance. I just worry that
asking for funds is asking
for trouble. Some special
interests’ 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.
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. Lea is
currently the minister of
The Dalles United Church
of Christ Congregational.
Our three children gradu-
ated 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
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growth and positive change
one time.
I remained a reserve
police officer until I was
hired by the Douglas Coun-
ty Sheriff’s Office (WA) as
a deputy in 1998. In 2000, I
accepted a Deputy Sheriff’s
position with the Morrow
County Sheriff’s Office. In
2007, I was promoted to
the rank of sergeant. I was
in charge in supervising pa-
trol deputies, assigned as a
search and rescue coordina-
tor, and I was the director of
the reserve deputy program.
I served as one of the agen-
cy’s emergency vehicle
operations instructors, taser
instructor and field training
officer. In 2016 I accepted a
sergeant’s position with the
Boardman Police Depart-
ment, where I continue to
serve today.
I have or current-
ly serve on the following
boards: Boardman City
DIEHL
Council (elected-past);
Morrow County School
Board (elected-past); Port
of Morrow Budget Com-
mittee (appointed-current);
Umatilla Morrow Radio
and Data District (elect-
ed-current)
Do you have family
here? Spouse? Children?
I have been married to
my wife, Lisa, for 21 years.
My wife and I have resided
in Morrow County since
moving here in 2000. Mor-
row County is where we
raised our oldest daughter,
Marissa, and are currently
raising our two other chil-
dren, Hailee and Konner.
Why are you running
for a county office?
It’s time for a change
which will provide a new
way of leadership within
the Sheriff’s Office. I will
embrace a collaborative
environment where all em-
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in the future.
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.
budget.
Do you have family
here? Spouse? Children?
My beautiful wife Tra-
cie and I have been married
over 26 years and have
raised two grown children
that we are very proud of.
Why are you running
for a county office?
I am running because I
love serving and helping the
public. Continuing as your
Justice of the Peace will
allow me to continue in my
lifelong career in criminal
justice service. Thirty-five
plus years ago, I got into
law enforcement because I
wanted to make a difference
and above all help people
and that desire still holds
true today.
What do you feel is the
biggest challenge facing the
office you are running for in
Morrow County?
In today’s environment
where more and more par-
ents are required to both
work, we are seeing less
and less parental involve-
ment and/or guidance. This
is leading to issues with
some juveniles as it pertains
to truancy and delinquency.
This is becoming a commu-
nity issue as today’s youth
are tomorrow’s adults and
hopeful leaders.
The issues are:
A. How do we ensure
our youth stay in school?
How do we get the parents
involved? How do we help
guide the families and get
them the training and edu-
cation they need to succeed
as an individual with a
future?
B. How do we hold
them accountable and teach
/ encourage these youth to
follow the rules (laws) of
society so that they can
become not only useful
and productive people, but
contributing members of
our communities both now
and in the future?
How would you address
that challenge if you win?
By continuing the work
already being done in your
Justice Court. We are work-
ing closely with school dis-
trict administrators, school
resource officers and our
other community partners.
We have had multiple meet-
ings and recognized that
“one size doesn’t fit all.”
I have conveyed to these
professionals that my door
is always open and that I
welcome their input as we
work together to find ways
to keep these kids in school.
With our communi-
ty partners, I am looking
at many “out of the box”
ideas and programs as it
applies to delinquency. I am
committed to working with
our community partners to
reduce youth crimes and
turning them around before
they end up in the criminal
justice arena. Our goals of
teaching them to make pos-
itive choices and helping
them understand how their
actions can affect others as
well as their future and by
empowering the families
to support their children’s
positive actions.
Why do you feel you
are the best candidate for
the job?
I believe that my com-
bination of education, train-
ing and experience makes
me the best candidate. My
record of commitment to
the law in addition to my
balanced and fair-minded
approach makes me unique-
ly qualified to continue
serving you, as your justice
of the peace. And with your
support I will continue
serving.
ployees will be expected to
be leaders and provide input
on how the Sheriff’s Office
reaches its goals that are set
by the employees and com-
munities working together.
The Sheriff’s Office
must work with any enti-
ty in order to provide an
increased level of public
safety to the people. The
Sheriff’s Office needs a
new approach which fosters
better relationships with the
communities they serve by
encouraging everyone to
engage on a personal level.
What do you feel is the
biggest challenge facing the
office you are running for in
Morrow County?
Fostering positive rela-
tionships with our commu-
nities, employees and other
entities, both governmental
and non-governmental.
How would you address
that challenge if you win?
First, and most im-
portantly, is showing the
Sheriff’s Office employees
they are valued and will be
expected to professional-
ly grow. They must have
ownership in the direction
the Sheriff’s Office will
head. This will be accom-
plished by providing them
with a clearly written and
followed set of policies and
directives that are followed
by everyone equally.
The relationships with
the communities and other
entities will be accom-
plished by showing them,
through the actions of my-
self and the employees, the
intent of the Sheriff’s Office
will be safety of the people
above all else.
Hi! I’m Linda, your Morrow County Veterans Services representative, aka VSO-
Veterans Service Officer. As your local VA Advocate, accredited under Oregon
Department of Veterans Affairs, I’m here to assist you and your family access
benefits that you may be entitled to.
Each county in Oregon has an accredited advocate who helps veterans and their
families understand their benefits available through the VA and state. This can
include
information on veterans health care, state
veterans homes and veterans disability income
benefits, and much more.
There is no charge for the preparation,
presentation, or prosecution of a claim. Only
accredited VSOs by VA are involved in the
processing of a claim. VSOs have your best
interest in mind and will help you get the
benefits you deserve.
VSOs assist veterans and their families in many
ways, including:
• Answering questions, advising, and
educating individuals and groups on what
benefits are available from federal, state, county,
and local resources
• Assisting eligible persons in filing the
necessary claims
• Representing individuals and presenting
claims in VA hearings
• Referrals to additional services
We’re here for you! Call today 541-922-6420
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