The INDEPENDENT, May 1, 2008
Page 13
all department heads to develop creative solutions in order to provide needed services
From page 12
better to have people with competence in the area to
run the department rather than
the elected officials.
Dorschler (R) – I think the
county commissioners are re-
sponsible over every depart
ment but only if they have trou-
ble would it come before the
commissioners.
3. What do you think the
commissioner’s job or
responsibility should be?
Earl Fisher
Corsiglia (D) – From my experience, it’s the most di-
verse job I’ve ever had. It can change by the minute
based on the demands of running a county. I can get
to work with a plan which changes when I hear my
voicemail. You have to be a ‘jack of all trades’ and be
extremely flexible. Also need to be able to share turf
with the other two commissioners.
Fisher (D) – Should be to oversee the operations of all
the county departments and look to develop policy to
best guide the county through issues of focus. They
need to make sure they create a communication sys-
tem and have good relations with the people they rep-
resent. they need to look out for the welfare of the cit-
izens they represent.
Dorschler (R) – Commissioners should be servant
leaders of the county. I’m a public servant, not a politi-
cian. I served Scappoose for 14 years as a public ser-
vant. The county commissioners should have meet-
ings in Vernonia and Clatskanie as the two cities fur-
thest from St. Helens. We should meet several times a
year in those two cities in meetings open to the people
so they can come to us and share with us their needs
and concerns.
4. What improvements would you like to
see in county government?
Corsiglia (D) – I always believe we can do a better job
of communicating with the public and, by public, I
mean the owners of government. We can always do a
better job of being open.
Fisher (D) – I think there has got to be a vision of
where we want to be in five years and 10 years. They
have gotten so busy trying to drain the swamp, they’ve
lost the vision. We have got to foster commitment
through hard work and building relationships. Most
people I’ve worked with in public service have been
hard working individuals who need to know they are
appreciated.
Dorschler (R)– I place a very high priority on the Sher-
iff’s Office and the need to fight crime and make sure
we support the Sheriff’s Office with what they need.
There needs to be fiscal responsibility in making sure
the Sheriff’s Office is funded. Over-arching all of that
we have to have an economic
development plan. The Scap-
poose Airport is the key to de-
veloping a far reaching goal of
getting businesses to move to
the airport.
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timber dollars don’t come to the county?
5. Nehalem Valley feels it gets little in the Hyde (R)– The reality is we will have to find $2 to 2-
way of county services. What would you 1/2 million to cut. As budget officer, it’s going to be on
me to find areas to cut. That amount is about 25 per-
do to change this perception?
Corsiglia (D) – I have worked on this personally by
visiting those communities and working on communi-
cation. There is a reality that the further you are from
St. Helens, the less you get, but when I do come out
and listen I can tell you the priorities and concerns. I
do what I can to help. I believe in a steady forward
progress of small businesses. I’m working with Tim
Bero on plans to extend the Vernonia airport runway
and help encourage businesses at the airport. I en-
couraged Barlow’s Bikes to come over here.
Fisher (D) – I think all of the north county has that per-
ception. We need to work very hard to be visible and
be seen in the community and bring more services to
these areas.
Dorschler (R) – I would be here for the people. We
need to be accessible to the people and hold meetings
here to show that we’re concerned about them.
cent of the budget. As the county with the least amount
of employees per capita in the state, we are already at
bare bones. We need to find a way to create mor rev-
enue and increase the economy. My focus has not
changed from the last election four years ago, we
need a diverse economy that
supports local family wage jobs.
Zimmerman (D) – Those dol-
lars are about $2.2 million out of
a net $20 million budget so it’s
about 10 percent. My back-
ground is in high tech and I start
from a zero budget so I would
certainly take a very hard look
at where the money is going
and use it as efficiently as pos-
Tony Hyde
sible.
6. Anything you’d like to tell our readers?
2. Do you think the county commissioners
should reassume responsibility for de-
partments rather than depending on mid-
dle managers to assist department
heads?
Corsiglia (D)– I’ve worked hard
to know our community and un-
derstand the people of this val-
ley. I have been involved with
community activities and chari-
ties, like Natal Grange, and that
helps me know the needs of the
people better.
Fisher (D) – I think it's important
for our county to attempt to all
work together as times get
Glen Dorschler
worse in order to leverage all our
resources to our best advantage. This is not a time to
blame others – this is a time to come together. My
track record is to bring people together to cooperate
and solve problems.
Dorschler (R)– My vision for Columbia County is to
work to build economic growth and vitality. If elected, I
will work hard to do what I can towards this vision. If
my vision is moving forward, I would run again, but I
will serve only two terms. That is my own form of term
limits.
Hyde – We don’t have middle managers. I try not to
micro manage the department heads. The three com-
missioners meet at staff meetings with department
heads to handle any issues they have.
Zimmerman – No, I don’t because you get into a po-
tential for getting into a lot of problems. Portland has
been back and forth on this issue. It’s hard to hold de-
partment heads accountable because the commis-
sioners are in there too.
3. What do you think the commissioner’s
job or responsibility should be?
Hyde (R) – Manage all departments and the $50 mil-
lion plus budget. I also think we’re responsible for eco-
nomic development ad to manage outside influences
as liaisons to both the state and the federal govern-
ment. If you are not at the table, you are part of the
Continued on page 22
Columbia County
Commissioner
Position 1
VERNONIA INN
Enjoy a quiet weekend with us.
There is only two candidates for Posi-
tion 3 –Democrat Patricia Zimmerman,
and Republican Tony Hyde. Their respons-
es are in alphabetical order.
1. What are your plans if federal
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