Name: Rita Bernhard
Position: Columbia County Commissioner until 2003
Previous Position: Mayor, city councilor, planning commissioner
and budget committee member for the City of Scappoose and legal
assistant to the county counsel. She has also served as the Board
of Commissioners office staff, the Oregon Association of Counties
and the Oregon Mayor's Association.
Professional Affiliations: Rotary International, League of Women
Voters
Why New Position?: Goals include improving communication within
county organizations and with the public; reclaiming public trust
in county government; treating people fairly and with respect,
providing the public with the best possible service, even with
diminishing funds; enticing industry to relocate to the area;
forming lasting partnerships with other agencies; maintaining
the livability of the area and working on budget and financial
policies.
Columbia City
Name: Leahnette Rivers
Position: City Recorder, Bay City
Date Started: July 12, 1999
Previous Position: City of Talent, City Administrator/Recorder;
City of Rogue River, City Administrator/ Recorder, City Recorder/Treasurer,
Deputy Recorder/Account Clerk, and Clerk/Typist
Professional Affiliations: International City Managers Association,
Government Finance Officers Association, Oregon Municipal Finance
Officers, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, and the
Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders.
Why New Position?: Marriage brought her from Rogue River to the
Portland area, and she commutes to Bay City.
The City of St. Helens
Name: Ron Youngberg
Position: City Council, St. Helens
Date Started: January 1, 1999
Previous Position: Approximately 10 years ago ended six year stint
as planning commissioner.
Why New Position?: "It has always been something that I wanted
to do. I had no personal agenda going into it, other than to help
manage the city. It is an adventure."
The City of Rainier
Name: Fred D. Forrest
Position: Mayor of Rainier
Previous Position: Rainier City Councilman for 5 years.
Why New Position? "My involvement with the City of Rainier
has always been around the sense of giving something back to the
community. The next few years are going to be an exciting time
for Rainier. New construction, industrial and residential development
is increasing and downtown development projects are getting started
after years of preparation and study. As mayor, I hope to be a
positive part of our future growth."
_____________________________________________________________________________
Clatsop County
Name: Timothy J. Gannaway
Position: Clatsop County Comm.
Date Started: January 13, 1999
Previous Position: None
Professional Affiliations: Member, Jewelers of America; Member,
Jewelers Vigilance Committee
Why New Position?: " I ran as a matter of civic duty. Some
people had served in the armed forces. Some had served our country
by volunteering in our schools, hospitals and libraries. I hope
to serve the citizens of Clatsop County in such a fashion that
will enhance public safety and civil conduct of public affairs."
The City of Astoria
Name: Bob Heilman
Position: Astoria City Councilor, W.#1
Date Started: January 1,1999
Professional Affiliations: Regional director of Oregon Restaurant
Assoc.
Why New Position?: "To raise awareness of job-related issues
to city council so that we might be able to keep our youth from
having to leave home to get jobs."
The City of Cannon Beach
Name: Michelle Standridge
Position: Cannon Beach City Council
Date Started: January 1 1999
Previous Position: CB Planning commission - 1 year
Professional Affiliations: Attends league of Oregon Cities
Why New Position?: " I have been a resident of Cannon Beach
over 20 years and have become more active in city government in
a volunteer role over the years. I always had an interest in how
the city was being run, and I was asked by citizens to run.
"I found the first year to be a very good learning experience
and I feel like we have just scratched the surface in the issues
and responsibilities, in my opinion, of what it is to be a council
person. I am really looking forward to the next three years.
"Although Cannon Beach is just one part of Clatsop County,
the issues that concern us affect all the members of our county/community.
We all are facing the issues of congestion, planning for the future,
open space and economic issues. We are part of a bigger picture."
The City of Seaside
Name: Diana Schafer
Position: Seaside City Councilor
Previous Position: 6 years Seaside Advertising Committee, 5 years
Seaside Improvement Commission, also serving on the Seaside Budget
Committee, the board of directors for the Seaside Chamber of Commerce,
the Seaside Service Club Council and the Seaside Downtown Development
Association.
Professional Affiliations include the American Association of
University Women and leadership at Calvary Episcopal Church in
Seaside.
Why New Position?: "Because I thought maybe I could make
a difference. Ever since I have lived in Seaside I have developed
a real interest in the community. It is very interesting. The
learning curve is enormous. One thing I wish I had done prior
to becoming a city councilor is sit on the planning commission,
because we deal with so many land use issues. I think it should
be a requirement to sit on city committees prior to running for
city council,"
_____________________________________________________________________________
Pacific County
City of Long Beach
Name: Don Maxson
Position: Long Beach City Councilor
Date Started: July, 1999/appointment
Previous Position: None
Why New Position?: "Fill a vacant position."
____________________________________________________________________________
Tillamook County
Name: Tim Josi
Position: Tillamook County Comm. Date Started: January 11, 1999
Previous Position: District #2 Oregon State Representative from
1991 to 1998.
Professional Affiliations: Experience includes the past director
of the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce, Garibaldi Museum director,
Tillamook Volunteer Fire Department member, Tillamook County Commission
on Children and Families, director and president of Tillamook
Public Utilities District, president of Oregon PUD Association,
Port of Garibaldi commissioner, Bay City Planning Commission chair,
Kiwanis of Tillamook
Why New Position?: "Tillamook County is on the threshold
of significant change. The counties to the North and South of
us have experienced significant development during the past few
years. As growth now faces our county it is important for us to
make growth-related decisions, which will have the effect of maintaining
our quality of life. We also face a number of challenges: we need
to find ways to mitigate damage caused by perennial flooding in
a way that will be complimentary to the environment; too many
of our youth need to seek employment elsewhere thus funding family
wage jobs is imperative; and we also need to find a way to replace
the Federal Forest Revenues which were used to pave our roads
if we are to maintain our current economic base."
The City of Garibaldi
Name: Elizabeth Reid
Position: City Recorder, Garibaldi
Date Started: June 6, 1999
Previous Position: Senior Evaluator, US General Accounting Office
Professional Affiliations: Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders
Why New Position?: "After 25 years with the federal government,
where I audited federal, state and local government programs,
I thought my skills could help/assist the needs in Garibaldi.
"Garibaldi had been without a recorder for 1 1/2 years. My
job is to guide/assist a very experienced staff."
Name: Stan Sheldon
Position: Mayor, City of Garibaldi
Started: 12/1/98 for a two year term
Professional Affiliations: Chair Tillamook County 911 Board of
Directors, Garibaldi Fire Chief for 35 years.
Why New Position?: He had "seen a need for service to local
government."
Name: Marv Evans
Position: Garibaldi City Council
Started: September, 1998
Previous Position: retired
Why New Position?: "Some people recruited me because they
felt my previous service as school superintendent gave me experience
that might be of some value to the council."
Name: Paul Daniels
Position: City Councilor, Garibaldi
Date Started: March, 1999
Previous Position: None
Why New Position?: " My goal is to use my talents to the
best of my ability to enhance the quality of life for each citizen
in the city of Garibaldi."
Name: Toby Taylor
Position: Garibaldi City Councilor
Date Started: September, 1998
Previous Experience: Garibaldi Planning Commission
Why New Position?: "I decided to run for this office because
of some confusion between city staff and the council. Garibaldi
has always had a smooth running operation and is beginning to
do so again. I've lived here all my life and enjoy seeing the
city grow and mature.
"I would also like to commend all the staff for being efficient
and dedicated."
Name: Paula L. Tucker
Position: Police Comm./City Councilor
Date Started: 12/1/98
Professional Affiliations: Multi-Disciplinary Team Tillamook County
Domestic Violence Task Force, Mothers Against Drunk Driving vice
president, member/speaker Victims Impact Panel, caseworker Services
to Children and Families
Why New Position?: "Because I felt if I was going to express
displeasure at how things were/were not done, I had better be
prepared to support my opinions."
The City of Manzanita
Name: Frank Wolf
Position: Manzanita City Councilor
Date Started: August 4, 1999
Previous Position: Planning Commission Chair - 6 years
Why New Position?: "Steve Carpenter, city council member,
moved, leaving an opening. I felt that my past experience on the
planning commission would reduce the learning curve."
The City of Nehalem
Name: Michael Nitzsche
Position: City Manager/Recorder Nehalem
Date Started: June 14, 1999
Previous Position: Graduate student
Professional Affiliations: International City-County Management
Assoc-iation, Oregon City-County Management Association
Why New Position?: (This is my) "first position from graduate
school. I always had an interest in government, politics and law.
Also, I have seen how ineffective government can destroy community
values and leave a legacy of distrust with its citizens. I believe
that a government serves its people - not the other way around.
A government must know what its citizens want in order to serve
them. That is why I chose this field....to try to improve governmental
relations and responses to citizen needs, wants and desires. Efficiency,
effectiveness and community participation are the most important."
The City of Rockaway Beach
Name: Robin McDonald
Position: Rockaway City Council
Date Started: January 1999
Professional Affiliations: Chamber of Commerce board of directors
- 2 years, now Rockaway Beach Chamber of Commerce Member
Why New Position?: " To be more involved within the city.
(I) wanted to see if more 'fairness' could be brought to the citizens.
Also because several citizens asked if I would run even though
I am not a politician. ....and I love Rockaway Beach."
The City of Tillamook
Name: Tom Connaughton
Position: Tillamook City Council Position #2
Previous Position: Tillamook City Planning and Zoning for 10 years.
Professional Affiliations: President, Tillamook Downtown Association
Why New Position? : Nobody was running for this position so we
ran a 'write in' campaign and I won. I have a very obvious vested
interest in the downtown core of the city of Tillamook. I ran
for this position so I could improve the conditions of our historic
downtown district."
The City of Wheeler
Name: Elizabeth "Lou" Stine
Position: Wheeler City Council
Date Started: June 12, 1999
Previous Position: NA
Professional Affiliations: President, North Coast Symphony Orchestra;
Board member, North Coast Health District
Why New Position?: " Small towns across the US are in desperate
need for assistance in volunteer help. In the six years I have
lived here, Wheeler has seen many changes in its city governance.
I chose to run for the position of councilor to assist in the
problem solving for the entire community."
We send our thanks to all these people for "walking the walk."
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