Leadership we need . . .

It is important to acknowledge that we are not an island unaffected by our surrounding neighbors.  Our water sources are all interconnected; our transportation systems are interconnected; our workforce is drawn from within our communities and from neighboring communities; and, the economies of Benton County and others in our region are often intertwined. We cannot prosper by looking inwardly--we must work locally, but not ignore the bigger picture. 

About 40-45% of Benton County’s budget is state and federal dollars.   Your income tax dollars pay for many of the state services delivered by county employees.  Consequently, what happens in our Legislature and in our state agencies is of critical importance to us all.  It is important for commissioners and county residents engage with our state legislators to influence what occurs in Salem.

For me a critical part of the job of County Commissioner is to try to anticipate the opportunities and threats that the future may bring.  This is tricky because an issue may be developing but people may not be ready to address it.  Water is an example. There is a dissonance caused by the reality of rain pouring down while we consider the possibility of future water scarcity. 

From my perspective, the economy, weather variability, and expected population increase -- push my thinking to the future.  We need to create ways for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen by taking advantage of opportunities and adapting to change.

Promises Kept

I honored my promise by voting to reduce property taxes when the county received additional forest dollars.  The promise was made when the 5-year levy was put on the 2007 November ballot.  The pledge was to forgo levying the property tax by the amount of federal forest dollars Benton County received.  

Pledges Honored

Accountability, prevention and quality of life are woven into the work I do helped by the expertise of staff, the leadership of the department directors, and other elected officials.

Quality of Life

I continue to lead efforts to preserve the rail line through Monroe and promote a rail connection to the Eugene Airport.  I also champion the Corvallis to Albany multi-use path.

I sit on the Director of Oregon’s Department of Transportation (ODOT) Policy Advisory Committee and serve on the State Freight Plan Steering Committee.  Both address long-term issues concerning the most efficient ways to move freight and people, the environmental impact, livability and the effects on the economy. 

A bright spot is special transportation (Dial-A-Bus and other transportation for the disabled and elderly) has come through with a special grant for bus routes connecting Monroe and Adair Village residents with the Corvallis hub.

Accountability 

Benton County is exploring better accountability of the use of lottery dollars in economic development and establishing metrics to measure progress that are relevant and easily understood.

I support the expansion of the Corvallis Benton County Enterprise Zone.  There is very little downside to forgiving prospective property taxes on new construction and new equipment for 3 to 5 years.  The loss of property taxes is offset, in part, by family wage job creation.

I served on the Legislature’s Government Efficiency and Effectiveness Taskforce has addressed many issues that can be improved resulting in dollar savings and better, faster service. This is true for the Departments of Human Services, Corrections, Secretary of State (Elections), Revenue (Assessment and Taxation), as well as other state agencies.

Prevention 

I chaired the Local Government Advisory Committee for the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and continue to serve there.  We influence policies concerning service delivery to seniors, developmentally disabled, mentally ill, Oregon Health Plan, environmental health and other public health services. 

I serve on the board of Accountable Behavioral Health Alliance Board (ABHA).which functions as a technical advisory and risk management organization for 5 counties.  This work is becoming increasingly complex as health reform in Oregon and nationally progresses and the money to serve our mentally ill decreases.  Leadership here equals services that lead to recovery.

I have been integrally involved in the Benton County Health Center providing primary care to more than 11,000 individuals in the past fiscal year.  Chronic disease management is just of ways the clinic health care providers help to improve lives.

I lead an effort to identify and address water issues in the Upper Willamette Basin.  To date this effort involves elected officials from Linn, Lane and Benton Counties as well as councils of government, a utility and OSU.  Our purpose is to attract grant dollars, influence state policy, share information with local governments, and share best practices to prevent contamination. 

I led a steering committee, planned communications, collected data and held focus groups over a two-year period in planning the facility, location and seeking voter approval of a jail facility and its operating cost. Voters rejected the bond and levy in 2000; I worked to pass the jail bed rental levy.

Professional Involvement

I served as President of the Association Counties (AOC) in 2009.  I am currently on the executive committee as past president.  I serve on the AOC board and legislative committees and led the Steering Committees on Governance and Revenue and participate in the committees on transportation and human services.

Pacific Program – 2000 (Luke Center)  Growth in leadership skills in strategy, negotiations, servant leadership, ethics and others.

County Leadership Institute - 2008.  (New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service). New approaches to collaboration, communications and coalition building.

Oxford Roundtable, Member – 2005 (Oxford, England) 

Awards and Recognition

Distinguished Alumna, Linn-Benton Community College, 2005

Philomath Samaritan Award, Philomath Chamber of Commerce, 2002

Equality Award, Human Rights Campaign, 2000