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Linda Modrell: Benton County Commissioner
Hello . . .
In Benton County our opportunities are many. So too, are our challenges.
Global influences and national and state policy choices affect our community every day. They also affect you in real terms of available financial resources, good jobs, access to health care, clean water, a healthy environment, efficient transportation and our economy.
The well-being of our community depends on each of us and it will require strong, experienced leadership to turn Benton County’s challenges into successes.
I am nearing the end of my second term of service to the residents of Benton County with a record of investment in our community. I am proud of my work with our committed Benton County staff and the excellent job they do for all us. Together we have enhanced the livability of Benton County and the efficiency of county government. Examples of advances we have made are:
I continue to work with our local and regional partners on the issues of economic development and transportation and with our Legislature to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the services delivered through our county/state partnerships.
You elected me to do this job on your behalf and it has been my pleasure and honor to do so. I am asking for your continued confidence by returning me to office.
Sincerely,
Linda Modrell
Please Select Area of Interest Below:
I came to the job of Benton County Commissioner with a portfolio of relevant experience:
Since then, I have broadened and deepened my experience by serving as your county commissioner for two terms.
Following are illustrations of my experience organized by topic (Click on a bulleted item to view the topic).
Convenient movement of people and freight is a major requirement for livability.
I serve on the Area Commission on Transportation, Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the statewide consortium of MPOs, and the West Coast Corridor Coalition and others.
These organizations have complementary but different roles. The roles include advisory to the Oregon Transportation Commission by prioritizing which highway projects are the most important in Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties as well as statewide freight issues. The MPO is responsible for transportation planning in and around Corvallis, Adair Village and Philomath.
The Coalition seeks funding and interstate collaboration to create freight movement efficiencies and relieve the I-5 Corridor and West Coast freight congestion. The volume of freight is expected to increase as the freight coming into the coastal ports more than doubles in the next decade. A new opportunity is working with a small group of local elected officials and the Director of ODOT on transportation policy issues.
We must have a diversified economy and stable, predictable funding for local government services and schools.
I serve on the Linn-Benton-Lincoln-Lane Regional Investment Board, Board of the Business Enterprise Center (BEC); participate in the Economic Vitality Partnership effort, and OSU Extension Service Advisory Network.
These organizations all are moving in the same direction with differences in approach. Those approaches include working with partner counties to invest state economic development dollars in projects that build community infrastructure, train the workforce, and help establish new businesses that add jobs and support economic growth.
The BEC is working to “grow our own” businesses and the EVP is developing a strategic economic direction. The Extension Service works to bring research-based practices to farmers and timber growers which boost the local economy.
County staff delivers many state-funded services including public health, mental health, services for the developmentally disabled, environmental health, alcohol and drug treatment, and parole and probation.
I chair the Local Government Advisory Committee for the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and Accountable Behavioral Health Alliance Board (ABHA).
The Committee advises on the DHS budget and works to untangle red tape and improve the effectiveness of human services. ABHA functions as an “insurance company” for Oregon Health Plan mental health services for five counties and provides technical assistance for program development and operations.
Clean Water and the Environment
Targeted investments should be made in water, transportation and economic development to ensure the livability of the Willamette Valley in the next 50 years.
The County invests in 4-H programs such as Wildlife Stewards, improved fish passage, forest education, natural areas and parks, trails, collaborative habitat restoration with private landowners, conservation easements and trails. We also support invasive weed control and engage in enhancing our landscape’s natural utility function in providing clean water.
I serve as a board member of the Cascades Pacific Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc (RC&D) which works with citizens of rural communities to enhance their quality of life through social, economic, and environmental improvements.
This is a major responsibility of county government which includes juvenile services, prosecution, jail, patrol, parole & probation, emergency management.
I served on the Willamette Criminal Justice Council Corrections Task Force making recommendations about the need for a county jail, policies affecting adult and juvenile corrections and supporting programs.
I was actively engaged for two years in planning the facility and seeking voter funding of a jail facility and the cost of operations. Voters rejected the bond and levy; I worked to pass the jail bed rental levy.
Oregon Health Plan: Participated in formulation of a unique methodology to prioritize health services (conditions and treatments) which is seminal work recognized internationally. Served on the implementation team for the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program
Oregon Option and Oregon’s Community Partnership Team: Oversaw and supported the development of Oregon Option opportunities within Oregon's Department of Human Resources and worked to develop opportunities to use state money in locally designed programs and services.
Oregon State University: Data Services Coordinator for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Business Services Manager for the Extension Service and then the College of Agricultural Sciences. One position provided business services such as accounts payable and receivable, contracting, purchasing and the other provided computer support services –both served about 1500 employees in more than 100 offices throughout the state.
Private Business: Buchanan & Associates (market research).
Professional Involvement
Actively involved in the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC). I served on the board and legislative committees and led the Steering Committee on Governance and participate in the committees on transportation and human services.
Education
Targeted investments must be made in Benton County and throughout the Willamette Valley in transportation, economic development and water. These investments are absolutely necessary to ensure continued livability in the face of a predicted doubling of population in the next few decades.
Strong Economic Base: We must have a diversified economy and stable and predictable funding for local government services and schools.
Efficient Transportation Network: Convenient movement of people and freight is a major requirement for livability.
Clean Water: We must work now to ensure a clean water supply to serve the predicted mid-valley population.
I will work to:
I intend to complete work in the key projects identified in Benton County’s strategic plan update:
I am proud of our Benton County staff and the excellent job they do for all of us in cooperation with many partners. It is no accident that the Oregon Progress Board named our county Number 1 in Child Well-Being for 2004 and 2005; that juvenile crime has diminished over the past several years; or, that America’s Promise named Benton County/Corvallis one of the 100 Best Communities in the Country for Young People.
Prevention first, quality of life, and accountability are my watchwords in serving you. Benton County will continue to focus on continuous improvement and leverage our strengths to meet challenges using regional collaboration & creativity.
Elect Linda Modrell !
It is a fact that most people do not know what a county commissioner does. This is generally true in each county. While specific duties may vary somewhat from county to county, the Board of Commissioners function in three general areas:
In Benton County, a major policy responsibility is establishing county priorities through the budget process. Allocations are made within resource limitations, in consideration of competing needs in compliance with legislative mandated services and funds legally restricted to specific uses. The work is done in collaboration with the citizens appointed to the Budget Committee and public input. The county departments include:
Benton County Commissioners serve as board members or are otherwise involved in organizations that contribute to regional collaboration such as the Accountable Behavioral Health Alliance (e.g., mental health), Community Services Consortium (e.g., home weatherization and Food Share) and the Cascades West Council of Governments (e.g., transportation and services for Senior and Disabled). We also serve on a variety of state-level advisory committees, policy boards, taskforces and workgroups.
We work with state and federal officials, and advocate at the Oregon Legislature for legislation that aids in the delivery of services locally and that otherwise benefits Benton County.
All campaign need the help of the community members to be successful -- so does the Modrell Campaign. Linda needs people to make telephone calls, stuff envelopes, distribute lawn signs, distribute literature, and help with other campaign activities. Linda needs your support, your counsel and asks for your vote.
Please click on the link below to send an e-mail to Linda. Tell her what's on your mind and what you can do to help re-elect her as Benton County Commissioner.
If you don't have much time, financial contributions are gratefully accepted. Checks should be made out to:
Modrell for Commissioner
P.O. Box 1122 Philomath, OR 97370
Phone: 929-3904
Email: modrelll@peak.org
Some useful links (click on the image to link to the site)