Mayoral Candidacy

     I chose to become involved in elective government because I have a deep abiding concern for preserving the virtue and value of Constitutional government by informed consent of the governed. I have always sought to run FOR the office rather than running AGAINST another candidate, and confine my complaints to criticisms of collective behavior rather than personal.

     When I ran FOR the Molalla River School District Board of Education, in 1999, I did so because I believe the public is sovereign, should be allowed effective decision input, and has a right to know what is happening with the education of their children. I strongly and vocally objected to decisions made outside Public Meetings, which undermined the valid efforts and effectiveness of concerned citizens. That is why I always sought the means of providing more open, transparent, and accountable government. My efforts were not endorsed by all my elective colleagues, but my objections were to the TYPE of government being provided rather than individuals.

     I ran FOR the City Council of Molalla in 2008, after being appointed in 2006, for the same reason I ran FOR the Board of Education. During my six year tenure I have consistently been proactive in recommending positive policies and goals which would benefit the citizens of Molalla. These proactive recommendations included, but were not limited to:

• A recommended goal of the City Council endorsement of conducting a Community Summit May 28, 2009 which led to the City's statewide recognition by the League of Oregon Cities' Good Governance Award for Excellence.

• Development of the Molalla Energy Policy, Resolution 2007-14.

• Proposed October 22, 2008 Mayoral Proclamation of 1st November Gratitude Month.

• Development of the Molalla Economic Development Policy, Resolution 2009-17.

• The 2009 proposal to refinance Water & Sewer Bonded Debt in 2010, which saved the city and ratepayers over $1,000,000.00 over the term of these bonds.

• Proposed a Transportation Advisory Commission to review and recommend City transportation and road improvements - May 11, 2011.

• Proposed an ad hoc committee to review and evaluate options for a Multipurpose Civic Center recommended by TEAM and the Urban Renewal District Advisory Board - May 25, 2011.

• Proposed the City Council support a follow-up to the 2009 Community Summit, November 9, 2011, which the Council later declined to take action on but Communities That Care and the Ford Family Foundation took the initiative to follow through with this event.

     I am now a candidate FOR Mayor of Molalla because I hope to continue the positive efforts and objectives I have established and demonstrated for the past six years as a member of the City of Molalla and the four years I served as a member of the Molalla Board of Education. I hope the citizens of Molalla will join me in a joint effort to preserve and expand the UNITY, Livability, and prosperity of the community which is the Place we all call home.