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Candidate Forums, Letters, Columns Inside

Headlight Herald

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020

VOL. 133, NO. 43 • $1.50

TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM

Election Coverage

Election day is approaching; Vote by Nov. 3 T

Hilary Dorsey Staff Writer

he presidential general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. The last day for new Oregon voters to register to vote for the election was Tuesday, Oct. 13. Oregon is Vote-By-Mail. You do not need to request an Absentee Ballot unless you will not be at your home address between Oct. 14 and Nov. 3. Check the status of your voter registration now with the county clerk or online at www.oregonvotes.gov – My Vote. Ballots cannot be forwarded. The county clerk’s office starts addressing envelopes for inser-

tion ahead of deadlines, so the sooner you update the more likely you will receive your ballot timely. Ballots will be mailed to all local active registered voters beginning Oct. 14. If you have not received a ballot by Oct. 23, call the county clerk’s office. Voted ballots are due in the County Clerk’s office or in an Official Ballot Drop Box by 8 p.m. Election Day, Nov. 3. Postmarks do not count. Vote early. You do not have to wait until Election Day to vote. If you are concerned with mailing your ballot back through the Postal Service or if you wait until the last week

before the election to vote, use an Official Ballot Drop Box. Do not mail after Tuesday, Oct. 27 – Use an Official Ballot Drop Box. If you have questions or concerns, call the County Clerk’s Office at 503-842-3402 for an official answer. Do not believe everything you see or hear. Ask the local office in charge.

Mayor: Scott T. Galvin, Mike Scott Council: Hans Tonjes, Thomas D. Aschenbrener, Randy Kugler, Jerry Spegman

Wheeler Mayor: Doug Honeycutt, Heidi Stacks Council: Gordon Taylor, Dave Bell, Michael Glowa, John Lawrence

Candidates on ballot

Tillamook Council, ward 1: Garrett Noffsinger Council, ward 3: Brian Reynolds Council, ward 5: No candidate filed

Bay City Mayor: David McCall Council: Liane Welch, Tom Imhoff, Melissa Rondeau Manzanita

Rockaway Beach Mayor: Sue Wilson Council position 1: Nathan R. Beeman, Keith Cantrell Council position 2: Tom Martine Council position 3: Kristine Hayes, Geoffrey Grace Council position 5: Zandra Umholtz, Penelope (Penny) Cheek Nehalem Mayor: Bill L. Dillard JR Council position 2: Stacy Jacobsen

n See VOTE, Page 3

Local candidates answer questions in Headlight Herald forum Six vie for two open TPUD board spots, both races contested Doug Olson Subdivision 1

Maile Samek

Doug Olson, age 74

Occupation: I work in Pacific City for Kiwanda Coastal Properties as a real estate broker and a home care manager. I also have just wrapped up a position working for a gospel music publisher and will go on to promote western music for the Tim Spencer Music Co. I am a substitute teacher for the Nestucca Valley School District, an art teacher for Community Art Programs Slug Soup and work with the teen and young adults at our church.

Occupation: Retired. Former business owner Pacific City – 23 years. Administrative positions with large county government and school district. Merchandising positions with national corporations in Portland and Chicago. Numerous volunteer groups in the region. Education: BS, Business Administration. Graduate work in Public Administration Family: Married, three grown children, four grandchildren Why are you running for subdivision 1 on the Tillamook PUD Board? To continue aggressive planning and oversight of projects underway and scheduled for the next few years. To position TPUD to accommodate various forms of renewable energy. To maintain affordable rates while keeping TPUD financially strong. To continue a robust response to COVID-19 and prepare for future unknowns. What experience/skills do you have that makes you the best candidate? Education, business experience, and utility industry knowledge. Strong analytic and problem-solving skills. Significant experience with local government and community groups including budgets, personnel matters, strategic and long-term planning, community engagement and common sense. I have been preparing and analyzing budgets for 40 years. I have also owned and operated my own business for over 20 years. As a native Oregonian from a small town, I understand rural Oregon, our current political climate, the economics of Oregon and how to get things done. I’m the current chair of the Tillamook County Budget Committee and understand the relationships among governments at all levels. What is the PUD’s biggest challenge

Maile Samek Subdivision 1

and how will you work to overcome that challenge? TPUD has excellent staff, solid management and is financially strong. The challenges include: First, TPUD must continue and strengthen its robust vegetation management to prevent wildfires. Second, TPUD must continue an aggressive plan to replace aging infrastructure (poles, wires, transformers) much of which is over 40 years old. With our strong storms, salt air and high winds, newer equipment will accommodate renewable power options, reduce maintenance requirements, and increase safety for consumers and employees. Third, TPUD must plan for the longerterm future, including sources of power generation. Nearly all utilities served by the Bonneville Power Administration have power supply contracts expiring in 2028. Many larger utilities may find alternate open market sources of electricity placing the burden of large capital costs in the Federal Columbia River System on smaller utilities. TPUD must develop options to meet local demand requirements while controlling costs. I will aggressively work toward those goals.

Education: I attended University of Oregon and studied Communications, going on to graduate from Portland State University with a degree in Psychology. My education continued at University of Alaska where I studied art and music. At the moment I am finishing my Masters In Education for School Counseling. I love to learn and look forward to learning much more as the director for Subdivision 1. Family: My husband Victor and I live in Cloverdale and have six kids from college to 7th grade. Why are you running for Tillamook PUD, Subdivision 1? I am running for Subdivision 1 because I love that as a PUD the customers are the owners. I love that as a member of the Tillamook PUD Board I can represent and serve my beautiful community in South County. I have always been impressed with the TPUD and the programs they support like the incredible community grants and student work programs. What experience/skills do you have that makes you the best candidate? My experience as a resident in South County and involvement in my community has helped prepare me for this position to represent my subdivision. I currently serve as a board member for the Cloverdale Water District, which has given me the valuable experience

of working on a board and highlighting the importance of our local utilities. As a parent I understand the changes going on now in our lives and can understand the challenges faced by our local families. I am here to listen and am completely dedicated to solution focused work and creative solutions to any issues or new ideas. What is the PUD’s biggest challenge and how will you overcome that? We have recently been faced with the challenges of the storms and fires that our dedicated PUD crews faced. I so appreciate the hard work, many hours and service that went into restoring our power. I believe that we can learn from these challenges to prepare, provide safe solutions, and protect our community and crews. 2020 has been quite a challenge for our communities and households, I believe that it is important to listen to our community, aware of struggles they may face and continue to provide affordable energy during these ever changing pandemic dynamics. I am a team member, a great listener and a creative peacemaker, these strengths would be an asset to our Tillamook PUD. A vote for Maile Samek is a vote for our entire community.

TPUD Subdivision 3 candidates square off in forum Harry Hewitt Subdivision 3

Harry E. Hewitt, age 74

Cheryl Davy Subdivision 3 Cheryl Davy, age 70

Occupation: Retired educator and principal at Pacific Christian School and board member of TPUD district 3

Occupation: Retired - educator, international teacher, and most recently Victim Specialist.

Education: McLoughlin Union High School Mac-Hi Milton Freewater, Oregon, University of Oregon Masters Degree in Teaching. Bachelor degree in Political Science.

Education: Bachelor of Science +multiple classes and hours Family: Widow, two adult children and two grandchildren Why are you running for Tillamook PUD, Subdivision 3? I am running for the Tillamook PUD Board because I think it’s time for a change – new eyes to look at solutions and new ears

n See HEWITT, Page 3

n See DAVY, Page 3


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