Response to Questions from The Chronicle

Response to Questions from The Chronicle


The Chronicle sent an email to me with four questions. Here are the questions and my responses.

 1. How long have you been a St. Helens resident? My wife and I moved to St. Helens 28 years ago with our three-year-old-son and three-week-old daughter. We spent our first night in our house on Halloween, 1992.


      2. What is your occupation? I am an educator. I was a Director of  Religious Education/pastoral associate at St. Frederic's Parish before becoming a public school teacher,  This is my twenty-first year as a public educator including 11 years with the Beaverton School District, six years with the Hillsboro School District and three as a substitute. Currently, I am a substitute teacher, tutor and education consultant working with local families and community organizations to develop outdoor early childhood outdoor education opportunities and to support families struggling to meet the needs of their children in these challenging times.

      3. Why am I running?  Since moving here, I have dreamed of the potential that St. Helens has to become an even more desirable place to live and work. If I think that there is an opportunity to make changes for the better in the city, then I believe that I have an obligation to contribute to that change rather than just wish someone else will do it.  I have many relationships throughout our community through my past and present involvement in community organizations and projects.* I have wanted to run for city council for several years, but I was not able to make the commitment since I used to commute to work. Now my work as a substitute and consultant gives me the flexibility to arrange my schedule so that I can devote the time required to fulfill the responsibilities of a city councilor.

      4. What are my priorities? One priority is to continue the work of the city to improve systems and procedures to assure accountability and transparency in city council practice and  decisions regarding the use of city finances and resources. A second priority is to ensure that the development of the waterfront, Boise White Paper property, and the repurposing of the wastewater treatment lagoon is done with as much community input as possible and to ensure that the development is done in ways that protect the safety and health of our residents and the environment. Third, it is important to continue to examine what changes can be made in the structure and practice of our city government to ensure that all residents feel welcome and empowered to participate in all aspects of city life and governance.


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Work History

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  Work History Director of Religious Education, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Indio, California, 1985-1988 Director of Religious Education, Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, Charleston, West Virginia, 1989-1990 Director of Religious Education, Catholic Communities of Geyser, Stanford, Hobson, and Moore, Montana, 1990-1992 Director of Religious Education/Pastoral Associate, St. Frederic's, St. Helens, Oregon, 1992-1999     This is the job that brought me and my family to St. Helens. Director, CASA of Columbia County, 1999-2000     This was a bridge job as I completed my Master of Arts in Teaching program and began my teaching public school teaching career. I worked with the Columbia County Commission on Children and Families to establish an independent Court Appointed Special Advocate program in Columbia County. Unfortunately, this independent program was not viable and it was dissolved. Fortunately, a CASA continues in Columbia County throught the auspices of another org...
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Response to Questions form the Spotlight

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