This page has been created to answer Frequently Answered Questions that have been asked by citizens in this County:
I want to mention that my responses below are not to be derogative towards my opponent. My goal is to provide the best service to this community, including running a positive and respective campaign. Please see my answers below:
1) What makes me a better candidate than my opponent? (Please see full video on You Tube https://youtu.be/N0Ws8yQ3x7I)
I firmly believe that I am a better candidate for many reasons, including but not limited to the following:
I have been in law enforcement for approximately five years, not because I had to, but because I wanted to make a genuine difference in the communities that I have called home almost my entire life. I take pride in policing and serving this community and see the need for a futurist perspective on managing and growing the agency as the community grows. I believe that personal or political beliefs should be separate, and my position and my job are to uphold the law.
An extremely positive attribute is my managerial skills and ability to bring people together for a common objective, in this case, the safety and needs of our community. I have managed/owned businesses for approximately 20 years. I started with two separate locations and have been highly successful in growing my business and acquiring an additional five locations, even in different states, now totaling seven separate locations. I was able to go into those new businesses with existing employees, take the time to understand them as people, get their input on improvements, and where opportunities exist—set expectations and goals. The ability to pull a team of individual entities together relates to my objectives: getting the agencies (city & County) working as a collaborative and cohesive team. This is not currently happening, and that, in my opinion, is a disservice to this County. I feel it is essential for not only the agencies to communicate and collaborate but to train together also.
As a business owner, I have been able to successfully navigate through a recession in approximately 2009 and a global pandemic. I understand budgets and have the tenacity to evaluate where funds should be best allocated. If elected, I plan to take a holistic approach to assess funds' availability and where to apply them in the County's best interest.
I believe that my combination of policing, business ownership and managerial experience will lend to a more successful Sheriff’s Office that truly meets the needs of our already growing communities.
2) What is my stance on Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance (SAPO)?
My stance is that my job is to uphold the laws in place. If the citizens of this County or State do not like a particular law, it should be challenged. My personal beliefs are separate from the laws I took an oath to uphold. I support the 2nd Amendment & the right to bear arms.
3) What is my stance on making CHLs accessible to the county residents?
1) If elected, my goal is to re-establish the ability for the citizens to have more access to obtain their CHLs.
My goal is to make obtaining a CHL less cumbersome for citizens by providing more opportunities to complete their process. While they can utilize an online third-party platform to start their process, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's office, there are only two days during the week to book a fingerprinting appointment, a requirement of obtaining your CHL.
"If you are applying for a NEW or TRANSFER license, you will be required to book a fingerprinting appointment. Fingerprinting is available on TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS between 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM."
Most people work during the day, and during the 2.5 hours, you can book an appointment. Additionally, many of the citizens travel outside of Columbia County to work. It would be reasonable to think that most people would have to take time off work to get fingerprinted.
Furthermore, due to the lack of availability to obtain appointments, it's many months out to book an appointment now.
4) What do I plan to do about coverage in rural areas?
1) This is a great question; I am efficient in capitalizing on the talents of individuals and building achievable schedules. One of the main objectives of this campaign is to provide 24-hour policing to the County. I look forward to working with the County Commissioners and creating solutions on addressing funding and other obstacles that may be preventing the resources to provide a safer communities to our citizens.
It has been astonishing that many of our citizens don't know that outside of St. Helens, our County does not have 24-hour policing. It is unacceptable that coverage has not been established. This could be immediately remedied by simple scheduling, right now. As a police officer that has worked the graveyard shift in St. Helens, I find it unacceptable that calls for assistance come in for prowlers, thefts, accidents, for areas outside of St. Helens, and there is no one to respond. It leaves me feeling horrible as these calls come in because the current circumstances, I am unable to respond.
5) Are you willing to look at deputizing qualified county residents in order to "keep the peace" should the need arise?
1) That is not something I have considered. However, "The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." People have the right to and should defend themselves. If elected, I have no intention of preventing people from doing so.
6) Describe "transparency".
1) No smoke and mirrors. Make available what can be public, honest, and accountable to all citizens. I think society is searching for leaders who genuinely have their best interests as a core value, and I do. I am aware that I have a list of things I want to change and some of those things will be a challenge. Throughout the process, if I am elected, I intend to share what I can about how or why things aren't working.
7) Do you believe in being "buddies" with commissioners and looking the other way when indiscretions/nepotism and other issues may be glaring?
1) No, I do not. I intend to have a productive and collaborative relationship with the commissioners, but my job is to keep our citizen's safety at the forefront. I am a business professional and a proud law enforcement officer; I am not here to make friends. I am here to make our community safer.
8) Will you enforce mandatory mask orders if it comes up again? No.
- Would you have enforced the mask mandate during the pandemic? While I would not have enforced the mask mandate, it is still important to note that businesses right to refuse service to ANY customer. If the business is asking people to be removed from the store, they need to be removed from a store.
9) The common question is, why have we turned off comments on our Facebook page?
We did that because I want to ensure that we are running a positive and professional campaign. We do not want any mud sling or derogatory comments about our opponent. Additionally, I do not want to be administratively selective on which posts we keep and which ones we do not. If you have specific questions, please message us on Facebook or send an email again.
10) What is a CIRT team and why do I feel is is extremely important that I am elected so that I can reassemble the team and ensure the safety of all citizens?
What is a CIRT Team?
•Columbia County Incident Response Team
Why does Columbia County Need a CIRT Team? (see full video on You Tube https://youtu.be/tOXftFM8gPk)
As a community we need to have a CIRT to respond to situations that typical LEO’s are not specialty trained to deal with such as active shooter or hostage situations. Having a team of individuals that are trained and know how to handle situations greatly increases the safety of everyone involved. The County is growing exponentially in population, growing pains accompany that. Crime is on the rise, and it is essential to be properly prepared to protect our citizens.
When did Columbia County have a CIRT Team?
•Columbia County had a CIRT team for approximately 13 years. It disbanded in approx. 2013.
What Agencies participated in the CIRT Team?
•Columbia County Sheriff, St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier, & Clatskanie.
How many original CIRT members are still active LEO’s?
•It is my understanding that there are 8 original members still active. It is extremely important to capitalize on the knowledge, skill & experience as these original members will be retiring in the next few years.
How do we reinstate the CIRT Team?
What Agencies participated in the CIRT Team? Columbia County Sheriff, St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier, & Clatskanie.
How many original CIRT members are still active LEO’s? It is my understanding that there are 8 original members still active. It is extremely important to capitalize on the knowledge, skill & experience as these original members will be retiring in the next few years.
How do we reinstate the CIRT Team?
When elected I work collaboratively with the agencies, which is a key campaign initiative to get 15-20 members to start training 6-8 hours per month and 1 week per year
11) Why does Columbia County need Town Halls? (see full video on You Tube https://youtu.be/tOXftFM8gPk)
This is OUR County, Transparency, and Communication are going to be essential to our success as our communities continue to grow. Involvement of the citizens in Columbia County empowers each of us to know we can invoke positive change throughout the county. Understanding of what is going on in the individuals' cities and as a County as whole, including but not limited to crime, mental health, homelessness, what is occurring in the schools. Understanding what local and County law enforcement are doing to mitigate the risks and exposures to our citizens.
How will Town Halls work?
When elected I will with local agencies to host a Town Hall in a different city starting every other month. We will address relevant topics to the hosting city and the County in general. Invite guest speakers to educate citizens on drug use, mental health and community resources. We will listen to concerns the citizens may have and engage in Q & A. (see You Tube Video for more details)
11) How will I address homelessness & get ahead of House Bill 3115? (Please see full video on You Tube https://youtu.be/jZ1Smu3F7F0)
Objectives to dealing with Homelessness & HB 3115
1. Gat all applicable parties to the table for monthly meetings to develop proactive comprehensive plan.
2. Set goals, priorities & expectations with the group. Provide details and transparency to the citizens on the progress made.
3. Create a homeless liaison coordinator
4. Create a homeless team coordinator (Law enforcement officers, social services etc.
5. Housing first over resources
6. Utilize to assist with tracking services or open housing
13) Columbia County Fair & Rodeo Sponsorship
Regarding my sponsorship for the 2022 Columbia County Fair & Rodeo-2A at the Fair Grounds. I, like my opponent, am participating in the event for several reasons, none of which I believe compromise my values regarding 2A. I choose to participate at a higher level than paying just a booth fee. First, while there may have been a minute where somewhere in the past, the Fair & Rodeo may not have been favorable to concealed or open carry, their stance is certainly not the case now, which is why I am sponsoring. I am unsure if anyone who has posed these questions has researched the current rules & regulations for the Fairgrounds 2021. If one did, they would find that under section 9, Firearms & weapons, they do not disallow either concealed or open carry.
I have attended this event as far back into my childhood as I can remember. My family has also supported this venue in several ways, including through business and Livestock. Columbia County Fair & Rodeo is a fantastic community event; when the opportunity to become the main sponsor presented itself, I did not hesitate. I hope you and others will join the festivities; I think it will be an exceptional year!
https://www.columbiacountyfairgrounds.com/p/purchase-tickets
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