Julian Bell
Occupation: Medical Doctor
Occupational Background: Medical Doctor
Educational Background: Cornell University, BA, Anthropology, ’94; New York Medical College, MD, ’00
Prior Governmental Experience: Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission, 2018-present
Climate change is Oregon’s biggest issue. It drives water shortages and wildfires, destroys homes and farms, and harms tourism. It threatens our prosperity whether we’re red, blue, rich, poor, urban or rural. Our Governor and Legislature have plenty to do, but legislation is slow while our own decisions can turn on a dime. We are all in this together, so we voters must drastically reduce our own fossil fuel use and insist that our elected representatives follow our lead at the state level. We can do this: Voter’s Pamphlet readers are community leaders!
Buying electric leaf blowers, home heating / air conditioning systems and hot water heaters means investing in our future. If you’re lucky and you have the means, upgrade to an all-electric HVAC, hot water heater or leaf-blower right away. Greenhouse gas emissions go up as income goes up, so it’s double the bang for the buck! If you don’t, replace a broken fossil fuel powered item with an electric one. Air travel is a huge source of emissions. Don’t cut out flying completely, just cut back. Vacation in Oregon!
Natural gas is 95% methane. Methane leaks all the way from the fracking well to our kitchen stoves. Methane traps 120 times as much heat as CO2 when it has just leaked into the atmosphere. It also breaks down over 12 years to be only 25 times as bad as CO2. The fastest way to decrease our atmosphere’s heat trapping effect right now is to eliminate as much natural gas as possible.
Ask your candidate what their carbon footprint is. Mine’s about 5 tons (carboncalculator.com) – no offsets. Tell your friends you are voting and donating based on who you think will do the most to fix climate change.
Visit drjulianbell.com; electrifynow.net; 350pdx.org.
(This information furnished by Julian Bell.)
Brian Lepore
Occupation: Deschutes County Diversified Crop and Livestock Farmer
Occupational Background: Soil Scientist, Assistant Professor, Ball State University
Educational Background: PhD Soil Science and MA Physics University of Wisconsin – Madison; BS Physics University of Denver; AS General Colorado Mountain College
Prior Governmental Experience: Deschutes County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Rural Living Steering Committee; Delaware County Indiana SWCD Board
My family moved to Central Oregon 10 years ago, attracted by its beauty and opportunities. A soil scientist and professor back in Indiana, I tried my hand at direct-market farming in Central Oregon and discovered how hard it is to make a living in rural Oregon. On top of tough economics, we are suffering the worst drought in 1200 years with increasing wildfire and worries about water.
Our communities are also struggling with poor access to healthcare, skyrocketing housing costs, struggling schools, and recovering from a global pandemic.
I believe we can create growing communities that support everyone. I’m willing to see problems clearly and stay at the table to work hard work with people of diverse perspectives to find solutions for the district that are fair, sustainable, and respectful.
Thoughtful and Collaborative Problem Solver
“We need a representative in Salem who knows the struggle of a small business; who relies on affordable insurance to help pay for the costs of aging parents and back surgeries; and who knows what it’s like to make tough decisions around the planting season because irrigation water isn’t going to come. Brian Lepore is that person.” ––– (Trudi Cruzen, HD55 Occupational Therapist and CSA customer of Brian’s Farm)
We are proud to endorse Brian Lepore for HD 55:
Debra Matthews, Malin Agriculture Consultant and Businesswoman
Katie Swanson, Klamath Falls Farmer
Phil Chang, Deschutes County Commissioner
John Hummel, Deschutes County District Attorney
Jason Kropf, State Representative HD54
Jamie McLeod-Skinner, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Member and CD5 candidate
Casey Kulla, Yamhill County Commissioner and Farmer
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
(This information furnished by Brian Lepore.)
Judy Trego
Occupation: Non-Profit Executive Director
Occupational Background: Public Service, Non-Profit Executive
Educational Background: Arizona State University, Studied Marketing, Central Oregon Community College, Studied Business and Marketing
Prior Governmental Experience: Chief of Staff, for Oregon State Senator; Constituent Services Manager, for United States House Representative; City Councilor, Council President
* I Will Work to Reduce Crime.
The highest purpose of our police is to secure the life and property for members of our community. Like the rest of us, police must obey the law and be held accountable when they don’t. At the same time, police must be able to enforce the law confident they have our support. We need to adequately fund, train, and honor the vast majority of police who serve with honor and heroism.
* I Will Work to Reduce Homelessness.
Like you, I want to help and show compassion to people struggling to survive. Widespread homelessness and tents on the street are not the answer. Both impact health and safety, for the person who has no place stay and in our neighborhoods. We need to create public/private partnerships, work with our churches, communities, and networks of shelters and services to make alternatives to homelessness safer and more accessible. Facilitating job creation, and supporting our employers, will also reduce homelessness.
* I Will Work to Empower Parents.
Schools and teachers are vitally important, but parents should be the primary decision makers in their childrens’ education. School curriculum, teaching methods, board policies, and other such things must be fully transparent and easily accessible to parents. I will work to improve education outcomes and help our children still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Parents of limited means, working, and middle-class parents should have the same choices that higher income parents have.
Caring, Experience, Action
VOTE JUDY TREGO FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
(This information furnished by Judy Trego.)
Darcy Long
Occupation: Licensed Financial Advisor, The Dalles City Councilor
Occupational Background: Small Business Owner; Early Childhood/Parent Education Coordinator; Nonprofit Assistant Program Director
Educational Background: Studied Political Science and International Studies at Willamette University
Prior Governmental Experience: The Dalles City Councilor, 2016-present; Member, Traffic Safety & Sister Cities Committees; Chair, Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency
VOTE DARCY LONG FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
As a mother, small business owner, and longtime resident of our community, Darcy is a committed and practical problem solver who will deliver for the people of House District 52.
Darcy’s priorities include:
- Addressing our homeless and affordable housing crisis: Darcy understands the needs of families facing housing insecurity. Darcy has proven experience connecting unhoused people with the resources they need to maintain stable housing. She even worked to build a transitional shelter village in The Dalles. As your state representative, she will bring together public/private partnerships to create more affordable housing.
- Investing in our small businesses and local economy: Darcy runs her own small business and knows the struggles entrepreneurs and workers face. She will focus on investing in skills training and reducing barriers to people starting and expanding small businesses.
- Ensuring quality healthcare for rural communities: As a mother with a son who has autism, Darcy knows the importance of access to quality healthcare. She will work to expand physical and mental healthcare access for all community members in the Gorge.
- Supporting our schools: Darcy is a strong supporter of the students and teachers who have struggled during the pandemic. She will support policies that address workforce shortages and teacher burnout to ensure kids can be in a safe school environment full-time.
Endorsements:
State Representative Anna Williams (HD 52)
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley
East County Rising
(This information furnished by Darcy Long-Curtiss.)
James Born
Occupation: Clinicial Psychologist
Occupational Background: Farmer, teacher, administrator, youth adult/juvenile justice psychologist, county mental health psychologist
Educational Background: Doctor of Psychology, PsyD, Masters Clinical Psychology, Masters Christian Counseling, Masters of Divinity, Bachelors of Education
Prior Governmental Experience: Clackamas County PCP
ABOUT JAMES BORN
Dr. James Born grew up in a bicultural home on a dairy, beef, and forestry farm. I have six biological siblings, three are deaf and three are hearing. I have one foster sibling who was born with birth defects. In early childhood, I learned how each person has worth and value. I have been able to transform my childhood trauma wounds into wisdom so they work for me and not against me. I am married and a father of three biological children, a teacher, a nurse, and an engineer, and six grandchildren.
REASON FOR RUNNING
As a psychologist, I have seen the pain that our present policies have created by failing to understand, people are more than bodies to be kept alive at all costs. We are now experiencing a mental health crisis of exponential increase of anxiety, depression, hopelessness, alcohol and drug addiction and overdose, and suicide. I will defend our freedoms. I will use my voice to combat growing inflation, increase public safety to fight rising crime, streamline government, and care for our children and future generations. I have spent my life serving others to help them realize their potential. As your State Representative, I will be your public servant and your voice standing strong. For these reasons and more, I want to be your voice for freedom in House District 52.
ENDORSED BY
Oregon Right to Life PAC
Page's Mt Hood Auto & Tire
John Van Diest, Accomplished Author & Publishing Editor
Richard Remsburg, Retired Educator Warner Pacific & Portland Christain School
Bill Trimble, Trimble Rentals
Matt Moffat, American Family Insurance
Craig S. Myrvold, Sandy Travel Service
Learn More At:
(This information furnished by James Born.)