Richard Chasm

VPS - Primary

Occupation: Forest land owner and manager

Occupational Background: I have pulled the green chain at a sawmill, veneer at a plywood mill, logged on a high lead, cat and horse logged on my property. I worked as a commercial fisherman, planted trees as a member of the Golden Rockets, a reforestation Co-op, Split stone with hammers in a quarry and laid stone as a mason. I worked as a successful a Realtor for 25 years. I am a writer and have written a book about owning rural property as well as many stories.

Educational Background: I graduated from Douglas High School and went to the University of Oregon for two years. I have attended Umpqua Community for several courses about computers and attended the Realty Institute. I am a lifelong learner, reading books and listening to older people.

Prior Governmental Experience: Secretary of the Douglas Planning Advisory Committee, member of the Douglas County Tourism Development Commission, 15 years on the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers to restore the Salmon runs, 20 years on the Lookingglass Olalla Water Control District and Secretary of the Friends of Iverson Park.

Let’s face it, the political power in Oregon is in the urban population, which generally votes for Democrats. At the Oregon House of Representatives this power is controlled in the Democratic Majority Caucus. In House District 4, this election is not about political parties, or liberal vs. conservative issues. Urban Democrats have no requirement to work directly with rural Republicans on rational forest management, preventing wild fires, or other rural issues. The question is what are we going to do about it? The answer is simple, send a rural Democrat to the Majority Caucus. Send me to the Oregon House of Representatives and the communities of House District 4 will be heard where the power resides. I will advocate for effective win-win solutions for rural interests. Let me be your voice in Salem, and we will be heard.

(This information furnished by Richard Chasm.)