Solum et aqua
If there's anybody out there who knows what's what with the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, help me out. There are two races on my ballot for director positions on that board: one at large and one for Zone 3, where I guess I live. I see these candidates in the voters' pamphlet:
District at large: Jeremy Wood, Daniel Newberry, Steph Routh
Zone 3: Silas Morgan, Brad Hunter
So far, I'm ruling out Routh because she's endorsed by that awful Tiffany Koyama Lane and a bunch of scary-looking political organizations. As between Wood and Newberry, the old guy, Newberry, looks slightly better.
No clue as between Morgan and Hunter, although I guess I'm a little more inclined to go with the winery guy, Morgan, over the timber guy, Hunter.
But honestly, I don't know my EMSWCD from my ASS. If you do, please sound off in the comments.
Pick the old guy. Maybe a longer life has taught him some sense. As far as that acronym, I can’t help you.
ReplyDeleteThey have a great native plant sale each spring; well worth the drive. Also, many other tasks that are focused on preserving and expanding native habitats. Not sure if the leadership really affects the mission.
ReplyDeleteNot enough voters pay attention to their local Water & Soil districts, but it's really important to keep the profiteers & people with kooky ideas outta there.
ReplyDeleteThere's candidates who use these way-down-ballot seats as an entry-level route into politics. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I'd suggest it's important to differentiate between the ones who really-are just into water & soil (they're out there, I've known some), and those who just see it as a way into a political career.
The local Grange orgs usually weigh-in on soil & water issues, fyi, you might see if MultCo's has posted anything.
I did Follow The Money with some of these names - some aren't raising money & haven't even bothered to form a committee.
But Steph Routh has, for example, and accepted $2500. from the 'Jane Fonda Climate PAC' in DC (WTF - for a soil & water district seat-?!!), among others.
I'm thinkin' she's one of those just looking to build her fabulous political career.
Good call.
(Daniel Newberry contributed to Cameron Whitten's Metro Council campaign, fyi.)
https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/gotoPublicTransactionSearch.do?OWASP_CSRFTOKEN=2MHA-7SD6-ZTF2-093P-A54U-1LH6-6KPX-QGEG
I'm voting for Jeremy Wood. I like that his voter pamphlet statement emphasized financial and contract expertise in addition to conservation work. The SWCD directors are not paid and they hire the Executive Dir. who is paid, and I think some financial acumen regarding contracts would be helpful.
ReplyDeleteWhat the board does:
• Adopting the Budget: Review, approve, and manage the district's public property tax funds and financial resources.
• Setting Strategic Priorities: Establish long-term goals, policies, and programmatic focuses for urban and rural conservation, soil health, water quality, and habitat restoration.
• Supervising Leadership: Hire, direct, and evaluate the Executive Director, who manages daily staff operations.
• Ensuring Fiscal and Legal Compliance: Oversee district affairs to make sure operations align with Oregon special district statutes (ORS 568) and public trust.
• Representing the Community: Engage with local residents, landowners, and partner organizations to guide local conservation needs.
Board Structure
• East Multnomah SWCD: Governed by 5 elected directors (3 zone-specific directors and 2 at-large directors) serving four-year terms.
• West Multnomah SWCD: Governed by 7 elected directors (5 zone representatives and 2 at-large) alongside appointed associate directors, also serving four-year terms.
(bullet points pulled from AI search)
3 of them are interviewed on podcasts, here (League of Women Voters, so these would be ones considered Liberals).
ReplyDeleteI tried to find something comparable for Conservatives, but that search got-weird so y'all are on your own.
Scroll way-down - https://lwvpdx.org/voter-information/