Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2012 Primary Election Thank you for responding to this questionnaire, which is for

use by Statesman Journal Editorial Board members in evaluating candidates for potential endorsements. Your answers also will be shared with reporters and may be published in the newspaper and/or on our website, StatesmanJournal.com. Remember: Any information you provide may be made public. Please fill in your answer to each question and return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an attached Word document. The editorial board e-mail: Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com Deadline for submitting your questionnaire: 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 3 Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your name: Age: 58 (If your age will change before the May 15 primary, please indicate your birthday. We want to make sure we use accurate ages in editorials and news coverage. ) Political party (if this is a partisan office): Non-partisan Position you are seeking (name of position, district number): Polk County Commissioner, Position 1 I plan to attend the editorial board meeting scheduled for: Monday, April 9, 2012 Number of years living in the area you seek to represent: 53 Are you a full-time resident of that area? Yes City/town of residence: Independence Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home, number of grown children): Tim Wheeler 5 grown children, 13 grandchildren Education: Jennifer (Vawter) Wheeler

Central High School graduate (1971) ; Interpreter Preparation Deafness, WOU (19871989); B.S. Criminal Justice, WOU, graduated magna cum laude (1991); National Institute Management System courses for elected official (2011). Current occupation/employer: Commissioner, Polk County Employment, military and volunteer history: Secretary, Polk County Board of Commissioners (1998-2011); Legal Secretary, Polk County District Attorney (1995-1998). Prior experience includes Dallas School District and Western Oregon University (WOU). Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when: None Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: None Other prior political and government experience: Association of Oregon Counties, Public Safety Steering Committee Mid-Willamette Jobs Council, Board of Directors Mid-Valley Behavioral Care Network Board of Directors Polk County Budget Committee Polk County Emergency Management, Board of Commissioners liaison Polk County Law Enforcement Executive Committee Polk County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council Polk County 4-H, Master Gardener, Agriculture, Forestry, Extension District, Board of Directors Prior to my appointment as a Commissioner in April 2011, I was staff for the Polk County Board of Commissioners for 13 years and worked in the District Attorneys Office for three years prior to that under then District Attorney, Fred Avera. How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information may be published): Mail address: Friends of Jennifer Wheeler PO Box 351 Independence OR 97351

E-mail address: commissionerjennifer@gmail.com Web site URL: www.friendsofjenniferwheeler.com Phone: (503) 838-3678 Fax: N/A

Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words. 1. Why did you decide to run for this office?

I promised to seek the office of Commissioner in the next election when I applied for consideration to replace the late Commissioner, Mike Propes. Because of my years of experience in the Board Office, I knew that it was imperative to keep in place the professional staff that had contributed to the success and efficiency of Polk County government over the years. I am running to preserve that continuity, which has made Polk County successful. 2. How much will your primary campaign cost? It is early in the campaign to make that determination; however, as of this date I have spent approximately $7,049.10. I will continue to spend my campaign dollars wisely to ensure a successful outcome. It is difficult measure the value of the efforts of the dedicated volunteers giving their time and energy to my campaign. 3. Key endorsements you have received: Mike Ainsworth, Polk County Commissioner Craig Pope, Polk County Commissioner Mary Stern, Yamhill County Commissioner C. Ralph Blanchard, Former Polk County Commissioner Ron Dodge, Former Polk County Commissioner Walter Gjersvold, Former Polk County Commissioner Tom Ritchey, Former Polk County Commissioner Jim Thompson, State Representative HD 23 Helga Thompson, Chair, Polk County Republican Central Committee Linda Agen, West Salem Business Owner June Dodge, Retired Educator Norm Fairchild, Retired Contractor Leon Fischer, President, Siletz Trucking Co., Inc. Tonk Fischer, CPA, President of Fischer, Hayes & Associates, P.C. Tim Hinds, Retired Monmouth Police Officer Mona K-Hinds, Community Volunteer John Kennel, Owner, Majestic Oak Farms Lee Lamers, Co-Manager, Lamers Forests Ltd. James Marr, President, Marr Bros., Inc. Tom OBrien, Retired Deputy Sheriff Mary Elena Pena, Community Volunteer Raul Pena, Musician Alice Propes, Property Manager Pam Propes, Property Manager Beth Ritchey, Educator John Scharf, Scharf Farms Inc.

Myrna Simmons, West Salem Farmer Wayne Simmons, West Salem Farmer Ray E. Steele, Retired Polk County Sheriff 4. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details. No. 5. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. No. 6. Why should people vote for you? What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific. My experience as Commissioner, which was preceded by 13-years as a key member of staff, separates me from my opponents. I have an established working relationship with department heads and staff, understand the complexity of the interaction between the Board and this key staff, and I bring cohesiveness to the current Board. I am the only candidate with successful executive level experience and I will continue to serve as Commissioner with hard work, impartiality and common sense. I understand the challenges ahead to provide services at acceptable levels with decreasing resources and am a hands on Commissioner who is not afraid of hard work. I have the experience, the integrity and the tenacity to face the challenges ahead. 7. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How? (75 words for each issue) A. Maintain an acceptable level of services to citizens while facing diminishing revenues by continuing to manage tax dollars in the responsible manner citizens have come to expect. I will continue to work with staff to provide service delivery efficiencies by integrating technology so that citizens can access services, i.e. building permits, building inspections, etc., on-line resulting in more convenient services and eliminating the need to spend time and resources driving to the Courthouse. B. Advocate for existing business and work to attract opportunities to support economic growth. The Board directed staff to initiate the legislative amendment process for planning projects that would bring the Polk County Zoning Ordinance into compliance with state law and streamline certain land use permitting processes. Staff continually researches grant opportunities and ways to promote economic development. We can be more competitive regionally if citizens dont have to go through a lengthy permitting process.

C. Strengthen intergovernmental relations with the cities, the State, and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde by looking for efficiencies and ways to partner on service delivery and determine whether there is a better way to provide law enforcements services, road maintenance services, etc. I will continue to encourage these discussions. 8. What do you see as other important issues? Continue to work with ODOT on safety improvements to our highway system. Continue to support and advocate for a third bridge over the Willamette. Continue to research sources to address long-term water needs in Polk County. Continue to provide programs for our youth to encourage their success.

9. What magazines, newspapers and Web publications do you regularly read to keep up on the news and developments in your areas of interest? Capitol Press Itemizer Observer Smoke Signals Statesman-Journal West Side Newspaper 10. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you want to disclose before it comes up in the campaign? No.