What’s so special about this election? The May 2023 election is all about “special districts” – school boards, transportation district, recreation district, fire boards, health districts and more. And for Tillamook County this is a historic election. Never before have there been so many candidates on the ballot. Usually the ballot for this election has one name (or a blank) for the position. The May 2023 ballot will have eight races with multiple candidates for each position. So Tillamook County, it’s time to do your homework, and get to know who these people are that will be in charge of our schools, transportation, health, fire departments, water systems and more. It’s election time – and in Tillamook County there has been an increase in participation in our government process with many races having multiple choices. The Pioneer is proud to provide this opportunity for our community to make informed voting choices and learn about the candidates. We will post the candidate’s answers (that we received) in the contested races with multiple candidates. These questions were gathered from a diverse array of Tillamook County citizens, and provides an opportunity for constituents to compare candidates answers directly. Again, if there is no response from the candidate, we did not receive their answers.
Here are the candidates for North County Recreation District:
North County Recreation District
DIRECTOR, POSITION 1, 4 YR TERM
Teah Laviolette
Ms. Laviolette is running for four positions – Tillamook County Transportation District, Tillamook Bay Community College, Nehalem Bay Health District and North County Recreation District. The Pioneer requested that candidates for multiple positions answer the questions for EACH board position, as each board has unique issues and situations. Ms. Laviolette chose to send one response for all the positions.
Here is a link to her profile that appeared in our Questions for the Candidates – Tillamook County Transportation District.
Mary Gallagher
1. Why are you running for this position? I want to continue to serve this great community. I have had a long-term interest in recreational activities, as a youth and adult. I want to help support NCRD’s role in responding to the programs offered by NCRD that meet the community needs.
2. If elected, what will be your priorities? My top priority is to ensure our programs respond to the needs of the community. I also prioritize the continuation of sound financial health and the construction of the swimming pool.
3. What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve? My career was as a financial manager in a fortune 100 company, which included managing an accounting staff, membership of leadership team, managing internal controls and credit lines of $1 billion, budgeting, and auditing. My financial training and my service on the NCRD Board gives me the ability to continue to assure sound finances and successful programming by the district.
4. What issues do you believe the board needs to address? Please list 3 and your solutions/ideas
- The Board needs to oversee the successful construction of our new pool, and that will require continuous communication with staff, project architect and contractor.
- The Board needs to continue to maintain and upgrade the physical facilities, prioritizing needed improvement and seeking outside funding when the opportunity presents itself.
- The Board needs to continue to be responsive to the communities desires for programs: including elementary school swim, recreational programs, day care, Performing Arts Center programs, adult activities etc.
5. If you could make one improvement to the work this board does, what would it be? Creating specialized committees using members of the local community that have special expertise. This was done very successfully on the pool construction oversite committee.
6. In your opinion, what attributes must a good board member have? Being a good listener, community involved, passionate about the mission of the district, supporting inclusion of all of the community, and goal driven.
7. What is your vision for our community? To have NCRD be the catalyst of health, entertainment, and recreation, to be a part of the special sense of community and belonging, to serve the needs of all the community.
DIRECTOR, POSITION 2, 4 YR TERM
Contance Shimek
1. Why are you running for this position? I enjoy the NCRD as a community participant. I was recruited to the Friends of NCRD fundraising board in 2008, our primary focus was replacing the pool. Over the years we expanded our efforts to support all programs and projects for the NCRD. I am very proud that up through 2021 we (Friends of NCRD) raised and distributed over $100,000.00 to the NCRD. After leaving the Friends of NCRD, I remained actively involved with the NCRD by attending almost every Board meeting from a commitment for the NCRD to be the best it can be. I am running for the NCRD Board of Directors as I see an opportunity to have the NCRD be even better than you know it currently to be. I believe my energy, community relationships and dedicated commitment to the NCRD’s future will be a refreshing asset to the Board.
2. If elected, what will be your priorities?
1) Enrolling the Board, Staff, and Employees into having all actions and interactions be guided by the NCRD Mission Statement. ‘To Promote the Educational, Recreational, Social and Physical well being for the entire North County community by offering activities for all ages and abilities in an inviting environment.”
2) Broaden decision making to include new ways of incorporating DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility)
3) Foster new ways of communicating and engaging with the Communities.
3. What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve?
a. 15+ years of active involvement and continued personal investment in making a positive difference with the NCRD. In a prior career I was one of
two Workers Compensation Administrators for the largest Employer in Oregon. We were acknowledged for creating and implementing the most
effective Return to Work Program in the State. I have created and managed a successful Health & Life Insurance career for 23 years. While on the Friends fundraising Board I held all positions and was elected President during my last two years.
b. I have the courage to bring to light that which needs to be examined.
c. Being a cancer survivor, I say ‘welcome the diagnosis, we can only impact that which we are aware of.’ Given we are dependent on the Operations
Tax Levy (coming up 11/23) I believe it is critical to keep an eye and ear out for how the NCRD is being received in the 3 Villages and beyond. I will welcome and encourage community comments and questions as opportunities for opening doors, engaged dialogue and resolution.
4. What issues do you believe the board needs to address? Please list 3 and your solutions/ideas
a. The current Executive Director has announced their term commitment to the NCRD is limited. Solution: Immediately begin the process of recruiting and hiring a permanent, long term Executive Director.
b. Some Community members feel the Board is not an inviting space to bring questions. Solution: Facilitate quarterly Town Halls
c. Potential members who work daytime hours do not have access to activities. Solution: Create additional Programs with a wider variety of Programs for Evenings and weekends. Expand weekend hours.
5. If you could make one improvement to the work this board does, what would it be? Hold monthly board workshops for discussing NCRD’s issues and processing solutions which may later be voted on at a Board meeting.
6. In your opinion, what attributes must a good board member have?
a. An unwavering commitment for having the NCRD be the best it can be
b. The courage to question the status quo and create newly
c. Energy to enliven others to stay on track and cause results
7. What is your vision for our community? My Vision is that the NCRD is known as a revered treasure and a Beacon of Light for each and every person in the North Tillamook County community and beyond. I would love to have a soft solar light installed in the Cupola, creating the experience of ‘home’ for the community and the center of belongingness.
Please vote for Constance!
Erin Laskey-Wilson
1. Why are you running for this position? I’m running because I think its important for board members to understand the history of the NCRD and the mission statement it stands for. I grew up swimming at the pool and my family has lived in the Nehalem Valley for four generations now. I have an understanding of this community’s goals and aspirations. I also think the board needs more “family minded” representation. I’d like to see more programs available to families who work and live here.
2. If elected, what will be your priorities? My priorities will be to support transparency, stay budget minded and uphold the NCRD’s mission statement.
3. What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve? Since I’m self employed I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility and self motivation. I’ve also served on the New Discoveries Preschool board for nearly 6 years now. As a board member for NDP I experienced the importance of a pragmatic approach to obstacles, and value of dialogue. I’m familiar with board procedure and I enjoy being constructive and helpful. My occupation requires a lot of negotiating and problem solving, skills that I think are very beneficial to being a board member.
4. What issues do you believe the board needs to address? Please list 3 and your solutions/ideas
My vision is in line with the community members who built the pool way back in 1930. It has since expanded into the NCRD that offers much more than just the pool now but the sentiment is still the same. I envision a community that continues to look out for one another.
