EDITOR’S NOTE: The May 18th ballot features dozens of opportunities to serve your community on local boards for our schools, ports, transportation district, recreation districts, water districts, fire districts and more. There is not a voters pamphlet for a primary/special election, therefore the Pioneer provides this opportunity for candidates to tell voters about themselves and the position they are seeking, even if running unopposed.
Tillamook County Pioneer CANDIDATE’S STATEMENT – 5 minute “why we should vote for you” pitch; include information about why you are running for the position and your TOP 3 most-important-issues facing the board/organization you wish to serve on.
MEET THE CANDIDATE: Constance Shimek, North County Recreation District, Director Position #5
Hello, my name is Constance Shimek and I am running for Director Position 5 on the Board of Directors for the North County Recreation District.
For over thirteen years, my husband and I have owned and operated Horse Tale Flats B&B and a Christmas Tree farm on the outskirts of Nehalem. During those years I have been heavily involved with funding for numerous programs and projects for NCRD through Friends of NCRD. For the past two years I have served as the president of that board. Now, I’m prepared to do much more.
I have learned a lot over the years, and I have heard so many compelling stories from community members on their vision and hopes for the NCRD. I have also heard their disappointments and frustrations. All of these opinions have value, and I want to make sure they are included in the conversation as we move forward on large scale development projects. I envision an NCRD where EVERY member of the community feels welcome, honored, and respected to visit the NCRD, AND to contribute their ideals and opinions on every aspect of development, policy, and operation. Together, we will create the best possible version of the NCRD.
As a board member my first order of business will be to develop community outreach programs that encompass every segment of the population. We must address social inequities for people of color, for those with challenging economic situations, for the LGBTQ1A+ community, for citizens with physical and other challenges, and for all marginalized segments of the population. We need to hear from them and we need to help. I love the idea of creating a youth advisory panel so we can hear directly from the young people in our community. They, and their children, will inherit what we build today. I would like to bring them in on the decision making process now. The more we learn from all of the voices, the more robust solutions we will be able to create. My mission is inclusion. I will listen, I will carry the messages, and I will fight for those who will entrust me with their voice.
A Vote for Constance is a Vote for All.
Follow me on Facebook, ConstanceforNCRD, my webpage: www.ConstanceforNCRD.com, or contact me @ constanceforncrd@gmail.com