There’s an election for many special districts and boards – these local special districts are the very foundations of our communities — water and sewer districts, school districts, fire boards and more. For the seats that had more than one candidate, the Pioneer has sent out it’s semi-annual “questions for the candidates.” Here are the answers we received for the Tillamook Bay Community College (TBCC) Board – Zone 3 – from candidate Jim Heffernan; Suzanne Weber is also running for this position, but did not respond to our request.
Also running for TBCC Board positions – Andrea Goss (Zone 2); Shannon Hoff (Zone 4); and Pat Ryan (Zone 6).
JIM HEFFERNAN, Zone 3 – Tillamook Bay Community College Board
1. Why are you running for this board position?
Because I believe in non-partisan community service. I have been involved with Tillamook Bay Community College (TBCC) as a student, a volunteer ESL tutor, and as an adjunct instructor.
2. If elected, what will be your priorities?
Listening to the views of the public and making decisions and voting to promote what’s best for the entire community.
3. What motivates you to serve on this board?
Admiration for education, in general, and particularly to the unbroken success record of the college.
4. What experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?
Lifetime of working with people and solving problems.
5.What community activities/organizations have you been involved with?
I was an active Democrat for about 20 years, past-president Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Assoc. (RETA), Historian for American Legion, Post 47 (Tillamook).
6. Why should you be elected?
I will provide a working class and student perspective to the board.
7. What differentiates you from the other candidates?
I will not be distracted by having priorities caused by being a serving State Senator or campaigning as a State Legislator. Suzanne talks a good case about being pro-education, but her sponsorship of SB381 which cuts the Corporate Activity Tax meant to support education casts doubt on her real sentiments.
8. What steps, if any, will you take to ensure full equality for marginalized demographics, such immigrants, LGBTQ+ people in our community? I do not see this as a problem with the College but will not support any policies that harmfully impact equality for any group.
9. What issues do you believe the board/organization needs to address in its programs/offerings and community image?
I do not see anything that the college is doing wrong.
10. What changes would you recommend?
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
11. Any additional comments ….
I have recently enrolled as a student after a break of 20 years. Everything is so different today it was like starting as a brand new student. The whole experience affirms my belief that TBCC makes everything possible for the new student.