The Tillamook County Pioneer provides our communities with our expanded election coverage – Questions for the Candidates – provides our communities an introduction to the candidates and an unbiased view to compare the candidates side-by-side on important issues. All candidates were provided with the same questions; the questions were provided by a wide variety of Tillamook County residents. If you have other “questions for the candidates” – please forward them to editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net.
NOTE: Tillamook PUD candidates were given some “bonus” questions specific to TPUD. There are two candidates that did not respond to our questions – Tamra Perman, TPUD District Zone 1 (current board director) and Justin Aufedermauer, TPUD District Zone 3 candidate
TPUD, District Zone 1
MAILE SAMEK
1. Give your 2 minute elevator speech– 100 words or less– Why should voters vote for you?
My name is Maile Samek and I would love to represent you in the TPUD Director #1 position. I have been a long time resident working, raising a family and living in Cloverdale, the heart of the Nestucca Valley. The beauty of our TPUD, Tillamook People’s Utility District, is that it is exactly that, it is ours, the people. I aim to represent our southern district people as a great listener, creative thinker, dedicated to amazing service and keeping our district shining bright!
2. What do you think are the 3 most important issues to voters in our communities today? And what solutions would you offer to address these issues.
I would say the economy and the effects of inflation on our community is one of the most important issues to voters in our community today. We need to work together as a community to create supports as life becomes so much more expensive. This top issue ties into the next two top issues for Tillamook County voters, housing and healthy families. Housing is a crisis that needs to be on the top of the list and dealt with quickly not only for affordable housing but for workforce housing as well. Partnerships will be the best plan to move forward with new housing development. I believe that revenue from the vacation rentals tax could be used for local affordable housing as one solution.
The issue of families is close to my heart, but I believe that the effects of all the top issues mentioned have had such a hard impact on our local families. I would love to see Tillamook continue and add more public resources for families in crisis and to support healthy family balance in this time.
3. What is your view of Short-Term Rentals? Do you support caps?
Short-Term Rentals have been a hot topic in Tillamook for quite some years. I have watched neighboring counties go into caps and restrictions before our county. The results have seemed to create confusion. The rentals have brought much tourism and business to the Tillamook area, helping add revenue to the Tillamook Transient Lodging Tax (TLT). That is helpful to our businesses but wIth these rentals we must be careful to listen to the residents and the impact on local housing.This is a large range from the full time residents to the families incapable of finding affordable homes. As stated above a portion of the tax collected for these rentals should go toward affordable housing. The rental discussion will be different among our many different communities, this may create that sense of confusion but all parties must have a voice. Also, with caps and new regulations there is concern that much of the County’s income from these rentals is allocated to the officials in charge of the new regulations instead of the businesses and
possibly local low income or workforce housing solutions.
4. What is your stance on book bans? Would you support legislation to prevent book bans? What was the last book you read?
My stance on book bans is that I honor our freedom of speech. I am not aware or knowledgable about the legislation that will promote or prevent banning books. The last book I read was, Managing Emotional Mayhem by Dr. Becky Bailey.
5. Do you think our elections are safe and secure? Why? Or, why not?
I do think our elections are safe. The process locally with our mail-in ballots is well monitored and secure. Although I do understand and appreciate the diligence to maintain safe elections and the concern present in this question.
6. Who are your top five campaign donors? What percentage of your donors are local (Oregon)?
My top campaign donors would be: My husband Victor and our six kids. 100% are local/Oregonians. I am very thankful for their support.
TPUD BONUS QUESTIONS:
What are the impacts of climate change going to be on Tillamook County?
The impacts of climate change continually change. There are many areas in which climate impacts our community. Over the years I have been witness to the flooding, ice and fires. The impacts of these events are great reminders to prepare.
How should TPUD be doing to address and prepare for climate change?
To prepare for any catastrophic weather event or local emergency I believe TPUD can aid in community preparedness and awareness, possibly training and attaining with go bags and ham radios. To fail to plan is to plan to fail. TPUD should design and harden our systems in preparation for these storms and climate changes.
Do you support alternative forms of energy- wind, wave, solar? Why? Or why not?
Yes. Energy use is growing and with the continued pressure to shut down our hydroelectricity it’s imperative that we research alternative forms of energy.
TPUD, District Zone 3
Harry Hewitt (current District 3 TPUD Board)
LONNIE JENCK
My role with TPUD is to provide effective, transparent and reliable energy to everyone in our area: a responsible steward focused on supporting our
people, community and businesses and this is where I want to focus.
Please see my responses to questions related to my role as an advocate and voice for our community and what my vision is for TPUD.
1. What are the impacts of climate change going to be in Tillamook County?
While some aspects of climate change may not directly relate to our TPUD duties, I believe the biggest impacts of climate change in Tillamook County
are flooding, wildfires and erosion. Given the county’s geography, coastal areas are vulnerable to rising sea levels and heavy rainfall, which can result
in increased flooding and erosion. These events pose risks to electrical infrastructure and service reliability. Therefore, my focus is on ensuring TPUD’s electrical hubs and equipment are located in safe, flood-free zones and are well-protected against potential climate-induced disasters, including wildfires.
2. What should TPUD be doing to address and prepare for climate change?
TPUD must prioritize making its infrastructure resilient to flooding, erosion, and wildfires. We should regularly assess whether our electrical systems
are accessible and operational in the event of natural disasters. This includes evaluating safe access points and ensuring that equipment is capable of withstanding exposure to floodwater, rising sea levels, and wildfires. TPUD needs to address their policies to ensure flood resiliency practices meet the needs of their consumers due to a significant portion of properties in flooding areas. TPUD must work with their consumers for system designs and connections which don’t put the individual consumers at risk.
My ultimate goal as a TPUD board member is to minimize service disruptions for customers during these events by ensuring that power outages are short-lived and rare.
3. Do you support alternative forms of energy- wind, wave, solar? Why or why not?
Yes, I support the use of alternative energy sources, provided they are affordable and reliable. Wind, wave, and solar energy have great potential to
diversify our power gird, but our priority must always be ensuring affordable rates for consumers, reliable services for businesses and to not jeopardize local indudustries. Tillamook’s local businesses, such as mills and processing plants, rely on uninterrupted power to operate effectively.
Therefore, any transition to alternative energy sources must be done in a way that guarantees consistent and dependable energy availability to avoid
compromising local industry.