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Show an Page A4 The Summit County Bee ... Candidates Continued from page A3 Sally Elliott -1 am a person with a lot of experience for the job; four years Park City Council, lifetime of leadership, experience and awards with issues including recycling, history, preservation, conservation, water, recreation, parks, sports, tourism, business, youth activities, affordable housing, land planning, trail construction and education; I stand up for what you believe is right and take the heat without taking it personally; I have fought hard for responsible growth and good planning. Landowner expectations need to be balanced against the overall interests of the community at large. Open space is a really critical issue. For 18 years I have worked tirelessly to preserve our precious open space; 4,000 acres in the Snyderville Basin through my leadership and volunteer work with Park City, 4,000 additional acres in Wasatch, Summit and Morgan Counties through my leadership and volunteer work with Utah Open Lands; I. support the Statewide Initiative and Proposition 2 for Snyderville to double the bang we get for our Open Space bucks; 300 miles of new trails in 18 years of service; and served as the Rail Trail Construction Manager. I have no land to develop and no interest to protect. My opponent would have to recuse himself on The Canyons issues and other land use issues. You need a commissioner who can vote for you on every issue. You call, I haul. You need someone who is right there to help. Who you gonna call? 435-64957I2/sany@tellsaIly.com I'm on your team. I have created countless opportunities to bring people together to resolve differences, working for the common good. My past accomplishments are based upon my ability to listen to diverse opinion and forge bonds of consensus. That is the creativity I bring to the position. Through my husband's military career, we have had the opportunity to live in seven states and several foreign countries. We chose to retire to Summit County because it stands out as a uniquely beautiful and livable place. My goal is to protect and enhance the qualities that make Summit County special. Please join me on Election Day-Nov, 2. Steve Osguthorpe - I would be the best choice for the County Commission Seat because I bring balance in my background and experience to the seat. I am not a career politician nor do I plan to be. I have years of experience in dealing with water as a farmer as well as a 14 year trustee of Weber Basin Water Conservancy District and the Weber River Water Rights Committee. I have business experience as the operator of Red Pine Adventures and serving on the Board of Directors of a large multi-state insurance company. My experience in agriculture as Vice President of Utah's largest farm and ranch organization gives me insight into rural issues. I have an understanding of the huge impact of tourism because of my involvement in Red Pine Adventures and due to my involvement in land use by The Canyon's Resort. I have been involved with preserving open space in Summit County for nearly 40 years. My public service background includes being a member of the Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism as well as a 14 year trustee of Weber Basin. I was on the founding board of the Park City Education Foundation. I was instrumental in working with a group that put lights on the football field at Park City High School. I understand the value of hard work, keeping your word, treating people fairly and using common sense and I would like to be your Summit County Commissioner. un board if necessary to help solve it? South Summit District One DeLoy Bisel Jr. -1 feel that it is fitting for citizens of the community to bring issues of concern to a member of the school board. If a parent came to me with a concern, I would first find out if the appropriate problem solving process had been followed. If satisfaction to the issue or concern had not been resolved after following the procedures established in the policy manuals, then I feel it would be correct to take it to the school board. I have served on other boards and I realize that I am but one vote of several, hpwever concerns and ideas have to start somewhere to be acted upon. Lone Pearce -1 believe my job, as a board member is to be the patrons voice. What people must realize is that while I am only one voice in the boardroom, I have always asked the hard questions and stood up for the people I represent. Being the only woman on the board gives me a different perspective and many times a different opinion on issues that affect the students. I believe it is important to remember what I am elected to do and represent the taxpayers in the district. District Two Matthew Leavitt - If necessary, I would definitely be willing to take issues of concern before the board. However, it also depends on the concern and how much effort the parent has taken to address and resolve the problem. If the problem is between a parent and a teacher or an administrator, I would encourage those individuals to try and work things out between themselves without involving the board. If the issue cannot be resolved and intermediating is necessary, the board should be a conduit to resolving the concerns of parents. Kendall 'Tiny" Woolstenhulme I want parents or any other people that I represent to feel free to come to me with any concerns that they might have. If I can't help them, I would be more than willing to take any concerns to the Board of Education as I have in the past. District Three Kip Bigelow - Yes, I would be happy to take a parents' concern to the board if that is where the problem needed to be solved. I hope parents feel they can approach me with their concerns. There has been several times in the last four years I have served on the board of education that I have taken a parents concern to the superintendent or the board of education to be discussed. I then try to keep in contact with that parent to see if the issue or concern was handled appropriately. There have also been times when I have counseled the parent to take the issue to the appropriate principal and try to solve it at that level. We have hired principals in our schools to handle the educational process and other issues within their building and I feel they need to be given the opportunity and responsibility to resolve any concerns a parent might have. Jimmie Gines -1 would be willing to go to the board if the parents had been through the proper channels of problem solving beforehand. If a parent just called with a gripe without speaking with the teacher or principal I would not take the issue to the board. It would be much better for the parent and teacher to try to resolve the problem because not following that procedure would cause too many problems. The role of the board is to set policy, but if a problem isn't solved then the buck stops with the board. North Summit District One Arlin Ovard - I will be representing each parent from my district and their concerns will be my concerns. If the issue concerns policy or district issues, I will indeed South and North Summit Voters approach the board with the situawill be choosing between 12 candition. However, if the issue concerns dates to fill six school board slots. parents and their children, the proper Each candidate has their own procedure needs to be followed. thoughts on various topics and it is That is to say, the student, parent, the voter's responsibility to research and teacher need to address the issue and choose the candidate they feel first, then with the principal and then would do the better job for the stuwith the superintendent, if the issue dents and the community. is not resolved. If the issue is not addressed properly, then the board Ufa parent came to you with an will become involved. I will not cirissue of concern, would you be w#Zcumvent the process. The real ing to take their problem to the responsibility of the board is to set and maintain district policy. Ben Jones - (Write In) My approach is to clearly understand the issue, investigate the facts and elevate wherever appropriate to resolve. Parents deserve honest answers based on fact. District Two Jane Harper - unavailable for comment. Mark Marsh - Yes I would be willing to work with parents to resolve their concern. This is the whole reason for the board member being elected from their district. I would be accessible and a good listener to help resolve their concern or implement their idea the best way possible. District Three Ken McQueen - Once the process of following the chain of command has been exhausted, then we would evaluate the issue to determine whether or not the issue was a board related issue. If the issue is deemed "board related" then action would be taken by the board to help solve the problem. If the issue was deemed "non board related" direction would be given to the proper point of contact along with follow up until the issue is resolved. Steve Jenkins - Depending on the issue, it is better to try and handle problems at the point of concern and follow a chain of command. If the issue is one of student/teacher, rather than starting at the school board it ought to be the parent and student meeting with the teacher. If that does not resolve the problem, it should then go to the principal, superintendent, and then the school board. Often times when a person comes to a board member with a problem it takes more time to get the problem solved because the board member has to call the superintendent, who calls the principal, who may have to call a teacher, and then they call the parent or student. When issues are a matter of policy or conflict with policy, you should contact the superintendent or a board member to help solve that problem. Should you have concerns about the school bond and building projects please call a school board member or the Superintendent. I am happy to help or do anything we can to solve issues or concerns. the district. Matthew Leavitt - I am available to those who give me the awesome responsibility of being in charge of the direction their children's education and instruction will take. I can be reached at home or by email to Ieavitt4schoolboard@hotmail.com. I do not want to make important decisions void of input from those who Irepresent.I greatly value the opinion of others and do not think that my opinion is more important than any other. In the end, I am responsible for how I vote in board meetings. I intend to be educated and informed in order to be prepared to make those decisions and thereby better prepared to respond to criticisms. Not everyone can be pleased with the decisions made all of the time. Understanding this fact before being elected to the school board position I feel that I am prepared for some of the criticisms that may come my way. Kendall "Tiny" Woolstenhulme I hope to be available to anyone that has concerns. I don't have any problem with people calling me at home in the evenings or at work during the day. I want to be available to anyone that has concerns. I am willing to talk about any decision that the board has made. I feel that as a board we do not make any decisions that are not in the best interest of the students as a whole. Jimmie Gines • You bet! . . I am here all the time. If a constituent calls I will be willing to listen. The solution depends on the problem. Criticism is something that is expected and people need to be willing to listen as things are explained. Most of the time when facts are explained then you can understand the position. Public hearings are important to get input. Often people don't come until they are personally involved and come to complain. Residents need to be informed and know what is happening. Kip Bigelow - I believe that I would be available to those who wish to contact me. It is not uncommon to have someone stop me on the street or in a store and discuss school issues. If an individual is not able to reach me by telephone, I also have telephone voice mail and an email address that they can leave me a message or ask for information. I think anyone in public office has to be able to take criticism for their decisions. I feel citizens should be Will you be easily available to able to express their thoughts about those you represent? Are you willan issue. Let's face it, sometimes ing to take criticism for the boards with all the research we do, with the decisions? discussions we participate in, and with all the good intentions we have, Deloy Bisel, Jr. - Yes, I work we will make a decision that locally and citizens should not hesiappeared to be the proper one and it tate to pull up to my jobsite to talk. I just doesn't work out. We need to be am listed in the phone book, and I able to accept the criticism from have an email address. As I menthose we represent and work to tioned last week, I feel it is fitting make the necessary changes. for citizens of the community to bring concerns and issues up to their school board member. After all, the North Summit: citizens do vote school board memArlin Ovard - My door has bers in to represent them. always been open and that will not B. No one enjoys being criti- change. Criticism is part of everycized, however over the years of one's life, the difference lies in how serving on other boards I have the criticism is received and used. I learned that criticism is feedback, always make sure to listen to every and to do a good job of making the point of view, especially those that best decision, feedback both good are different than my own and try to and bad are essential. I would expect balance the opinions of all involved. that the entire board will quite often Sometimes that can be extremely not all agree while making deci- difficult. sions. Once the vote is decided the board should stand behind that deciBen Jones - (Write In) My sion. address and phone number are available and I appreciate the opportunity Lorie Pearce - I have always to respond. As a contracts manager valued contact with students and and as an elected official I'm parents. It has been my goal to acquainted with criticism. Criticism return calls and make myself as isn't necessarily bad. Better soluavailable as possible to the pub'ic. I tions come from seeing all sides of encourage patrons to contact their issues. As a WRITE-IN candidate board members with questions. I'm asking extra effort from the votAfter all, if I don't know what issues ers. I pledge my extra effort in you are concerned about I certainly responding to them. can't help you solve your problem or represent you at the board meetJane Harper - Unavailable For ings. Comment B. Having served as a board Mark Marsh - Yes I would be member for eight years I have taken my share of criticism for decisions accessible to the people that I would that we as a board have made. I am represent. I am a willing listener and one vote and although I may not can help resolve issues in a producagree 100 percent of the time with tive way. I attend almost all school fellow board members, I believe in activities and 1 do not travel with my the democratic process. While the work making me quite accessible I vole may not necessarily turn out the have served on public councils and I way I feel it should on some issues, currently serve on a RAC board for I have always walked out of the the Division of Wildlife Resources meetings knowing that five people that takes public input and concerns. voted and in the end we are united in I try to not take things personally the decisions that were made. The and feel that there is always a solucurrent board has an excellent work- tion to every concern. ing relationship built on respect and the willingness to listen to each Ken McQueen - I feel it is other We express oiir opinions and important to be readily available to eventually come to a conclusion that be effective in a job which has been we believe benefits the students of deemed a "public service": position October 29,2004 in order to be of service to those you represent. Yes, criticism is an aspect of that "public service" position that comes as a part of that package, but the attitude with which it is received and method by which criticism is handled can make the end result extremely valuable and productive. Steve Jenkins - I believe that it is important to be easily available to discuss issues related to the North Summit School District. One of the nice things about having local school boards is that we are close to the patrons that we serve. Being local makes a board member more accountable for the decisions that they make. I would hope that the citizens of Hoytsville would feel comfortable coming to me with any of their concerns. I often hear that you can only make 50 percent of the people happy with any decision that is made. I believe we can do better than that.. .But what about the other 50 percent that are unhappy with the decision. I know not everyone will agree with everything that we do and may be critical of a decision. I think it is okay to disagree, as long as we are not disagreeable. I am willing to take criticism for any decision that we make, as long as there is communication as to why the decision was made. Tell the voters why a vote for you would be a vote for students in the district Deloy Bisel, Jr. - I would ask the people of Francis and Woodland to vote for me because; students are of infinite value, and the education of each student is our most pressing responsibility. If elected, I will fulfill my responsibilities by helping establish policies that promote excellence in learning for all students. I will provide leadership, vision and advocacy in support of other Board members, policy makers and patrons to enable all students to be successful lifelong learners and contributing citizens. Lorie Pearce - Working in a school everyday with students and teachers puts me in a unique situation. I see the challenges that teachers' face with No Child Left Behind and the increased testing without adequate funding. I see how the pressure of testing is affecting students and staff and I believe that while some reforms were necessary, we need to re-evaluate the process. We need to be very careful that we don't focus too much on testing and forget about the student. We need to be sure that after our student's graduate they have many doors opened to them whether it is college, trade school or entering the job market. Our students are our future and we must never forget that. We as parents and citizens need to be involved because all students deserve a quality education. I have not forgotten where the focus should be. Student success should always be our main concern. Matthew Leavitt -1 am running primarily to help my children with their educational experience. I want to see not only my children succeed but all the students. I would like to help them have a positive experience to make the road to success easier for them. Kendall "Tiny" Woolstenhulme I want people to know that I represent them and their children the best that I can. I have the concerns of the children first. All decisions will be made with their interests first and foremost. decisions necessary to provide them and all other students with a positive educational experience that would give them pride to be from South Summit. Some students may not have the goal of going on to college. We need to work with internships and other providers such as Mountainland Applied Technology College to offer these students opportunities to learn a skill or trade so they can be productive citizens when they leave the high school setting. I have a commitment to do my part to try and help provide the best' for our students. With my background in business and finance, I feel I can and will be an effective board member. I promise to work hard in behalf of your children. I would appreciate your vote on November 2. North Summit Arlin Ovard - I am a lifelong resident of the North Summit School District and particularly of Henefer. I have had and currently have my own children benefit from the educational process at North Summit. I feel that I understand what "hometown" values are and I want to make sure those values are not diluted or disappear. My past, my future and my loyalties lie here in the North Summit School District and I do not wish to see that eroded but strengthened. I will always be an advocate for the children, my past community involvement supports this claim. Ben Jones - (Write In) As a parent, grandparent and in working with youth, I've recognized their tremendous potential. Students of today are learning, experiencing and doing things that we didn't imagine possible. I want to be a part of the future. The best way I know how to do this is to provide opportunities so that they can achieve their potential. Jane Harper - Unavailable for comment. Mark Marsh -1 am a voice for the kids! I will look out for what will benefit the youth in our community and help prepare them for the job market or higher education. I feel that school is a place for kids to prepare themselves with life skills to enter into society. Reading well, math skills, and understanding their surroundings in science and government help kids to function proficiently in society. A vote for me is a vote for prepared kids. Ken McQueen - I have always been genuine about putting our students first! I have worked side-byside in the trenches with our students, and we have suffered and cried together through hard and disappointing times. We have leaned on each other and built each other up while in the midst of facing huge challenges. Together we have risen to the occasion when the window of opportunity has presented itself. Together we have laughed and celebrated rare successes. Together through the attributes of good parenting and hard work we have enjoyed a unique sense of pride that has brought our students and community closer. I have treasured the relationships afforded me with the youth of our community. I believe that if we combined all our talents in the district and the community, while being sensitive to reality, our successes will continue to multiply! Jimmie Gines -1 would continue on with the same thought I had when I served on the board before "what can I do for the kids?" The school board is in the position of helping make things better for the kids. I would like to see the parents become more involved in their children's education. Some send their kids to school and that's that. We need to spend the district's money wisely and bring in more educational opportunities, there are a lot of programs out there. Students can have a year of college behind them when they graduate if they are told about the programs and are willing to work hard. Today's world requires students to have a formal education. Steve Jenkins - My main focus is to make sure we provide our children with the best education possible. I supported smaller classes in the elementary so all students had the opportunity to learn and be successful. I supported the building of new facilities, and the additions to others so our children will not be overcrowded, and have the best environment to learn. I support our teachers in the district as they focus on reading as a priority. I support our hard working teachers, administrators, and support staff, that have the best interests of your children in mind. I have appreciated your support and the opportunity to serve and would hope to have your continued support. Kip Bigelow - As I mentioned earlier I have a sincere desire to have a positive influence on the education of the students in the South Summit School District. I am a graduate of South Summit and still have two children attending school in the district. I would make the As voters we all need to go directly to our polling places and make our mark on November 2. Remember to vote for the person who represents the thoughts and ideals -that are close to those you personally feel. , , V ., .'.•-•\H< |