Occupation: Dragon Academy Coordinator, Dallas High School

Prior governmental experience: Dallas City Council, 2025 to current

The Dallas Signal Questionnaire

What makes you the right person for this role, and why are you running now?

I believe my experience, commitment to service, and love for Dallas make me the right person for this role. I have worked with youth for more than 25 years, including at Marion County Juvenile and various residential facilities, and I have served on the Dallas City Council for the past 18 months. I currently work at Dallas High School in the Dragons Academy, helping students who are learning online complete the requirements for their high school diplomas. I also volunteer with the Dallas Downtown Association whenever I can. I believe the only life worth living is one lived in service to others, and I believe I should be the change I want to see in the world.

The city is currently working through zoning and transportation planning as Dallas grows. What’s your vision for how Dallas should grow into the future?

I believe Dallas should grow, but we need to do it responsibly and with input from our residents. We need to plan for roads, transportation, housing, and public services while protecting the character of our community. My goal is to make sure Dallas remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Something people might be surprised to know about me is how much I value the simple things in life. I’ve always believed that some of the most important moments happen outside of the spotlight. Whether it’s spending time with family, helping a neighbor, being involved in our community, or simply sitting down and listening to someone’s story.

Can you name a recent Council decision you disagree with, and why?

I believe our City Council has done a great job making decisions in the best interest of the people of Dallas. One area where I’ve had concerns is the pace of increasing residential capacity. I believe commercial and industrial growth needs to keep pace with residential growth. Dallas should not only be a great place to live, but also a great place to work, shop, and build a business.

What Dallas issue do you care most about, and why?

Dallas is a wonderful place to live because of its small-town character, strong sense of community, and the people who care about their neighbors. As our community grows and changes, I want to make sure we proactively look at maintaining safe streets, encouraging responsible development, providing quality services, and supporting a strong local economy without losing the character that makes Dallas feel like home.

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Occupation: Executive Assistant to the Agency Director, Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, State of Oregon

Prior governmental experience: None

Facebook – Instagram

The Dallas Signal Questionnaire

What makes you the right person for this role, and why are you running now?

I believe that my desire to grow in the Dallas community, my current occupation and extensive education and interest in political science all make me an ideal candidate for the city council. As the executive assistant to the director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), I have a great understanding of Oregon’s political climate, budget and legislative operations, and am eager to be a fresh voice for our historic and growing community. I moved to Polk County in 2017 to study communications and political science at Western Oregon University, and during that time, I fell in love with the area and decided to make Dallas my home in 2024. Although I am relatively new to the city, Dallas has a very strong sense of community that I enjoy being apart of and would like to use my education and experience to help voice the opinions of our neighbors and guide the city in its efforts to grow both residentially and industrially.

The city is currently working through zoning and transportation planning as Dallas grows. What’s your vision for how Dallas should grow in the future?

As a young person who chose to capitalize on Dallas’ growing community, I am grateful and excited for the community’s support to expand residentially, but I also recognize the risk associated with expansion and I care about preserving Dallas’ character while supporting the addition of industrial growth to bring revenue. I think that focusing our efforts on ensuring the community remains safe as it grows, with access to public resources and maintained infrastructure and roads, would be an optimal vision as the community moves forward.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I have always enjoyed being involved in my community in a variety of capacities. I grew up in Salem, Oregon and throughout the entirety of my middle and high school years, I hosted a weekly community radio talk show where I interviewed local community members ranging from business owners, to teachers, to doctors. This experience got me more comfortable with public speaking and interacting with those in my community, starting at the age of 11.

Can you name a recent Council decision you disagree with, and why?

I believe the council is tasked with the difficult responsibility of making impactful decisions for an entire community against a limited budget and ultimately does a great job of making decisions with the people of Dallas at the forefront. In the future, I believe it is crucial for the council to continue focusing on finding a feasible solution for the infrastructural needs of City Hall and the Dallas Police Department as their previous bond measure for a new building failed. Although it was necessary for the council to provide a potential solution, I think their proposal was somewhat aspirational and it was clear that the community was not satisfied with a costly solution. I would like to see the council continue to explore alternative solutions for a suitable space for these important public servants in our community.

What Dallas issues do you care about most and why?

Dallas has an incredible community with neighbors that care deeply about their town, and I am passionate about maintaining the character and safety of Dallas while responsibly supporting its growth. I want to ensure that our roads are maintained and kept safe while also sustainably bolstering our local economy with additional industries. I want to thoughtfully consider the expansion of our residential population so people like me can continue to find homes, work and a sense of belonging in Dallas.

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Occupation: Procurement and Contract Specialist, State of Oregon

Prior governmental experience: Dallas City Council, 2019 to current

The Dallas Signal Questionnaire

Pending response.

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Occupation: Civil Servant

Prior governmental experience: Precinct Committee Person (Douglas County)

Facebook – Instagram

The Dallas Signal Questionnaire

What makes you the right person for this role, and why are you running now?

I am the right person for this role because local politics genuinely interests me. I majored in political science in college and have an enthusiasm for how governments at the national, state, and city level shape our community. I am running because Dallas is growing significantly and I would like to see us take this opportunity to improve our small-town politics and improve on aspects that can make our city better.

The city is currently working through zoning and transportation planning as Dallas grows. What’s your vision for how Dallas should grow in the future?

I would like to explore bringing more businesses into Dallas. This is important for many reasons, it creates revenue for the city, creates jobs, and provides the opportunity to fill some of the empty buildings we have around town. I would love to see Dallas have a bustling downtown.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I have an artistic side. My home office is full of abstract art I’ve done. I like exploring a new take on colors of everyday things, like animals or landscapes. I think it’s important to have a creative outlet.

Can you name a recent Council decision you disagree with, and why?

Dallas City Council recently made a decision to add a facilities and equipment fee to bolster the general fund so the police department could have an alternate building. This had previously been voted down by the citizens of Dallas and people were, understandably, not happy with the decision. I think the Council could have tried to find more innovative ways to supplement the general fund, other than putting additional strain on citizens.

What Dallas issues do you care about most and why?

Some of the streets in the older neighborhoods are speckled with potholes, there are a lot of empty store fronts, and we keep seeing businesses fail, etc. I want Dallas to be a flourishing community where people want to bring business and spend their weekend. My biggest issue for Dallas is ensuring we meet modern needs and have economic opportunities for the people who make up our community.

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Occupation: Developer/Contractor, Fowler Homes LLC

Prior governmental experience: Dallas City Council, 2019 to current

The Dallas Signal Questionnaire

What makes you the right person for this role, and why are you running now?

I love our town!! I raised my family here. My wife and I will continue to serve the community. I listen and work to find common ground and consensus for the betterment of our community.

The city is currently working through zoning and transportation planning as Dallas grows. What’s your vision for how Dallas should grow into the future?

Planning is key to controlled growth. I enjoy the small town feel of Dallas. Enjoying our neighbors, town pride, and community involvement. Zoning and transportation planning is vital in keeping Dallas the place that we love. Growth is mandated by the State. How we grow can be controlled through our planning. Zoning of the LaCreole node behind Dutch Brothers will help us encourage new commercial growth, such as a grocery store that would compete with Safeway and encourage lower pricing. While working through the Transportation System Plan (TSP) can help keep truck traffic to supply the “new store” from HYW 223 to the north and citizen access from the south off of Ellendale. I do not want Ellendale to turn into a Lancaster Drive in Salem. With good planning it does not. I could go on but have been asked to keep it short.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I grew up on a 4th generation wheat, barley and cattle ranch in north North Central Oregon on the high desert plateau and my parents and two of my brothers have also now called Dallas their home.

Can you name a recent Council decision you disagree with, and why?

Yes, but voiced my concern at the next council meeting and the council reconsidered and voted to not give Republic Services the 9+% increase that they requested. I am enjoy working with each of the councilors. We listen and explore ideas to come to a consensus. 

What Dallas issue do you care most about, and why?

Our water supply!! I originally ran on this same issue and have worked hard to keep it at the forefront of our policy making. We are making headway, but it is not a quick issue to resolve due to the multiple agencies that require approval. 

We are being proactive in funding the project and seeking design and permitting. Without water we would not have a city! We are not short on water for residential needs, but lack the water that would be required if a large industrial company were to come into town. As a city we need to encourage commercial and industrial development in order to pay for city services without asking our citizens to pay higher rates or cutting current levels of service. 

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Occupation: Not employed (retired); previously software engineer

Prior governmental experience: Dallas City Council, 2007 – 2010, and 2023 to current

The Dallas Signal Questionnaire

Pending response.

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