Polk County Courthouse (Courtesy of Jolene Guzman/Polk Itemizer-Observer)
Salem Reporter wanted to know what issues were top of mind for the candidates seeking a position as Polk County commissioner. We provided each candidate written questions intended to elicit their understanding of challenges the county faces and how they would overcome them.
Lyle Mordhorst, who was appointed to the nonpartisan commission seat in Jan. 2019, is running against challengers Danny Jaffer and Terry Taylor. Taylor didn’t respond to Salem Reporter’s questionnaire.
If one of the candidates gets more than 50% of the vote on May 19, they can win the election. Otherwise the top two candidates will face off in the November election.
Candidates are listed below alphabetically by last name.
Name: Danny Jaffer
Age: 59
Home: Independence
Employer/position: Luckiamute Domestic Water Cooperative president and chairman of the Board of Directors (unpaid elected position); retired, United States Navy, Naval Officer and Aviator; small woodlot owner
Years at current job: Nine years (elected to four terms) as a member of the LDWC Board of Directors, eight years as president.
List leadership positions you have held in any nonprofit or civic organizations in the past five years.
Luckiamute Domestic Water Cooperative, president (2012-present)
Central Lions Club, president (2017-2018), vice president (2015-2017)
Central Lions Cruise in and Car Show, chairman (2015-present)
Independence State Airport Memorial Day Tribute Committee, chairman (2015)
Rural Oregon Forward, director (2019-present)
List any government service in the past five years, including boards/commissions and any leadership roles.
LDWC Board of Directors, member, current
Polk County Tourism Alliance, member, 2015
In 300 words, please provide an example or examples of a project or issue you directly addressed in a leadership role. We are looking for examples of how your involvement resulted in specific action to resolve or improve a local issue.
As president of LDWC, I proposed an increase in our water storage capacity, as we currently below our engineered design water storage by more than 300,000 gallons, for the more than 2,500 members and family members receiving water through our system. As we have had several years of below average rainfall affecting our area, and a higher demand placed on the aquifer, it is prudent to store enough water to ensure continued service.
I proposed to the Board of Directors a plan for an additional 500,000 gallons of storage (expandable to 1,000,000 million gallons), with modernized water treatment and delivery facilities. This is the largest modernization project taken on in the 50 years of the cooperative. We knew that we needed financing in order to begin this over three-million-dollar project. By being chiefly involved, we worked with Business Oregon on this proposal, and over the course of a year, and a personal presentation to the BizOregon Board, we were able to secure financing to finalize our design proposal, and, if the pandemic abates soon enough, break ground on our new modern system by the end of this year.
In 300 words, please provide an example of a decision you made or action you took later proved to be unsuccessful or misguided. We are looking for an example of how you deal with failure or mistakes.
A few years ago, I took on the purchase of a house owned by an elderly couple that I knew. I purchased the house in order to allow the couple to move into assisted living. I was quite happy to help them. Unfortunately, I did not know that the house had over 20 years of deferred maintenance. I should have investigated more thoroughly, but I knew that time was critical to them. I was not a contractor, but I figured that I could do much of the work myself.
Needless to say, it became quite a project, and there were times that I was sure that I had made a bad decision. By the time I was done, I had invested well over two years of time, installing a new roof, flooring and carpets, new windows, remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, etc. I was very fortunate in that I was able to get to know and receive the help of some very fine electrical, drywall and plumbing contractors, who gave me guidance and recommendations. In turn, I was able to employ them on the project, and keep their crews working.
While I did the bulk of the restoration, I did learn that you have to seek out, and trust others to help you, especially when you are in a jam. Getting the right people involved saves time and money, and creates real bonds. I did eventually sell the house, and while I didn’t make a bunch of money, I have always felt very proud of the accomplishment made out of a rash decision.
What are the two most pressing issues facing the county?
(There are several ongoing issues that need attention as we go forward in the county, such as the housing shortage and homelessness, fair water distribution, roadway and traffic safety, and county-wide broadband internet access. However, the pressing needs right now relate to the coronavirus pandemic.)
1. Providing for and overseeing the health and welfare of the citizens with regard to the coronavirus pandemic, and ensuring the best possible assistance to our county health providers and first responders.
2. Planning for the recovery of businesses and county services in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
(AND, do all this with a looming decrease in state funds due to economic downturn. All other county business is secondary to this right now.)
What three steps would you take to improve those issues?
1. Shift available funds to the county Public Health Department with a mandate that they be used to develop immediate action plans, and also to procure items needed for testing for and combating the spread of the infection.
2. Provide direction and assistance to the Community Development Department to conduct outreach to county businesses and service organizations in order to create measured plans for reopening and a roadmap to recovery.
3. Work with community development, public safety and public works departments on a plan for county-wide broadband internet capability, as we have seen in the past two months how valuable this capability is.
How would residents’ lives improve from that outcome?
By developing plans that set us up for the future, we have a direction to proceed with, rather than reacting to circumstances. Increased public health testing in light of the pandemic will allow the county to determine what services can be re-instituted earlier or later, getting help for those who need it, and allowing those who are able to get back to work.
Increased county-wide internet ability will allow for better access to online services, for business, education, emergency and medical needs. I talked about this ten years ago, and the county has not moved forward on this. As the current crisis shows, the ability to get online, and stay online, has now become a crucial element in communication for our children to continue their education, for businesses to continue commerce and for patient-doctor communications. Regardless of the current coronavirus Covid-19 crisis, this improvement county-wide will help all residents in some of the most important aspects of their lives.
Identify three steps you would take to improve, change or adapt county operations. When listing the steps, please identify what issues you’re addressing and why you judge them a priority for the county.
1. Press hard to the state and federal governments for incentive and funds for improvement of county-wide communications, especially for broad-band internet. This is as important now as was rural free delivery (RFD), and the Rural Electrification Act of the early part of the 20th century.
2. Work with Public Works Department for increasing the safety of county roads for vehicles other than cars and trucks. We have more and more bicycles and other non-motorized and small-motorized, and slow-moving vehicles on our roads, yet we have not over the past 20 years provided safety improvements, such as increased roadway shoulders on signage, that would increase movement and safety for all involved. This is important for safety, and for the increased tourism trade that Polk County has enjoyed over the past several years from the wine industry.
3. Increase oversight of sanitation code enforcement in the county. This relates to #2, as an increase in the safety directly impacts the desirability of the county to new residents and businesses.
In 100 words, describe why you want this office and how the county would benefit from your candidacy.
I want this county to move forward and, I believe that I have the leadership skills to make it happen. I have planned, directed, and participated in operations from aircraft search and rescue missions, to large-scale ship and airlift humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. I am schooled in crisis management. Polk County needs to move into the 21st century with transportation, communications and economic development. I believe that my background as president of a water utility, as a military officer, as a long-range planner, and my education, put me in a great position to provide this required leadership.
Name: Lyle Mordhorst
Age: 62
Home: west Salem
Employer/position: Polk County commissioner
Years at current job: 1.5 years
List leadership positions you have held in any nonprofit or civic organizations in the past five years.
Co-coordinator of Family Building Blocks Les Schwab Diaper Drive
Board member West Salem Business Association
West Salem High School Turf Team
List any government service in the past five years, including boards/commissions and any leadership roles.
Polk County commissioner
West Salem Redevelopment Advisory Board
Salem Keizer Area Transportation Study, Vice-Chair
Polk County 4H Extension, secretary
In 300 words, please provide an example or examples of a project or issue you directly addressed in a leadership role. We are looking for examples of how your involvement resulted in specific action to resolve or improve a local issue.
As the Polk County liaison for public works we evaluated our current intersections and roadways to determine and rate them in safety, volume and efficiency. Considering the new residential and commercial growth we are experiencing and their ability to handle the increased traffic.
Safety is my first priority and at that time two intersections stood out which were Clow Corner and Highway 99w, Doaks Ferry Road and Highway 22. Both had experienced several years of studies but were going nowhere at the time because of communication or topographical challenges that were difficult to mitigate. I called a meeting with ODOT and we offered to partner with them to help alleviate the challenges and promote new ideas. At Doaks Ferry Road and Highway 22 we installed a temporary island using candlesticks to eliminate the left turn off of Doaks Ferry onto Highway 22. It was a very inexpensive fix that took only 6 months to complete and has been very successful in eliminating the accidents at that location.
Clow Corner and Highway 99w has been one of the highest risk intersections in the state and is now entering its final design phase of a roundabout and will soon move into land acquisition with construction to start in 2021.
In 300 words, please provide an example of a decision you made or action you took later proved to be unsuccessful or misguided. We are looking for an example of how you deal with failure or mistakes.
As a west Salem businessman and the manager of the West Salem Les Schwab Tire Center it came to my attention that an underpass was being designed for Wallace Road NW that would allow east/west traffic flow from 2nd Street to Les Schwab Tires. West end starts at the Goodwill store and comes up between Taco Bell and Salem Tent & Awning, ending in the Les Schwab Parking lot with a price tag of $36 million dollars.
I took the lead and contacted several local business owners that would be affected by this design and we met with the City of Salem to discuss an alternative plan. We asked for an at grade level intersection that would allow better traffic movement and connection to Wallace Road.
Also create Marine Drive which is an alternate north/south route taking pressure off Wallace Road for the increased traffic we are experiencing in west Salem.
After several months the underpass was approved with the connection to Marine Drive. It is a step forward and should help with future growth.
What are the two most pressing issues facing the county?
First is infrastructure. As we grow so does the pressure on our roadways with increased traffic, wait times and accidents. We need to look at and create alternative routes that will alleviate the bottlenecks, allow safer traffic flow and access so the emergency vehicles can get to their destination quickly and to the medical facilities in a timely manner.
Highway 22 and Highway 51 intersection has one of our highest traffic counts in Polk County with over 36,000 vehicles a day traveling through it and is experiencing a 3% yearly increase (per ODOT). It has also seen its share of severe accidents and is now in its first phase of design. Perrydale Road and Highway 22 has seen an increase in accidents and we are currently working on a design to reduce and address the safety issues at the intersection and working on getting it moved up for funding. We are also in the process of creating a safety corridor for that stretch of highway which should be in place later this summer. Highway 99w and Bethel Road has also experienced an increase in traffic and accidents. It also needs funding and I am working hard on ODOT to recognize the need and move this project up on the funding list.
Second is budgeting. With the coronavirus and the lockdown, we will be facing short falls in numerous areas of funding for our county programs.
What three steps would you take to improve those issues?
Budgeting.
Forecasting next year’s budget is imperative that we stay on it and adjust as it changes daily. We are meeting with our department heads challenging them to be creative, to streamline and become more efficient by thinking outside the box to maintain the level of services we currently offer on a reduced budget. To prioritize next year’s efforts and focus on the necessities while keeping an eye on opportunities to improve as the situation unfolds.
Infrastructure.
Maintain the relationships and the teams that I have created with ODOT, Polk County Public Works and community members to continue to keep the needs of Polk County roads in the forefront of ODOT. Continuously working on ways to find funding from other avenues as grants and federal funding opportunities become available. Always looking for alternative routes that can be added to compliment our current roadways such as Marine Drive in west Salem that would create another north/south route to alleviate the growing pressure on Wallace Road and the traffic jams that occur when we experience an accident on Wallace Road.
How would residents’ lives improve from that outcome?
Polk County has a population of over 86,000 people and is growing. A lot of residents commute to work. We are the gateway to two of the largest tourist attractions in the state, Grande Ronde Casino and the Oregon Coast. The casino alone attracts over a million people each year and we have Highway 22 as the sole route to their destinations. Creating alternative routes and enhancing our current infrastructure ensures that we can get to work, accommodate and capitalize on tourists, have access to medical facilities during emergencies and get home to our families in a timely manner. Economically we can get our products and crops to the packing sheds, wholesalers and consumers which will attract new investors that will bring much needed jobs to our area.
Identify three steps you would take to improve, change or adapt county operations. When listing the steps, please identify what issues you’re addressing and why you judge them a priority for the county.
Polk County is one of the finest run counties in the state. We have been recognized by the State of Oregon as having the best roads in the state. Our Human Behavioral and Community Services are leaders in creating new and effective programs that enhance and change lives with grants and opportunities that address shortfalls and challenges in the lives of many unfortunate individuals and families. Our court system works with the sheriff’s office in finding ways to help the repeat offenders through drug court, mental health court and adolescence court in providing them a way to break their habits or make up for a moment of bad judgement by holding them accountable through doing community service, attend group support sessions, writing papers on their challenges and wins they experience during the week and reporting to the court every week and addressing the judge, saving the county thousands of dollars. Our county assessors and planning departments have upgraded to the latest software and programs making it easier for public access and their staff are here ready and willing to help at a moment’s notice. Polk County has always been a leader in willingness to improve services and operating efficiency.
In 100 words, describe why you want this office and how the county would benefit from your candidacy.
I have always been active in the community. Working on local and regional issues. Most of my experience comes from my 35 years with Les Schwab Tires. Creating relationships with people of all walks of life and professions which gives me a solid understanding of issues we face throughout the county. Farmers, loggers, lawyers, business people, contractors, homeless and seniors living on a low, fixed income. Each has their own set of wants, needs, requirements and challenges. Serving as your current commissioner I have enhanced those relationships and capitalized on being able to work together with others and gain results. The working knowledge and relationships I have already made will allow me to do more in the next four years and complete the projects that I have started. I appreciate your vote!
