Creating Housing Coalition breaks ground |
 Michael Thomson talks with a Democrat-Herald reporter after seeing the results during an election watch party at Calapooia Brewing in Albany. |  Nancy Greenman, Ben Watts and Susan Leonard discuss the election results during the watch party at Calapooia Brewing. |
Thank you to the candidates we endorsed
and everyone who supported them
Scott Bruslind chats with Pamela Watts at the election night watch party. They weren't the results we were hoping for in key school board races, but we're proud of the candidates we endorsed and the great campaign efforts that unfortunately came up short. A big thank you to Greater Albany School Board candidates Michael Thomson and Ben Watts, Lebanon Community School Board candidate Scott Bruslind and all their supporters.
Two other candidates we endorsed — Miriam Cummins for Linn-Benton ESD Zone 6 Board of Directors and Dick Running for Linn-Benton Community College Zone 2-3B Board of Directors — were re-elected. Another Linn Dems endorsee, Amy Vetor, had increased her lead to 59 votes over Donald Frier III in their Linn- Benton-Lincoln ESD Zone 6 Board of Directors race, as of May 24.
We urged people to vote for Stacie Wyss-Schoenborn and she won with more 64 percent of the vote in her LBCC Zone 2-3A board race.
Here are results, as of May 24:
Greater Albany Public Schools Board
At-Large 1: Ryan Mattingly 5,973 (49.55%), Ben Watts* 5,052 (41.91%), Grant Sherer 535 (4.44%), Lyle Utt 448 (3.72%).
Zone 3: Sean Taylor 6,241 (51.44%), Michael Thomson* 5,838 (48.12%).
Lebanon Community School Board
Zone 1: Melissa Baurer 2,273 (64.25%), Scott Bruslind* 1,255 (35.47%).
Linn-Benton-Lincoln ESD Board
Zone 5: Amy Vetor 2,038* (50.35%) Donald Frier III 1,979 (48.89%).
Zone 6: Miriam Cummins* 2,217 (61.16%), Amber Aguinaga 1,349 (37.21%)
Linn-Benton Community College Board of Education
Zone 2-3 A: Stacie Wyss-Schoenborn** 5,614 (64.26%), Vern Saboe 3,024 (34.61%).
Zone 2-3 B: Dick Running* 7,116 (96.74%).
* Endorsed by the Linn County Democrats
** Recommended by the Linn County Democrats
Two other candidates we endorsed — Miriam Cummins for Linn-Benton ESD Zone 6 Board of Directors and Dick Running for Linn-Benton Community College Zone 2-3B Board of Directors — were re-elected. Another Linn Dems endorsee, Amy Vetor, had increased her lead to 59 votes over Donald Frier III in their Linn- Benton-Lincoln ESD Zone 6 Board of Directors race, as of May 24.
We urged people to vote for Stacie Wyss-Schoenborn and she won with more 64 percent of the vote in her LBCC Zone 2-3A board race.
Here are results, as of May 24:
Greater Albany Public Schools Board
At-Large 1: Ryan Mattingly 5,973 (49.55%), Ben Watts* 5,052 (41.91%), Grant Sherer 535 (4.44%), Lyle Utt 448 (3.72%).
Zone 3: Sean Taylor 6,241 (51.44%), Michael Thomson* 5,838 (48.12%).
Lebanon Community School Board
Zone 1: Melissa Baurer 2,273 (64.25%), Scott Bruslind* 1,255 (35.47%).
Linn-Benton-Lincoln ESD Board
Zone 5: Amy Vetor 2,038* (50.35%) Donald Frier III 1,979 (48.89%).
Zone 6: Miriam Cummins* 2,217 (61.16%), Amber Aguinaga 1,349 (37.21%)
Linn-Benton Community College Board of Education
Zone 2-3 A: Stacie Wyss-Schoenborn** 5,614 (64.26%), Vern Saboe 3,024 (34.61%).
Zone 2-3 B: Dick Running* 7,116 (96.74%).
* Endorsed by the Linn County Democrats
** Recommended by the Linn County Democrats
Linn Dems join GAPS teachers on picket line
May 24
About 250 Greater Albany Public Schools teachers and supporters, including a number of Linn County Democrats, picketed May 22 around the GAPS administrative office before a school board meeting. As reported in the Democrat-Herald, the union wants the district to return to the bargaining table for three sessions and resolve what they view as the following contract violations: the district office and principals have scheduled too many staff development hours and won't pay employees for the extra hours; Albany Options School's schedule is longer than the contract allows; the district refuses to honor teachers' step-in-pay salary increases; and the district refuses to give raises to those teachers who do post-graduate work. Among the Linn Democrats on the picket line were Nichole Case, Circe Verba, Nancy Greenman, Keith Kolkow, Mark and Susan Leonard and Ben Watts. School Board member Michael Thomson also participated. "I think before the school year is out the district should sit down with the GAEA and work on these issues," he said.
About 250 Greater Albany Public Schools teachers and supporters, including a number of Linn County Democrats, picketed May 22 around the GAPS administrative office before a school board meeting. As reported in the Democrat-Herald, the union wants the district to return to the bargaining table for three sessions and resolve what they view as the following contract violations: the district office and principals have scheduled too many staff development hours and won't pay employees for the extra hours; Albany Options School's schedule is longer than the contract allows; the district refuses to honor teachers' step-in-pay salary increases; and the district refuses to give raises to those teachers who do post-graduate work. Among the Linn Democrats on the picket line were Nichole Case, Circe Verba, Nancy Greenman, Keith Kolkow, Mark and Susan Leonard and Ben Watts. School Board member Michael Thomson also participated. "I think before the school year is out the district should sit down with the GAEA and work on these issues," he said.
Linn County Dems Nichole Case, Keith Kolkow, Mark Leonard and Susan Leonard walked the picket line with teachers May 22.
 Ben Watts joined the picket line. |  School board member Michael Thomson and Keith Kolkow. |
Linn Dems approve County Platform and LAIs
Seventeen Linn County Democrats met Saturday, April 1, at Albany Public Library to develop the County Party Platform and create a list of Legislative Action Items (LAIs). The Linn County Democratic Central Committee approved the County Platform and LAIs during its monthly general meeting on April 6. Thanks to everyone to participated in the Platform Convention and to Platform Committee Chair Genny Lynch and committee members Susan Heath and Edie Koenig for all their work on it.
Bill Bradbury remembered
April 14, 2023
A statement from the family of Willam C. “Bill” Bradbury
We announce with great sorrow the death of Bill Bradbury on April 14, 2023. He was 73 years young.
Bill died of unexpected medical complications while with his wife of 36 years, Katy Eymann, delighting in a six-month cruise around the world, one of his lifetime dreams.
His zest for life, his positive outlook, and his commitment to public service in his beloved Oregon are legendary. Bill embraced life, living it to the fullest despite doing so with multiple sclerosis for more than 40 years.
A service of remembrance and celebration of Bill’s life will be planned and announced for a future time.
For more information contact
Robert Bailey, robert.bailey5055@gmail.com
• Former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury left a lasting legacy (April 15, Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Friends, colleagues remember 'a lion of state government' (April 16, Oregon Capital Insider)
A statement from the family of Willam C. “Bill” Bradbury
We announce with great sorrow the death of Bill Bradbury on April 14, 2023. He was 73 years young.
Bill died of unexpected medical complications while with his wife of 36 years, Katy Eymann, delighting in a six-month cruise around the world, one of his lifetime dreams.
His zest for life, his positive outlook, and his commitment to public service in his beloved Oregon are legendary. Bill embraced life, living it to the fullest despite doing so with multiple sclerosis for more than 40 years.
A service of remembrance and celebration of Bill’s life will be planned and announced for a future time.
For more information contact
Robert Bailey, robert.bailey5055@gmail.com
• Former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury left a lasting legacy (April 15, Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Friends, colleagues remember 'a lion of state government' (April 16, Oregon Capital Insider)
March news from the Oregon Capitol and beyond
• Bill to boost computer chip production in Oregon clears hurdle (March 27, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Tenants, landlords tussle over tighter rent cap (March 27, Oregon Capital Insider
• State budget writers release their spending framework (March 24, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Bill to boost computer chip production in Oregon clears hurdle (March 24, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Oregon Senate OKs housing package (March 22, Oregon Capital Insider)
Oregon lawmakers consider new gun legislation (March 21, Oregon Capital Insider)
Self-serve fueling is closer to approval in Oregon (March 21, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Lawmakers flooded with comments on abortion bill (March 21, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Oregon eyes mandate for climate change lessons in school (March 13, Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Homeless and housing money goes to legislative vote (March 13, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Wyden, Rosenblum defend access to abortion medication (March 13, Oregon Capital Insider)
• University of Oregon names new president (March 13, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Ahead of filing deadline, school board seats open across Oregon (March 10, Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Debate shapes up over using land to limit carbon (March 10, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Oregon adds job, but unemployment remains steady (March 8, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Oregonians support reducing prison sentences
for youth demonstrating rehabilitation (March 6, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Kotek invokes emergency response for homelessness (March 3, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Think Out Loud: A conversation with Gov. Tina Kotek on education, affordable housing
and the hardest thing about her new job (March 3, Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Oregon lawmakers consider making it easier converting office space into homes (March 3, OPB)
• Mandatory mask rule at health-care facilities ends April 3 (March 3, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Lawmakers add to Kotek's request for housing money (March 2, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Tenants, landlords tussle over tighter rent cap (March 27, Oregon Capital Insider
• State budget writers release their spending framework (March 24, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Bill to boost computer chip production in Oregon clears hurdle (March 24, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Oregon Senate OKs housing package (March 22, Oregon Capital Insider)
Oregon lawmakers consider new gun legislation (March 21, Oregon Capital Insider)
Self-serve fueling is closer to approval in Oregon (March 21, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Lawmakers flooded with comments on abortion bill (March 21, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Oregon eyes mandate for climate change lessons in school (March 13, Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Homeless and housing money goes to legislative vote (March 13, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Wyden, Rosenblum defend access to abortion medication (March 13, Oregon Capital Insider)
• University of Oregon names new president (March 13, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Ahead of filing deadline, school board seats open across Oregon (March 10, Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Debate shapes up over using land to limit carbon (March 10, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Oregon adds job, but unemployment remains steady (March 8, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Oregonians support reducing prison sentences
for youth demonstrating rehabilitation (March 6, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Kotek invokes emergency response for homelessness (March 3, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Think Out Loud: A conversation with Gov. Tina Kotek on education, affordable housing
and the hardest thing about her new job (March 3, Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Oregon lawmakers consider making it easier converting office space into homes (March 3, OPB)
• Mandatory mask rule at health-care facilities ends April 3 (March 3, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Lawmakers add to Kotek's request for housing money (March 2, Oregon Capital Insider)
More than 100 turn out for Democratic Party of Oregon
and Linn County Democrats Fundraising Dinner
More than 100 people turned out Saturday evening, March 25, for the Democratic Party of Oregon and Linn County Democrats Fundraising Dinner at Linn-Benton Community College. Congresswoman Val Hoyle, speaking via live video from Washington, D.C., and Democratic State Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin both fired up the crowd, and DPO Executive Director delivered a well-crafted financial appeal. Linn Dems put together the "Bounty of Linn County," an array of creative gift baskets and delicious desserts that were raffled off. The raffles raised more than $3,000 for the Linn County Democrats. Thanks to all who donated items and made contributions.
Panel refers SB-85 (study of confined animal feeding operations)
to Senate Rules Committee
The Oregon Senate Committee on Natural Resources voted 3-2 during a brief work session Monday, April 3, to refer SB-85 to the Senate Rules Committee. SB-85 would require the state Department of Agriculture to study confined animal feeding operations. The committee held public hearings on the bill March 6 and 13 and 22. All three hearing drew throngs of supporters and opponents of the bill. Many residents of the Scio area, who oppose plans by Foster Farms to build three mega chicken operations in the area and elsewhere in Linn and Marion counties, spoke in favor of the bill. (To watch the public hearings, click the links below.)
• Linn County farmers, school children want to press pause on mega chicken farms (March 12, Democrat-Herald)
• Linn County farmers, school children want to press pause on mega chicken farms (March 12, Democrat-Herald)
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