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Elect
Kami Kehoe
for Clackamas County Commissioner, Position 5

THE PEOPLES COMMISSIONER: Trust, Integrity, Accountability, Caring and Tough, Fiscal Responsibility

I am Kami Kehoe and for the next two years it will be a privilege to represent your issues and concerns, advocate for livability to all communities within Clackamas County, and reinvigorate economic development for a successful future.

I WILL REPRESENT YOUR ISSUES AND CONCERNS THROUGH

Community Outreach
I initially became interested and involved in government as a “regular citizen” while participating in a planning process for an Urban Growth Boundary in which I currently reside. This lead to successfully advocating for issues the community desired with the outcome of future growth: school facility plan, nature parks and trails, preservation of open space and upland wildlife habitat, landslide awareness and ordinance, provision of essential services and less intrusive infrastructure on surrounding neighborhoods. A community activist beginning led to reactivating and chairing the Holcomb-Outlook CPO (Community Planning Organization), which serves an unincorporated area of the county.

I am committed to continuing my efforts of reaching out to the community by maintaining my relationships with neighborhood associations, CPOs, grass root organizations, advocacy groups, clubs and committees. I would like to see the formation of a County Calendar on the county website to further involve the public. It should show department, task force, citizen advisory and project advisory committee meetings, locations, times and links to agendas. More importantly, I support the move of the Board of Clackamas County Commission Business Meetings to evenings so a majority of citizens can attend. Government is by the people for the people and therefore should be accessible to the people.



I WILL ADVOCATE FOR LIVABILITY TO ALL COMMUNITIES THROUGH:

Urban and Rural Reserves
Recently, the Land Conservation and Development Commission approved rules that allow Metro and Clackamas County to determine which land is developed and which is farmed under legislation passed in 2007. These rules are going to shape and determine growth for the next 40-50 years and implementation will be a monumental time in the history of Oregon.

 I support the urban and rural reserves process because it will allow for long-term planning at a reduced cost while providing security to the agricultural community. Clackamas County ranks second in farm production among the state’s 36 counties and boasts the most horses per capita in the United States. The current process of urban growth boundary expansion every five years to maintain a 20-year supply of buildable land for housing, industry and commerce has left many cities in a mandatory cycle of boundary adjustments while scrambling to find funding for comprehensive planning causing a budget shortfall in properly implementing expansion.

 It is vitally important that citizens remain involved in determining urban and rural reserves. These decisions should not be left solely to Metro, County and City officials and advisory committees. The concept will only work if community input is regarded and I believe the opinions of the Villages and Hamlets formed within the county should be given high priority. We should all take pride in being a part of the process.

Natural Resource Protection
Clackamas County is one of the most scenic counties in the whole State of Oregon and this is an asset we need to protect. The reason people love Oregon is due to its natural beauty. We cannot let growth take precedence and destroy the gem that Oregon represents to each and every one of us. Recently, a group called “Urban Green” was formed with the intent of preserving forest canopy in the Urban Growth Boundary areas. One of the reasons this group came into existence was due to the fact buffer zones were not implemented with new development. As a result, preservation of green-space and foliage took a back seat to profit margins. The County should no longer turn a blind eye to areas slated for annexation and should re-evaluate their UGMAs (Urban Growth Management Agreements) with cities if proper ordinances are not in place to prevent unsustainable development.

Education
Early education is a priority of mine. Unfortunately, it is reserved for those who can afford it. Milestones are reached when children enter school at an early age. It provides kids an edge when they enter public school and are competing with 28 other children for the teacher’s attention. It doesn’t have to be this way, and with the Attorney General’s recent finding that full day kindergarten cannot be charged, this has the possibility of detrimentally cutting a program that is necessary to the educational health of our children. School districts have stated they cannot afford to fund the program without the assistance of tuition.

There is a method to fund early education programs and it is through Urban Renewal Districts. If the State mandated that the portion of property taxes allocated for schools within URDs are to remain in local school districts, there would be enough money to fund full day kindergarten and possibly preschool as well. Currently, the school taxes go toward paying off the bond within the URD and the State reimburses the school district for loss of revenue. Meaning you pay the tab!

I am and always will be an advocate for our younger generations.

OSU Extension Service
I support the formation of a Clackamas County Extension Service District and 4-H District due to the educational services the OSU Extension Office is able to provide to our urban and rural residents, including youth, families, homeowners, businesses, farm and forest owners and schools, within our communities. It is my hope all cities within the Clackamas County boundary adopt the resolution approving the county’s order to initiate such a district.

 As a former 4-H Leader for equine activities, I was able to see the positive effects the 4-H program had on our club members. The girls learned leadership skills, independence and self-esteem through education, goal-setting and competition. On a lighter note, they also created memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. 4-H is affordable allowing anyone who wishes to join the opportunity to take advantage of the numerous programs and services available to them. The Extension Service also provides educational tools to the community at no cost or reduced fees. Let’s keep it this way and support the resolution. 
 

I WILL REINVIGORATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH:

Diversifying the Tax Base
A common focus throughout all cities of the county is a need to diversify the tax base. For far too long residential development has taken precedence over commercial, retail and industrial development. Residential development is more profitable for developers and cities receive the initial monetary benefits of building permit fees, system development charges and property taxes. In the long run, high density residential units have the negative effect of exceeding the city’s costs of maintaining services due to Measure 47 and 50.

 The time has come to focus on bringing family wage jobs to our county and to mandate that current and future Urban Growth Boundary expansions are fulfilling their state mandated employment growth lands. We also need to ensure these areas of growth are properly utilized prior to further growth expansions. We need to support locally owned business, agricultural business, local manufacturers, recreation and tourism. To further stabilize our local economy, tax reform is needed in this state to fulfill our fiscal potential.

Transportation
We are currently in crisis mode when it comes to our infrastructure old, new, or future. In order to provide a healthy economy, transportation improvements are necessary. Due to inaction in the Legislature, local jurisdictions are left to determine funding mechanisms.  
 

I would like to hear which transportation services county residents deem most important, maintenance or capital improvements, and the monetary amount they are willing to spend. Currently, the county needs approximately 18M for road maintenance and 20M-30M for capital improvements a year to keep up with current services. Utility fees, vehicle registration fees, gas tax, local improvement districts, urban renewal districts and formation of special districts are a few of the different means to achieve this goal. Please contact me with your opinions.

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