Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2012 General Election Thank you for responding to this questionnaire, which is for

use by Statesman Journal Editorial Board members in evaluating candidates for potential endorsements in the Nov. 6 General Election. Your answers also will be shared with reporters and may be published in the print newspaper and on StatesmanJournal.com. If you completed our questionnaire for the primary season, youll notice that some requested information is similar. We ask you to provide it again in case any of your previous data or answers have changed. (If you cant nd a copy of your previous answers, let us know and well gladly send one.) Please answer each question and return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board via email as an attached Word document. The boards email address: Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com Deadline for submitting your questionnaire: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, or earlier.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your name: Age:

Jennifer Wheeler 59

(If your age will change before the Nov. 6 election, please indicate your birthday. We want to make sure we use accurate ages in editorials and news coverage. )

Political party (if this is a partisan ofce): Non-partisan Position you are seeking (name of position, district number): Polk County Commissioner, Position 1 I plan to attend the editorial board meeting scheduled for: Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. Number of years living in the area you seek to represent: Total of 50 years Do you afrm that you are a full-time resident of that area? yes City/town of residence: Independence Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home, number of grown children): Tim Wheeler 5 grown children, 13 grandchildren Education: Central High School graduate (1971) ; Interpreter Preparation Deafness, WOU (1987-1989); B.S. Criminal Justice, WOU, graduated magna cum laude (1991);

National Institute Management System courses for elected official (2011). Current occupation and employer: Polk County Commissioner Military service: None Employment history: Secretary, Polk County Board of Commissioners (1998-2011); Legal Secretary, Polk County District Attorney (1995-1998). Prior experience includes Dallas School District and Western Oregon University (WOU). Community involvement/volunteer history: Dallas Chamber of Commerce Dallas Lions Club Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce 2012 Dallas Family Night Out 2012 Falls City Night Out 2012 Polk Community Connect Planning Committee Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Victim Offender Reconciliation Program - Board of Directors West Salem Business Association Please list all public ofces to which youve been elected, and when: None Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public ofce, and when: None Other prior political and government experience: Association of Oregon Counties, Public Safety Steering Committee Mid-Willamette Jobs Council, Board of Directors Mid-Valley Behavioral Care Network Board of Directors Polk County Budget Committee Polk County Emergency Management, Board of Commissioners liaison Polk County Law Enforcement Executive Committee Polk County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council Polk County 4-H, Master Gardener, Agriculture, Forestry, Extension District, Board of Directors Polk County Public Works, Board of Commissioners liaison Prior to my appointment as a Commissioner in April 2011, I was staff for the Polk County Board of Commissioners for 13 years and worked in the District Attorneys Office for three years prior to that under then District Attorney, Fred Avera. How much will your general election campaign will cost:

It is early in the campaign to make that determination but I would guess somewhere around $10,000. I will continue to spend my campaign dollars wisely to ensure a successful outcome. It is difcult measure the value of the efforts of the dedicated volunteers giving their time and energy to my campaign. Key endorsements you have received: Jim Thompson, State Representative HD 23 Mike Ainsworth, Polk County Commissioner Craig Pope, Polk County Commissioner Mary Stern, Yamhill County Commissioner The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Ron Dodge, Former Polk County Commissioner C. Ralph Blanchard, Former Polk County Commissioner Walter Gjersvold, Former Polk County Commissioner Tom Ritchey, Former Polk County Commissioner Ray E. Steele, Retired Polk County Sheriff Christopher Proudfoot, Chair, Polk County Democrats Helga Thompson, Chair, Polk County Republicans Wanda Davis, Co-Vice Chair, Polk County Democrats Mary Samerotte, Vice-Chair, Polk County Republicans Paul Box, Retired Deputy Sheriff Norm Fairchild, Retired Contractor Leon Fischer, President, Siletz Trucking Co. Jim Fowler, Fowler Affiliates Shellie Friesen-Berry Lee Lamers, Co-Manager, Lamers Forests Ltd. James Marr, President, Marr Bros., Inc. David McKibben, McK Ranch Al Oppliger, Retired Realtor Raul and Mary Elena Pena Joe Penna, Attorney Alice Propes, Property Manager Pam Propes, Property Manager John Scharf, Scharf Farms Inc. Wayne Simmons, West Salem Farmer How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information may be published): Mail address: PO Box 351, Independence, OR 97351 E-mail address: commissionerjennifer@gmail.com Web site URL: friendsofjenniferwheeler.com

Phone: Fax:

503-838-3678 none

Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words but be specic. 1. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board/ organization or had an ethics violation led against you? If so, please give the details. No 2. Have you ever led for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. No 3. Why should people vote for you? What separates you from your opponent(s)? I have positive, executive level experience. I have been in public service for Polk County for 17 years; 14 of those in the Board of Commissioners Ofce. I have served as Commissioner since April 2011 and am a proven leader, not a career politician. I consider the needs of the entire county over special interest groups. I have an unquestionable work ethic and am known for being involved, getting the job done and getting questions answered. 4. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How? (75 words for
each issue)

Maintain historic levels of services to citizens while facing diminishing revenues by continuing to manage tax dollars in the responsible manner citizens have come to expect. I will continue to work with staff to provide service delivery efciencies by integrating technology so that citizens can access services, i.e. building permits, building inspections, etc., on-line resulting in more convenient services and providing these services to citizens in their own communities. Advocate for existing business and work to attract opportunities to support economic growth. I supported the Boards decision to direct staff to initiate the legislative amendment process for planning projects that will bring the Polk County Zoning Ordinance into compliance with state law and streamline certain land use permitting processes. Staff continually researches grant opportunities and ways to promote economic development. We can be more competitive regionally if citizens dont have to go through a lengthy permitting process.

C. Securing water to meet future needs. I support the Countys continued efforts to explore and secure sources of clean water. We will continue to pursue all opportunities to identify and study our available water resources in order to ensure our resources are developed in an environmentally responsible manner with sufcient volume to address future water needs.

5. What do you see as other important issues? Common sense growth development plans with the intention of maintaining productive farmland and related jobs Support environmentally responsible forest management to preserve our woodlands, protect them from re and disease, and maintain a sustainable yield Support public safety and enhance our criminal justice system Advocate for programs for women and children who are the victims of domestic violence Advocate for programs for women who are transitioning out of the criminal justice system Advocate for programs that support our youth to provide them with the tools they need to be successful Advocate for schools, teachers and children

6. How would you describe your political style or for judicial candidates, your judicial temperament? I am fair, honest and inclusive. The job of Commissioner demands my full attention and I have not had time to nurture a political style. I work for the citizens of Polk County, I do not intend to serve special interests or seek higher ofce. I am a citizen with the years of necessary preparation for the job and I was chosen to ll the position because of my institutional knowledge, experience and unquestionable work ethic. I am proud that I am a local leader and not a politician. 7. If you are an incumbent, what have you achieved during your current term? If you are not an incumbent, how have you prepared yourself for this position? No one commissioner can make decisions or authorize expenditure of funds; we work as a team. My response to this question is in the context of that team approach. Individually I am an important player on a team of three equals, each with unique areas of interest and experience. Our achievements over the last year include: A successful budget process where the Commissioners and the Budget Committee were able to maintain historic levels of services to citizens despite budget shortfalls. Maintaining a road system that has been recognized as one of the best in the

State. The taxpayers passed a $20 million road bond and we owe it to them to protect that investment. Continued lobbying for the proposed interchange at Highways 22 and 51 and the realignment of Doaks Ferry Road, which will tie into that project. Opening a Mental Health Clinic in West Salem to provide services to clients in their own community, which is more convenient for the clients, reduces their expense of commuting, and is cost effective for the County Continued exploration of opportunities to identify and study our available water resources to secure sources of clean water to meet our future needs. Encouraged economic growth by advocating for existing business and working with our Community Development department to explore opportunities to support economic growth in our county.

8. What is the largest budget you have handled, and in what capacity? $50 million as Polk County Commissioner 9. What is the largest number of employees youve supervised, and in what capacity? 300 as Polk County Commissioner 10. Who is your role model for this ofce the person/people you would most like to emulate? Mike Ainsworth, Ralph Blanchard, Ron Dodge, Walter Gjersvold, Craig Hanneman, Craig Pope, Mike Propes, Tom Ritchey, and Phil Walker. All who are known for their honesty, integrity, and dedicated service to Polk County citizens. 11. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you want to disclose before it comes up in the campaign? No 12. As a public ofcial, your views on public issues are relevant to voters and potential constituents. Please indicate whether you support or oppose each of these statewide measures on the Nov. 6 ballot. (This question does not apply to judicial candidates.) Measure 77, catastrophic disaster Measure 78, separation of powers Measure 79, real estate transfer taxes Measure 80, marijuana legalization Measure 81, gillnetting ban No Yes Yes No No

Measure 82, allows private casinos Measure 83, authorizes Wood Village casino Measure 84, eliminates inheritance tax Measure 85 shifts corporate kicker to K-12 schools

No No Yes No