Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2014 General Election

Thank you for responding to this questionnaire.

Why this matters: The Statesman Journal Editorial Board will use this questionnaire in deciding
whom to endorse for the Nov. 4 General Election. Your answers also will be shared with
reporters and probably will be published in the newspaper and/or on our website,
StatesmanJournal.com.
We also ask that you respond to every question, instead of simply attaching campaign materials,
resumes, etc. You are welcome to send us lists of supporters, a resume, etc., in addition to this
questionnaire.
If you completed our questionnaire for the 2014 Primary Election, you will notice that some
questions are similar. (This questionnaire is shorter and several questions have been changed.)
Please complete this questionnaire instead of simply referring to past answers.
Please return the finished questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an email or an attached Word
document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com. (Handwritten or fax responses dont work.)
Important; Please submit the questionnaire by the deadline listed in our email to you.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com, or
Editorial Assistant Nancy Harrington, 503-589-6944, nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.
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Your name as listed on the ballot: Scott A Mills
Age: 56
(If your age will change before Nov. 30, please indicate your birthday. We want to ensure we use
accurate ages in pre- and post-election editorials and news coverage.)
City/town of residence: Aurora
Political party(ies), if this is a partisan office: Democrat, Working Families
Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.): State Representative HD 18
Are you currently a full-time resident of the district you seek you represent? Yes
Number of current, consecutive years living in the district you seek to represent:
Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home or number of grown
children):
Cherene Mills, wife Mark Mills, son lives in Colorado
Your education (high school, trade, college, post-baccalaureate; indicate degrees you earned):
Canby Union High 1976
If employed, current occupation, employer and job duties: Daimler Truck Manufacturing Plant/
Western Star. Final paint inspector
Previous employers and when: I have worked at my current employer for 36 years with a leave
of absence of four years for military service.
Military service and when: USAF 1980-84
Volunteer/civic/religious service and when: Pet Partner Therapy Dog Team with my
Newfoundland Shadow Current/ last visits 2 weeks ago. Teen Smart Driving School, volunteer
instructor, current
Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when: Aurora City Council/
Commissioner of Public Works1995-99
Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: None
Other prior political and government experience: Aurora Planning Commission 1993-95, Aurora
Budget Review Committee 1999-01
How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be made public):
Mail address: PO Box 69
E-mail address: scottmills@centurytel.net
Web site URL: http://scottmillsforhd18.com
Phone: 503 936 9697
Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words.
1. To an outsider, how would you describe the region you wish to represent -- geographically,
economically, politically and socially? HD 18 is the largest metro area district adjoining the
Portland and Salem metropolitan areas. To include transition urban zones with intragrated farm
land and forest lands. Moneyed interests who do not have the best interests of HD 18 in mind
have been causing much confusion and have skewed the battle over the future with voters. There
is a contradiction over social change with a desire to go back in time to a simpler time. Yet those
same people do not leave their smart phones on the table and walk away.
2. What are the positives and negatives of this region (district, county or state) that you wish to
represent? The productivity of HD 18 is hardly matched any where in the state. Whether it is in
farm production or its commuter workers. This brings powerful economic benefits to HD 18. The
confusion over this change and impact of the metro areas should not be causing the stress it is.
You cannot unring the bell of modernization and technology but it is difficult for some to
embrace it.
3. What specific skills and experiences do you bring to the position that would help turn those
negatives into positives? I have been brought up with critical thinking as a valued life skill.
Combined with my life experiences growing up with hard work on a dairy farm, the team work
necessary to do great thing in the USAF, the 2 years living and traveling in Europe and north
Africa, to the teamwork on the assembly line bringing a wide variety of individuals to
accomplish quality outcomes and learning.
5. What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific.
1 I consider the conservative idea of austerity for people who work and tax loopholes and higher
salaries for the job creators who do not UN American. I would attach performance bond
standards to any incentive given to a business to cerate a job.
2 The obscene new model of Millionaire and Billionaires purchasing elections is something I
speak out about. Vics comment of we could have used the cash to win more seats is an
admission of consent. It just was not spent wisely should be taken in to account to measure who
he represents in Oregon. I would advocate for election finance reform.
3 In times of economic recessions the US has always recovered faster and longer lasting with
large investments in infrastructure. I would advocate for large investment in this category.
4 I would advocate for the restructuring of bonded debt for school districts for construction of
school buildings especially in rural districts.
5 The legitimate object of government is to do for a community whatever they need to have
done but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do for themselves in their separate and individual
capacities. A Lincoln I am not a privatizer.
6. Please list five specific accomplishments that you have achieved in politics or civic affairs:
1 Moving the Business and Labor section of the Democratic Party platform to the first priority
item.
2 Co-authoring and editing the current Democratic Party Business and Labor platform section.
3 Visiting at the VA hospital with my Newfoundland dog Shadow and getting to hear hundreds
of veterans stories giving me great insights to their needs and our obligation to meet them as a
country.
4 Working with my city to design and construct a municipal sewer system passing a bond levy in
an off election year over the objections of a vocal minority and working with them to eventually
realize it was important.
5 Being a member of the Aurora city budget review committee that passed a clean budget 4 years
in row.
8. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing
board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details. NO
9. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or
been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. NO
10. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and how? (75 words
for each issue)
A. Work to change the failed business model of tax breaks for business to create jobs without
new demand. To giving consumers more money to spend at businesses, which will create
demand, which will create, jobs. Communities have always done things to make businesses come
or stay if government spending is used to do this the return to the taxpayers must be as great as
possible.
B. Become an ambassador for the environmental and labor interests to come together and speed
up the projects that would get Oregon working. As a passionate member of both interests with
an understanding of their needs I would be able to bring them to the table and reach agreements
quicker.
C. Land use management, The protection of Oregons farms and their economic viability and
contributions must be maintained. Create and sponsor projects to make urban high-density
population life more attractive.
11. What do you see as other important issues? Water shortage management. The battle of who
gets the water will soon drive all economic issues in Oregon with the possibility of economic
decline.
12. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you should
disclose before it comes up in the campaign? Anything (including health issues) that would
affect your ability to serve your full term? Any changes in your life situation that are
contemplated or expected before the election or before you would take office? NO
Thank you. Please return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an attached Word document to
Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com by the requested deadline.