On May 20, the final ballots will be cast for the special district elections, with voters selecting candidates to take seats on the Banks Fire District and the Banks School Board.
To vote, ensure your signed ballot is returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 or postmarked by the USPS by May 20. A drop site is located at the Banks Public Library on the Market Street driveway. Postmarked ballots received after May 27 will not be counted, the Washington County Elections Division said.
Because ballots mailed up to the day of the election are counted, the results of close races may not be known until several days after the election.
Initial results for races will be published online at results.oregonvotes.gov. The Washington County Elections Division plans to post initial results at 8 p.m., 10 p.m., and midnight the night of the election, with additional reporting dates following until the results are certified June 16.
The Banks Post sent a brief questionnaire with three questions to candidates. Two answered; their responses are included below.
Here’s who’s running.
Banks Fire District
Two positions are on the ballot this year.
Running in position 1 is incumbent John Wren. Wren did not submit a statement to the Washington County Voters’ pamphlet.
Wren will win another term to the fire board, running unopposed.
Running in position 3 is incumbent Kevin Henning, who will, barring unforeseen circumstances win his uncontested race as well.
View Henning’s submission in the Washington County Voters’ Pamphlet on page 31.
Banks School Board
Three positions are open on the Banks School Board this year. One is contested.
Position 1, between incumbent Leslee Sipp and opponent Jodi Hailey, is the only race in the Banks area that offers any uncertainty on May 20.
Leslee Sipp
Banks Post: Why have you decided to run for the school board?
Leslee Sipp: Education has been a big part of my life. I knew I wanted to be a teacher in kindergarten. As I was reaching retirement age I still wanted to be a part of education and being on the school board was a way I could still be involved.
BP: What experience or perspective do you bring that you believe will benefit the district?
LS: Working for over 35 years with children of all ages, educators and the Banks School District has prepared me for understanding what is needed to have success in learning. I have always continued to take classes that would keep me current in the educational field.
BP: What are one or two key issues you hope to focus on if elected?
LS: To ensure our students continue to have a quality education to be successful, to support our administration and staff and be involved with our community.
Jodi Hailey
Read a submission from Jodi Hailey in the Washington County Voters’ Pamphlet on page 6.
Position 2 features incumbent Corissa Mazurkiewicz, who will win another term to the uncontested seat.
Banks Post: Why have you decided to run for the school board?
Corissa Mazurkiewiczis: I believe the district is making significant changes towards supporting all of our students. I want to continue to be a part of this momentum as we work to create a safe and welcoming district where all students thrive.
BP: What experience or perspective do you bring that you believe will benefit the district?
CM: I have been in the field of education for over 25 years, and I bring expertise in special education, general education and human flourishing. Additionally, having served on the board for the past 4 year, I have learned about the specific strengths and needs of our district. I am excited to continue to build on our success and work towards addressing our specific challenges.
BP: What are one or two key issues you hope to focus on if elected?
CM: 1.The bond our community passed last May is allowing us to make much needed updates to our facilities. I want to continue to make sure we are fiscally responsible with taxpayers dollars, and that we set our district up to proactively maintain our facilities in the future. 2. I want to continue to focus on the academic success of our students as we work to overcome the setbacks from the COVID years and bring our students’ reading, writing and math levels up to where they need to be and beyond.
Ron Frame will run uncontested for his position 4 seat, and be sworn in for another term later this year.
Read a submission from Frame in the Washington County Voters’ Pamphlet on page 7.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
