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: Kathy B. Goss
Age: 68
(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: Salem, Oregon
Political party(ies), if this is a partisan office: Republican
Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.): Oregon House District 20
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:
25+ years in District 20, 68 years in the Willamette Valley
Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home or number of grown
children):
Col. Darr L. Goss USAF RET., 3 grown children
Your education (high school, trade, college, post-baccalaureate; indicate degrees you earned):
High School Graduation, North Salem
Bachelor of Science, OSU, 1968;
Master of Science, WOSU, Guidance and Counseling, 1975;
Doctorate of Educational Administration, 1996, PSU
If employed, current occupation, employer and job duties:
Self employed, Commercial Real Estate Appraiser, Capital Valuation Group
Write Appraisals, Proof read employee work,
Previous employers and when:
(1986-1990) - Coordinator Sp. Ed., Detroit School District Principal/Superintendent
(1994 & 1995) - Newport Pacific Corp. (Corporate Mo's Seafood Restaurants, Oyster
Farms)
(1998 Present) - Capital Valuation Group.
Military service and when: None
Volunteer/civic/religious service and when:
Salem Assistance League 2000-2013, Salem Chamber of Commerce President 2004/2005
and Executive Board 2001-2007, Marion County Children's Advocate 2000-2007 , Marion
County Citizen Review Board 2006-20013, State Fair Commissioner and President 2001-
2005, Go Salem Downtown Board and President 2006-2008, Kroc Center Executive Board
2003-2006, Fund Raiser and Architectural and Contractor Selection Committee,
Chemeketa Community College Building Committee for Downtown Business Center 2010,
Statesman Journal Editorial Board 2009-2014, First Citizen of Salem with my husband
Darr 2009 and Vern W. Miller Key Citizen Award 2009.
Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when: None
Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: None
Other prior political and government experience:
Government Appointment to Childrens Special Advocate (CASA), Citizen Review Board
(CRB), Oregon State Fair Commissioner and President of Commission
How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be made public):
Mail address: 117 Commercial Street NE, Suite 345, Salem, Oregon 97301
E-mail address: Kathy@kathygossfororegon.com
Web site URL: www.kathygossfororegon.com
Phone: 503-375-6494
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?
Geographically We live in a diverse area with bountiful, sustainable resources.
Economically We still have many hungry and unemployed and a declining middle class. Timber
areas have suffered particularly, and Polk County lacks 24-hour patrols.
Politically, Oregon has been a blue state for decades, but we may be leaning towards purple due
to national politics and the economy as well as anger over the health care situation.
Socially I worry about our youth who have been unable to secure good jobs and the elderly who
have lost retirement and have returned to the workforce. I worry about our shrinking middle
class.
2. What are the positives and negatives of this region (district, county or state) that you wish to
represent?
Positives:
The wonderful people of Oregon are its best asset. We have access to mountains, oceans and
high deserts. We are blessed with natural resources, timber, clean water, and productive soil.
Negatives:
Many are still suffering from a stagnant economy. Industrial and commercial properties
particularly have not recovered from the recession. High schools show one of the lowest
graduation rates in the nation while K-12 achievement struggles. We have a chronic absenteeism
of near 20% in our schools. Per capita income continues to slide.
3. What specific skills and experiences do you bring to the position that would help turn those
negatives into positives?
I am strong in both education and business. Ive started at entry level positions in the
trenches, and been able to rise to success. I have a Doctorate in Education. My thesis was
an effort to identify common factors among Oregon youth who commit suicide. I have been
a teacher, a central administrator and district leader.
In business I was the General Manager of Mos Restaurants and the Oregon Oyster Farm.
I have established and expanded businesses, written policy for hundreds of employees, and
owned and operated our family appraisal business as well.
5. What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific.
My success in achieving a Doctorate of Educational Administration, 21 years of educating
children and an outstanding business career. I trust parents and families and Oregonians
over the government to solve problems. My opponent, however, has a record of supporting
fee increases. Hes out of touch with how much Obamacare has hurt Oregon families and
he even wants a sales tax. I think that would take Oregon in the wrong direction.
6. Please list five specific accomplishments that you have achieved in politics or civic affairs:
1) Oregon State Fair Commissioner (President)
2) Raised over $300,000 for the Salem Kroc Center
3) President, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and spokesperson for small
businesses
4) Recipient of Salems First Citizen and the Vern Miller Key Citizen Awards with my
husband, Darr
5) Helping hundreds of children receive the services they deserve through the Citizens
Review Board (CRB)
7. How much will your General Election campaign cost (be specific)? $300,000 to $400,000
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 crime conviction. Paid $1,000 and took a two day class as a sanction to ACLB. However,
on a related issue, they paid me $35,000.
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, other than question 8.
10. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and how? (75 words
for each issue)
A. Oregons Economic Environment:
I have talked to so many who are slipping backwards in this recovery. We are losing our
middle class and trust in government and businesses are leaving. I would work on these
problems by creating a better balance between the environment and jobs; creating more jobs by
lowering taxes (more taxpayers means a lessened tax burden for each of us); reducing
regulations by eliminating laws that cause us to be less competitive with other states.
B. Oregon Public Schools:
We owe our children better schools. We had good schools in Oregon at one time and certainly
can again. We need local control, not more government mandates. Parents and teachers working
together know what they want their children to be learning, and they know the methodology that
works best for them. There should be no one-size-fits-all solution, but we do need to set
expectations and accountability for progress. Lets free teachers to own their classrooms.
C. Government accountability:
After seeing the lack of supervision and the money lost and the damage done to Oregonians both
financially and in lifestyle changes, we need to develop solid oversight of public agencies. It is a
priority of mine, but I need to be involved in the Legislature to know which path is more likely to
succeed.
11. What do you see as other important issues?
Reducing partisanship, renewing faith in government, finding ways more Oregonians can
profit from our bountiful and renewable resources.
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?
I believe the closet is bare. My health is good. Even when my grandkids call me the bionic
Nana I remind them that my artificial hips are terrific.
Thank you. Please return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an attached Word document to
Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com by the requested deadline.