By Gary Fletcher

Observer Staff Writer

Voters are beginning to decide five contested school board races in Wallowa County, and Joseph School District patrons are considering a property tax levy.

Ballots have been mailed and must be returned to the Wallowa County Clerk’s office by 8 p.m. May 20.

In the Wallowa School District, the three board positions up for election are all contested by two, three and four candidates. Only one incumbent is running.

Four people are running for Position 1 Bob Both, Bruce Lathrop, Wayne Werst, and Theresa Spaur. Incumbent John Johnson did not file.

For Position 3, Marcus Burns is challenging incumbent Karen C. Josi.

The three-way race for Position 4 is between Ed Millar, Michael G. Wood, and Shannon "Cissy" Shelton. Incumbent Donald C. Stonebrink did not file.

Following is information on the candidates. Background information is provided plus statements from each candidate explaining why they are running.

Position 1

BOB BOTH

Both is a supervisory forestry technician for the U.S. Forest Service. He has lived in Wallowa County since 1976.

Both has been chief of the Lostine Volunteer Fire Department since 1997. He is a youth soccer referee and volunteers annually at free fishing day for the youth.

Candidate statement: "We have some tough decisions ahead. The school board and administration in place now have kept Wallowa School in good stead financially, but decisions are going to have to made the next few years to see if Wallowa School stays viable.

"We have a graduating senior and a son in the sixth grade.

"I hope to have the opportunity to be able to help the board if I can."

BRUCE LATHROP

Lathrop is a farmer and rancher and runs a portable sawmill. He has lived in Wallowa County his whole life.

Lathrop is second alderman on the county farm committee, and has been a longtime grange member.

Candidate statement: "My kids are in school here. I think we have a pretty good school here, and I would like to see it continue.

"Our public schools can be marketable and attract students. If we are willing to do that, a good public school education can be marketable into the future."

WAYNE WERST

Werst is a farmer and rancher who has lived in Wallowa county for 40 years.

He has served on two ditch boards and has been one of the advisors to the junior class concession stand operation at the high school.

Candidate statement: "I need to get out and need people to know I’m around.

"I think it’s time to get some younger people on the board and a newer way of thinking, such as some different financial experiences. We need new new ideas."

THERESA SPAUR

Spaur is a bank teller who has lived in Wallowa County for 10 years.

She has served as a girls’ tee-ball coach.

Candidate statement: "I have three children that will be in high school next year. I am interested in what’s going on, what’s happening."

Position 3

MARCUS BURNS

Burns is owner and president of Goebel’s Service Inc. and Tire Factory. He has lived all of his life in Wallowa.

Burns served four years on the school board until he bought the business two years ago. He has served as treasurer of the Wallowa Lions Club.

Candidate statement: "I always planned on getting back on the school board (once over the hump of organizing the business). I enjoy the kids and I enjoy the school, and I want to do my part."

KAREN C. JOSI

Josi works in accounting and has lived in Wallowa County for 30 years. She grew up there and graduated from Wallowa High School. She has served as alumni association president.

Josi is completing her fourth year on the school board. She has been a soccer coach, a school classroom volunteer and a Sunday school teacher. She has been a church treasurer for 22 years.

Candidate statement: "I have no agenda. I’m a strong supporter of Wallowa School. I think we have an excellent school and the greatest group of teachers in the county.

"Education should come first. I think we have taken some great stands as a school board.

"I have kids, nieces, nephews and friends in the school. I want to support them and do what I can; keep up the work we’ve been doing.”

Position 4

ED MILLAR

Millar is an outfitter and guide who has lived in Wallowa County for 14 years.

Millar said he attends most school board meetings, and is on the school site committee, and the board of Wallowa Resources.

Statement: "The way the budgets are, and with so many fiscal problems, there will be a lot of tough decisions to make.

"I think Wallowa has the best school in the county, and I want to keep it that way. I want to keep academics strong and athletics as strong as they can be, and then we will figure out where to go from there."

MICHAEL G. WOOD

Wood is a farmer who has lived in Wallowa County all of his life.

Wood served on the county planning commission for two years. He plans to volunteer in Wallowa School’s wrestling program.

Candidate statement: "It’s time to get the community back into the schools. It seems like it’s been slowly removed. Activities used to keep the kids and parents busy nearly every night. We need to get connected to alumni and members in the community."

Wood thinks that the last tax measure being voted down was a symptom of people not feeling connected to the services for which they are taxed.

"The public is pretty smart. They want to be shown where their money is going.

"We’re going to hit a period over the next four years … where the money is not going to come from Salem.

"More cuts are coming. We’re going to see extra-curricular activities go first, then a lot of sports programs cut.

"If you want to keep this you’re going to have to pay for it. We need a school board that’s willing to stand up, think outside box and say Lets find it. Maybe there’s a need for more volunteerism."

SHANNON "CISSY" SHELTON

Shelton is a tax consultant and accountant. She has lived in Wallowa County for 27 years.

Shelton has served as vice president of the Wallowa County 4-H Leaders’ Association. She’s been a volunteer coach for the spirit dance team, and baseball coach.

Candidate statement: "My second daughter is graduating this year. Both spent all 12 years in Wallowa School, and I have two more children in it.

"I think it’s time for a change. I want to see more people on the board who have kids in the school system.

"The kids have definite opinions and they need to be heard as well."