1StatesmanJournalminiquestionnaire

Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2016 General

Election
Thank you for responding to this questionnaire.
For those of you who filled out our Primary Election questionnaire this year, this
one is similar although some questions have changed. We ask that you fill this out
completely, instead of referring to the previous questionnaire, or your resume, etc.,
because we will be posting this questionnaire online.
Why this matters: The Statesman Journal Editorial Board will use this
questionnaire in deciding whether and whom to endorse for the Nov. 8 General
Election. Reporters, who operate separately from the Editorial Board, may use your
answers in writing stories.
Please return the finished questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an email or an
attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com. (Handwritten, pdf,
WordPerfect or fax responses dont work.)
Important: Please return the questionnaire by the end of the day Monday,
Sept. 12.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727,
dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com, or Editorial Assistant Nancy Harrington, 503-3996864, nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your name as listed on the ballot:

Vic Gilliam
Age:

63
(If your age will change before Nov. 8, 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:

Silverton, OR
Political party, if this is a partisan office:

Republican
Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.):

State Representative, House District 18

Are you currently a full-time resident within the boundaries of the specific area
(district, county, etc.) that you seek to represent?

Yes
Number of current, consecutive years living within the district you seek to
represent:

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17 years
Family (name of spouse/partner; number and ages of children if at home, or
number of grown children):

Becky (wife); and 3 grown children

Your education (high school, trade, college, post-baccalaureate; indicate degrees
you earned):

Franklin High School;

Warner Pacific College BA;
University of South Carolina M. Education;
Warner Pacific College, Honorary Doctorate of Laws
If employed, current occupation, employer and job duties:

State Representative (2007 present)

Previous employers and when:

25+ years charitable fundraising. Last position: Director of

Private Gifts, Mercy
Corp
Military service and when:

N/A
Volunteer/civic/religious service and when:

Prior charitable service: Salem Prison Ministries, Willamette

Valley Young Life,
St. Josephs Shelter, Oregon Brain Injury Association, Salems
Superintendent Advisory Board, Oktoberfest volunteer
Silverton 1st Christian food both
Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when:

Precinct Committee Person (PCP) in Salem mid-1980s;

Current PCP Silverton Area;
State Representative 2009-present
Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when:

State Representative, Republican Primary 1986 & 1988

Other prior political and government experience:

Legislative Aide, US Senator Mark O. Hatfield

How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be
made public):
Mail address:

PO Box 158, Silverton, OR 97381

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E-mail address:

vic@repvicgilliam.com
Web site URL:

www.repvicgilliam.com
Phone:

971-599-3557

Facebook and other social media:

www.facebook.com/RepVicGilliam
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?

Economically, my district is heavily dependent on agriculture. From

farms to nurseries, and all related vendors, agriculture is a huge engine of
economic productivity and my job is to represent everyone from farmers to
commuters and businesses of all sizes. Our geography - from the view from
the top of Mt Angel to the Abiqua Creek - contributes to Oregons beauty.
There are extreme political views, as in every community, but my district is
blessed with a calm conservatism fortified by tolerant and friendly families.
2. Describe the positives and negatives of this region (ward, district, county or
state) that you wish to represent:

The Willamette Valley is one of the richest areas of Oregon natural

resources and agriculture products and our district is at the very heart of
this area. The challenges of excessive government regulation, misguided
tax policy are just two examples of the challenges to our region.
3. What specific skills or experiences do you have that would make you effective in
this office?

My service on numerous committees (Rural Communities and Rules)

and especially my co-chairmanship of the Oregon Elder Abuse Prevention
Work Group, inform my decisions and work in the legislature on behalf of
District 18. Additionally I have been successful in developing and
maintaining relationships across the aisle in order to get things done for all
Oregonians.
4. What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific.

I trust my record as State Representative for nearly a decade is of

value to my constituents. I don't know my opponent well, but I do know we
have vast differences in our opinion about Ballot Measure 97, which I think
is $6 billion in new taxes on the products and services that Oregonians buy
every day. Ill be voting NO. However, I hope that his reputation as a public

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school teacher, involved citizen and polite gentleman - does not separate
me from him.
5. How much will your General Election campaign cost? Be specific.

I am respectfully declining Question #5. Im sorry to be unable at this

time to answer this question, especially because of your requirement to be
specific.
6. 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
7. 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.

Sue.

No. However, as Ive mentioned before, I still have a sister named

8. Is there anything (such as health issues, etc.) that would affect your ability to
serve your full term? Are any relevant changes in your life situation expected or
contemplated before the election or before you would take office?
Last fall, I was told that Im likely one of the thousands of Americans who are afflicted
with ALS ("Lou Gehrig's).

Its an honor to serve as State Representative. I still marvel as I walk

(perhaps not as smoothly now) through the rotunda of our State Capitol to
our district office. But if symptoms should make it too difficult to continue,
Ill leave with the greatest love for this State and our District and celebrate
our optimism for the future.
9. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and
how? (75 words for each issue)
A.
Meeting the needs and protecting the most vulnerable Oregonians

especially
Seniors. I am continuing my work in this regard as Co-Chair of the
Special Task Force on Elder Abuse Prevention where we are working
on our 4th bill in 4 sessions to end physical, sexual and financial abuse
against this vulnerable population.
B.
Working to cut spending and seek cost savings without looking for yet
more taxes and fees. Oregons unfunded pension liabilities increased a
shocking 20% this year, leaving our school districts and other

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C.

agencies on the hook. The legislative response again: refusal to focus

on cuts instead demanding even higher taxes exactly the prescription
leading governments to bankruptcy's edge. I'll fight against out-ofcontrol spending addictions while protecting public safety and human
services.
Focus on natural resources and the wise utilization & stewardship of
our forests and rivers though changes in state politics that both
protect wildlife while increasing revenue and jobs. This requires state
legislation and federal negotiations including efforts such as
privatization of forest management.

10. What do you see as other important issues?

Empowering the private sector, including non-profits to meet the

challenges of needy Oregonians. An example: a much larger crop donation
tax credit for farmers wishing to donate excess crops directly to food banks
would be a win-win for growers and hungry families
11. There is a strong anti-government sentiment in much of the nation and Oregon.
How would you deal with that?

By listening carefully to complaints and input on this subject from my

constituents. From what they tell me and suggest, I will attempt to combine
their legislative proposals with my intention to stop our debt and regulation
waves.
12. How would you evaluate the work of the Attorney General's Public Records
Reform Task Force. Are the proposed changes adequate, inadequate or just right?

More, not less, government transparency is always better. Especially

given our current state of affairs in Oregon and nationally. While I support
timeframes for public agencies to respond to public record requests, I am
sensitive to further unfunded mandates on our county governments
especially those in rural communities already struggling to fund public
safety and basic essentials. I look forward to reading the full bill once
drafted and presented to the 2017 Legislature.
13. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that
you should disclose before it comes up in the campaign?

No, but thank you for the specter of disaster this question represents.
14. As a political candidate, your views on national politics are relevant to voters.
Whom do you support for U.S. president in the General Election?

I waited for the Donald seeking the Victor as vice-presidential

running mate... His response? .... crickets...
My focus: supporting House Republican candidates to bring balanced
legislation statewide. Our founding pioneers didn't advise sitting-out

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elections. Everyone should vote if we cherish our republic. My choice boils

down to Trump.
I choose Mr. Trump, not just for party affiliation, but also for running
mate Governor Pence (since it wasnt me). I hope he'll surround himself
with thoughtful leaders advising new directions from wise stewardship of
natural resources to immigration policies eschewing prejudice &
emphasizing safety.
15. As a political candidate, your views on state ballot measures are relevant to
voters. Please indicate whether you favor (YES) or oppose (NO) each of these
measures:
Measure 94, Amends Constitution: Eliminates judges mandatory retirement age.

YES
Measure 95, Amends Constitution: Allows investments in equities by public
universities. YES
Measure 96, Amends Constitution: Dedicates 1.5% of state lottery net proceeds
to services for Oregon veterans. YES
Measure 97, statutory: Increases corporate minimum tax when sales exceed $25
million. NO
Measure 98, statutory: Requires state funding for dropout prevention, career and
college readiness programs in high schools. YES
Measure 99, statutory: Creates Outdoor School Education Fund funded through
Lottery to provide outdoor school programs statewide. NO
Measure 100, statutory: Bans purchase or sale of parts/products from certain
wildlife species. NO

Thank you. Please return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an

attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com by Sept.
12, 2016.