By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
February 19, 2008

Suzanne VanOrman dedicated her career to the education of children and intends to remain focused on their needs as a state legislator.

VanOrman, a Hood River resident, is making a bid for the House District 52 seat being vacated by Rep. Patti Smith at the end of 2008. She is being challenged for the Democratic nomination in the May primary election by Sandy attorney Steve Richkind.

“I became the executive director of the Mid-Columbia Children’s Council on the belief that every child deserves a chance for success,” said VanOrman.

“I take pride in the fact that our Head Start programs have a proven track record of helping kids move forward and do well in life.”

She invites community members to learn more about her campaign platform by visiting her new Hood River office on Monday. Although the open house will also serve as a fund-raiser, there is no charge to attend. The event begins at 6 p.m. in VanOrman’s headquarters above the Double Mountain Brewery and Taproom, 8 Fourth St.

VanOrman, 68, said teaching seemed like the natural profession for her to enter. She had grown up under the tutelage of a mother who taught in a one-room schoolhouse that was located in southwestern Wisconsin.

“I always knew that I was going to be involved in education because in my family you were either a teacher or a farmer,” she said.

VanOrman finished high school in Oregon when her father was lured west by the hunting and fishing opportunities.

“I found Klamath Falls, where we had moved, to be a bit of a cultural shock and I never really did quite adjust to living there,” admits VanOrman.

She left for Eugene after graduation and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oregon.

VanOrman quickly learned that, when in the classroom, having a background in the arts paid off in unexpected dividends.

“I had learned to respect an individual’s creative thinking ability and differing viewpoint,” she said.

“I think that helped me to understand that everybody is different and can successfully approach a task from a different perspective.”

She incorporated these principles into her role as an educator and soon found herself in a position of leadership. Not only was VanOrman chosen to supervise the activities of the Mid-Columbia Children’s Council, she was elected to a political office.

She served for 12 years as an Oregon City Commissioner and, during that time, commuted daily to and from Hood River, the base of Head Start operations in the Gorge. VanOrman had pledged to her son, Justin, that he could finish school in his hometown. She was also intrigued with helping Oregon City adjust to a rapid population growth without losing its historical character.

She found juggling all of her divergent roles a challenge, but VanOrman believes the experience has set her up for success as a legislator.

For 22 years, she had to stretch every dollar turned over to Head Start, a private, nonprofit contractor, to meet the demand for services.

The five original programs in Hood River and The Dalles evolved into 14 classrooms — at sites from Goldendale to the north and Madras to the south — with more than 120 employees. VanOrman’s budget eventually grew to about $4 million per year and her goal was to make every dollar count.

“We learned how to live within our means very well. That was one skill that I got very, very good at,” she said.

VanOrman, who retired in 2006, believes her financial abilities will serve the citizens of District 52 well. The territory she intends to represent encompasses all of Hood River County, as well as the eastern sector of Multnomah County and northeastern portion of Clackamas County.

“It’s important that what the Legislature does makes sense and we fund the things that mean something to District 52,” she said.

For example, VanOrman said both Sandy and Hood River school districts plan to ask voters to approve bond levies this year to pay for new classroom space. She believes the state should find a way to help offset some of these expenses.

“If we have money to keep building prisons we should have money to build schools,” she said.

VanOrman contends that any mandate handed down by the federal or state governments should be accompanied by the money needed for its enactment.

She would also like to see college tuition made more affordable to lower-income families.

“If students have to acquire a lot of debt to get a higher education then it becomes more exclusive,” she said.

“We’re a much better society if there is more access for everyone to an education — and affordable health care.”

Toward that end, VanOrman wants to see a significant expansion of the Oregon Health Plan. She contends that no family should be denied access to basic medical and dental services.

“The OHP is one of the most successful health programs in the nation and we need to make it even better,” said VanOrman.

If children are her first concern, then keeping the tourism and agriculture industries alive and well are ranked next in priority. VanOrman wants to resolve divisiveness over Oregon’s land-use system by restarting the work of the Big Look Committee. The committee, which was disbanded last year due to lack of funding, has been tasked by Gov. Ted Kulongoski with addressing the effectiveness of regulations.

VanOrman also applauds the state and Hood River County’s efforts to invest in green power production. She said creating more affordable energy options will not only clean up the environment but provide hundreds of new job opportunities for citizens.

She has appointed Logan Egbert to serve as her campaign manager. He can be reached with questions, or to set up a speaking engagement, at (503) 901-4534. Information on VanOrman’s candidacy is available at www.votevanorman.com.