Gelser ready to step into HD 16
Corvallis Gazette Times
I urge the Benton County Commissioners to appoint Sara Gelser to the soon-to-be vacant House seat in District 16. I know Sara as a friend, a mother, a valued member of our community and a tireless advocate for children, seniors and the disabled.
While spending the past five years on the school board, she has found time to volunteer countless hours of her time to helping those less empowered. Now we need her in Salem fighting for education, for health care, for human rights, for our natural resources and for all of us. Please join me in supporting the very worthy Sara Gelser for House District 16.
Mark Armour
Corvallis
Gelser has no conflict of interest
Corvallis Gazette Times
Patrick Wills’ Aug. 21 letter, “Gelser getting too much positive pre-election spin,” referenced an article about Monday’s school board meeting. I was there. The board did select and swear in a new board member, Anne Schuster, but they also spent significant time thanking Sara Gelser for her service to our district. The article was reflective of both events.
Mr. Wills stated “As a local mother, (Ms. Gelser) benefits from the funds she is sending from Salem. No conflict of interest?” Is he implying that parents can’t be legislators or school board members? Taken further, would he say that taxpayers can’t be legislators because they also have a personal stake in decisions made in Salem?
Oregon statute 244.020 defines an exception to conflict of interest as “Any action in the person’s official capacity which would affect to the same degree a class consisting of all inhabitants of the state, or a smaller class consisting of an industry, occupation or other group including one of which or in which the person, or the person’s relative or business with which the person or the person’s relative is associated, is a member or is engaged.” Statute makes it clear when real conflict of interest arises — just being a mom doesn’t cause it.
To challenge someone’s ethics is serious business. While serving on the school board, sometimes I agreed with Ms. Gelser’s views, and sometimes I did not. But during that time, I never questioned her integrity, intelligence or commitment to the children of Corvallis.
Payton James-Amberg
Corvallis
Elect Gelser to HD 16
Corvallis Gazette Times
Since taking office in December 2005, state Rep. Sara Gelser has been working hard.
Locally, Sara has held five town hall meetings and addressed a myriad of constituent concerns, including duplicative forest fire assessments received by some of our citizens. Sara also has worked on important statewide issues. For example, she has drafted a legislative package that will, in a cost-effective way, move medically fragile children out of nursing homes and back to their families (See the Aug. 12 article in The Oregonian).
In addition, Sara has been addressing the many important issues concerning K-12 and higher education from her position on the House Select Committee on Education.
Sara addresses her work with the attributes of an effective and admirable legislator. She is intelligent, thoughtful, and honest. She is energetic, dependable and tenacious. She is accessible and inclusive, creative and collaborative; she is active in her listening and articulate.
In addition, Sara is courageous. She is not afraid to ask tough questions in her quest to understand issues and budgets. She is not afraid to propose new ideas to solve problems. She is not afraid of perspectives that differ from her own. She is eager to address the tough issues our community and state face today.
Sara Gelser deserves to retain her seat in the state legislature. As citizens of House District 16, we deserve to have the effective representation that Sara provides. As citizens of Oregon, we have an obligation to send an effective and proven leader to Salem.
Kathryn and Douglas Collins
Corvallis
Gelser outstanding candidate
Corvallis Gazette Times
Representative Sara Gelser is an outstanding candidate who deserves to continue as our community leader in the Oregon House of Representatives.
I have known Sara for many years, and have had the pleasure of working along side her as she admirably served our local community within various non-profit service agencies. She is a passionate advocate for people, particularly those who are vulnerable and may be less able to have their voice heard in government. As a representative on our local school board Sara Gelser had been an effective leader for five years working to improve the quality of our schools. In particular, Sara advocates on flexibility within the schools to work with families to meet the unique individual needs of each student. Her support of education is evident as she is an advocate of improving our schools preK-20, understanding the importance of quality education, from Head Start programs through higher education in Oregon.
I believe Sara Gelser will remain a vocal advocate for improving the quality of our public education system in Oregon. In a bipartisan way she will work to stop Oregon’s educational slide into mediocrity as she understands that a well educated citizenry is essential for us to have healthy communities. She has demonstrated her leadership locally and within her position as our State Representative. Please join me in supporting Sara Gelser for re-election.
Jeff McCubbin
Corvallis, OR
Support Gelser for HD 16
Submitted to Corvallis Gazette Times, unpublished
We in Corvallis and Philomath have been blessed this past year with the strong leadership of Sara Gelser in House District 16. On top of the wealth of talent and knowledge Sara has brought to the job, she has been faithfully responsive to her constituents--answering questions, explaining her positions, listening to you explain yours. Sara is our hard-working advocate, fighting for public education, the environment, and the disadvantaged among us.
We are fortunate to have such an outstanding representative. Please join me in keeping Sara Gelser where she belongs, as our representative in District 16.
Mark Armour
Corvallis
Gelser good for seniors, people with disabilities
Corvallis Gazette Times
We are writing to support Sara Gelser for State Representative, House District 16. We have known Sara Gelser for nine years through her work in support of people with disabilities and in her advocacy for young children with special needs in Benton County. We have also discussed our concerns related to seniors in our community and find her to be open, interested and sensitive to these issues as well.
In a variety of settings we have experienced Sara to be a person of high integrity with a clear sense of values. Her problem solving and creativity are always guided by her caring and sensitivity for those around her and her dedication to serving our communities interests.
We endorse Sara Gelser for the upcoming election for State Representative this November.
Scott and Cindy Bond
Gelser works for good of public
Submitted to Corvallis Gazette Times, unpublished
It is refreshing, in today’s society, to find a person who works for the good of the public, not a narrow agenda. Sara Gelser is such a person. I have been impressed with her energy, compassion and thirst for knowledge. Sara questions the status quo, researches both sides of the issue, and exercises a common sense approach to decision making.
Sara hit the ground running when she was appointed to be our Representative. She is hard at work drafting bills and developing a diverse legislative agenda addressing seniors, children, education, health care and higher education. All areas that our community has prioritized to support through volunteerism, donations, and lobbying the Legislature.
Join me in voting to elect Sara Gelser in November.
Lisa Ullmer
Corvallis
Gelser a community leader
Corvallis Gazette Times, October 12, 2006
I have known Sara for 11 years. Over the last decade, she has been a leader in our community. I applaud her commitment to the education and welfare of children. I appreciated Sara’s voice on the 509J School Board. She regularly demonstrated her ability to ask key questions and make sound decisions that benefited our children.
Sara is a good listener and a thoughtful speaker. She spends hours researching the complexities of issues, and then thoughtfully considers all the options. Sara is not afraid to stand up for what is right and she is willing to invest the necessary effort to create viable solutions.
Sara is caring. She is honest. She is conscientious. She is bright. She is passionate. Sara will responsibly represent the needs of our community in Salem. Please join me in voting for Sara Gelser for State Representative.
Peggy Carrick
Gelser clear choice
Submitted to Corvallis Gazette Times, unpublished
In a recent Gazette-Times survey for the best people, places and services of the Mid-Willamette Valley, I had absolute certainty for the best local politician. Sara Gelser, our State Representative was my clear choice. Representative Gelser is exceptionally bright, hard-working, caring and dedicated. I’ve known her for about seven years and been repeatedly impressed by the way she has put her Christian faith into action to help others.
When she noticed that her neighbors’ children were missing lunches when school days were cut, Sara organized a program to deliver one thousand sack lunches. This addressed a local problem, and highlighted the issue of poverty in Corvallis. It pointed out some of the hidden ways people that are harmed by inadequately funded public services.
Sara has worked in classrooms, she spent five years on the Corvallis School Board and has four children of her own in Corvallis Public Schools. I’ve seen her converse easily with her children’s classmates and with my son. They like her and trust her. This understanding of local people is needed in Salem.
Since becoming our State Representative, Sara has held five town meetings, worked with several state agencies to be sure they were working to meet the needs of our community and secured a valuable seat on the House Select Committee on Education. Already, she is demonstrating her ability to advocate for students and schools by working across party lines.
I urge all my fellow citizens to find out more at saragelser.com We can all be happy to mark our ballots for Representative Sara Gelser.
Sincerely, Jay Thatcher
Gelser a public official who cares
Submitted to Corvallis Gazette Times, unpublished
Sara Gelser is a dedicated public official who cares, researches the issues, listens, and gets results.
I first met Sara as a neighbor and followed her career as a leading voice on the Corvallis school board. She is an action-oriented advocate for Oregon’s K-12 schools and understands the needs of our colleges and universities as well. In addition, Sara is an effective leader fighting to protect Oregon’s natural resources, ensure safe communities, and provide accessible health care. Sara has a strong track record of building consensus between citizens, government, and businesses to address community issues.
Her approach to bi-partisan problem-solving focuses on creating opportunities for all Oregonians. We need her passion, experience, and leadership in the legislature. Please join me in voting for Sara Gelser for State Representative, House District 16.
Jeff Hale
Sara Gelser has strong grasp of Leadership, Goals
Corvallis Gazette Times
Sara Gelser has proven herself to be an effective legislator during the nine months since her appointment. She has developed a strong grasp of the needs of the citizens and agencies in her district and throughout the state.
Sara is intelligent, caring, honest and an advocate for those who cannot help themselves. She understands the need for a strong educational system at all levels, an effective and adequately staffed public safety system and a strengthened economy in order to meet those needs.
Creativity, youthful energy, wisdom beyond her years and excellent public speaking skills are a few of Sara's strengths. She needs to remain in our legislature and have continued opportunity to act on all the knowledge she has attained. Please join me in voting for Sara for HD 16 representative.
Margaret Brownhill, Corvallis
Gelser's record in Salem already an admirable one
Corvallis Gazette Times
Sara’s Gelser’s appointment for three-fourths of a year to our Oregon Legislature has given her remarkable opportunities. She didn’t just sit around as a new representative. Instead, she reached out to listen to fellow members on both sides of political viewpoints. Her participation in committee meetings led the Speaker of the House to appoint her to a major education committee. One of her outstanding concepts relates to student individuality and the need for unique learning programs.
Sara also appreciates the extreme importance of early childhood education. Our college education programs used to emphasize the vital importance of the first five years of life. Sara supports programs like Head Start, which involve parent and home demonstrations and effectively assist low-income families.
Our current loss of employment and health benefits reminds us of the extreme depression of the 1930s. Sara recognizes the similar needs we are facing today. In addition to education needs, she has been active in supporting improvement in our health care system, protecting our natural resources, fighting for clean air and water, and respecting the rights and dignities of every citizen. Her accomplishments in her first 10 months in office as an appointee make it easy to support her for a regular term at the upcoming election.
Your vote in November will not only assist Sara Gelser, but also will benefit the rest of us.
Jean E. Eidemiller
Corvallis
High school students wield considerable influence
Corvallis Gazette Times
During a candidate forum at Philomath High School, I came to realize that not all candidates who speak to the students understand the influence high schoolers have. Many students who attend the forums will be 18 within the year and will be supporting those politicians during their term of office. Not only that, but students return home and convey what they learned during the forum to their parents.
A candidate’s presentation and technique is observed closely by students, who are trying to understand who this person is in a short amount of time.
Sara Gelser, the first candidate to speak at the high school, was received well by the students. She had a very sincere approach towards us and was more than willing to stop in the middle of her point in order to allow for a question, which was answered or at least explained to the best of her abilities. After the forum was over, the students went away with a very positive view of her.
We don’t want to hear the speaker’s pitch for their candidacy. We want to understand who the candidate is; what issues they stand behind and a better understanding of how their position functions in the complex world of government. A candidate who takes the time to help inform us of issues and their proposal for remedying the problems is more memorable than a candidate who simply comes to talk.
Kira Cleveland
Philomath High School
Gelser already making strides for us in Salem
Corvallis Gazette Times
I encourage everyone to vote for Sara Gelser for House District 16. Sara is an amazing person. She has quite a lot of experience in local government and charitable organizations. She has been on the school board for five years, and has served as the president of ARC.
Since becoming State Representative for HD 16, she has been appointed to the committees for Child Welfare, Education and the Oregon Health Plan. These are all issues which she is passionate about. It is so encouraging to hear her talk enthusiastically about these issues which are really important to the future of our state. Let’s send Sara back to Salem so she can work on these important issues for all of us.
Sara is very accessible to constituents. I encourage anyone with concerns to check out her Web site at www.saragelser.com.
Ann Gaidos-Morgan, Corvallis
Students at PHS throw support to Gelser
Corvallis Gazette Times
I am a government teacher at Philomath High School. Every election year for the past 10 years, I have held what I call candidate forums.
This year, I have had many candidates or their representatives come to PHS and speak to my seniors who are, thankfully, starving to know about who may represent them in our government, local, state and national. My students want both candidates running for state senator elected to office, but alas, only one can make it.
After listening to both candidates, they feel that Sara Gelser is better prepared to represent House District 16, although they were somewhat impressed with Robin Brown. But the thing that they seem to be the most concerned about is the mud-slinging.
Many of my students are turned of from politics because of the immature way that politicians try to get votes. Most of this negative stuff reveals only a sliver of the real story. I have told my young son about the sinking of The Titanic. The iceberg sank that ship. Ice bergs are dangerous becuase only a small sliver is above the water. The “rest of the story” is below the water. Politicians should be required to tell the whole story.
Mike Crocker, Philomath
This Republican voting for Sara Gelser
Corvallis Gazette Times
Although I am a registered Republican, I am eagerly casting my vote for Democrat Sara Gelser in the Nov. 7 election.
I support Sara Gelser for state representative because she is able to see a problem and has the insight, energy, creativity and passion to do something about it that really makes a difference.
I’ve known Sara for 10 years, having first met her when she was the youth minister for our church. I have seen firsthand that Sara is a creative problem-solver who listens carefully to all sides of an issue before making a decision.
She is a committed voice for the under-served and an unwavering advocate for children and families. She is open, approachable and caring, and she has the passion and energy to follow through on her convictions and serve the people of our community.
Rep. Sara Gelser is the kind of common- sense leader we need in Salem, advocating for our families, our businesses, our schools and our higher education system. Sara will make a big difference for our community and our state.
Please join me in sending Rep. Sara Gelser back to Salem.
Peggy Custer, Corvallis
Gelsers support for education earned support
Corvallis Gazette Times
We support retaining Sara Gelser as our representative in the Oregon Legislature. We have many reasons for doing this, but in this short letter will concentrate on one, namely her support for public education.
We have heard that some in her opposition have attempted to cast doubt on her commitment to providing adequate financial support for teachers. This is absurd! Sara has served on the Corvallis School Board for five years, during a period of increasing financial difficulty. During that time, she stepped up to make the tough decisions necessary to direct as much money to the classrooms as possible.
Sara Gelser knows the needs of our schools first hand, because she has spent years visiting classrooms and listening to parents, kids, teachers and administrators. She is a seasoned and committed advocate, at the local and state levels, for stable and adequate funding for all public school programs.
Sara’s commitment to education and her knowledge of what schools need has led to endorsements from key education advocates including organizations representing teachers, classified staff, administrators and school board members. We join those endorsements and invite you to do so, too.
Let’s keep Sara Gelser working for us as our representative in the Oregon Legislature.
Tom and Mariol Wogaman, Corvallis
Gelser best to serve in Legislature
Corvallis Gazette Times
Which candidate for state representative actually has real experience in state politics? Which candidate has earned the respect of colleagues and peers? Which candidate has demonstrated a deep sense of integrity and honesty?
Which candidate truly cares about the education of our children and the experience to go with it? Which candidate communicates openly and frequently with constituents? Which candidate exercises the priceless instrument of listening?
Which candidate enjoys the support of authentic and real democrats? Which candidate will represent us most ably in Salem?
One, and only one: Sara Gelser for state representative.
Michael Beachley
Corvallis
Support hardworking Gelser
Corvallis Gazette Times
I am voting for Sara Gelser to be our representative in Salem and I hope you will too. Why? Not only is she smart, graduating from Earlham College at age 20, she has the personal traits we want in an effective legislator. She is very kind and caring of others; she is a good listener and cares deeply about the elderly.
She has worked tirelessly for children; she is a former member of the Corvallis School Board and is now giving countless hours to support the Corvallis Schools levy (Measure 02-58) when she probably should be working on her own campaign.
She has the support of the classified and certified unions of the Corvallis School District. She believes in working for the good of all. Please join me in supporting Sara Gelser to be our state representative.
Nancy Shaffer
Corvallis
Gelser is the right choice for Benton County
Corvallis Gazette Times
I am happy to endorse Sara Gelser for state representative in House District 16. I have known Sara for more 12 years and have been impressed with her hard work and dedication as a parent, professional, activist, advocate, school board member, and state representative.
Sara is an advocate for protecting our most basic human rights and choices. I know that she has entered the political arena for the right reasons — reasons of the heart.
Her good work on health care, education, and natural resources has only just begun — she has much more to accomplish and I want to see her have the opportunity to continue that work.
We’ve seen, through Sara’s participation on our school board and so far in Salem, that she is accessible, reliable, energetic, and extremely hard-working. She is the representative our county needs in Salem.
To those who haven’t yet voted I urge you to get your ballot in and cast your vote for Sara Gelser.
Erin Sneller
Corvallis
Gelser already providing 'improved' customer service
Corvallis Gazette Times
Kathleen Paris wrote that Robin Brown promises “improved” customer service if elected state representative for the 16th District. If we examine Paris’ points one-by-one, we see that, in fact, Sara Gelser is already providing this level of customer service.
Sara already answers all e-mail and phone calls. In fact, Sara has made her cell phone number available in her campaign literature and on her Web site. Please call her if you have inputs or questions. Sara has held five public meetings since taking office in December 2005. This is excellent access to our state representative.
Finally, Brown will have trouble developing the “first” newsletter for the district since Sara has sent four non- partisan newsletters to her constituents - two printed and two electronic since taking office 10 months ago.
Paris asks “When was the last time we had such good customer service?” I would say we have it right now with Sara Gelser as our representative. While Brown is promising customer service, Sara Gelser is already providing it.
Please vote with me for Sara Gelser for state representative for District 16.
Douglas M. Collins
Corvallis
Gelser supports a livable community
Corvallis Gazette Times
I am angry to get campaign literature in my mail telling me that Democrats are supporting Robin Brown, a Republican, when I know that is very skewed information. This is not the only questionable information published by this campaign.
It reminds me more of an aggressive military campaign than of an honest campaign in a democracy where verifiable facts, intention for truth, ethical behavior and respect for community could give us a livable social fabric after election day.
Sara Gelser is a proven hard worker who supports our community infrastructures in the Legislature n for education, health care, safety, and environmental integrity. She works well by listening to diverse opinions and concerns, seeking ways to solutions suitable for all. She networks among responsible agencies and maintains connections, responsibilities, and her promises; she is a person of absolute honesty. She knows how important a livable community is for us all.
Re-elect Sara. Don’t tolerate a campaign of lies, divisiveness, and mental and ethical confusions. We all know that destroys our community.
Carol Bosworth
Corvallis
Gelser has qualities, skills necessary in legislature
Corvallis Gazette Times
We both have served with Sara Gelser on the Corvallis School Board and whole-heartedly support her candidacy for state representative.
We know Sara to be extremely hard working and accessible. On the school board, she showed a remarkable willingness to go the extra mile to meet with constituents and seek differing opinions. She listened well to what citizens had to say, carefully weighed their perspectives and incorporated what she learned into her decision- making.
While Sara has strong, well-reasoned views on a wide range of issues, we also know her to be unusually open-minded and ready to rethink positions. Indeed, her primary concern is with crafting workable solutions. Time and again, we saw her work collaboratively with fellow school board members to build consensus on challenging matters.
Sara is smart, passionate, and articulate. She has demonstrated a tireless commitment to her work. She comes to meetings well prepared and fully informed. She promptly returns calls and e-mail. We believe she has been an effective citizen representative and has the qualities and skills to be an outstanding legislative leader.
Please join us in voting for Sara Gelser for state representative.
Cyrel Gable Blake Rodman
Corvallis