Eight Candidates Chosen for County Commission Seat

With Clackamas County Commissioner Jim Bernard vacating Position 5 to become County Chair, the process to fill his seat is underway. Eight candidates have been selected out of the nearly 80 who applied.

The person who is selected for the position, which is non-partisan, will serve out Bernard's term, which runs through December 2018.

"The quality of the candidate pool was very impressive, and we truly thank all those who showed an interest in this important position," Bernard said. "I, like my fellow commissioners, look forward to these interviews and making a selection in the best interest of our residents as soon as possible."

The eight individuals who have been identified to move on in the process are:

• Scott Bruun: The Chief Operating Officer of Hubbell Communications, and a former member of the Oregon House of Representatives. He resides in West Linn.
• Jody Carson: A manager with HealthInsight Oregon, and a former member of the West Linn City Council, the city in which she resides.
• Sonya Fischer: A local attorney with Fischer Family Law, and a former Legislative Director for the Oregon Department of Human Services. She resides in Lake Oswego.
• Charles Gallia: A Senior Policy Advisor with the Oregon Health Authority. He resides in Oregon City.
• Jon Gustafson: The co-owner of Beals Design Build and a real estate broker, and a former member of the Lake Oswego City Council, the city in which he resides.
• Eleanore Hunter: A manager with Hunter Financial, Inc. and co-manager of USA Financial Group, Ms. Hunter currently serves on the Oak Grove Community Council, the community in which she resides.
• Carol Pauli: Owner/operator of the Midway Historic Public House, and a former member of the city council in Oregon City, the city in which she resides.
• Jenni Tan: An officer with Children First For Oregon, and a former member of the West Linn City Council, the city in which she resides.

The next stage of the selection process happens next Wednesday, Jan. 25. The remaining eight candidates will be asked to interview, one at a time, before the board from 5 to 8 p.m. in the commission Hearing Room, fourth floor of the Public Services Building, 2051 Kaen Road in Oregon City.

The interviews will be televised live on the Clackamas County Government Channel and streamed online at www.clackamas.us/cable/streaming.html. This meeting is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.

The eight candidates have been provided two questions in advance of the meeting: one related to the most significant challenge facing the county, and another concerning how candidates would represent county residents outside of their immediate communities. Additional questions may be posed.