Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2014 General Election

Thank you for responding to this questionnaire.

Why this matters: The Statesman Journal Editorial Board will use this questionnaire in deciding
whom to endorse for the Nov. 4 General Election. Your answers also will be shared with
reporters and probably will be published in the newspaper and/or on our website,
StatesmanJournal.com.
We also ask that you respond to every question, instead of simply attaching campaign materials,
resumes, etc. You are welcome to send us lists of supporters, a resume, etc., in addition to this
questionnaire.
If you completed our questionnaire for the 2014 Primary Election, you will notice that some
questions are similar. (This questionnaire is shorter and several questions have been changed.)
Please complete this questionnaire instead of simply referring to past answers.
Please return the finished questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an email or an attached Word
document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com. (Handwritten or fax responses dont work.)
Important; Please submit the questionnaire by the deadline listed in our email to you.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com, or
Editorial Assistant Nancy Harrington, 503-589-6944, nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.
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Your name as listed on the ballot: Amy Ripp
Age: 45
(If your age will change before Nov. 30, 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: Keizer Oregon
Political party(ies), if this is a partisan office: Non Partisan Office
Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.): Keizer City Council Seat 5
Are you currently a full-time resident of the district you seek you represent? Yes
Number of current, consecutive years living in the district you seek to represent:
Approximately 14
Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home or number of grown
children):
Ryan Ripp 19, Zachary Ripp 17, both boys have upcoming birthdays and will be 18 and 20,
Zacharys first time to vote, and Xena our Rottweiler who doesnt know shes a dog.
Your education (high school, trade, college, post-baccalaureate; indicate degrees you earned):
Trend Business College, ongoing education at Oregon State University.
If employed, current occupation, employer and job duties:
Owner Eco Star Carpet Care, LLC and Triple B Striping LLC
Previous employers and when:
Military service and when:
None
Volunteer/civic/religious service and when:
Please see question 6 and I am currently a member of Salem Alliance Church where I have
served on the Mercy Team for 9 years, doing weekly hospital visits and I am on the prayer team.
Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when:
None
Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when:
None
Other prior political and government experience: None
How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be made public):
Mail address:
E-mail address: amyforkeizer@yahoo.com
Facebook, amyforkeizer. Twitter Amyforkeizer
Web site URL:
Phone:
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?
Keizer is in the heart of the Willamette Valley, a sweet spot an hour from the beach an
hour from Portland and an hour to your favorite game, Beavers, Ducks, Bearcats,
Timbers and Trailblazers (among other great college events).
I think we are a bedroom community with our own identity that embodies our city motto;
Pride, Spirit and Volunteerism.
We are conservative but changing We used to be very conservative and now just
conservative.
I love that we are family oriented community.
2. What are the positives and negatives of this region (district, county or state) that you wish
to represent?
Positive; we live in THE most beautiful state in the nation. Oregonians overall have a healthy
lifestyle with great locations outdoor activities.
Negative: we have heavy regulations and tax burdens as seen in measure 66/67 which has not
delivered and has not given us an environment to promote and assist local business
3. What specific skills and experiences do you bring to the position that would help turn
those negatives into positives?
As a local small business owner, I am dedicated to helping small business (which is over 90% of
all local business) as a local policy maker you will not see me stand in the way of small business
but rather assist in cutting the red tape, decreasing regulations and ordinances that hurt small
business.
As a single mother of two amazing young men for 18 years I have many skills that I consider
transferrable and important in the role as a city councilor.
4. What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific.
I am an integrated member of the local business community. A Salem Chamber of Commerce
member for 17 years, Keizer Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years.
I understand small business and share in the challenges that they face.
I wear many hats in the community, a mom first, volunteer, coach, businesswoman and a sports
official. I am not afraid to make the hard calls and stand up for what I believe in.
6. Please list five specific accomplishments that you have achieved in politics or civic affairs:
I have been instrumental with both the Chambers Christmas giving basket programs, helping
raise money and deliver gifts and food. I am very passionate about this program.
I am the founder of the Salem Chamber of Commerce Business Womans Networking Group.
I am the Vice Chair of the KNOW (Keizer Network of Women) and assisted in getting this
program started.
Sports in Keizer; KYBA coach 5 years, KLL coach 7 years, Skyball coach 2 years, and a
founding board member of Hoopla,
Volunteer in Keizer for 17 Years; 10 years with the Keizer Iris Festival, K-Fest Committee,
Treasurer for the Keizer Chamber Foundation, Bell ringer for Salivation Army 5 years, Special
Olympics and Salem Keizer Boys and Girls Club as a mentor, official and coach. Also several
years with the Ready to learn work program for youth.
7. How much will your General Election campaign cost (be specific)?
Under 3000.00, I am proud of the amount of work I have done to get my name out there and
recognized in ways that are inexpensive and even free. I have been fiscally responsible by
choosing to work hard, attend events, holding signs on street corners in Keizer and walking door
to door.
8. 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
9. 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.
Yes, however it was dismissed.
I have been sued professionally once by a competitor and the judge threw out the case early
during discovery.
10. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and how? (75 words
for each issue)
A. I care about local jobs and Keizer families. Local jobs are the backbone of our community.
Creating jobs that will support our families and provide a good quality of life is critical. We
can encourage this by forging a pro-business environment. This will places a high priority
on bring new jobs while supporting those businesses who call Keizer home. A proactive
approach in creating a business friendly environment is the foundation to a strong vibrant
cohesively community.
B. Keeping Keizer safe is a high priority to me. I will work diligently to place our community
needs in the forefront so that Keizer remains to be a great place to raise a family.
C. Growing our economy has always been a struggle especially in hard economic times, as we
look into the future I believe we have many great opportunities to create a better economy,
working hand in hand to help new families fall in love with Keizer while spending money
locally.
11. What do you see as other important issues?
I am concerned with many important issues however I feel a profound responsibility for our local
social issues, domestic violence and mental health.
I also believe we need to create a strong plan for what the next 20 years look like for Keizer. We
need to utilize resources to encompass all of these things in order to keep Keizer a growing and
vibrant community.
12. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you should
disclose before it comes up in the campaign? Anything (including health issues) that would
affect your ability to serve your full term? Any changes in your life situation that are
contemplated or expected before the election or before you would take office?
I have an administrative complaint with the EEOC.
Thank you. Please return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an attached Word document to
Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com by the requested deadline.