Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Fred Girod, a Stayton dentist, is the Republican candidate for state House District 17.
He faces Democrat Dan Thackaberry for the seat, which represents Sweet Home, Lebanon, Stayton and eastern Linn County, including Idanha.
Girod earned his bachelor of science degree at Oregon State University, his DMD at Oregon Health Sciences University and his MPA at Harvard University.
He has served on the Stayton City Council and served in the state legislature from 1993 to 1994.
Jeff Kropf, the incumbent, won the Republican primary for District 17, but he chose not to run so he could continue his work as a talk show host with KXL.
“Due to the abbreviated time frame, I was one of the few individuals with the proper educational and practical experience to represent this district,” Girod said.
Girod is most concerned with the state’s economy, the meth epidemic and curbing the expansion of government.
Education
Girod believes charter schools are the “wave of the future,” he said. “They are more efficient with the money they have. Computers and progressive software can individualize lessons to each student.
“I believe that teachers should be evaluated based on merit, and there needs to be more freedom of choice as to where a child goes to school.”
Oregon is funding schools “more than adequately,” he said. “The problem is not the total dollar amount. It is what we get for the money. Education now comprises 49 percent of the state budget.”
Taxes and budgets
“There is more than enough revenue to adequately fund state requirements,” he said. “The problem is layer upon layer of inefficient bureaucracy. There is absolutely no need to create new taxes or keep the kicker. In fact there is enough money to start a rainy day fund.
“I do support a rainy day fund. The reason that it has not been created in the past is that bureaucrats believe that every year they would need to spend out of the rainy day fund. Firm numbers need to be employed as to when the fund can be used.
“I do not support using the kicker to jump start this fund. We need to be more efficient with the tax dollars we have.”
Illegal immigration
“I support President Bush’s guest worker program,” Girod said. “The major thrust has to come from the federal government by securing the border and coming up with documentation similar to a credit card that will track and document the work record of the immigrant.
“On the state level, we need to assure that agriculture has an adequate work force. However, it is imperative that we take certain safeguards.
“We need to protect the election process to guarantee that only citizens of Oregon vote.”
Increasing the speed limit
“I do believe that speed limits are too low on freeways and should be raised.”
Field burning
The solution to field burning and the smoke that covers areas like Sweet Home several days during the summer lies with improving technology, Girod said. “I would support funding for alternative solutions at Oregon State University.”
Last word
“The economy of District 17 has three core industries,” Girod said. “They are timber, agriculture and the building trades. I have a record of being an advocate for these industries.”
Girod added that he is endorsed by Associated Oregon Loggers, OFIC, AG-Pac, Oregonians for Food and Shelter, The Nurserymen, Seed Council, The Dairy Farmers and The Cattlemen, Homebuilders and Oregonians in Action and the NRA.
“Further, I believe the meth problem in District 17 is a major problem,” he said. “I have a record of being very tough on crime. I am endorsed by Oregon Police Chiefs. I support small business and am endorsed by NFIB and Oregon Small Business Coalition.
“I will vehemently protect the right to hunt,” Girod said.