Greg Mecklem in the news

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• Newcomers needed on Washington County board
  (Forest Grove News-Times, October 21)
   
  …I believe that despair will shift to hope if we elect Greg Mecklem (District 4) and Greg Malinowski (District 2) to restore a citizen voice on the Commission.  These respected citizens and small business owners are each newcomers to the political process.  They face an upward challenge to counter the influence of money and special interest to be our next Commissioners.  They are running as a result of their frustration with Washington County’s public process with no evidence of desire for personal gain.  …
• County commissioners need vision for land use
  (Forest Grove News-Times, October 21)
   
  …What is required is a new vision of sustainable communities that connect transportation, housing and economic development around suburban town centers where residents can reduce their commute time by being near their place of work and home.  Greg Mecklem has such a vision and offers a new look at an old problem.  Bob Terry offers an out-of-date vision reminiscent of those who wanted to build a Mt. Hood freeway through eastern Multnomah County.  …
• A different kind of July 4 parade: Accoyos for sale
  (The Oregonian, July 7)
   
  For most Americans, July 4 includes some kind of parade.  That's true at Greg Mecklem and Diana Yates's Helvetia farm, too.  Only "The Parade of Champions" participants aren't marching bands and beauty queens.  They're prize winning Accoyos.  …
• Mecklem touts fight for farmland and jobs
  (Hillsboro Argus, May 7)
   
  Greg Mecklem wants to be Washington County’s commissioner for District 4 because he feels some of the most important issues are being missed.  One of the most important is making sure the county holds on to enough traditional farmland to sustain the agricultural economy without giving away much to developers or big high-tech industry. …  With more citizen participation in an open and responsive government, Mecklem says Washington County can be a model for smart growth and a healthy future.  …
• Duyck: Constitution trumps sign size limits
  (Hillsboro Argus, May 7)
   
  There's no doubt that some of the campaign signs of Andy Duyck, who is running for chair of the county Board of Commissioners in Washington County, exceed 16 square feet, an apparent violation of county community development code.  But when confronted with the violation at Tuesday's meeting of the board, Duyck, the current commissioner of District 4, said he would ignore the code because it flies in the face of the freedom of speech guaranteed in the Constitution.  …
  (Note: Greg's campaign signs do not exceed the County's size limits.)
• Terminal on hold; Palomar, too?  Liquefied natural gas developer's bankruptcy could change plans for pipelines
  (Hillsboro Argus, May 7)
   
  Plans for natural gas pipelines across western Washington County were dealt a major blow this week, when the developer of a proposed Columbia River liquefied natural gas import terminal filed for bankruptcy.  The filing may could mark the demise of the western half of the Palomar Gas Transmission pipeline, which would have shipped compressed natural gas under western Washington County.  …
• Mecklem would support county’s rural residents (Letter to editor)
  (Forest Grove News-Times, May 6)
   
  Support for Greg Mecklem is spreading!  What a great opportunity we have to elect a man with such a variety of talents and experiences.  County Commission District 4 needs such a person.  …
• Farmers support Mecklem for County Commissioner (Letter to editor)
  (Forest Grove News-Times, May 6)
   
  The Washington County Farm Bureau endorses Greg Mecklem for County Commissioner in District 4.  We’re impressed with his long record of community leadership (he’s a founder and long-time medical director of the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, has served on environmental as well as agricultural boards) and his strong commitment to protecting farmland.  …
• Alpaca shearing season arrives at Oregon farms
  (The Oregonian, April 22)
   
  The United States has an estimated 200,000 alpacas -- long-necked members of the camel family like llamas, but smaller and meeker -- and they need to be sheared once a year.  …
• Frustration over reserves spurs candidates to run
  Two land use advocates jump into the race to lead Washington County
  (Forest Grove News-Times, April 8)
   
  For Greg Mecklem, it was the final straw.  He showed up to the last in a series of meetings Washington County was holding to gather public commentary about its designation of about 13,600 acres as reserves for future urban development.  But instead of starting the meeting off by hearing from the gathered masses, Mecklem said, the county front-loaded the session with various government representatives supportive of its reserve plan.  …
• Washington County Commission candidate Greg Mecklem resigns from Farm Bureau board
  (The Oregonian, March 25)
   
  Washington County Commission candidate Greg Mecklem this month resigned from his position on the Washington County Farm Bureau board of directors to comply with the group's bylaws.  …
• Greg Mecklem to hold March 20 kickoff event for county commissioner campaign
  (The Oregonian, March 18)
   
  On Saturday, Greg Mecklem will kick off his candidacy for District 4 on the Washington County Board of Commissioners.  From 1 to 2:30 p.m., the public is invited to meet Mecklem at his North Plains farm, Pacific Crest Accoyo America, 12995 N.W. Bishop Road.  The event includes refreshments and entertainment. …
  Mecklem wasn't inspired to run for political office until he became involved with the land-use process through Save Helvetia.  During the lengthy process, he said he noticed that decisions were often made for political expediency, and became aware of what happens when ordinary citizens aren't involved.
  Mecklem says, "I know we can protect farm and forest land while putting people back to work.  We can also make the change to energy independence through renewable energy.  With Smart Growth, we can have a healthy future."  …