Meet Danielle.

Danielle is deeply rooted in her community and has been a small business owner and
community advocate. She has spearheaded a variety of community initiatives, from fundraising
to restore local Little League fields, and leading efforts to bring two turf fields to local high
schools: McNary and McKay, volunteering as a Rotarian, to fighting for a better education
system, as a Salem-Keizer School Board member.

Danielle went to school here, and this is where she and her husband chose to raise their three
kids.

Community Advocate

Danielle is deeply rooted in her community and has been a small business owner and community advocate for more than 15 years. She has spearheaded a variety of community initiatives, from fundraising to restore local Little League fields, and leading efforts to bring two turf fields to local high schools: McNary and McKay, volunteering as a Rotarian, to fighting for a better education system, Danielle brings the same presence, energy and dedication to the County Commission.

Diverse Experiences

Danielle was raised by a single mother who experienced mental health challenges until she passed in 2014. Danielle and her older sister navigated a life that some would say was “on the move”, unstable, and often unpredictable. Danielle attended six different elementary schools (in four different Oregon cities), two middle schools (in Oregon and California), and finally one high school, McKay (GO SCOTS!). In her high school years, she moved around to different homes beginning late in her sophomore year, when her mom was on the go elsewhere, or was facing challenges she wasn’t equipped to handle while simultaneously parenting. Danielle has always had a sense of community. Teachers, and parents of friends welcomed her with the challenges she faced, only expecting her to graduate high school. She learned early on to be helpful to others, particularly her friends’ parents, her thought was it would make them more likely to allow her to stay around, as needed.

Danielle has worked in various fields from her first job as a courtesy clerk (bagger) at Roth’s Fresh Markets, to building state agency budgets and delivering testimony in the legislature, to sitting side by side small business owners working towards business plans that will create security and sustainability for a local family owned business, to the random in-between seasonal berry picking jobs. Her approach to just about anything is hands-on. She’s approachable, and present and enjoys being a part of solutions. She learned from a young age to be useful, and to learn from those around her.

Through her community involvement and upbringing, she has learned relationships are vital to every situation. She doesn’t shy away from tough situations, conversations or projects.

Occupational, Community, & Government Experience

Occupation:

  • Bethell Plumbing (2019 – Present) Co-Owner;
  • Keizer Chamber of Commerce (2016 – 2020) Executive Director;
  • NW Events and Promotions (2008 – 2020) Owner;
  • Education: McKay High School, 1997; Oregon State University, 2012

Occupational Background

  • Marion County Fire District #1 Recruitment Coordinator, 2013-2015
  • Oregon Parent Training and Information Center, Development Director, 2008-2011
  • Oregon Public Utility Commission, Executive Director Support II, Jan. 2007 – Dec. 2008
  • Oregon Disabilities Commission, Office Specialist, Office Manager, Executive Director 2003-2005

Community Organizing and Involvement

  • Rotarian, 2013-2022
  • Organizing and fundraising for Keizer Little League Field restoration, 2013-2014
  • Volunteer Project Manager: McNary Turf Project, 2014-2015
  • Project Coordinator and booster club developer for McKay Turf Project, 2015-2017
  • McNary High School Gymnasium Project, 2016
  • McNary High School Softball Dugout Project, 2017
  • McNary High School Stadium Scorecard Project, 2018
  • Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) Advisory Task Force, 2016- Present

Government Experience

  • Salem-Keizer School Board Member, 2023
  • Salem-Keizer School District Bond Oversight Committee
  • Oregon Judicial Department Citizen Review Board, 2010-2013

Accomplishments

Accomplishments by Year

2021: Year One as a Commissioner

First Quarter

Beginning the first year as a Commissioner

  • Learning the departments and their missions
  • Continuing engagement in wildfire recovery
    • Town halls
    • Engagement with the LTRG and building that program up
    • Beginning of the housing process, meetings and learning about options, needs and possibilities
      • Executing a short term housing option at Detroit
    • Learning curves
    • Meeting people
    • Ice Storm
    • Increasing staff in the boards office / Change of the pace in the boards office mission

Second Quarter

Momentum on the LTRG process

  • Interim director – Julie Bentz

Conceptualization and starting to execute the short-term housing plans

Staff appreciation event

Learning from staff that were retiring and training new staff

Community engagement

  • Service providers
  • Community groups
  • Lunches and breakfasts

Full engagement of the short-term housing process for Gates and N. Santiam State Park

  • Your vision
  • Many meetings

 

Third Quarter

Receiving a commitment from the state to move forward with the short-term housing project

The Marion County Fair

Hero’s Dinner

Keizer Fest

 

Fourth Quarter

Executing the due diligence work at the Gates Tiny Home Village

Getting elected 2nd Vice Chair AOC

2022 : Year Two as a Commissioner

First Quarter

Second year as a Commissioner, my first time as Chair

  • Began my first year as leadership within the Association of Oregon Counties as the Second Vice Chair
  • Continued conversations with state partners on wildfire recovery
    • Seeing recovery moving forward
  • Continuing to engage with various community groups and stakeholders
  • Working through the first year of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Applications
  • ARPA funding discussions
  • Beginning to develop better understanding of the homeless crisis
  • Focusing on behavioral health
  • Celebrated the start of the Aurora Donald Interchange
  • Learning more about our Solid Waste management programs

 

Second Quarter

  • Beginning to fund CDBG programs
  • Awarding ARPA Funding
  • Learning about the rails to trails program
  • Working with East Salem residents on issues
  • Focusing on Public Safety, held first joint county (Marion / Polk) Public Safety townhall
  • Met with a majority of the local police Chiefs
  • Work on the North Santiam Sewer Project
  • Began work on the land purchase in Mill City

 

Third Quarter

  • Marion County purchased ~15 acres in Mill City for development of housing
  • Timber tours and gaining further knowledge of the timber industry
  • Toured other fire impacted counties
  • HIS Place begins to become a reality
  • Focus on opening G-Pod
  • Broadening out video outreach as a board
  • Did some road crew tours and watched the work they do
  • Continuing to work with state partners to understand the various wildfire funding programs
  • Bought the location for HIS Place
  • Began work on the new health and human service building

 

Fourth Quarter

  • Established Marion County as a Purple Heart County.
  • Created a new web page for veteran programs and services in Marion County.
  • Focused on Wildfire Housing
    • Had to cancel a tiny home project due to increased costs
    • Began work on another tiny home project
    • Got the preliminary site plans complete for Mill City
    • Began a data project
    • Growing more and more frustrated with the lack of consistency from state partners over the counties ability to access wildfire funding
  • Elected First Vice Chair of the Association of Oregon Counties
  • Purchased a new location for the PCC
  • Major emphasis on Aid and Assist
  • Dedicated Marion County as a purple heart county
  • Launched a new veterans website
  • Became the Co-Chair of the PIT Count
2023 : Year Three as a Commissioner

First Quarter

Third year as a Commissioner

  • Starting year as the Vice President of AOC
  • Working with the Governor’s new team and building relationships
  • Legislative Session
    • AOC Committees
    • Testimony at the legislature
    • Cross county coordination
  • National Association of Counties trip to Washington DC
  • Received $12 million in Wildfire Recovery money provided by HB 5006 from OHCS
    • Began to work on building Marion County’s Recovery Program
  • Worked on EO 23-02
    • Established an entirely new project review committee
    • Encouraged more robust cross collaboration and communication among providers
  • Began additional work on the youth homeless crisis
    • Held a listening session with unaccompanied minors
  • Developing relationships with Willamette Health Council leadership

 

Second Quarter

  • Finalizing the plan to put $8 million into the Marion County Wildfire Recovery Housing Program
  • Opened HIS place
  • Continuing to develop relationships with Willamette Health Council leadership
  • Continuing work on the Mossman order
  • Working with NACo to extend ARPA timelines
  • Multiple townhalls in the Santiam Canyon on recovery and re-opening of the North Fork Corridor
  • Discussions with OHCS on Redwood Crossing and the need for more places like Redwood, but ones that come with accountability
  • Soft launch of the Marion County Wildfire Recovery Housing Program
  • Continuing work on the youth homeless crisis
  • $75,200 to SHA for the Yaquina Hall Staffing
  • A funding program to offer GED opportunities within the KROC center

 

Third Quarter

  • Full opening of the Marion County Wildfire Recovery Housing Program
    • More than $400k awarded to-date
  • Health needs in the Sanitam Canyon discussions with Willamette Health Council
  • Creating narrative and education materials around the aid and assist population.
  • Recovery oriented system of care

 

Fourth Quarter

  • Meeting with the Governor, working to establish regular contact with counties and the Governor on local issues
  • Huge efforts on Measure 110 and getting information together for counties to be informed on what needs to happen to encourage reforms to Measure 110
  • Elected President of AOC
2024 : Year Four as a Commissioner

First Quarter

Fourth year as a Commissioner

  • Starting year as the President of AOC
  • Began preparation for the short session
  • Ballot Measure 110
    • Created a working group within AOC to focus intently on legislation all out repeal or create more accountability for drug use and drug sales
    • Collaborated with local service providers
    • Collaborated with the State of Washington
    • Collaborated with local law enforcement, district attorney’s and Commissioners statewide
  • Took a trip to DC for the NACo Leadership conference
  • Took a trip to DC for the NACo Conference
    • Cross collaboration discussions with counties from across Oregon
    • Meetings with federal delegates
      • Senator Wyden, with AOC
      • Senator Wyden staff 1-on-1
      • Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer staff
      • Congresswoman Salinas and staff
    • Meetings with federal agencies
      • Discussed HUD CDBG
        • CHDO
        • Rehab and downpayment assistance
        • CDBG-DR
      • Discussed USFS contract for fire service
        • Getting Marion County and Counties in general into the contract
      • Working with the Executive Director of the Homeless Alliance and creating language within contracts that creates accountability and deliverables for funding
      • The third year of CDBG applications reviewed and recommended for funding
      • Heavily involved in the short session
        • Provided direct testimony on
          • HB 4002 – Fix to Measure 110 on behalf of AOC
          • Civil commitment
        • Wrote numerous letters of testimony
      • Held a North Santiam Sewer Authority informational meeting
      • Participated for the third year in leadership Salem
      • Working in securing secure residential treatment facilities in Marion County

Second Quarter

  • Marion County working groups on HB 4002 and HB 5204
    • Work Group includes:
    • Courts
    • DA
    • Sheriff
    • Health and Human Services
    • Juvenile
    • Working with the legislative delegation to discuss next steps, gaps, and program updates
  • State of the County event. Biggest turn out in years
  • Held townhalls in the East Salem Service District to discuss on-going costs and determine of additional fee revenue was required
  • Preparing for and opening two of the north Santiam Parks back up
  • AOC / NACo Conferences
    • RDI in Kennewick Washington
    • WIR in California
    • Eastern Oregon Conference
  • 24-25 Budget

 

Third Quarter

  • Marion County working groups on HB 4002 and HB 5204
    • Continue work group and refine the scope with:
    • Courts
    • DA
    • Sheriff
    • Health and Human Services
    • Juvenile
    • Continuing conversations with the legislative delegation to discuss next steps, gaps, and program updates
  • Opened two of the north Santiam Parks back up
  • AOC / NACo Conferences
    • Tampa
    • Eastern Oregon Conference
  • AOC legislative conference
  • NACO Rural Caucus work

Fourth Quarter

  • Attended every AOC district meeting
  • Became a member of the NACo Board of Directors
  • Marion County working groups on HB 4002 and HB 5204
  • On-going work on civil commitment
    • NAMI
    • DA, H&HS
  • Solid Waste
    • Covanta/Re World
    • MRRF / Re Source
  • Roadside food vendors
  • Three Basin Rule
  • RV licensing
  • Solid Waste
    • Wrapped up a very complicated Cost of Service process
    • Solutions for the closing of ReWorld (Covanta)
  • Attended the Oregon Leadership Summitt
  • Annual Board Retreat

Meetings With Elected Officials by Year

2023

First Quarter

Federal

  • Senator Ron Wyden – NACo Conference
  • Senator Jeff Merkley – NACo Conference
  • Congresswoman Andrea Salinas – NACo Conference
  • Congresswoman Lori Chavez – DeRemer – NACo Conference
  • Congresswoman Andrea Salinas – Meet and Greet

State

  • Governor Tin Kotek – Transition Team Meeting
  • Senator Deb Patterson – Meet and Greet
  • Representative Kevin Mannix – Intermodal Complex

County

  • Commissioner Dave Dotterrer – Jackson County

City

  • Mayor Cathy Clark – Keizer
  • Councilor Soraida Cross – Keizer
  • Councilor Jordan Ohrt – Stayton

Other Elected Officials

  • Director Krissy Hudon – SKSB
  • Judge Audry Broyles – A&A

Second Quarter

State

  • Representative Ed Diehl – Public Health Modernization
  • Representative Kevin Mannix – Hillcrest

County

  • Judge J.D. Clark – Wise County Texas – ARPA Extension

Other Elected Officials

  • Judge Audry Broyles – A&A

Third Quarter

State

  • Representative Rob Nosse – Civil Commitment
  • Representative Raquel Moore-Green – Legislative items

County

  • Commissioner Ben West – Clackamas County

City

  • Mayor James Kingsbury – Sublimity
  • Mayor Brian Gander – Gates
  • Mayor Angelica Ceja – Aumsville
  • Councilor Deana Gwyn – Salem

Other Elected Officials

  • District Attorney Paige Clarkson – Discussion
  • Director Krissy Hudson – SKSB

Fourth Quarter

State

  • Governor Tina Kotek – Quarterly Meeting AOC
  • Representative Tom Anderson – Civil Commitment

County

  • Commissioner Nafisa Fai – Washington County
  • Commissioner Craig Pope – Polk County
  • Commissioner Tim Freeman – Douglas County

City

Other Elected Officials

  • Mayor Charles Rosocil – Hubbard
  • Mayor Brian Asher – Aurora
  • Mayor Marty Waldo – St Paul
  • Mayor Jason Frelinger – Silverton
  • Councilor Vanessa Nordyke – Salem
2024

First Quarter

Federal

  • Congresswoman Lori Chavez – DeRemer – Listening Session
  • Congresswoman Andrea Salinas – NACo Conference
  • Congresswoman Lori Chavez – DeRemer – NACo Conference
  • Senator Ron Wyden – NACo Conference
  • Senator Jeff Merkley – NACo Conference

State

  • Governor Tina Kotek – Quarterly Meeting AOC

County

  • Commissioner Buther – NACO Homeless Discussion
  • Commissioner Tim Freeman – Douglas County

City

  • Mayor Rick Olmsted – Donald

Other Elected Officials

  • Judge Channing Bennett – Discussion

Second Quarter

State

  • Senator Kate Lieber – Behavioral Health

County

  • Judge Dan Joyce – Malheur County
  • Commissioner Leanne Thompson – Clatsop County
  • Commissioner Dave Dotterer – Jackson County
  • Commissioner Sharon Meieran – Multnomah County

City

  • Councilor Kyle Juran – Keizer
  • Councilor Julie Hoy – Salem

Fourth Quarter

State

  • Governor Tina Kotek – Quarterly Meeting AOC
  • Senator Daniel Bonham – Legislative Discussion
  • Senator Kate Lieber – Hillcrest
  • Representative Ed Diehl – Legislative Discussion Youth Gaps