Candidates responded to the Southeast Neighbors Board of Directors Election questionnaire as of May 4, 2023 in advance of the general election on May 9, 2023.
There are six candidates and four open Board positions:
Answers Submitted by Lucy Bambrey
- Why do you want to be on the SEN board?
I believe in being an active member of the community in which I choose to live. I moved to Eugene five years ago. I chose Southeast Eugene for several reasons, the first being that my daughter and grandchildren live in the neighborhood. Although I am a relative newcomer to the neighborhood, I had visited my daughter here for 15 years before my move. I found, and still find, Southeast Eugene to be a good mix of residential, commercial, recreational, and open space opportunities. I would like to see Southeast Eugene remain a safe, inviting, diverse, and vibrant community. I would like to be involved in that effort. I believe an engaged community member is a good community member!
- What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate and how would those experiences benefit the board?
I have long been involved in community service in whatever community I have lived. For example, I was a 4-H leader for 10 years in a rural community in Colorado. I was also the Vice President of the local Conifer Historical Society and Museum in that community. In Eugene, I have volunteered at the U of O Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Just recently, I have expressed an interest in joining the local chapter of Altrusa, a volunteer organization dedicated to literacy and other causes. I have also served on the SEN Transportation Committee for the past two years and recently assisted in revising the SEN By-Laws. I believe that one should not identify a problem without offering solutions to the problem. I hope to bring that positive attitude to the SEN board.
- What do you believe is the role of the SEN board?
I see the role of the board to: listen to the voices of the individuals who make up our community; advocate for a safe, beautiful neighborhood; and represent the view of the SEN community on issues of interest as best we can.
- Participation in board committees is a requirement; as a member of the board, which committee(s) do you plan to join? Why?
I wish to continue to serve on the SEN Transportation Committee. I am interested in working with LTD to keep neighborhood bus routes. I also wish to work to keep neighborhood streets safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. I believe we need to work with the city and advocate for traffic calming techniques, speed and traffic enforcement, and public involvement in transportation issues. Recently, the Transportation Committee has taken up the issue of transportation in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake. We have approached the city in respect to 30th Avenue and the possible collapse of the pedestrian bridge over 30th at the Camas Elementary School and the traffic bridge at Spring Blvd. We have a concern about the ability of emergency response in the event of an earthquake and evacuation of citizens in the event of a fire if one or both of those bridges were to fail. We are working with the neighborhood disaster preparedness folks to provide solutions to this concern. I hope to contribute to that effort.
Answers Submitted by Jessica Blaszczyk
- Why do you want to be on the SEN board?
I want to be on the SEN Board because volunteering my time to give back to this community that has welcomed my family so warmly is important to me. This group is engaged and committed to I helping this community thrive and contributing to that momentum is rewarding.
- What experience do I have that would make me a good candidate and how would that experience benefit the board?
Through volunteering with the Tugman Tuggers for over 2 years, I have gained useful knowledge about native plants and how to maintain native landscapes. I also learned about city parks planning through collaborating regularly with the Eugene Parks and Open Space team. Participating in SEN community events also gave me valuable insight into how these events are organized and accomplished.
- What do you believe is the role of the SEN board?
I believe the role of the SEN Board is to work together with the community to improve and maintain the quality of life for all living things in our neighborhood.
- Which committees will I join and why?
If elected, I will continue to work with the Tugman Tuggers. My connection with this group is so valuable to me and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I will also join the Environmental Stewardship Committee, as we are all stewards of this land and therefore we have a responsibility to protect it. My work with the Tuggers as well as with Whole Earth Nature School will contribute to the success of this initiative.
Answers Submitted by John Dubin
- Why do you want to be on the SEN board?
I have long been interested in the workings of Eugene’s Neighborhood Associations and as a retired Residential Contractor (licensed 42 years) I now have the time to volunteer.
- What experience do I have that would make me a good candidate and how would that experience benefit the board?
I moved to Eugene in 1954 and I am the product of all levels of education, grade school through University (1969 graduate). I have lived in the home I personally built since 1978 (1405 Skyline Park Loop, 97405) and have participated in may local organizations: Lane County Building Appeals Board, Ellis Parker PTA, (Vice President), Kids Sport Coach, District 4J Budget Committee (8 years, 2 years Chair), Lane Electric Co-op Elections and Credentials Committee, 2015-date. I therefore have experience working with organizations to identify and process the concerns of our community.
- What do you believe is the role of the SEN board?
SEN Board’s role is to contact and work with the City of Eugene on issues concerning our neighborhood and to inform our neighbors as to these issues. Also, to take neighborhood concerns to the City.
- Which committees will I join and why?
I have no current knowledge of the various committees and will taylor my participation to those my background would benefit.
Answers Submitted by Dennis Hebert, Incumbent, Board Co-Chair
- Why do you want to be on the SEN board?
I enjoy working with neighbors and being involved with matters of concern to them. I want to help make Southeast Neighbors the best neighborhood in Eugene.
- What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate and how would those experiences benefit the board?
I have been on the SEN Board since 2016. First At-large, then Vice-Chair, and then Chair and Co Chair of SEN for the past 4 years. I feel that we have progressed a lot in that time and I would like to continue to see our committees and the board as a whole flourish. We have made many contacts with the City and the community that are helpful in keeping our neighbors well informed and educated on issues that we face in the neighborhood and city.
- What do you believe is the role of the SEN board?
I believe that the SEN Board should serve as a liaison between neighbors and the City of Eugene. They should pass along pertinent information and educate on matters that are of concern to our neighborhood.
- Participation in board committees is a requirement; as a member of the board, which committee(s) do you plan to join? Why?
I am currently on the Land Use Committee and Environmental Stewardship Committee. I am liaison for Ready Southeast and lead for the Communications Committee. I also serve as the Neighborhood Leaders Council representative. As part of NLC, I am the liaison for the NLC Transportation Committee.
I enjoy the focused work of these committees and feel I can make a contribution to their missions for the neighborhood.
Answers Submitted by Ela Kubok, Incumbent
- Why do you want to be on the SEN board?
I would like to continue for another term with the SEN board because I want to be engaged in the betterment of our neighborhood. I like to advocate for others and bring a different perspective to the table.
2. What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate and how would those experiencesbenefit the board?
I have a lot of experience with organizational development and change management. We are working on making the neighborhood association more accessible and more welcoming. In my work I have a lot of experience collaborating with different partners and finding solutions to problems of our community like housing. I have previously served on a few city boards and commissions and wanted to focus more on my direct neighborhood.
3. What do you believe is the role of the SEN board?
To bring neighbors together, share ideas and build pathways for communicating and bringing recommendations to the city.
4. Participation in board committees is a requirement; as a member of the board, which committee(s) do you plan to join? Why?
I would like to continue my work on the communications committee we still have ongoing work to help support the efforts of SEN and help neighbors get connected.
Answers Submitted by Lynne Macdonald, Incumbent, Board Secretary
- Why do you want to be on the SEN board?
It’s a way that works for me to be involved in my neighborhood and work with other passionate and caring neighbors who inspire me.
- What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate and how would those experiences benefit the board?
I’ve been on the board as secretary for two years and one term as an at-large member.
- What do you believe is the role of the SEN board?
I think the board’s role is to be a resource of relevant information to the neighbors such as fire and storm alerts and preparation. The board should be a place for neighbors to bring community issues that concern them for advice and recommendations on how to proceed. The board promotes community involvement through activities organized throughout the year.
- Participation in board committees is a requirement; as a member of the board, which committee(s) do you plan to join? Why?
I will continue on the Communications Committee.