Flanders seeks fourth term on Nyssa council
Councilwoman finishing up eighth year
By LARRY MEYER
ARGUS OBSERVER
Monday, October 13, 2008 10:21 AM PDT
NYSSA — Kathy Flanders is finishing her eighth year on the Nyssa City Council but her third term, having served one four-year term and two two-year terms, and is on the ballot again in the November election seeking to return to the council.
Flanders is one of six candidates running for four seats on the council. Three are four-year terms, and one is a two-year term. There are four seats up for election on the Nyssa City Council every two years.
“I like the environment in Nyssa,” Flanders said. “I like small towns.”
“I see growth in the community, and I would like to be a part of that,” Flanders added.
She cited a recent annexation and expansion of the city’s urban growth boundary as examples of the city’s growth.
“One of projects I would like to be a part of is the reevaluation of the water fee system to see if it’s the best we can do, or if we can help people on fixed incomes,” Flanders said.
Flanders also said she would like to see some development, such as the Oregon Gardens at Silverton, on city property around the sewer treatment plant after it is completed, something that possibly could be done with the help of Treasure Valley Community College and Nyssa High School students.
“I think we can attract more visitors and community events. It would be a way to use the land for something that is going to benefit the community,” Flanders added.
Another goal is to find a way to increase the salaries of employees, she said.
Flanders was raised in Chicago and came to Portland, where she graduated with a bachelors degree in music education from Portland State University.
Flanders moved to Nyssa in 1972. In 1986, she went to work for the City of Nyssa as an ordinance officer and dispatcher.
She worked there until the City of Nyssa closed its dispatch office in 1988.
“We all relocated,” she said.
Flanders then went to work for Malheur County as a probation officer.
She was promoted to field supervisor last year, and with the change in administration, when Malheur County Community Corrections put under the umbrella of the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Flanders was promoted to sergeant in charge of probation officers.
