Meet the Candidates: Daniel Putnam

Candidate’s name: Daniel Putnam

Position sought: Wallowa County Commissioner No. 1

Party: Democrat

Age: 63

Married: to Catherine Jontos-Putnam, a teacher and poet

Children: One grown child who attended school in Wallowa County

How long have you lived in Wallowa County?: 33 years

Occupational background: I have worked in construction, auto repair, community development, farming and ranching, childcare, social work, and education. I currently work as a teacher for the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind in Lewiston, Idaho, and as the owner and operator of the Flora and Fauna Tree Farm and Nursery in Flora, Oregon.

Education: I attended high school in Pennsylvania.  I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelors degree in political science and economics.  I learned Spanish at the Catholic University of Puerto Rico.  I served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua. I earned a master of science degree in education at Portland State University.

Experience in government: My experience in government comes through assisting the state legislature formulate policy regarding the education of blind and visually impaired students as a member of the State Regional Working Group for the Visually Impaired for four years.

Social/Community service: My experience with social and community service comes from operating a non-profit daycare and preschool in Enterprise for five years, and from providing assistance to the elderly as a general handyman for Senior Services.

1. Why are you running for this office? I am running for county commissioner because I think people should have the option of voting for a Democrat. If elected I would try to add more balance to the current political status quo by speaking out in defense of the U.S.Constitution and the Bill of Rights, by advocating for responsible stewardship of public lands, by promoting conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, by encouraging thoughtful development that is compatible with our rural traditions, and by improving our public schools and expanding opportunities available through institutions of higher learning.

2. Describe your most important personal characteristics or traits as they relate to the office you seek. The six accomplishments in my life of which I am most proud are: a) being a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War; b) serving in the Peace Corps; c) working my way through college; d) teaching blind kids how to read, write and do math; e) finding a place in Wallowa County, making it my home, and holding onto it through thick and thin; f) marrying my wife.

3. Describe one to three accomplishments or contributions of which you are most proud. My most important personal characteristics are egalitarianism (a respect for people of all stripes and persuasions), a strong work ethic, creativity, intelligence, and a keen sense of humor. 

4. Please list or describe your current and past activities in the community in which you have acquired skills that relate to the office you seek. As a teacher, I have worked effectively throughout Eastern Oregon and Idaho over the past 18 years to bring together parents, students, administrators, and social agencies to provide a solid education and job opportunities for the students I’ve been lucky enough to know and serve.  As every teacher knows, this requires exceptional interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy. I think these skills would serve me well as county commissioner.

5. Describe the duties of the office you seek. Which are the most important duties and why?

The duties of the office I seek are to allocate resources, arbitrate disputes, manage personnel, and provide leadership. These are all important because resources are limited, disputes can become personal, people need to feel valued, and we need to feel good about where we are headed as a county and as a nation.  As a Democrat, I would strive to offer more balance to our priorities, listen more attentively to both sides in disputes, render fair decisions, respect working people, and speak out more forcefully when our democracy and values are being compromised.

6. Why should Wallowa County residents vote for you? I would like Wallowa County residents to vote for me because they are concerned about what kind of future we will build for our children, our grandchildren, and all who come after.