Cassanelli gains experience in commissioner role
From our weekly issue dated January 06, 2010
Commissioner Sandi Cassanelli (IVN file photo)
During the past 12 months, Josephine County Commissioner Sandi Cassanelli has been getting used to her new job.
But now, the Merlin resident, who could begin filling the role of chairman of the board of commissioners, said that she“s up for the challenge.
After defeating Grants Pass resident Harry Mackin in the November 2008 general election, Cassanelli said that she spent nearly every day at the commission office studying and preparing before taking the oath of office in January 2009.
Cassanelli said that her position is time-consuming, with many meetings to attend. She said she often spends her evenings reading the materials that come to her desk.
“The quantity of reading is unbelievable in order to prepare for the next day,“ Cassanelli said. “Even on the weekends, there are always supplemental things to do.“
With a year under her belt, Cassanelli said that she“s settling into her role as commissioner.
“It“s exciting. It“s different every day,“ she said. “There are always new parameters and sets of contracts, resolutions, ordinances and orders.“
Long before she considered running for office, Cassanelli had paid particular attention to the county“s Public, Education and Government Fund. Its dollars originate from the county“s franchise agreement with cable television providers, and are used to fund broadcasts of government meetings.
Cassanelli said that she long has felt that county residents weren“t getting their money“s worth out of the service. She said she was disappointed by the board“s recent decision to continue contracting with Ashland-based Rogue Valley Television Network, even though some Josephine County firms competed for that bid.
On Wednesday, Jan. 6, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners is to vote on its chairman and vice chairman during its weekly business session at the Anne G. Basker Auditorium in Grants Pass.
Cassanelli has served as vice chairman for the past year, and may end up holding the gavel throughout 2010.
“That“s normally the way the rotation goes,“ Cassanelli said. “I“m really excited.“
If she gets to be chairman, Cassanelli said that she would encourage more “openness“ with citizens during the business meetings, rather than limiting public comments to three minutes per person.
“I want everybody to be relaxed and have the chance to have their say,“ she said. “That“s the opportunity for the commissioners to respond to the public.“
Cassanelli said that she also would like to see more citizen-driven town hall meetings that have occurred during the past several months.
Being a commissioner has put Cassanelli in the spotlight and opened her up to attacks from critics.
She has been knocked for many of the votes she“s taken in office, including her dissenting votes on a plan to increase staffing levels at the sheriff“s office, and declaring a public health emergency during the H1N1 scare. There“s even been talk in some political circles of mounting a recall effort against her.
But Cassanelli said that kind of negativity is part of being an elected official.
“I try to take the personality out of it and see what kind of issues they want addressed. If I can do that, it“s easy to address,“ she said. “If it gets too vitriolic, I won“t even respond.“
On Jan. 6, commissioners also will decide on their liaison assignments. Cassanelli has been serving as liaison to the county“s airports, and the Illinois Valley Airport Advisory Board voted unanimously last month to retain her in that capacity. A majority of the Grants Pass Airport Advisory Board members did the same.
Cassanelli also has served as the courthouse security liaison, but said that she might want to flip that assignment to current county commission Chairman Dwight Ellis.
That area became quite contentious last year, when Cassanelli requested permission to carry a concealed said that liaison assignment typically goes to the board“s public safety liaison, a post held by Ellis.
Despite the challenges of holding her first position in public office, Cassanelli said that she tries to keep taxpayers“ concerns in mind whenever voting on any issue.
“That“s my focus, especially in this time,“ she said. “It“s not the time to be liberal in spending.“
Cassanelli said that she won“t vote to pass anything if she hasn“t seen the supporting documents at least one day ahead of time, for the sake of due diligence.
“That“s a rule that I had,“ Cassanelli said. “I will abstain if I didn“t get the paperwork.“ Although the freshman commissioner admits that there have been “philosophical differences of governance“ between her and the other two commissioners, she said she has enjoyed her time in office and is proud to serve her constituents.
“It“s very dynamic. You meet a lot of different people,“ Cassanelli said. “I“m taking it all one day at a time.“
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