Newberg Graphic Online

Starrett will face Stern in May election

Election 2010 — Former TV and radio personality announces Monday her intent to run for county spot

• By: Amanda Newman  
• Published: 12/1/2009 3:53:47 PM

Photo By: Gary AllenMary Starrett

   For years, people throughout Oregon and the Northwest invited Mary Starrett into their homes via their television sets. Now the former TV and radio talk show host is asking her “friends” in Yamhill County for a literal vote of support as she challenges Commissioner Mary Stern in the May election.
   Starrett announced her candidacy Monday, saying she wants to limit “big government” spending; help define a unique Yamhill County, separate from Metro regional planning; and be an official who recognizes her status as employee of the people.
   Starrett, 55, said she views her background as a boon — people know her and feel comfortable with her.
   “I think any time you have familiarity, where people think they know you ... that right there is a vote of confidence,” she said, adding that her former viewers and listeners may subconsciously consider her a friend. “It’s pretty well known where I stand on the issues — if there’s people that think that bigger government is better government, then I’m not the candidate for them.”
   She also thinks her experiences give her a feel for Yamhill County. “I think all those years in television and radio, I think you ... get to take the temperature of the community you live in,” she said, adding that she’s been talking with county residents about a possible run. “I’ve never really seen such a level of enthusiasm for a change.”
   Starrett began her broadcast career with KATU, where she worked as a reporter and co-hosted the AM Northwest program for several years. She then hosted a talk show on KPDQ (AM), a Christian radio station broadcast out of Salem, from 1997 to 2002.
   In 2006, Starrett ran for Oregon governor on the Constitution Party ticket. She currently works in media relations for the national Constitution Party and will begin teaching at Mount Hood Community College next term. A 17-year Yamhill County resident, she lives on Parrett Mountain.
   Asked why she decided to run for county commissioner, Starrett said, “You want to stop repeat offenders, you don’t re-elect them.”
   “We have a commissioner who hasn’t met a fee she doesn’t like,” she said of her opponent. “Mary Stern has shown herself to be a big-government liberal.”
  So what would she do differently?
   “I think what I would offer to the county is the concept that government officials need to be cognizant all the time that they are the employees of the county,” she said. “The key to growth is, No. 1, letting people keep more of their money.”
   Starrett said she would push for a transparent county budget and encourage a distinct Yamhill County, capitalizing on the local agri-business industry and abundant natural resources. She would work to limit government growth and encourage county growth. She opposes what she characterized as an attempt to drown county residents in taxes and fees, a cause recently taken up at the city and county levels with proposed voter ratification initiatives.
   “We have to remember that government doesn’t create anything, government doesn’t grow the economy. The only way we’re going to do that is through free economy,” she said. If the county is facing financial trouble, she explained, more taxes aren’t the solution — instead, the county should do like the people and figure it out ... or do without.
   “(Yamhill County) can be great, because it can acknowledge that bigger government does not equal a stronger government,” she said.
   In her campaign, Starrett said she plans to “shut up and listen,” visiting with people throughout the county to hear what they want out of their government. She will also be on the conservative News With Views program on McMinnville’s public access TV station.
   “It’s going to be a full-on campaign and we’ve got a lot of support, a lot of people on board already,” Starrett said. Alluding to a 1960s pop hit, she added, “Along comes ‘another’ Mary.”

  (log in to rate)