Posted on August 22nd, 2007 by Fred Girod
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GOP is in the minority, but he has potential to get things done
August 22
Every government needs common-sense intelligence. Fred Girod brought that quality to the 2007
Legislature.
Girod is outspoken, no question about that. People know where he stands, especially on the natural-resource and related issues that affect his rural district.
That’s refreshing. He’s not one of those bend-with-the-political-winds legislators.
But neither is he an ideologue, associating only with those of like minds. In a sense, he’s a throwback to the days when legislators didn’t let partisanship interfere with collegial friendships. Maybe that’s because he served in the Legislature during 1992-93 and only returned to the House after Rep. Jeff Kropf dropped a re-election bid last year.
Girod’s common-sense traits bode well for the residents of House District 17, which includes Stayton, Sublimity, the Santiam Canyon communities and eastern Linn County. Although Girod is in the minority as a Republican, he has the potential to get things done.
One arena is on issues pertaining to rural Oregon, which the Democrat-run Legislature largely ignored during the 2007 session — at least in Girod’s view.
A dentist and developer from Lyons, Girod was appointed last week as vice chairman of the House’s new rural policy committee. That puts him in position to help shape legislation leading up to the special session next February. He also is on the House’s workforce and economic development committee.
Girod plans to seek re-election next year. With several Republicans retiring or running for other offices, he has the potential to rise in influence.
He’s not afraid to take on difficult, even unusual, issues. One of his ideas is trying to turn Silver Falls State Park into a national park. That seems fitting, given the profound beauty of the area.
But Girod also is willing to dig into complex issues ranging from tort reform to health care. District 17 residents are fortunate to have a legislator well-versed in complex issues and in tune with constituents’ interests. |
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