Community Invited to Town Hall: How to Detect, Report & Prevent Elder Abuse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Breanne Tusinski

April 12, 2012

503-522-8797

Community Invited to Town Hall: How to Detect, Report & Prevent Elder Abuse
Rep. Matt Wand joined by Deputy District Attorney, Detective, Agency and Care Providers



Troutdale, OR – Rep. Matt Wand will host a community forum Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Huntington Terrace Assisted Living Residence, 1410 NE Cleveland, Gresham, OR. The forum will teach those in attendance how to detect and report signs of abuse, as well as highlight the recent changes in persecuting elder abuse adopted by the Legislature.

Rep. Wand will be joined by experts in the field of elder abuse investigation and prevention. The guests include Chuck Mickley, Multnomah County District Attorney; Elizabeth Cushwa, Oregon District Attorneys Association; Detective Matt Smith, Senior Abuse Investigator; and Mohammad Bader, Multnomah County Adult Protective Services. Guests will provide a real-life look into the horrors of elder abuse, as well as outline steps that can be taken to prevent it, from the home to the law. All are encouraged to attend and bring their comments and questions.

Rep. Wand recognized the need for stricter elder abuse laws, and helped secure the passage of House Bill 4084 through the judiciary committee, which passed during the short 2012 Oregon Legislative Session. This bill creates several safeguards against abuse, including extending the statute of limitations for certain crimes against elders, allowing law enforcement to more easily secure medical records of potential abuse victims as part of their investigations, as well as more easily accessing financial statements. “As our neighbors age, and number of potentially vulnerable seniors increases, it is critical that our state laws preventing abuse keep up. We cannot allow outdated state laws to impede law enforcement investigations that can flush out and prosecute abusers,” Rep. Wand stated.

Though many with aging loved ones cannot imagine committing crimes of elder abuse, thousands of vulnerable elders fall victim every year. In 2010, over 1,600 cases of elder abuse were substantiated in Oregon, a large portion of which was for financial exploitation. This type of abuse accounts for 41% of all abuse in the state, with women being twice as likely to be victimized. Types of abuse that fall under the elder abuse laws include financial exploitation, physical and emotional abuse, failure to provide basic care, and involuntary seclusion, among others.

Rep. Wand looks forward to the forum in the hopes that his constituents will be able to detect and prevent any current and future cases of elder abuse both in his district and around the state.

Elder Abuse Town Hall is April 18, 2012, from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm at the Huntington Terrace Assisted Living Residence, 1410 NE Cleveland, Gresham, OR.

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Rep. Matt Wand Appointed To State Debt Policy Advisory Commission


REPRESENTATIVE MATT WAND

HOUSE DISTRICT 49

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rep. Matt Wand

JMarch 15, 2012

503-986-1449

REP. MATT WAND APPOINTED TO STATE DEBT POLICY ADVISORY COMMISSION

SALEM— The House Co-Speakers have appointed Rep. Matt Wand (R-Troutdale) to the State Debt Policy Advisory Commission (SDPAC), a key panel that tracks Oregon’s financial health and protects Oregon’s credit rating by informing state officials about the amount of debt the state can prudently incur.

“Rep. Matt Wand is an outstanding legislator who is capable of working with Republicans and Democrats on key issues,” said Co-Speaker Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg). “As a member of this important commission, the entire Oregon House will count on him to work with the State Treasurer and other top officials to help manage our state’s limited debt capacity.”

The SDPAC consists of five members, including a representative from each of the two houses of the Oregon Legislature, a member of the public knowledgeable about public finance, and the State Treasurer, who chairs the Commission.

Rep. Wand, a member of the House Revenue Committee and Joint Committee on Tax Credits, says prudent management of the state’s debt is essential to funding critical infrastructure projects. As an SDPAC member, he will urge the state not to incur excessive debt that takes money away from core services such as education, health care and public safety, but to wisely use public debt as a tool to promote critical projects.

“State debt has increased significantly over the past few years, and the resulting debt payments are taking larger portions of our General Fund,” Rep. Wand said. “State Treasurer Wheeler has done a commendable job during turbulent times, and I look forward to working with him again as we have in the past on local issues in East County. I will urge caution on the issuance of new bonds. I’m pleased to receive this appointment and I look forward to working with the other members to help Oregon meet its obligations and maintain a solid credit rating.”

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Bipartisan legislative town halls scheduled

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
By James Mayer
OregonLive.com

Four lawmakers have scheduled bipartisan town halls next month to discuss the 2012 legislative session.

Taking part will be state Representatives Patrick Sheehan, R-Clackamas; Greg Matthews, D-Gresham; Matt Wand, R-Troutdale; and Mike Schaufler, D-Happy Valley.

“With the historic 30-30 tie in the Oregon House, citizens expect their representatives to work together to heal the economy, educate our children and find ways to make health care delivery more affordable,” Sheehan said. “We’re excited to show the community how their east metro state representatives work collaboratively to put the people ahead of partisan politics.”

The first town hall will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at Earl Boyles Elementary School, 10822 S.E. Bush Street in Portland.

The second town hall will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at Happy Valley Elementary School at 13865 S.E. Kind Road in Happy Valley.

East Metro State Representatives To Host Bipartisan Town Halls

House of Representatives

 

East Metro State Representatives To Host Bipartisan Town Halls
Republican, Democratic Legislators to Hold Meetings in Happy Valley, East County

For Immediate Release
January 25, 2012

For More Information
Thomas Cuomo: (503) 986-1449
Jon Kloor: (503) 986-1451

SALEM— State Representatives Patrick Sheehan (R-Clackamas), Greg Matthews (D-Gresham), Matt Wand (R-Troutdale) and Mike Schaufler (D-Happy Valley) will hold two bipartisan town halls in February to discuss the 2012 legislative session. The Republican and Democratic legislators say the town halls will give local residents a unique opportunity to ask questions and share their concerns.

“With the historic 30-30 tie in the Oregon House, citizens expect their Representatives to work together to heal the economy, educate our children and find ways to make health care delivery more affordable,” Rep. Sheehan said. “We’re excited to show the community how their east metro state representatives work collaboratively to put the people ahead of partisan politics.”

The first town hall will be held on Saturday, February 4 from 10:00 am to noon at Earl Boyles Elementary School, 10822 SE Bush Street in Portland.

The second town hall will be held on Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 am to noon at Happy Valley Elementary School at 13865 SE Kind Road in Happy Valley.

Both town halls are free to attend and open to the public.

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Rep. Matt Wand Announces Re-Election Campaign

Rep. Matt Wand Announces Re-Election Campaign

For Immediate Release- September 21, 2011
Contact: Rep. Matt Wand- 503-680-8180

Troutdale-Rep. Matt Wand (R-Troutdale) today announced his re-election campaign to the Oregon House of Representatives. Rep. Wand says the campaign will highlight his efforts to create jobs in East County, as well as new solutions he’ll support to put Oregonians back to work.

“We accomplished some great things during this legislative session, but we still have a long way to go to help put people back to work, grow small businesses, and improve the quality of education for our children,” Rep. Wand said. “I will continue to focus on representing East County to the best of my ability and I look forward to the opportunity to serve them again.”

During the 2011 session, Rep. Wand sponsored and passed legislation to promote economic development in low-income communities. To help communities that have been devastated during the current economic downturn, he voted to extend Oregon’s successful Enterprise Zone program to 2025 and supported several bills to streamline approval of certain industrial projects.

Earlier this year, Rep. Wand earned a 100 percent score on bills promoting job creation and economic growth according to the Oregon Prosperity Project, a coalition of Oregon business and trade representatives.

“Families in our community are still struggling just to put food on the table and keep the lights on. Oregonians deserve better,” Rep. Wand said. “During upcoming sessions I will propose or support new measures that encourage businesses to hire unemployed Oregonians, reduce unnecessary regulations that stifle job growth, and provide tax relief to families and low-income Oregonians.”

During the 2011 Legislative session, Rep. Wand served as Co-Vice Chair on the Joint Committee on Tax Credits. He also served on the House Judiciary Committee and the Revenue Committee. He was recently appointed to the Columbia River Crossing Joint Legislative Oversight Committee charged with analyzing the project.

Rep. Wand represents House District 49 in East County which encompasses Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, Rockwood and parts of Portland and Gresham. He was elected to his first term in the Oregon House in November 2010.

Wand Receives Key Public Safety Endorsement, Chosen as Best Advocate for Victims of Crime

For Immediate Release
October 5, 2010

Troutdale, Ore—Crime Victims United of Oregon, a victim advocacy organization headed by Steve Doell, announced their endorsement of Matt Wand for State Representative in House District 49, which encompasses Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, parts of Gresham and parts of Portland.

This endorsement comes on the heels of the false attacks by Wand’s opponent Nick Kahl and FuturePac, the Democrat Caucus, who falsely accused Wand of cutting funding for local police budgets.

“We believe Matt Wand is the candidate who is serious about the safety and security of the children and families in East Multnomah County,” says Doell. “Matt will ensure that violent criminals and serious sex offenders serve their entire sentences with no ‘good time’ off,” stated Doell, President of Crime Victims United of Oregon.

During the 2009 legislative session, Wand’s opponent Nick Kahl voted to undermine voter-approved Measure 57 that toughens sentences on repeat property criminals such as home-invasion burglars, identity thieves, and car thieves. His vote on house bill 3508, granted early release to nearly 3,600 convicted criminals, he voted to cut funding for programs that train our police officers and sheriff’s deputies and he voted to cut funding for Oregon State Police criminal investigations and forensics services.

“We encourage the citizens in District 49 to vote for Matt Wand for State Representative. He’s the only candidate that will consistently and sincerely protect and represent the law-abiding citizens and crime victims in East County,” says Doell. “He’s on the side of the people, not the bureaucrats. We need leaders for public safety in Salem. Matt is that leader.”

For More Information
Matthew Friesen (503) 960-1835

Dirty politics return to East County.

NW Connections – October Issue

Vote for Matt Wand

By Bill Flynn

Matt Wands opponent in the Oregon State Legislative District 49 election campaign needs to have a simple lesson in common decency. Civilized and respectable people do not tell lies. Apparently he never learned this. Many of us have by now received the mailings from Matt Wand’s Democrat opponent. He knows Matt Wand is winning the campaign race on his metrits including support for local jobs and building a stronger community. but since Wand’s opponent has so few merits, out of desperation he fi lls our mailboxes with lies and trash. I do not want to be represented by someone who can’t tell the truth. So I am not only voting for Matt Wand but after receiving the recent mailings from his opponent I am sending Matt Wand a check.

Local Jobs in East County is One of My Top Priorities

By Matt Wand

My goal as your next State Representative for East County is to focus on helping to create local jobs, here in East County. In the twenty years since the initial MAX line was built, it appears that East County has more and more become a “bedroom community,” with more and more jobs locating in downtown Portland, Beaverton or Hillsboro. Our industrial areas—such as the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park—have not developed to help foster additional economic growth. This leaves our neighbors sitting in traffic as much as one hour in each direction, or on the MAX for even longer.

The time that our neighbors spend commuting should be family time. Instead, it is wasted time, leaving us with fewer opportunities to be involved in community groups, or simply spending time with our own children. We will have a stronger community when all of us work closer to our homes.

I have been committed to this goal as City Councilor in Troutdale. During my time on City Council, I have helped establish the Troutdale’s Open for Business Plan, in which businesses can open in Troutdale or expand their existing businesses into empty storefronts for free or reduced planning, permit and inspection fees. We were able to enact this plan after learning that a local business was facing in excess of $20,000 in planning and permit fees to expand. I felt that was excessive, and that the first $20,000 spent by a business should be for employees, inventory and equipment—in other words, items that spur our economy, rather than government.

I also promoted a suspension of the scheduled increases in residential utility fees in 2009, and defeated a new gas tax, because the economy in 2009 was so poor that our neighbors needed relief. During this same time period, my opponent was voting 39 times to increase state taxes and fees, at a cost of $4.1 billion over four years. He voted to tax hospitals, which will likely increase the cost of health care. He voted for a 5% reduction in education funding, and then allowed the governor to cut another 9% in education funding without making an effort to stop it this summer.

He took away our right to vote on Multnomah County’s Vehicle Registration Fee that hits our poorest neighbors the hardest, in order to pay for a new Sellwood Bridge that connects wealthy Portland neighborhoods. His proposal also took away $50 million in revenue sharing that would have come to the Multnomah County Cities from the fee. Although he claims to support East County receiving its “fair share,” in this instance he only made sure that Multnomah County and Portland continued to use East County as a revenue source for their own benefit.

East County needs representation that understands our community, that will stand up to other areas in our region to protect our interests, and to promote East County as the best place for new businesses to bring local jobs. I have a proven track record of doing just that, and I will take those values and strategy with me to Salem as East County’s next State Representative.

A Fresh Change for Salem

Editorial in the Public Forum Section of NW Connections – October Issue

State government is in a real malaise. Government has budgeted far more than they are receiving in tax revenues. With few exceptions state leaders have been very slow to respond in a devastating economic downturn that has affected all of the private sector and left thousands of families without jobs.

However, a fresh breeze is blowing from Troutdale. Enter candidate for State Representative Matt Wand who is running for District 49. District 49 incorporates the cities of Troutdale, Wood Village and Fairview and adjoining neighborhoods. Wand is currently serving with distinction on the Troutdale City Council.

Matt’s desire and goal is to make Oregon inviting and open for business. There is much room for improvement here. Oregon’s shortfall in state revenue and ruinous private sector job losses, he believes, are the direct result of a less than business friendly attitude in Salem. His vision is to start by reducing barriers to businesses. Budget priorities such as public safety and education are crucial, but raising taxes in a struggling economy when families are hurting and businesses are failing will only further weaken our economy.

Wand brings experience, tenacity and a keen insight into how government should work and will prove to be a positive and innovative leader in representing the people of our East County cities.

To download a .pdf of the NW Connections, October issue, click here!

Letters to the Editor: Oct. 2, 2010

Oct 2, 2010  |  greshamoutlook.com

Wand is right kind of person for the Legislature

Having taught at Reynolds High School for 30 years, I have an insight into one of the candidates for state representative, District 49, in the Troutdale area.

Matt Wand has helped me coach the Reynolds High Mock Trial team for the past 10 years. He gave freely of himself to my students (twice a week 3:30 to7 p.m. … oftentimes running out to attend a council meeting), to me (countless tutorials), and to other teams (serving as a judge for practice sessions) and to the newly formed speech team that he has help resurrect.

He has mentored all types of students (from gang “wannabees” to honor students). He has shown his commitment to public education by actions rather than words. He has been an active voice in Reynolds School District issues. I don’t agree with some of his political views but I know the type of person Matt is. He is more than a politician – he is a good citizen.

He honestly wants to make a difference rather than make a political statement. We need decent and honorable people in Salem who are role models to others.

Don’t believe me? Ask the more than 200 students he has impacted.

Rick Stern

Teacher at Reynolds High School 1976-2006

Oregon House Democrats attack Troutdale Republican

Wouldn’t it be nice to receive a political mailer that says, “Vote for me. Here’s how I will help our community.”

The latest mailer from Future PAC (Oregon House Democrats) is another element of an organized smear campaign against Matt Wand, a Troutdale Republican running for the Oregon Legislature. As expected, the mailer paints Matt as a villain. There’s even a special box titled “Fact Check.” It would have helped if the “Fact Check” box contained facts. Alas, it doesn’t. I know this, because I attended the Troutdale City Council meetings and the Budget Committee meetings in question. The authors of the mailer didn’t.

Perhaps someday I will receive a mailer from the Oregon House Democrats (registered as Future PAC) that actually points out what their candidate has accomplished. If all they can do is throw mud at Matt Wand, then their candidate must be pretty weak.

Matt has not thrown any mud. He’s plugging away, door to door, offering his services. I’ll vote for Matt in District 49.

Mike Goss

Troutdale

Kahl Smear Campaign Continues Against Wand; Tries to Distract From Own Vote History

For Immediate Release
Oct 1, 2010                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                    
Kahl Smear Campaign Continues Against Wand; Tries to Distract From Own Vote History

Troutdale, OreOn Tuesday voters received another mail piece from FuturePac and Nick Kahl, this time accusing Matt Wand, attorney and Troutdale City Councilor, of voting in favor of cuts to fund public safety projects, as well as voting in favor of raises for City Council members.

“It’s ludicrous to accuse me of both these items at all, let alone with no proof,” says Wand, who has also served six years on the Troutdale Budget Committee. “Not only did I vote to fully fund the police budget, but we actually added additional items back into the plan.”

In fact, the public safety budget actually increased. For 2009-2010, the budget was $3.7 5 million. The Council voted to increase the budget for 2010-2011 to $3.83 million, including an increase over the Police Chief’s initial request to the committee in the amount of $16,800.  All six citizen members of the Troutdale Budget Committee have joined in a statement stating in part “[t]he truth is, the committee never cut the police budget, in fact it increased it.”  The citizen members of the committee are Tanney Staffenson (Chair), Mike Goss (Vice-Chair), Robert Canfield, Brian Sheets and Todd Pilcher. 

Kahl falsely accuses Wand of cutting the police budget in order to give himself a raise, an accusation that is not only entirely false, but is not documented anywhere even though the mail piece says its from Council minutes. In fact, Wand immediately signed the necessary paperwork to decline the stipend.

Not only did the Council not add a slush fund as Kahl accuses Wand of, they did exactly the opposite by adding substantial oversight of councilmember and mayoral expenditures and eliminated most areas of reimbursement for elected officials throughout the city in favor of the $600 per year stipend.  “The [stipend] has actually saved the taxpayers money,” according to the Citizens’ statement.  Troutdale elected officials are now required to seek pre-approval for any reimbursable expenses, and the $600 stipend covers all personal expenses incurred on city business except in limited circumstances.

The most interesting part of this particular attack is that Kahl himself has proven he is not fan of public safety or increasing funding for it. During the 2009 legislative session:

Nick Kahl voted to undermine voter-approved Measure 57 that toughens sentences on career property criminals and identity thieves. His vote granted early release to hundreds of convicted criminals (HB 3508).

Nick Kahl voted to cut funding for programs that train our police officers and sheriff’s deputies (HB 5041).

Nick Kahl voted to cut funding for Oregon State Police criminal investigations and forensics services (HB 5037).

“I find my opponent’s attacks not only laughable, but appalling considering his own voting record related to public safety,” says Wand. “His attacks this time are uneducated and poorly researched. They are clearly grabbing at anything they can to attack me, and to avoid the fact that Rep. Kahl has a poor record on crime—not me.”

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