December 30, 2008

Commissioner reflects on 10 years of service

By SAM CRAIG
of The Chronicle

     When Sherry Kaseberg leaves office on Dec. 31, she’ll be leaving behind almost a decade of legislating.
     Kaseberg began her nearly ten-year tenure as a Sherman County Commissioner in March of 1999. Before becoming a commissioner, she served on the Wasco School Board, the Sherman High School Board and the Sherman County Planning Commission.
     Those posts, she says, taught her about process and policy, but her interest in local government, however, began much earlier than that.
     “I suppose the seed was planted when I was young,” Kaseberg said. “As a junior in high school, I attended Girls State, a week-long youth experience in government at the State Capitol sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.      There I memorized E.E. Hale’s ’I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something.’ As our children grew, I served as a Cub Scout den mother and 4-H leader.”
     While working on the various boards, Kaseberg saw an opening that needed filling and stepped up to throw her hat in the ring.
     “When a county commissioner resigned,” she said, “It seemed like a natural step and I was one of several who applied for appointment to the position. I was sworn in on March 17, 1999, knowing that public service, paid or unpaid, is an opportunity to do the most good for the most people with the resources at hand.”
     Kaseberg is proud of her time as county commissioner. She feels like she got a lot done, and is hoping her legacy will live on.
     “Policy, process, ethics and principles are the driving forces behind my work,” she said. “Based on my efforts, I’m pleased my colleagues approved policy development, job descriptions, a comprehensive plan, grant applications, the county’s operation of Sherman County Community Transit system and the county’s role in construction of the new Public/School Library.”
     “Having a strong commitment to a transparent process,” she continued, “public information and getting the facts out, I’ve served as editor of The Citizen-Reporter, publishing the county’s newsletter every other month using material submitted by local departments and regional agencies. With strong beliefs in capacity building, I’ve been advocating for and supporting leadership training.      Developing the new County website and logo was a grand adventure.”
     Though not born in Sherman County, Kaseberg moved to Moro in 1942 when she started first grade. She’s lived there ever since, save for her time in college, Oregon State University from 1955 to 1958, then she received a BA in General Studies from Eastern Oregon University in 1988. But she didn’t stay away for long. She now lives with her husband Larry about eight miles east of Wasco on their family farm.
     “In my youth, I worked on the farm for my dad and benefited from 4-H and Girl Scout programs,” she said. “Larry and I reared our four sons on his family’s farm where we raised wheat and cattle and I was a working partner. We’ve always been volunteers. I was serving on the board of trustees of the Sherman County Historical Society when the American Legion post donated their building for use as a Museum in 1983. I currently serve as the Museum Coordinator. I served on the boards of Oregon Geographic Names, Mid-Columbia Health Foundation, Deschutes River Task Force, and Maryhill Museum of Art.”
     One of Kaseberg’s big hopes for people is that they will become involved with politics in their own community.
     “Get involved,” she said. “Volunteer on an ethical, well-run, functional board to learn the basic roles of a board (policy and finance). Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and develop your capacity to serve. Get involved for the right reasons... a willingness to learn and serve without a personal agenda and with a strong interest in the mission and work of the organization. Gain an understanding of the shared nature of local, regional and state services, and build a strong network.”