Sonya L. Heard

OCCUPATION: Department Specialist 3 - Marion County Public Works

OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Administrative Support within Marion County Public Works, Dog Control, Environmental Services, and the Sheriff’s department. A small business owner, road construction laborer, and customer service representative.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: None Listed

PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: Candidate for Marion County Commissioner - Democrat Pos. 2 - 2002 Primary election.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Blanchet Cavaliers Parent Football Coordinator. Director – playwright Brush Creek Theater, McKinley Site Committee, Vice President Blanchet Cavalier Booster Club.

Friends of Marion County,

Drug use is on the rise in our communities, gang activity is forcing some of you to stay inside your homes, and the Sheriff’s department is overworked and undermanned while our Parole and Probation Officer’s case loads are rising. I want viable solutions, with viable accountability for the offenders; before, during and after incarceration. Our safety is a right, not a privilege.

As a parent of teenagers I am too often reminded of the ease in which they can find a case of beer, or a bag of marijuana. The resources available for the family unit are limited; we shouldn’t have to wait until our children are caught in the justice system to change their direction. We need programs for parents with children who are battling peer pressure, for teens who are on the edge of falling into the juvenile system; we need to attempt to change a child’s path before it’s too late.

Marion County needs to be financially accountable for every decision that is made. No more spending money on brand new buildings, while cutting vital services. If Marion County can’t afford it, we need to say no. End of story.

As Marion County Commissioner, I can’t promise that everything would change over night, but I can say that I would work hard at finding viable solutions to the problems we face today as a community.

Together, as a community, I believe that all things are possible.

Sonya L. Heard