Rep Krummel to retire

From Rep. Jerry Krummel press release:

(Salem) “This is bittersweet for me,” said State Representative Jerry Krummel (R-Wilsonville) as he announced he will not seek re-election after five terms in the Oregon House of Representatives. “It’s been a true honor to serve the people of House District 26, but it’s time to concentrate on other things in my life.” The District covers Wilsonville, Sherwood, Gaston, Bull Mountain and most of Southern Washington County.

Krummel will further discuss his decision at two Legislative Town Hall meetings planned next week. The first is Tuesday August 7th from 6-8 PM at the Sherwood Police Station Community Room, the second is Wednesday August 8th from 6-8 PM at the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce.

Representative Krummel explained, “I am not seeking re-election because I need to refocus my energy on my teaching career. I will be engaged in continuing education for school administration.” He has been a licensed teacher in Oregon at both the K-12 and college level for over 25 years.

He was recently promoted to Master Teacher at Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) headquartered in Scio. He joined the school in the summer of 2005 as a social studies teacher. ORCA has now become Oregon’s largest on-line public charter school. “Becoming a Master Teacher brings more responsibilities to mentor less experienced teachers. It’s a great school and I’m looking forward to new opportunities ahead.”

“I plan to serve out the remainder of my current legislative term, fully participate in the Special Session in February 2008, and continue to assist constituents,” noted Krummel. During the 2007 Legislative Session, Krummel served as Vice-Chair of the House Education Subcommittee on Higher Education, and was a member of the General Government Subcommittee of Ways and Means. Over his 10-year legislative career, Krummel has built a reputation advocating for government accountability and pushing for Performance Measurements in the budget process.

The past two legislative sessions have been especially successful for Krummel. He passed a new law creating Oregon’s Sex Offender Web Site, established a landmark program to help residents facing closure of their mobile home park, and convinced the legislature to build a second veterans’ home which could be located in Wilsonville. Other hallmarks of Krummel’s legislative tenure include, protecting property owners on Bull Mountain from hostile annexation tactics, eliminating the Certificates of Mastery in our schools, and helping families in child welfare cases. Before being elected to the Legislature, he was Mayor of Wilsonville for six years. His biography is posted on his web site.

“It’s been a privilege to work for the voters of Oregon and especially my legislative area. I have never forgotten the importance of representing the concerns of all citizens,” Krummel said. “I want to thank all the people who’ve supported me over the years and those who’ve come to me looking for a way to change the law in order to make our state a better place for everyone. I especially want to thank my family without whose support I would never have been able to serve my district.”

####