When in need of a ‘mugshot’

Jerry Valencia caught me with an over-the-hill cell phone.

This Lowell contractor was en route to Eugene to bid on a University of Oregon project, and I needed what we call in the trade a “mugshot” of this Lowell School Board candidate prior to the May 18 special election.

I was unaware that Maureen Withers, “The Bridge” editor, was formatting a head-and-shoulders photo for use by The Herald. So, I checked the internet, found Valencia’s phone number and caught him westbound to Eugene on Highway 58.

Yes, he could send me the photo I needed.

“What’s your cell phone number?” he asked.

“Aaaaaaah, I have a cell phone, but it is one of the original models.”

I knew what Jerry was thinking: “This guy calls himself a journalist, and he doesn’t have a cell phone that can . . .”

Being in the construction business, Jerry obviously knows how to deal with unexpected challenges, which he did in my case.

“Send me your email address,” he instructed.

Which I did.

And his “mugshot” showed up a moment later.

I must confess that I was impressed by the way that Jerry handled what obviously was a relatively minor challenge in his day. This guy may have been up to his elbows with pressing work challenges but remained courteous in dealing with an over-the-hill journalist in solving a problem.

A week later, Jerry failed to replace Jim Chapman for a four-year term on the school board in Lane County’s special election. This was one of a record number of Oregon school board races stemming primarily from issues related to the pandemic and social unrest. Three Oakridge board positions also were contested in the Highway 58 corridor.

The central issues for Jerry were answered in questions asked of all Lowell candidates prior to the election:

“I am running for the Lowell School Board because I want to continue our collaborative relationship for the betterment of all Lowell students and to make sure we are preparing students for the next phase of their life.”

He explained later during an interview that collaboration with Mountain View Academy and the Bridge Charter School are high on his list because they represent the student and monetary resources he believes are essential to the Lowell School District.

I also was interested in learning more about another statement this 56-year-old contractor made in answer to questions asked of all candidates prior to the election:

“Athletics changed the direction of my life,” he wrote.

As one of seven children in a family that moved continually and as a kid who was constantly in trouble, he discovered that a move to Creswell and an introduction to wrestling changed his life.

“I found that I could take my rage out on my opponent on the mat rather than get in trouble,” he said during the interview.

After winning the state freestyle championship in the 118-pound class, Jerry received a University of Oregon scholarship and wrestled until he realized that a carpenter at that time made more money than a teacher he thought he wanted to be. So, he began learning the trade.

On June 17, 2007, he established the Bridge Contracting Co., which now employs 40 people and is located in Lowell where he and his wife Julie, reared three children. She serves as chairperson of the Mountain View Academy board of directors.

Meanwhile, Jerry has volunteered with the wrestling team and as a football game announcer at Lowell High School.

All of which sounds to me like a success story.

Which leads me to something that Jerry wrote in his pre-election statement:

“I believe in hard work, being proactive, and I know that it’s never too late to make a difference. I want each Lowell graduate to know there are multiple paths to success and whether they choose a trade, college or military, the foundation they are building in our school district will set them up for success.

“Finally,” he added, “as a business owner, I strive to be proactive and develop solutions before problems occur.”

As an over-the-hill journalist without a cell phone that can transmit “mugshots,” I figure that Jerry Valencia walks the talk.

Longtime Oregon journalist Dean Rea, widely known for his years as a University of Oregon journalism educator and editor at The Register-Guard in Eugene,  serves as a founding board member, correspondent and columnist for The Herald.