Elaine Bohlmeyer

Elaine Bohlmeyer

Bohlmeyer, Elaine (Democrat)

Phone: (928) 474-5587

Email: elaineforarizona@q.com

Website: www.elaineforarizona.com

1502 N. Far View Dr., Payson, AZ 85541

Age: 68 (8/10/41, Pawnee City, Nebraska).

Arizona since: 1962.

Occupation: Retired. School psychologist, Mesa Public Schools, 2000-05; school psychologist, Gilbert Public Schools, 1996-05; school psychologist, Baltz Elementary School, 1988-96; field health nurse, Cigna Health Maintenance Organization, 1976-86; public health nurse, Maricopa County Health Department, 1972-75.

Marital: Married (Delmar, retired educator).

Children: Two grown daughters.

Religious preference: United Church of Christ.

Education: Ph.D., educational psychology, ASU, 1988; B.S., nursing, ASU, 1972.

Political experience: Precinct committeeman; president, Democratic Women of Rim Country; secretary, Democratic Club of Northern Gila County; worked on the presidential campaign and AZ Democratic campaigns in 2008.

Memberships have included: Library Friends of Payson; ReadOut Program volunteer; Payson United Methodist Church chancel choir, handbell choir, and served on the Worship Committee and on committees of the United Methodist Women; previous member of National Association of School Psychologists; retired member of the AZ Association of School Psychologists; previously served on the Board of Payson Area Habitat for Humanity and as chairperson of their Family Partnership Committee; previously volunteer for Time Out (women’s and children’s shelter) and Payson Community Kids.

Interests: Hiking, reading, gardening.

Issues:

Political influence: President Obama.

Budget recommendations: I would increase tax revenue by encouraging businesses with jobs that pay and treat their employees well. I would cut money to correctional institutions by eliminating mandatory sentencing and exploring more uses for out-of-facility monitoring of non-violent offenders.

Other concerns: Strengthening public education and creating quality jobs.

Fiscal philosophy: I believe we should be making better long-term fiscal plans based on logic rather than short-term decisions based on emotions. I believe we should be investing more in education and health care, especially for children, as this will bring long-term benefits to our state. I think we should have a contingency fund for poor economic times and continue to be frugal in good economic times.

Background & experience: Both the disciplines of nursing and psychology emphasize use of the scientific method; that involves basing decisions on research and hard data. Both of these disciplines also emphasize collaboration, mediation and teamwork.

Prop. 100 sales tax: I favor the temporary sales tax because it is necessary at this time to offset the poor fiscal decisions made in earlier years.

Pro-life/pro-choice: I wish we lived in a time and place where women were never raped, all children were loved and cared for, and all men and women were financially, physically and emotionally prepared for being parents. I plan to work for such an environment in Arizona, and as we approach that environment, abortion will become increasingly rare. Until that is achieved, however, abortion must be safe and legal.

One last thing: I work very hard. I do my research, talk to knowledgeable folks of varying opinions, and get as many facts as possible before making a decision. Once I make a decision, I am relentless in pursuing what I believe to be the right thing.

Campaign Finance: public.