Balensifer is role model

I was deeply disappointed with how The Daily Astorian treated Henry Balensifer, candidate for Warrenton City Commission Position 2 (College prank follows Warrenton candidate, Oct. 3), and would like to share with its readers as to the true character of this young man.

Character is something defined through repeated action, not an individual error. Here is but a glimpse into what he has done for this community:

At 15, he founded a nonprofit and raised half a million dollars worth of support in a year and a half. Active as a leader in several clubs at Warrenton High School, he received the WHS Excellence Award for completing nearly 2,000 hours of community service before graduating. His most recent means of placing Warrenton into a national spotlight was the construction of the nations first rain powered hatchery at our high school. 

He is also familiar with the area and its civic leaders, but has probably more political connections at the federal and state level than most candidates. When 17, he was appointed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski to the Oregon 150 Commission. Not only was he the youngest member, he rose to chair a committee that was his brainchild. 

He managed a successful county commission campaign and is a trained community development facilitator and a certified mediator. Now he is a planning commissioner, fighting to keep our town locally controlled.

That all said, he cares for our city and has contributed a significant amount of his life to make Warrenton a place our citizens can be proud of, and our children can hope to be a part of.     

Henry Balensifer is a great role model to all young people who desire to serve the community in which they have grown up. Great job, Henry.