Arnie Roblan Named 2009 Legislator of the Year

SALEM—Representative Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay) has been named 2009 “Legislator of the Year” by the Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO). This selection was made to recognize Rep. Roblan for his “outstanding service during the 2009 legislative session,” according to an award letter from the Special Districts Association. Rep. Roblan will be the only legislator so honored this year.

“I’ve been proud to stand up for our coastal communities and make sure that our voice isn’t left out in Salem,” Roblan commented. “Too often it seems that Portland comes first and our communities are forgotten.”

Rep. Roblan was selected on the basis of his consistent efforts to assist the special districts along the south-central Oregon coast and throughout the state. Roblan’s actions and accomplishments include:

• Working for improved legislation regarding cancer presumption under workers’ compensation for career firefighters • Advocating for funding to assist projects of benefit to the south-central Oregon coast • Helping to achieve more equitable calculations for election costs • Helping to pass legislation to ensure special districts can continue to make their lands available to citizens for recreational use without fear of liability

Rep. Roblan will be formally presented with this award at noon on Saturday, February 6th during the SDAO Annual Conference at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center in Seaside, Oregon. Rep. Roblan is currently serving his third term in the Oregon Legislature, representing House District 9. Roblan is Speaker Pro Tempore of the Oregon House of Representatives and Chair of the House Rules Committee. He and also serves on the House Education Committee and the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities.