Jim Flurry

Name: Jim Flurry.

Age: 68.

Family: Five children, 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren.

Residence: Linda.

Occupation: Serving my third term on the Marysville Joint Unified School District, at Del Monte Corp. for the past 30 years, with the National Safety Associates. And I am a former teacher at Yuba Gardens.

Hobbies, interests: I love to fish, love to work and help people.

Where do you get your news? Appeal-Democrat and Sacramento Bee.

What brought you to the Yuba-Sutter area? I was born in Ukiah. My mom moved us to this area while my dad was serving in the military during World War II.

What keeps you in the Yuba-Sutter area? I believe in this area.

What do you like about the area? I like the people, the local flavor. I taught Yuba County history at McKenney.

What is the closest you've been to a famous person? Jon Bon Jovi, at a conference in Colorado. My friend's son had long hair — we thought Jon was him and tried to get him into the limousine.

If you were granted one wish, what would you wish for? That nobody would have to suffer through poverty.

What would you do with a million dollars? Help people, put the money in a trust fund. I have happiness. You can't beat that.

Who has had a strong influence in your life? My mentor Rex Rollins — he (and his family) took me in when I was homeless. He said "be the best at whatever you do," and pay it forward. I have mentored 11 kids.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? I knew in the fourth grade I wanted to be a teacher.

What are some of your fondest memories? Directing the Hershey Track Meet — I did that for 10 years. We built it into one of the five biggest ones in the nation. So many kids were involved, families and schools came together.

What would you like to see different in the community? Get rid of drugs; it bothers me so much. Have more job opportunities.

What is your pert peeve? People who do not want to help others when they have a chance. They would rather criticize than help out.

What do you like about yourself? That I'm committed to helping people and make a difference.