Commissioner candidates address JoCo Republican Women in GP
From our weekly issue dated March 03, 2010
Simon Hare (Photo by Michelle Binker, IVN)
Two candidates for Josephine County Commission Position 1 made their pitches to some 20 people during the Thursday, Feb. 25 meeting of the Josephine County Republican Women at a restaurant in Grants Pass.
That position currently is held by Illinois Valley resident Dave Toler, who is seeking a second term. Five candidates had filed as of Friday, Feb. 26, and four are from Illinois Valley.
Tony Paulson, immediate past Cave Junction mayor, was scheduled to appear at the Feb. 25 meeting, but had to cancel at the last minute. Instead, a statement written by Paulson was read.
“An elected official is a servant for the people,“ Paulson said in his statement. “I believe that the rules and regulations that govern us need to apply to everyone equally. Those that are more vocal, or outspoken, should not be given special privileges or receive rewards.“
Paulson decried the use of local offices as a “stepping stone for those seeking political futures.“
“The government, whether local or federal, was not intended to be a career,“ Paulson said.
Also addressed by Paulson was the issue of funding for county government programs.
“I don“t think we will get through these tough times with our hands held out to the federal government,“ he said. “We need to be accountable for what resources we have.“
Simon Hare, 31, discussed his role of representing students before the Three Rivers School District Board of Education while a student at Illinois Valley High School.
Hare said that while at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, he was elected president of the choral department. His responsibilities included hiring a choral director and reorganizing a $50,000 budget to make it more efficient, he said.
After graduating from OSU in 2002 with a bachelor“s degree in business administration, Hare served as an intern with former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith“s office.
“You“d be surprised how many young people run the country,“ Hare said, adding that staffers often are the ones reading the bills and advising Congressmen on them.
For six years, Hare worked for the National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association (NRECA). He said that organization serves 47 million rural customers, boasts 860 co-ops nationally and covers 75 percent of the nation“s land mass.
Hare said he managed NRECA“s outreach department, which handled government relations. As such, he said, he worked in 44 states coordinating “best practices“ legislation and creating “win-win“ situations.
The development of a solid waste combustion system in Josephine County would provide many benefits, Hare said. It would give the county a revenue stream, eliminate the need for more landfills and create jobs.
While working for NRECA, Hare said, he toured three such facilities. He said that one, located in Virginia, employed between 30 and 50 people at family wages.
Many renewable energy sources come from rural areas, Hare said.
“That“s great for us,“ he said. “We can pick up some of that money.“
Hare said that economic development is key to the region“s success.
“I don“t want a community that“s just surviving,“ he said. “I want the business community thriving.“
Despite being the last candidate to file for commissioner, Hare said he has gotten to know a lot of people and gathered much support.
“That“s been really encouraging for me,“ Hare said.
Hare said he hoped his candidacy would inspire other young people to become involved in the political process and run for public office.
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