Illinois Valley News

A series of last-second filings has made the field for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 rather crowded.

Approximately 11 candidates have filed for the office, including incumbent Dave Toler. Some might be familiar to Josephine County voters, as they“ve run previously.

Grants Pass resident Ed Bowers ran for mayor in 2008, but has decided to throw his hat in the ring for commissioner.

“I know there are some good candidates in there,“ Bowers said. “But it was obvious that there really weren“t a whole bunch of things they were talking about that were really going to help the county or the citizens at all.“

Bowers said that he owned a general construction business in the 1960s. That Alaska-based firm spent the “70s working on municipal projects, such as schools and water plants, and made “machinery the size of a football field or bigger,“ he said.

Projects included joint ventures with foreign countries, many of which had differing forms of government, Bowers said. During its busiest season, he said, the company employed between 400 and 500 employees at family wages in occupations such as welding and pipefitting.

“I know a lot about business and how to be persuasive,“ Bowers said.

Also mentioned by Bowers is his experience serving on the Seattle Zoo Society“s Board of Directors.

Bowers said that he moved to Grants Pass to retire, but became politically active when that city“s officials began discussing plans for a river trail. The proposed trail went through Bowers“ property, he said, which prompted him to strongly oppose it and begin attending council meetings.

“We got that trail totally removed,“ Bowers said. “It was a hell of a fight.“

For the May 18 primary race, Bowers said that he “might do some fund-raising“ with signs and advertising on a limited basis.

“I will not throw a lot of money at this particular primary,“ he said. “If I“m fortunate enough to have success and get into a runoff, it will be a different story.“

Bowers said that during the campaign, he will avoid taking potshots at Toler.

“That“s not my style,“ Bowers said. “Besides that, so many people are after him that they will have to stand in line to take a number.“

On Monday, March 8, Grants Pass resident Dale Matthews filed his paperwork for the commissioner seat. Matthews ran for county treasurer in 2008 against long-time incumbent John Harelson.

For his platform, Matthews said that he would adopt policies to encourage new businesses to start their operations and insist on a five-year financial plan for the county. He said that his regular attendance at commissioner meetings throughout the past few years has given him insight into how the county runs.

“Since 2008, I have attended more Board of County Commissioner meetings than Dave Toler has,“ Matthews claimed. “In fact, I“ve attended more of those meetings than all the other candidates combined.“

In videotaping all those commission meetings, Matthews said that he has caught Toler “making false statements repeatedly.“

“We have research and proven details of agreements signed with pages missing, secret backroom deals, false reports to the Oregon Secretary of State and lavish lunches for “advisers“ on your tax dollars,“ Matthews said. “This must stop now.“

Grants Pass resident Jonathan Lesh was among those who filed on Tuesday, March 9.

Lesh moved to the area from Alaska approximately a year ago. He said that he spent most of his life as a commercial fisherman and building contractor.

“I“m interested in finding more jobs for the county and reducing the permitting and regulatory system that“s in place so free enterprise and free markets can begin to thrive here again,“ he said. “I“m interested in private property owners being able to use their property as they see fit in a conscientious manner.“

Merlin resident Eric Gade, 60, was born and raised in Josephine County. He owns a small native landscaping business.

Gade graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1968 and earned a bachelor“s degree in public affairs from the University of Oregon“s School of Community Service in 1972. He said that running for commissioner is his way to “give back to the community, which has supported me over these years.“

“One of my strengths, I believe, is my ability to get with folks that are diverse, sit down and work out plans to cooperate with each other to get our mission done,“ Gade said. “That“s one of the things I see as necessary in county government.“

Throughout the years, Gade has been active in the booster club at North Valley High School and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which focuses on habitat preservation.

Gade said that if elected officials were to place the principles of progress ahead of personalities, they would accomplish much more.

“I think that“s where a lot of problems arise,“ Gade said. “They have different personalities. They have different political backgrounds. As a result, that causes friction, which they don“t seem to be able to separate from the task that needs to be done.“

Politics in the county are “too polarized,“ Gade said.

“I can interject common sense and civility into this area of governance,“ he said. “It seems to be that when times are tough like this, we have to bond together and see if we can come up with some solutions.“

Gade said that he has been studying the county“s budget and talking to staff members, with more appointments pending.

Although Gade said that he doesn“t plan to spend much money on his campaign, he will appear at the Grants Pass Growers Market to engage in public outreach.

The last candidate to file for commissioner was 29-year-old Grants Pass resident Jadd Horban.

Horban graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1999. He served as a community service officer and patrol officer for the Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety from 2001 to 2004, where his duties included code enforcement, he said.

From 2004 to 2006, Horban worked as a finance manager for a car dealership in Klamath Falls. He also has worked in the insurance industry, and opened an automotive body supply business in 2006, he said.

Running for commissioner has “been on my mind for the last two years,“ Horban said.

“As I keep watching the problems we“re having with the O&C money and funding for the sheriff“s office and everything else the community“s going through with the recession, I felt compelled to do it,“ Horban said. “I think I have a unique set of skills that I could bring to the job.“

He said that his platform will include putting together a plan to lessen the county“s dependence on federal funding and increasing the use of the area“s natural resources. He said that he also would like to see county government become more responsive to citizens.

For his campaign, Horban said that he will solicit financial contributions from friends and family.

“I“m seeking alternative ways to get my message out there, so I“ll go through those avenues and hope to be successful that way,“ he said.

The other candidates in the race are Illinois Valley residents Tony Paulson, Simon Hare and Mark Seligman; and Grants Pass residents Jack Brown and Rycke Brown, who are not related.

A candidates forum has been scheduled for the county building in Cave Junction from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 25. The forum is co-sponsored by Illinois Valley News and I.V. Chamber of Commerce.

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