Candidates for commissioner address CJ crowd
From our weekly issue dated March 31, 2010
Nearly 100 people filled the county building in Cave Junction on the evening of Thursday, March 25 for a Josephine County commissioner candidate forum.
The forum was co-sponsored by Illinois Valley News and I.V. Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Vice President Terri Hill and Bob Schumacher from Illinois Valley Community Development Organization served as moderators.
All 11 candidates for Commissioner Position 1 were present, except for Jadd Horban. They fielded written questions submitted by the moderators and audience members that covered a wide variety of topics, including their qualifications, and funding for county government programs.
Grants Pass resident Ed Bowers spoke about his involvement with various city and county committees, and his previous experience running a large business in Alaska. That business often had more employees than the county has now, Bowers said.
Bowers said that he has a business plan for the county that is “conservative and achievable.“ He said that his plan includes the institution of performance audits to increase efficiency of county operations, privatizing and outsourcing some government functions, simplifying fees, and supporting existing businesses.
* * *
Rycke Brown, also a Grants Pass resident, proposed funding the county through a sales tax that would exempt food and medicine. That way, she said, the county would not have to rely on property taxes and fees, and could collect revenue from tourists.
She also suggested that the board of county commissioners be expanded to five members making $30,000 per year, with an elected county supervisor paid $90,000 annually.
“We have too few people for good representation,“ said Rycke Brown.
She also pledged to fight for residents“ rights and work on “cutting corruption“ in the county.
* * *
Jack Brown, a Grants Pass resident and Constitution Party of Oregon chairman, emphasized the use of natural resources to create jobs and fund county services.
He said that the county has vast mineral, agricultural and timber resources, which have been “put in a case where they can“t be used.“
“We can“t afford taxes because we don“t have jobs,“ Jack Brown said.
He said that the Siskiyou Crest National Monument being proposed by the Ashland-based environmental group Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands would lock up even more resources to productive use.
“If that happens, what“s going to be left““ he said.
* * *
Merlin resident Eric Gade said that a “selfless approach to politics“ is needed in Josephine County. He added that he would hope to fill the role of diplomat on the board of commissioners.
“We can“t argue,“ Gade said. “We can“t fight.“
Gade said that he has spent much time lately talking to the heads of many of the county“s departments.
“There are a lot of really great people that work for the county,“ he said. “I think they“re getting a bad rap.“
To fund county government, Gade said that a grant writer could be utilized and unused county property can be sold.
* * *
Illinois Valley resident Simon Hare said he is “uniquely qualified“ to be commissioner because of the “broad national perspective“ he developed while working as a lobbyist for the National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association in Washington, D.C.
Hare said that he has served on the board of directors of five national organizations and has experience bringing people together to serve rural residents throughout the country.
This election is an opportunity to take the county in a new direction, said Hare, who added that he would like to inspire younger people to be involved in politics.
“They“re the next generation for solutions,“ he said.
* * *
Grants Pass resident John Lesh said that being relatively new to the area, he brings a “fresh perspective“ to the commissioner race.
Lesh said that the state of Oregon has engaged in a “vicious attack“ on private property rights, and that the county should be “more autonomous“ from officials in Salem. He said that free markets create jobs, not government, and promised not to raise property taxes if elected.
If the county does not receive additional federal funds, Lesh said, it should reduce the services it provides to residents, live within its means and try to save money.
“We probably are over-serviced,“ he said.
* * *
Dale Matthews, another Grants Pass resident, said that he has been attending and videotaping commissioner meetings for the past few years. He blasted incumbent Commissioner Dave Toler for his vote on an $85,000 economic development grant intended to foster the growth of biofuel businesses in the county.
Matthews said that he would move all commissioner meetings to the Anne Basker Auditorium. He stated that commissioners must be “honest“ with the public.
* * *
Cave Junction resident Tony Paulson said that he had seven years of on-the-job training as mayor and a city council member. He said he would like to see it become easier for people to start their own businesses in the county.
On the subject of economic development, Paulson said that government is “not supposed to make you profitable.“
Paulson said that one of his main qualifications for the commissioner position is the fact that he is “not a professional politician.“
* * *
Selma resident Mark Seligman described himself as being fiscally conservative and socially liberal. He said that residents suffer from too many laws and regulations. He criticized Toler for his support of property tax increases.
Seligman, who said he supported Toler during the commissioner“s 2006 campaign, said that he would not raise taxes or fees, and would donate 10 percent of his salary to youth services.
* * *
Dave Toler, an Illinois Valley resident, listed many of his accomplishments. He said that they include $11.5 million in capital improvements for Three Rivers School District facilities while serving on its board of education, and three new stations for the Illinois Valley Fire District.
Also mentioned by Toler was a free youth program that he led, which served 200 children. He read testimonials from business owners in support of his work on economic development projects.
Toler said that 90 percent of his job consists of management duties. He said that many of his opponents have a “lot of political stuff“ on their literature.
“That“s not management skills,“ Toler said.
The Kerby Water District project was “floundering“ when he took office in 2007, Toler said, and is now reaching completion.
During his stint as commissioner, Toler said, the county has increased its law enforcement presence and has a higher bond rating and more reserves than it did before.
“These are the kinds of things I think we want,“ Toler said.
The primary election is set for May 18.
(All photos by Ali Madjdi for Illinois Valley News)
We want to hear from you!
Add your thoughts with the link below.
Comments returning soon!
Advertisement:
