Four challenge incumbent commissioner.Byline: JOE MOSLEY The Register-Guard SPRINGFIELD - This is the contest that was won by whisker-thin margins in 1994 and 1998, each time a two-person race. It's the spot on the five-member Lane County Board of Commissioners that was considered a "safe seat" for its incumbent, whose political career has been long and successful, yet it attracted four challengers in the May 21 primary election. And this campaign for Springfield's representative to the board may be either a mismatch or another horse race - depending on your point of view. "The biggest myth is that the incumbent's unbeatable," says Tom Atkinson, whose campaign has the highest profile of those challenging first-term Commissioner Bill Dwyer. But Dwyer sees the experience he gained during 12 years in the Legislature followed by election to the county board in 1998 - as a huge advantage. "There's no magic to this job," Dwyer says. "This job is knowledge, experience and hard work. It's compassion for the community as a whole, and not caving in to this interest or that interest." In addition to Atkinson - a Springfield School Board member who has also served on the Willamalane Park and Recreation District Board and as a Springfield planning commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle member - the contest has drawn political newcomers David Cole David Cole may refer to:
The cast of challengers includes the former police chief of Eastern Oregon's Prairie City Prairie City may refer to:
Atkinson's campaign became a full-time venture when he was laid off last week from his job as an account executive with Advanced TeleCom Group, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Dwyer, who won the commissioners' Springfield seat by upsetting three-term incumbent Steve Cornacchia four years ago, says he has more to do. The self-styled populist is still working his way down a list of objectives he laid out for himself when he took office. "I listed those goals, and I have them on the board in front of my desk," Dwyer says. "Some I've accomplished, and some I haven't - yet." Jaehnig, who has opened a business transporting people in "mental crisis" to the county's psychiatric hospital psychiatric hospital n. A hospital for the care and treatment of patients affected with acute or chronic mental illness. Also called mental hospital. , has won the endorsement of a union that represents county sheriff's deputies and considers his campaign reinvigorated re·in·vig·o·rate tr.v. re·in·vig·o·rat·ed, re·in·vig·o·rat·ing, re·in·vig·o·rates To give new life or energy to. re as a result. "I'm really excited about this now, and I was extremely discouraged a few weeks ago," he says. "I see myself definitely winning." Jaehnig says there's "room for improvement" on the county board, and he believes both Dwyer and Atkinson are too "abrasive" to be effective. He would prefer to work with various interest groups to identify common values and work toward acceptable solutions to the problems that come before the commissioners. "That's what I've done throughout my career, is bring people together," he says. Hinds entered public service as a high school sophomore when he helped plan the Springfield bike path, then was named to the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee two years later. He is a part-time graphic artist and is studying business at the UO. "Cooperation is the most productive thing we can do," Hinds says. "We need to cooperate, have fun and bring back a very strong sense of community. We have a lack of community, right now." Hinds sees positive interactions and the cultivation of opportunities - especially in dealing with youths - as keys to many of problems. He contends that jail overcrowding overcrowding overcrowding of animal accommodation. Many countries now publish codes of practice which define what the appropriate volumetric allowances should be for each species of animal when they are housed indoors. Breaches of these codes is overcrowding. , for instance, would be better addressed through volunteer programs that encourage good behavior Orderly and lawful action; conduct that is deemed proper for a peaceful and law-abiding individual. The definition of good behavior depends upon how the phrase is used. from young people than by the county's repeated, unsuccessful attempts to persuade voters to pay for jail expansion. "The best way to solve it is to build a strong community and provide leadership for citizens to get involved, and to hang out with kids and teach them the difference between right and wrong," Hinds says. "We need a solution that's actually going to happen, not just a bunch of rhetoric." Cole is a conservative in the Barry Goldwater “Goldwater” redirects here. For other uses, see Goldwater (disambiguation). Barry Morris Goldwater (January 2, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–87) and the Republican Party's nominee for mold, but also brings a bit of whimsy whim·sy also whim·sey n. pl. whim·sies also whim·seys 1. An odd or fanciful idea; a whim. 2. A quaint or fanciful quality: stories full of whimsy. to the five-way race. "If you see a sign for `Bachelor Dave,' that's me," he says. Cole's priorities as a commissioner would range from improving roads and adding sidewalks in the Game Farm Road area of northwest Springfield to encouraging a more frugal fru·gal adj. 1. Practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources. See Synonyms at sparing. 2. Costing little; inexpensive: a frugal lunch. budgeting program that would set aside money for future expenses and avoid the high cost of bonded debt. "We need to pay these things "These Things" is an EP by She Wants Revenge, released in 2005 by Perfect Kiss, a subsidiary of Geffen Records. Music Video The music video stars Shirley Manson, lead singer of the band Garbage. Track Listing 1. "These Things [Radio Edit]" - 3:17 2. as we're incurring them," Cole says. "Another issue is that the county is far too eager to grab hold of federal money, for any purpose - never paying attention Noun 1. paying attention - paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people); "his attentiveness to her wishes"; "he spends without heed to the consequences" attentiveness, heed, regard to the matching money (that's required from the county)." Atkinson, who has been active in the local Democratic Party, was one of three people nominated by the party last year to succeed former Springfield Mayor Bill Morrisette in the state House of Representatives after Morrisette was elevated to the state Senate. But county commissioners declined to act on the nominations because the nominees didn't include Terry Beyer, whose husband - Lee Beyer - started the political version of musical chairs when he left the Senate seat to accept an appointment to the Oregon Public Utilities Commission. Atkinson became a candidate for county commissioner after Gov. John Kitzhaber John Albert Kitzhaber (born March 5 1947 in Colfax, Washington) is a physician, member of the Democratic Party and former two term Governor of Oregon. He graduated from South Eugene High School in 1965, Dartmouth College in 1969, and then Oregon Health & Science University with a appointed Terry Beyer to the House. He has campaigned on a theme of bringing new blood to the board and has hammered existing commissioners - Dwyer in particular - on the issue of credibility and honesty. "It all gets back to integrity, and how some of the county commissioners conduct themselves," he says. TOM ATKINSON Age: 48 Family: Wife, D'Ann; three sons, one daughter. Government experience: Springfield Planning Commission, 5 1/2 years; Springfield School District Budget Committee, three years; Willamalane Park District Board, four years; Springfield School Board, in fifth year. Occupation: Former account executive, Advanced TelCom Group. Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Oregon, journalism; coursework in master's of business administration, San Francisco State University • • [ . City of residence: Springfield. Endorsements: Democratic Party of Lane County; Springfield City Councilor coun·cil·or also coun·cil·lor n. A member of a council, as one convened to advise a governor. See Usage Note at council. coun Dave Ralston; Springfield School Board members. Contact info: 747-4900; tom@tomatkinson.com; 6355 F St., Springfield, OR 97478. Latest book read: The fourth in the "Harry Potter" series Latest video rented: "Gladiator gladiator (Latin; swordsman) Professional combatant in ancient Rome who engaged in fights to the death as sport. Gladiators originally performed at Etruscan funerals, the intent being to give the dead man armed attendants in the next world. ." Biggest political influence: Ryan White Ryan Wayne White (December 6, 1971 – April 8, 1990[1]) was a young man with AIDS from Kokomo, Indiana who became a national spokesman for AIDS, after being expelled from school because of his infection. , the Midwest schoolboy with AIDS who fought to be allowed to remain in school with his friends. "It was for young people like that, I got involved in local government." Proudest accomplishment in public life: Balancing budgets and avoiding program cuts, for the most part, at Willamalane and the school district. DAVID COLE Age: 33 Family: Single. Government experience: U.S. Navy, four years. Occupation: Mechanical engineer, Heli Tech. Education: Coursework at Lane Community College and University of Oregon. City of residence: Springfield. Endorsements: None. Contact info: 741-0444 (home), 344-2304 (work). Latest book read: "Heat Treatment of Steels" Latest video rented: "I haven't rented a video in years." Biggest political influence: Barry Goldwater. "His book, 'Conscience of a Conservative,' is really groundbreaking - even though it was written before I was born." Proudest accomplishment in public life: "That I have yet to get a speeding ticket Ask a Lawyer Question Country: United States of America State: Ohio I was traveling on a two lane street with an officer driving toward me in the opposite direction. ." BILL DWYER Age: 67 Family: Wife, Janet; four sons, two daughters. Government experience: State senator Noun 1. state senator - a member of a state senate senator - a member of a senate , eight years; state representative, four years; member of Governor's Task Force on Disability Services, Oregon Commission for Women, Joint Children's Care Team Task Force. Occupation: County commissioner. Education: Coursework, Lane Community College. City of residence: Springfield. Endorsements: Lane Labor Council; Oregon League of Conservation Voters The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is an independent, nonpartisan political advocacy organization that was founded in 1969 by the noted American environmentalist David Brower. ; various Springfield neighborhood groups; various labor unions labor union: see union, labor. . Contact info: 726-0187; bdwyer@jb.com. Latest book read: "Ball Four," by Jim Boutin Latest video rented: "I don't have time; if I did, I'd go fishing." Biggest political influence: Franklin D. Roosevelt, for the social policies that led the nation out of the Great Depression. Proudest accomplishment in public life: Various bills he carried in the Legislature - including one that required licensing of mortgage brokers and another that was the predecessor to Oregon's current stalking Criminal activity consisting of the repeated following and harassing of another person. Stalking is a distinctive form of criminal activity composed of a series of actions that taken individually might constitute legal behavior. law. GARRETT HINDS Age: 20 Family: Single. Government experience: Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, member since senior year of high school and current chairman. Occupation: Graphic artist and University of Oregon student. Education: Sophomore studying business at University of Oregon. City of residence: Springfield. Endorsements: UO Sociology Professor Charles Hunt. Contact info: 747-6368; 830 N. Fifth St., Springfield, OR 97477; garrett@terramodus.com. Latest book read: "Honda SL125 Repair Manual" Latest video rented: "The Matrix." Biggest political influence: Mahatma mahatma (məhăt`mə, –hät`–) [Sanskrit,=great-souled], honorific title used in India among Hindus for a person of superior holiness. Mohandas Gandhi is the best-known figure to whom the title was applied. Gandhi, "because he reminds me to believe in idealism and that ... doing what is truly right is the best way to succeed." Proudest accomplishment in public life: Being the first student to chair the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. MARK JAEHNIG Age: 36 Family: Wife, Lisa; three daughters. Government experience: Law enforcement officer 10 years, including 3 1/2 years as police chief in Prairie City, in Eastern Oregon Eastern Oregon is a geographical term that is generally taken to mean the area of the state of Oregon east of the Cascade Range, save the region around The Dalles and sometimes Klamath County. The area around Bend is considered to be Central Oregon rather than Eastern Oregon. . Occupation: Owner of Secure Transport, which contracts with law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). to transport people in mental crisis. Education: Oregon Bureau on Police Standards and Training, specializing in community policing and child abuse investigation; coursework at Lane Community College and Central Oregon Community College Central Oregon Community College is a community college located in Bend, Oregon, United States. It primarily serves residents of Deschutes County and Jefferson County. External links
City of residence: Springfield. Endorsements: Lane County Peace Officers' Association. Contact info: 736-8762; fax 741-7799; securetrans@attbi.com. Latest book read: "The Floaters floaters /float·ers/ (flo´ters) “spots before the eyes”; deposits in the vitreous of the eye, usually moving about and probably representing fine aggregates of vitreous protein occurring as a benign degenerative change. ," by Joseph Wambaugh Joseph Aloysius Wambaugh, Jr. (born January 22, 1937, in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American writer known for his fictional and non-fictional accounts of police work in the United States. The son of a police officer, Wambaugh joined the U.S. . Latest video rented: "Colors." Biggest political influence: His mother "and her discomfort with the way this particular district was being run." Proudest accomplishment in public life: Being the youngest police chief in the state of Oregon, at age 30. CANDIDATES Q&A What are your top three priorities if elected? Atkinson: Economic development for creation of family-wage jobs, crime prevention through increased funding for corrections facilities and improving integrity on the board of commissioners. Cole: Long-term planning with the goal of cost-savings, a preferential hiring program for armed services The Constitution authorizes Congress to raise, support, and regulate armed services for the national defense. The President of the United States is commander in chief of all the branches of the services and has ultimate control over most military matters. veterans and better coordination of county services. Dwyer: A sensible solution to animal regulation that would reduce the euthanization of adoptable pets, enlist government and private resources in restoration of the Veterans Building on Willamette Street into a combined veterans' museum Veterans' Museum “Return to a moment in time when age meant nothing and freedom meant everything.” The Veteran’s Museum is located on the WWII, Dyersburg Army Air Base near Halls, Tennessee, 65 miles North of Memphis, and 13 miles south of Dyersburg, and living quarters for displaced veterans, and lay the groundwork for renewal of federal funding to the county in 2006. Hinds: Foster cooperation between local government, businesses and community members; make a strong case for renewal of federal funding in lieu of timber receipts in 2006; and creation of a strong sense of community through cooperative efforts and encouragement of fun, positive activities. Jaehnig: Enhanced law enforcement through an increase in rural police patrols, economic development and education. What are your thoughts and specific proposals for improving public safety in Lane County? Atkinson: Increasing jail capacity and shifting resources of sheriff's office from traffic control to crime prevention. Cole: Increased funding for corrections programs to prevent the early release and rearrest of habitual criminals habitual criminal n. under the statutes of many states, a person who has been convicted of either two or three felonies (or of numerous misdemeanors), a fact which may increase punishment for any further criminal convictions. . Dwyer: Work with the sheriff's office to create a countywide law enforcement district that would have its own, separate tax rate if approved by voters. Hinds: Use a renewed community spirit to create positive experiences for youths and reduce reliance on criminal justice options. Jaehnig: Support formation of a separate law enforcement service district that would provide increased funding through a stable, permanent property tax rate. What principles would guide your approach to addressing land-use issues? Atkinson: Adherence to the standards set by state law, with no allowance for political considerations. Cole: Logical development through adequate zoning for residential, commercial and industrial property. Dwyer: His "doctrine of reasonable expectations," developed while he served in the Legislature, requires that a person be able to use his land for whatever purpose it was zoned at the time of purchase. Hinds: Encourage urban development, with an eye on the area's high standards for livability and a need for high-quality, well-planned growth. Jaehnig: Sustained yield sus·tained yield n. 1. The continuing yield of a biological resource, such as timber from a forest, by controlled periodic harvesting. 2. The quantity of a resource harvested in this manner. and multiple use on resource land, with a balance between economic need and ecological necessity. What do you see as the county's main problem/obstacle/challenge? Atkinson: A credibility problem that is a reflection of some commissioners' conduct in office. Cole: Unfunded liabilities to employee pension and health benefit programs, and a failure to foresee such debts. Dwyer: The "unknowns" of impacts from state budget cuts and ever-changing debts to employee pension and other programs. Hinds: Jail overcrowding, and the county's reluctance to accept voters' rejection of measures that would have expanded corrections programs. The county should instead move toward programs and policies that would reduce crime through positive interactions and community leadership. Jaehnig: The need for family-wage jobs. What is the one thing Lane County government could do to most help residents in your commissioner district? Why is it important? Atkinson: Job creation and broadening of the area's economic base. Cole: Increase awareness of Springfield and its values. Dwyer: Shepherd the planned extension of South 42nd Street from Main Street to Jasper Road, to prevent motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents. Hinds: Encourage active citizenship Active citizenship generally refers to a philosophy espoused by some organizations and educational institutions. It often states that members of companies or nation-states have certain roles and responsibilities to society and the environment, although those members may not have and leadership in the building of a highly livable liv·a·ble also live·a·ble adj. 1. Suitable to live in; habitable: a livable dwelling. 2. Possible to bear; endurable: livable trials and tribulations. , economically stable community. Jaehnig: Work "honestly and ethically" to serve constituents and address their needs. CAPTION(S): INSIDE Candidate Q&A forum / 5D |
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