Summary of recommendations.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Following is a summary of recommendations The Register-Guard has made to voters for next Tuesday's election. The editors are fallible human beings who stand an average chance of being wrong. However, these recommendations are made after sincere appraisals of the choices on the ballot. Recommendations are made in contested races only. An archive of news articles and editorials relating to the election can be reviewed at www.registerguard.com.

Lane Community College Board

Zone 2: Anthony "Tony" McCown - McCown, a recent Lane Community College student body president, would bring a consumer's perspective to the LCC board. At 24, McCown already has an impressive record of public service on the Lane County Budget Committee, the Eugene Planning Commission and in other positions of responsibility.

At-large: Roger Hall - With three veteran members retiring, the LCC board will need experienced leadership. Hall, seeking a fifth term on the board, is well-equipped to provide it.

Springfield School Board

Position 4: Garry Weber - Weber has served on the Springfield School Board for eight years, the last three as chairman. He has helped guide Springfield schools to a period of stability and is well-prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that improved finances offer to the school district.

Bethel School Board

Position 6: Ginger Poage - Poage may be the longest-tenured school board member in Lane County, with 24 years' service on the Bethel board. She is entitled to share the credit for the successes in the well-run Bethel School District, and has ideas for further improvements in what she says will be her final term.

Lane Education Service District

Position 4: Michelle Holman - Holman has served on the Mapleton School District since 1989, and joined the ESD board eight years ago. Smaller school districts are especially reliant on services provided by the ESD, and Holman is well-prepared to ensure that their needs and perspectives are understood.

At-large: Chuck Forster - Forster, executive director of the Lane Workforce Partnership, is the ESD's adviser on education and training. His background will make him a strong contributor to the ESD board, and his familiarity with ESD operations will permit him to become effective the day he takes office.

Lane County measures

Measure 20-129: Yes - As Congress and the White House wrangle over an Iraq war funding bill that includes a temporary renewal of payments to counties with federal timber lands, Lane County is approaching a financial calamity. Measure 20-129 would allows the county to collect an income, providing insurance against an end to federal payments and stability for a chronically underfunded public safety system.

Measure 20-130: Yes - This measure would amend the Lane County Charter to cap the income tax rate at 2 percent, putting to rest any possibility that future county commissioners would raise the tax beyond that level.