Ward 6: Pishioneri.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Anyone looking for political pyrotechnics will be sorely disappointed by the contest for the Ward 6 seat on the Springfield City Council in the Nov. 2 general election.

The race features two candidates, both of whom have only positive things to say about the current council and administration. They can't find much to criticize about each other, either.

Both candidates, Debi Baker, who works for a consortium of academic libraries, and Joe Pishioneri, a veteran Lane County deputy sheriff, agree on the key issues confronting the city.

In interviews, the candidates sound as if they're working from the same script. Both agree the biggest challenge facing the city is managing growth. Both identify their top priorities as public safety and economic development. Both generally support the council's handling of PeaceHealth's efforts to build a regional medical center in the Gateway area. Both endorse the planned extension of Bus Rapid Transit along Pioneer Parkway. Both say the city needs to consider future expansions of its urban growth boundary to ensure there are adequate inventories of residential, commercial and industrial lands available for development.

Hold on, there's more: Both believe Springfield deserves a greater share of Lane County's road funds. Both support construction of a new convention center in Springfield. Both back city measures on the Nov. 2 ballot that would create an urban renewal district in Glenwood and authorize the city to build a public safety facility that includes a 100-bed municipal jail. Both are willing to reconsider the annexation of the city's fire department by the Willakenzie Fire District, as long as the city is up-front and clear with voters about tax impacts.

There are more "boths" to be mined here, but those are probably sufficient to convey the idea that there's little difference between Pishioneri and Baker on the issues.

If there is a difference between the candidates, it's in experience. Pishioneri has been a county sheriff's deputy for 18 years and was involved in creating the statewide standards that govern the operations of county jails across the state.

That law enforcement experience - and Pishioneri's familiarity and connections with Lane County government - would prove a valuable asset to the council, especially if voters approve the city's public-safety building/jail proposal.

While Pishioneri supports the city's decision to put the public-safety proposal on the ballot, he believes the city should proceed with caution before building the lock-up in the project's second phase. Before doing so, he says the city should make sure it has a solid grasp on operations costs and how to pay for them. Pishioneri's connections would also prove useful for the city in working with the county to work out a long-term solution to the city's - and the region's - needs for increased corrections capacity.

Both Pishioneri and Baker are solid candidates, but Pishioneri's law-enforcement experience gives him an edge. Voters should elect him to fill the Ward 6 seat on the council.