Heppner gazette-times., May 13, 1992, Page SEVEN, Image 7

Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 13, 1992 - SEVEN
County Judge candidates------------
Ann Spicer, Heppner attorney,
and Stan Mills, an Irrigon farmer,
will face each other in the May
19 Democratic primary election
for the six-year term as Morrow
County Judge.
Winner of that race will oppose
Republican incumbent Louis
Carlson, in the November general
election.
£
Louis Carlson
Incumbent Louis Carlson, 62,
Heppner, has lived in Morrow
County all his life. He and his
wife Betty, have four grown
children.
Carlson has been county judge
for six years. He attended Oregon
State University for two years.
Carlson is a Port of Morrow
commissioner, an Oregon Wheat
League state president, chairman
of Agricultural Stablization and
Conservation Service Community
committee, chairman of the Na­
tional Association of Wheat
Growers Transportation Commit­
tee and a member of the Oregon
Rural Development Council. He
is a member of the Valby
Lutheran Church.
Carlson said he has six years
of experience of dealing with all
departments of county govern­
ment, “ excellent working rela­
tionships with legislators, and
personal relationships with na­
tional delegation and an ability to
create production.”
“ Much has been said about
economic development during
this political year. Almost
everyone expresses ideas on what
they might do if elected,” com­
mented Carlson. “ The real issue
on economic development is”
what are their past ac­
complishments, and what are
their present accomplishments?”
Since the press has asked for
qualifications in this area, this
candidate has listed the following:
Port of Morrow Commissioner
for 12 years. As port of commis­
sioner, assisted in developing
policy and negotiated for: 1. an­
nual revenue from the Portland
General Electric Coal Fired plant;
2. developed financial package to
build potato processing plant as
well as effluent disposal system;
3. developed financial packages
for alfalfa cubing plant;
developed port dock facility for
ag. products; 4. negotiated the ac­
quisition of 2500 acres on Boe­
ing held land, including the
Boardman Airport.
“ This candidate was a charter
member of the Columbia Im­
provement District (CID) that
purchased the primary irrigation
system capable of delivering
140,000 gpm to 17,500 acres that
are now under irrigation pro­
viding produce and jobs for Mor­
row County.
“ This candidate spent four
years on the executive committee
of the Oregon Wheat Growers
League. While president, was a
member of the team that coor­
dinated efforts between Oregon
State University, the Mexican
Government, and the Rockefeller
Foundation to develop varieties
Stephens Wheat. Was on Gover­
nor Trade Mission to East Asia
1984 to develop trade for wheat
and specialized wood products.
Completing six years as Mor­
row County Judge and member
of the county court: 1. secured
permission, binding and comple­
tion of Paterson Ferry Inter­
change. Put together cooperative
effort between private, county,
state and federal agencies to
finance project; 2. built a work­
ing port/county relationship; 3. a
team member which negotiated
excellent financial package for
Morrow County with Tidewater
Barge Company for Finley But­
tes Landfill; 3. arranged for
South Morrow garbage transfer
station completion; 4. assisted
team effort in third phase of
Willow Creek Forest Highway to
Cutsforth Park; 5. developed
four-year working road plan for
Morrow County; 6. advocate for
Senior Citizens; 7. vice chair of
Community Action Program East
Central Oregon (CAPECO)
dedicated to low income and han­
dicapped; 8. vice chairman,
Oregon Rural Development
Council, linking federal, state and
corporate resources to Rural
Oregon; 9. advocate on county
court for County Medical Board
to administer health care fairly to
all citizens; 10. responsible for
policy of no growth tax levies.”
Stan Mills, an Irrigon farmer,
has been an Irrigon resident for
the past 14 years. He graduated
from school and attended college
in Idaho. While a resident there,
he was a member of the school
Rudy M urgo----------------------
He received 26 out of 64 votes
for judge in a recent bar poll.
‘ ‘The current judge has been on
the bench for nearly 25 years,”
Murgo said. “ It's time for a
change. Voters need to think
about what innovative things
they’ve seen come out. Not
many,”
The role of judges is changing,
Murgo said, but “ people are still
looking to the courts for stability
and security.” He said Courson
is the presiding judge over a
system in “ disarray” with ‘a lot
of adverse publicity that is not
good for the legal system or the
community.”
He said his blend of public ser­
vice and public sector law over
the last 17 years has given him the
experience necessary to offer
“ faithful, impartial and diligent”
service as a district court judge.
Murgo said Courson is "soft”
on drunken drivers and people
charged with drug offenses.
“ My opponent has a long
history of being soft on the
sentencing of persons charged
with offenses involving substance
abuse,” Murgo said. A review of
sentences shows that in many
cases, Courson sentenced con­
victed drunken drivers-those who
had been through the system at
least twice-to two days in jail and
a fine of $560.
“ These are the people who will
become the person killing
themselves and others to the tne
of 22,000 lives a year," Murgo
said. “ Yet, my opponent has ap­
parently rarely suspended their
driving tabs, has rarely, if ever,
ordered alcohol/drug treatment
including abstinence and imposes
sentences that appear to be the
most lenient in the region and
may be the most lenient in the
state.”
“ I believe people will find me
to be a hard-working judge with
a common sense approach to the
law. I will work hard to see that
the laws are enforced. My per­
sonal view is that the victims of
crimes must be protected and that
Oregonians have a right to be
protected from crime.”
Murgo said he would develop
sentencing models that include
community service hours, a con­
sequence used by many other
courts through the region “ but
not by my opponent.”
Murgo said it is important that
the legal system is accessible for
Oregonians. “ They need to be
trated with respect and have a
strong appreciation for the
valuable role that a properly func­
tioning judiciary earns,” Murgo
said. “ The courts are for the peo­
ple, not the judges.”
Murgo said he would consider
a night court, he will put a higher
priority on collecting fines and he
will be cognizant of victims’
needs and schedules.
In light of Courson’s challenge
to sentencing guidelines, Murgo
said he will follow the law. “ I
argued against sentencing
guidelines as a lawyer and as a
district attorney. I don’t like them
personally, but if that's the law,
that's the law.”
board budgeting committee, a
volunteer fireman and was active
with the little league program.
Mills is currently serving his
second four-year term as an Ir­
rigon city council member. He
has been active with community
events such as the Irrigon
Watermelon Festival and the an­
nual July 4th fireworks.
“ Water issues for the growing
north end industry as well as ade­
quate services for the North-end
population growth are key
issues,” Mills said. He added that
he knows many people in the area
and is familiar with their needs.
Mills said that since he has cut
back on his farming enterprise, he
would have time to serve as a
commissioner.
C
Annetta L. Spicer
Annetta L. Spicer, 41, Hepp­
ner, has lived in Morrow Coun­
ty 15 years. She and her husband
William J. Kuhn, have two
children 13 and eight.
Spicer has been an attorney for
15 years and has a doctor of
jurisprudence degree from Lewis
and Clark Law School in 1977
and a bachelor of science degree
from Portland State University in
1972. She has a private practice
in Heppner with her husband.
Also an attorney.
She was Morrow County
D istrict
A ttorney
from
1980-1982. Spicer is a member
of the Soroptimist club, the Hepp­
ner Economic Development
Corp., Heppner Vision 2000, the
Heppner Chamber of Commerce
and is a 4-H leader.
She has also been active on at­
torney volunteer committees on
ethics and is the chair of the con­
tinuing
legal
education
committee.
“ I have gained an understan­
ding of the current issues facing
local governm ent through
representation of cities and the
M orrow
County
School
District,” said Spicer.
“ Measure 5 has devastated
budgets of the Morrow County
cities,” she said. “ The Morrow
County Judge must assume a
leadership role in developing a
partnership with Morrow Coun­
ty’s cities to alleviate Measure 5
problems. The current judge has
offered no assistance or leader­
ship for Morrow County’s
cities.”
“ The county judge must
become active in economic
development, both to provide
jobs and replace the revenue lost
under Measure 5. There are
monies available to help with
economic development if the
county has a plan,” she added.
“ As judge, I would develop an
economic development plan.”
“ The county must do long
range departmental planning par­
ticularly in the road and medical
departments. Longer range plan­
ning on roads is necessary so
repairs are made routinely to
reduce the costs of rebuilding.
The hospital and medical centers
need planning to keep and im­
prove the services offered. The
county judge must build an ade­
quate communication bridge with
the medical board to better assist
the board and the various Mor­
row County communities to meet
future medical needs.”
“ My legal background makes
me better qualified to handle
juvenile court matters.”
“ The county judge needs to
take an active role in environmen­
tal issues to protect our resource
based economy. The ranch and
timber industries need the coun­
ty judge to take a viable, active
leadership role in dealing with
state and federal agencies,” con­
cluded Spicer.
Morrow County Commissioners race
Two Republicans, John Prag
and Ed Glenn, both Boardman,
will vie May 19 for a spot in the
November general election for a
four-year term as Morrow Coun­
ty Commissioner.
In November the Republican
primary winner will face the
dem ocratic candidate Don
McElligott and incumbent Gerry
Peck, Independent, if he files for
the position. McElligott is unop­
posed in the primaries. Because
Peck is an independent he doesn’t
have to file for the position until
June.
John Prag
Ed Glenn
Ed Glenn, republican, 51,
Boardman, has lived in Morrow
County 18 years. He and his
wife, Frances, have two children,
21 and 18.
Glenn has been publisher of the
Columbia Valley Chronicle
weekly newspaper for the past
three years.
He received a doctor of
jurisprudence degree from the
University of Oregon in 1971 and
a bachelor of science degree from
the University of Oregon in
1969.
Glenn has been a member of
the Morrow/Umatilla Regional
Strategies committee, chairman
of the Morrow/Umatilla Employ­
ment Training Council, ■,a
member of the LaGrande SbhooF
Board, president of the Boardman
Chamber of Commerce and
secretary of the Columbia River
Walleye Circuit.
“ Everyone who has read my
writings knows exactly where I
stand on the important issues
around the county because I face
those issues head on,” said
Glenn. “ I represent an alternative
to the politicians who waffie on
the issues, dodge the hard pro­
blems and fade out when tough
decisions have to be made. As
your representative, I will gather
the facts, consider the conse­
quences, seek your advice and
then take a position that is clear
and precise and then well
known.”
“ You’ll never have to guess
where I stand on the important
issues that affect you, either
before or after the fact.” added
Glenn. “ Like everyone, though,
I make mistakes once in a while.
When I do, I have the courage to
admit it, and step forward to try
to correct it.
“ Morrow County is at an im­
portant cross roads with Measure
5 making it very hard for our
cities to continue the level of
community service they have pro­
vided in the past. Parks, libraries,
police and fire protection are all
in jeopardy. I think the county
must become more active in this
area, or these important parts of
life in the county will suffer.
“ Other services like roads,
medical service and county
government itself, require a new
look. We must meet the need for
those services, wherever in the
county it arises, without waste,
petty jealousies or political favor.
“ Harmoney throughout the
county is essential. A balanced
representation of the whole coun­
ty is important to that harmoney.
With support across the county,
I can best continue the 40-year
tradition of broad representation
on the county court.”
" I ’d appreciate the opportuni­
ty,” concluded Glenn.
John Prag (R), 57, Boardman.
has lived in the county for ap­
proximately 20 years. He is mar­
ried to Lynn Logan and has two
grown sons and an 11 year old
daughter.
Prag has been a realtor and Don McElligott
Donald McElligott, 73, is the
agri-business man for more than
democratic candidate seeking the
30 years. He is self employed.
position of County Commis­
Prag received a bachelor of
sioner. He and his wife Eunice
science degree in business ad­
live in lone and have 11 grown
ministration from the University
children and 11 grandchildren.
of Oregon. Prag is the chairper­
McElligott has been a rancher
son for the Morrow County
for 46 years and has a degree in
School Budget Committee and is
business administration from the
a city of Boardman Planning
University of Portland. He has
Commissioner.
been a member of the lone School
He is past president of the local
Board, the Morrow County
Board of Realtors; director of
School Board, chairman of the
State Realtor Association; past
lone Rural Fire District Board
president and chairman of the
and secretary-treasurer for the
Boardman Chamber of Com­
lone Rural Fire District. He is a
merce; past chairman of Oregon
former Morrow County Judge.
Business Week for Morrow
A long-time head of the Long
County and Morrow County
Creek
Cattlemen’s Association.
chairman of Oregonians in Ac­
McElligott has experience in
tion, a private property rights
government, three years ex­
land use group. He has been a lull
perience on the executive com­
time volunteer for East Central
mission of Oregon Cattlemen’s
Association of Counties Com­
Association, five years on the ex-
munity Development special pro­
cecutive committee of JPTA Con­
jects and was instrumental in the
sortium (27 counties), organizer
transfer of items county develop­
of Counties Computer Group.
ment programs to the greater
“ During the next four years we
Eastern Oregon Development
will see the real fallout from
Corporation. He has served as
M easure 5 ,” com mented
GEODC director and loan com­
McElligott. “ Increasingly state
mittee member for several years
programs will be pushed down to
and is currently serving as an of­
the counties and the tough deci­
ficer of this regional non-profit
sions will have to be made about
organization.
which to abandon and which to
Prag lists paying for needed
try to cover and how to finance
government services under the
them.”
restriction» imposed by Measure
“ The county is also the last
5{
bulwark between the citizen and
Maintaining and increasing the
over-reaching federal bureaucrac-
viability of our local communities
tic regulation,” he said.
in the mid to late 1990s and
beyond. Obtain fair share of
regional government services;
and
Erosion of private property
rights from state imposed LCDC
Planning, DEQ and Department
of Water Resource Restrictions
Ted Sampson. Irrigon will op­
and Preservationists organizations
pose
incumbent Charlotte Gray
bent on destroying historic multi­
for
the
Morrow County Justice of
ple use of our forests, grazing
the
Peace
position. Gray has been
land and rivers as the major issues
elected
twice
since she was ap­
facing him as commissioner.
pointed
13
years
ago.
“ I believe economics can be
found in the operation of govern­
ment with minimal layoffs,
reductions of service or increase
in an individual’s taxes,” said
Prag. “ Modern management
techniques can be applied to
government as readily as they are
applied to industry. We need to
seek out and apply these techni­
ques to our Morrow County
situations.
“ Local government must make
the efforts to find the better ways
to accomplish the needed invest­
ment in infrstructure (roads,
schools, parks, libraries,
hospitals, medical services and
senior services) to attract new in­
dustry and give us jobs for
unemployed citizens,” he added. Charlotte S. Gray
“ These efforts start with increas­
Incumbent Charlotte S. Gray,
ed attention to business and 51, Heppner, has lived in Mor­
economic-community develop­ row County 16 years. She is mar­
ment. Locate regional service ried to David Gray and has two
facilities in Morrow County to grown sons.
even out delivery of services and
Gray has been Justice of the
provide stable government jobs to Peace for 13Vi years. She was
county.
court clerk for the city of The
“ Local government needs to Dalles from 1971 to 1976.
become more involved in and
Gray is secretary of the Justice
make more use of, local plann­ of the Peace Association and is a
ing to protect our private property member of the special courts ad­
rights, county government needs visory committee. She holds a
to join with realtors, cattle certificate of completion of a non-
operators, irrigators and land use attorney general jurisdiction
groups such as Oregonians in Ac­ course at the National Judicial
tion to help defend these rights College.
and to see that the government
“ The only promise I can make
pays for property right takings by is to continue to be fair and to
government action whether in its continue to do my very best for
own right or through bowing Morrow County,” commented
down to extreme preservationist Gray.
activities.”
Tod Sampson
Ted Sampson. 46. Irrigon, has
been a life-long resident of Mor­
row/Umatilla Counties. He has a
17 year old son and a grown
Justice of the
Peace contenders
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