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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories No cause determined in fire that destroyed historic house How has the drought affected you? City selects new Parks and Recreation director Wimer organic farm reaches out for support Business mural gets a reprieve Education Middle schoolers get a taste of college living Southern Oregon University Provost Klein retiring Environment How has the drought affected you? 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Lamb Sports Latest Stories Beavers will get another shot at Buckeyes SOU men voted CCC favorites Taking it to the limit Former Ashland High star Niki Small reunites with former coach Rohlfing at SOU Prepping for another powerhouse year High school Southern Oregon University Beavers will get another shot at Buckeyes SOU men voted CCC favorites Former Ashland High star Niki Small reunites with former coach Rohlfing at SOU Prepping for another powerhouse year Raiders ranked 22nd in preseason poll Opinion Latest Stories Letter at Length: Bravo to Ashland for water conservation Ashlanders step up A fresh start for the Tidings — and for Mount Ashland Talbert offers voters a choice Eye of the beholder could use some common sense Editorial Ashlanders step up Talbert offers voters a choice Eye of the beholder could use some common sense New Tidings debuts today ‘A good newspaper is a community talking to itself’ Letters Letter at Length: Bravo to Ashland for water conservation Letters to the Editor, Tuesday, Aug. 12 Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor Guest opinions A fresh start for the Tidings — and for Mount Ashland Republicans and the politics of cognitive dissonance Revels Latest Stories World of Wine celebrates local varietals 4 things to do this weekend Things to do At the Movies 'A Most Wanted Man' is full of complexities Theater Daedalus Project 2014 Randall Theatre opens 'Godspell' 'The Great Society' at OSF Impro Theater at OSF Green Shows Music 'On the Fly' Live 'on the bricks' Sweet Ghosts at Oberon's Tavern Days N' Daze at Club 66 Synrgy at Lounge South Visual Art First Friday art walk in Ashland Movies Varsity Theatre, Ashland Street Cinemas movie listings: Aug. 15-21 'Boyhood' and 'The Hundred-Foot Journey' 'A Most Wanted Man' is full of complexities At the Movies Not original, but it's nice Food and Drink World of Wine celebrates local varietals Coquina Restaurant Lifestyle Latest Stories Doesn't bug me: insects as tasty treats Hot time in geektown A master's view of love Historian presents intimate accounts of Modoc War Denis Arndt Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries NEWS NOW COMMISSIONER'S RACE Taking an independent stand Former SOU official Kevin Talbert hopes to draw support from both sides By John Darling for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling for the Tidings Posted Aug. 12, 2014 @ 2:01 am By John Darling for the Tidings Posted Aug. 12, 2014 @ 2:01 am » Social News Hoping to lure Republicans and Democrats alike, longtime higher education manager Kevin Talbert will run as an Independent for an open seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, emphasizing jobs and the economy — and eschewing his opponent’s main goal of cutting county spending.  Talbert, a registered Democrat, was nominated in June by the Independent Party of Oregon. No Democrat ran in the May primary, so Republican Colleen Roberts, thanks to write-ins, got the nominations of both main parties. Unlike Roberts, who has been a persistent critic of county government, Talbert said he thinks county government can be a force to help build a stronger community.  “After the primary, people saw the odds were stacked,” Talbert said. "People wanted and deserve a choice, someone optimistic, who can build things up instead of being critical about everything.”  Talbert, 67, retired after 26 years as Southern Oregon University’s director of continuing education, including six years as the school’s chief information officer.  He said he will court “business or moderate Republicans,” whom he contrasted with “constitutional conservatives” such as his opponent. He faulted the Roberts platform, saying it calls for constitutional government, transparency and spending cuts but offers few goals or programs.  “Commissioners should be non-partisan posts,” he said. "I say why should it matter what party you are when it comes to fixing roads and streets. Potholes are not partisan ... and when people are at the animal shelter with their dogs and cats, they don’t want to be treated based on party.”  Talbert, an elected member of the Rogue Community College board — and veteran of many other boards — said he’s familiar with such organizations and their players and, as commissioner, would encourage their collaboration to boost the county’s economy.  Talbert said the commissioners especially need to support education and bring the county's goals in line with economy-driven organizations, such as Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, the Southern Oregon Business Association, local chambers of commerce and regional colleges. Together, he notes, they can better host prospective businesses who might locate here, help mitigate land use barriers and adapt zoning to changing opportunities.  As a board member of the Rogue Initiative for a Vital Economy (THRIVE), Talbert says he understands and wants to include local agriculture, retail and industry in healthy growth — and emphasize value-added efforts, so the economy is selling laminated beams, not just logs. Another of his goals, said Talbert, is to bring county government “into balance” on public health and safety, with a focus not only on enforcement, but also rehabilitation, employment and building a good life.  “When I go out and meet people, they’re concerned about crime, property theft, drugs, gangs,” says Talbert. “But do jails and enforcement really make people safer?”  Referring to the courts, juvenile system and district attorney, Talbert said, “We don’t want their (offenders’) only encounter with the county to be arrest and jail. Let’s balance enforcement with prevention and diversion.”  Talbert disputed Roberts’ call to roll back commissioner pay to pre-2008 levels, saying salaries are in line with other growing Oregon counties.  “There’s a lot of frustration with government but it’s mostly the federal government,” said Talbert. “Jackson County has had good commissioners. Of all the O&C counties, Jackson is in the best position to move forward in the 21st century economy. Following cuts in the federal O&C timber payments, Talbert noted, the county is spending $25-30 million less than a decade ago and has several hundred fewer employees. Many operations, such as parks, Expo and the airport, have been put on a self-sustaining basis.  Talbert said there is already evidence of what would be in store if Jackson County were to budget-cut its way to the level of surrounding O&C counties. “Well, if you like what’s going on there, I suggest you vote for my opponent, because those counties have the kind of low-wage government she advocates. Commissioners should be paid at a competitive level that’s similar to other counties. They have a $300 million budget and it’s not smart to low-ball people who have oversight on that budget.”  Responding to Roberts’ vow to operate according to the Constitution,  Talbert said, “the commission and all governments have to be within the Constitution. I don’t understand this rationale of constitutional conservatives.” As for transparency, Talbert said the commission and all governmental bodies must adhere to state open meetings laws and “no one wants behind-the-scenes deals.” Talbert said his electoral strategy will be to get 42,000 votes by appealing to a broad spectrum of voters, because just netting Democrats will not be enough. He said he believes he can earn the support of moderate Republicans who may not be comfortable with Robert's brand of conservatism. “We need to appeal to the independents and non-affiliated voters,” he said. “Many Republicans in the county share my views, based on the importance of supporting local business... . I have a strong history as a consensus builder, working with people whose views might be different than my own.”  Although an Ashlander, Talbert touts his rural credentials, noting he grew up milking cows and baling hay in Minnesota, lives in the country on North Valley View Road and was a leader in the successful May ballot measure to get a tax base for the Extension Service. He and his wife are dog lovers, having fostered 43 dogs and kept two of them, he adds.  After three years in the Peace Corp in Nigeria and service in the U.S. Army in Ethiopia, Talbert has become an admirer of African art. He has a doctorate in higher education administration from University of Northern Colorado, a master’s in the same from the University of Wisconsin and a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Minnesota. John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling for the Tidings Posted Aug. 12, 2014 @ 2:01 am » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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