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THURSDAY March 11, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels February 5, 2004 Ashland could keep seat at home Former commissioner, Ric Holt, wants to return to politics by filling Hannon's seat By Bill Choy Ashland Daily Tidings Four prominent Jackson County Republicans are vying to be the replacement for the state senate seat left open by Ashland's Lenn Hannon. Hannon, who had served in the senate for 30 years, resigned in December to take a seat on the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision. One of the candidates for the state senate, Ric Holt, talks on the phone while chopping onions for chili dogs in preparation for the Super Bowl, Sunday, at his home. Denise Baratta | Ashland Daily Tidings Though Ashland is losing one of its most senior legislators, other people with city ties are being considered for Hannon's replacement. Former county commissioner Ric Holt is from Ashland, and Jerry Barnes of Medford is a former Ashlander who has served as a county commissioner and state representative in District 52, which once included the city. Joining in the fray is Jim Wright, retired president of LTM Corp. He served on the boards of the Southern Oregon University Foundation and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The final candidate is Sal Esquivel, who has served seven years on the Medford City Council and is council president. Bryan Platt, Jackson County Republican Central Committee chairman, said members of the central committee will vote and prioritize their choices at a Feb. 14 meeting at the Red Lion Hotel in Medford. The county commissioners plan to make a final decision Feb. 25. Platt hopes the commissioners, controlled 2-1 by Democrats, will pick the person who garners the most votes, although they have the option of choosing any of the candidates. "I feel it takes the politics out of the commissioners' decision," Platt said. "I think it's a powerful opportunity to simply go with the will of the people." Touting experience Holt, a county commissioner for 12 years until voters replaced him in 2002, said he feels his experience makes him a good choice for the seat. "I think I can add some things to the GOP party," he said. "I have the background." Holt's background also includes its share of controversy. He was once taken to task publicly for extravagances on his expense account like a first-class plane ticket to Washington D.C. He missed 54 out of 386 commissioner meetings between 1999 and 2002, and two contentious divorces to his ex-wife, Francine, made the news when both served the other with restraining orders. Holt said one issue of great importance to him is the pollution in the region. "There are alternatives out there," he said. "I want to keep our air clean. I moved from [Los Angeles] to get away from that stuff." He said he disagrees with the Oregon Department of Environment Quality proposal to change air population regulations in Jackson County, which has received great criticism in the community. The proposal would allow a potential doubling of fine particles that would be produced by new or expanding industry. Particulate matter includes waste particles produced by industrial activities, wood burning and vehicles. "It's a rip-off," Holt said about the proposal. "There are better ways to go about doing the job." Holt is also concerned about the high cost of living in Ashland and other parts of the county and the need for more family wage jobs. "We don't want our kids to go off to California or to other places," he said. "We need to look at the alternatives." If he does not get the senate seat, Holt said he would seriously consider running against Commissioner Sue Kupillas in November. "I'll think I'll do that," he said. "The party that holds the seat is not representing the people." Issues Senate District 3 covers a region stretching from Ashland to most of Medford, and includes Phoenix, Talent and most of Jacksonville. Kupillas said the type of candidate she is looking for to replace Hannon would be one that will deal with the issues of education and health care funding and provide leadership in the senate. "I think those are priorities," she said. "We have to look at these long term problems." The Republican candidate that is selected must still run in the Republican primary in May, and if he makes it, in the general election in November. On the Democratic side, Rep. Alan Bates of Ashland said he plans to run for the senate seat. The candidates will participate in a forum today at Southern Oregon University, sponsored by the SOU Young Republicans. The event will be at 6 p.m. in room 330 of Stevenson Union. 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