Document text
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 Calendar: Saturday, Oct. 25 Helman students illustrate kindness, love Newly renovated Ashland Hills hosts open house SOU's 'Count Me In' campaign raises $210,000 Aquatics backer announces write-in candidacy for Parks & Rec board Education Helman students illustrate kindness, love SOU's 'Count Me In' campaign raises $210,000 Fun, fundraising and art at Helman Elementary School Ashland mourns death of former coach Stan Gida Goal not reached, but don't count out 'Count Me In' yet Environment Rite Aid cub well, could come back to southern Oregon Report: Smaller streams need further protection Bear cub wanders into Rite Aid Kalmiopsis' future at stake if mining goes forward Fires and forests evolved together, but now people are in the mix Business Newly renovated Ashland Hills hosts open house Hot Stuff Espresso Blue Toba erupts onto dining scene Interim president leads in a different direction Silvio Calabi: Acura’s 2015 TLX is two cars in one Politics and elections Aquatics backer announces write-in candidacy for Parks & Rec board Richardson accuses Kitzhaber of 'corruption' in final debate Stricker steps down from Talent council Merkley-Wehby to debate in Medford Ashland land use rule review continues State News Nation - World Obituaries Ronald J. Hupp Death Notices Gary Wayne Campbell Brian Douglas Bellamy Death Notices Sports Latest Stories They're twins, and they're good Royals' Guthrie to face Giants' Hudson in Game 3 App Finder: Best basketball apps No. 11 SOU volleyball team returns home for two key matches Ashland mourns death of former coach Stan Gida High school They're twins, and they're good Ashland mourns death of former coach Stan Gida What slump? Grizzlies drop-kick Eagles Grizzlies row to raise money for regatta Grizzlies run out of magic in loss to No. 3 Springfield Southern Oregon University No. 11 SOU volleyball team returns home for two key matches Ashland mourns death of former coach Stan Gida SOU football team falls to No. 7 in NAIA rankings No. 4 SOU, No. 3 Carroll to square off in Frontier Conference showdown Third-ranked Concordia strikes quick, topples SOU Opinion Latest Stories Our View: Fix the 'free speech zone' Teaching the First Amendment Granlund cartoon: New York Ebola Jim Brock: Should government legalize gay marriage? Amy Gehrt: Your vote counts this Election Day Editorial Our View: Fix the 'free speech zone' Our View: Cheering Ashland's own Kitzhaber is the better choice Our View: Merkley, with a nudge Our view: Positive about Bates Letters Letters to the Editor, Oct. 24 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 23 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 21 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 21 Letters to the editor Guest opinions Teaching the First Amendment Guest Opinion: Media are part of the pot prohibition problem Wilderness successes could be lost if funding not restored Religion and politics in America City should revise its rules for murals Revels Latest Stories Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Repertory singers prepare 'powerful' opening concert Griffin heads to Historic Ashland Armory Best Bets Oct. 23-30 'Fury' shows the grim toll of war Theater New plays debut at ANPF Music Repertory singers prepare 'powerful' opening concert Q&A: Broken Down Guitars The Farr Side: Bryan Adams releases album of influential hits Tutunov Piano Series begins at SOU Q&A: Becky Alter Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk Movies Movie review: ‘Whiplash’ hits high notes Movie review: ‘Birdman,’ Keaton soar Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas 'Fury' shows the grim toll of war Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Portal to freedom and expanded human potential Frank Talk: A little Halloween humor circa 1970 Barry Lewis: The idiot light Community Blog: Predicting Peace - Part 6 of 7 Dr. Jeff Hersh: Controversy over breast cancer screening Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs NEWS NOW Calendar: Saturday, Oct. 25 ... Our View: Fix the 'free speech zone' ... Teaching the First Amendment ... Calendar: Saturday, Oct. 25 ... Our View: Fix the 'free speech zone' ... Teaching the First Amendment ... ELECTION 2014 Richardson accuses Kitzhaber of 'corruption' in final debate Gov. John Kitzhaber and Rep. Dennis Richardson meet for last gubernatorial debate in Medford; Richardson cites 'corruption' over first lady's ties; Governor says Richardson out of touch on social issues By Damian Mann Mail Tribune DailyTidings.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 21, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 21, 2014 @ 2:00 am » RELATED CONTENT • Gov. Kitzhaber meets with Ashland Chamber of Commerce lea... » Social News Rep. Dennis Richardson came out swinging Monday night during the final gubernatorial debate in Medford with Gov. John Kitzhaber just two weeks before the Nov. 4 election. “The governor’s embroiled now in a scandal that makes the state of Oregon a national joke,” said Richardson, the Central Point candidate. “Governor, that’s not ok. That’s corruption.” Richardson attacked his Democratic opponent on a variety of issues, focusing mostly on the failed rollout of Cover Oregon but hitting hard over the scandals plaguing the governor’s fiancee, Cylvia Hayes. Kitzhaber, who jabbed back at his opponent at times, said Richardson is out of step with the values many Oregonians share, including a woman’s right to choose and a couple’s right to marry whomever they want regardless of gender. “People have the right to marry the one they love,” said Kitzhaber, who is seeking his fourth term in office. Kitzhaber said Richardson has a long record opposing issues that many Oregonians embrace, saying that during Richardson’s time as representative he supported 11 bills that would restrict a woman’s right to choose. Richardson attempted to paint a picture of a lack of leadership over the past four years, but Kitzhaber responded that the state is doing vastly better now, adding 100,000 new jobs and reversing the shortfalls that plagued the Oregon economy. Kitzhaber said he hopes the federal government is working toward a solution that will help open up Oregon forests to more timber production, while being mindful of conservation and habitat preservation concerns. The debate, which had a serious and occasionally testy tone, was punctuated with only a few lighter moments and took place in the KOBI Channel 5 studios in downtown Medford before an audience of more than 50 people. Richardson said abortion and marriage issues will not be a part of his agenda if he was elected governor. He said these issues had been vigorously debated and were now settled. The governor, who has been on the ropes over the continuing problems with Hayes, said the issues with his fiancee took place long before he ever met her. Hayes has admitted to marrying an Ethiopian immigrant in 1997 for a $5,000 fee so he could legally stay in the country. Also, she was involved in purchasing a property for a marijuana grow site. In addition, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission is is reviewing complaints Hayes inappropriately mingled her role as first lady and as a private consultant. “The governor’s fiancee sees nothing wrong with taking money from companies that influence the governor,” Richardson said. Kitzhaber said he would await the decisions of the ethics commission, but said he believed “inflated campaign rhetoric” was possibly turning the claims about ethics violations into a bigger issue. Richardson himself gained national attention when he proposed that key school employees be trained to carry firearms to prevent tragedies such as the Sandy Hook shootings in 2012. The candidates took different stances over the difficulty in finding suitable job applicants in rural areas who can pass the drug screening. “Many in rural Oregon feel hopeless,” Richardson said. He said the governor has largely ignored rural areas while concentrating his attention mostly on the communities along the Interstate 5 cooridor. Kitzhaber said Oregon needs to strengthen its education system to offer more career counseling, computer training and other skills that employers are seeking. At the same time, he said, children need to be involved in early childhood education, while at-risk families are provided with treatment and other resources to help them stay away from drugs. Both Richardson and Kitzhaber opposed Ballot Measure 91, saying they prefer to wait to see how legalization of marijuana plays out in Colorado and Washington states. They also agreed that there should be better background checking and restrictions before giving guns to those with mental health issues or felony convictions. The two candidates, however, generally made a point of their differences. “Vote out the governor and his cronies,” Richardson suggested. “It’s about values and the ability to deliver,” Kitzhaber said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm. By Damian Mann Mail Tribune DailyTidings.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 21, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501