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June 18, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels May 5, 2004 Our View Densmore's more than just an anti-candidate At times it seems like the race for Jackson County Commissioner is not between two people, but about reaction to one: current commissioner Sue Kupillas. Much of the debate, letters and campaign banter flying around seeks to define Kupillas, either as a moderate capable of appealing to a broad constituency, or as a Democrat who has abandoned party ideals. Lost in all the hoopla is the merit of Kupillas' opponent, Sue Densmore, not just as an anti-Kupillas Democratic alternative, but as a viable and qualified candidate in her own right. To be sure, Kupillas is a proven leader in Jackson County. She doesn't need defining, as her 25-year record of local public service speaks for itself. The commissioner has helped bring economic vitality to regions throughout the county. She recognizes the need to represent a broad swath of people and their respective interests. Her accomplishments are noteworthy, just as some of her current positions - notably on forest thinning and lack of support for increased protections of the Soda Mountain wilderness area - are troublesome. But Densmore is not a baby-faced rookie with big ideas hoping to cover up an unproven track record. Densmore's success as the general manager of Rogue Waste Systems from 1989 to 1996 helped solidify the company, while boosting recycling and developing a sustainable landfill. She has been active with urban renewal and land-use issues in the city of Medford for more than 15 years. She co-founded the Urban Renewal Agency that has helped push Medford's downtown renewal. Densmore's background, coming from rural Lake County, suggests an ability and understanding of the rural concerns of county residents. Likewise, she has garnered the support of the Oregon League of Women Voters and much of the local environmental community. She aims to bring her knowledge and sensitivity of diverse people together in cooperation - a worthy goal especially needed for the increasingly polarized residents of Ashland. Opponents of Densmore suggest she is too liberal to win the general election this fall. But Kupillas' own problems with her Democratic base suggest she lacks a core constituency necessary for victory. Only voters will decide who is electable, but Densmore will be an attractive Democratic candidate who can still appeal to moderate voters, business leaders and environmentalists alike. We don't think an anti-Kupillas vote is needed. With a tip of the hat in respect to Kupillas' tenure, we'd rather throw our positive support behind the potential of Sue Densmore, for all the good she can bring to the Jackson County Commission. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams