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Our choices Oct 20, 2002 12:00 AM A A The Mail Tribune's recommendations for the Nov. 5 general election Editor's note: Ballots for the Nov. 5 election were mailed Friday. Here are the Mail Tribune editorial board's recommendations for the election: Governor: Ted Kulongoski. We trust him to lead the state. We'd like to trust Kevin Mannix, but we're not sure who he is. U.S. Senator: Bill Bradbury. Incumbent Gordon Smith is too closely attached to the Bush administration line for our taste, and he's run a nasty, negative campaign to boot. U.S. Representative: Greg Walden. we don't always see eye to eye, but he's more flexible than his opponents give him credit for. State Senator, 3rd District: Lenn Hannon. He's independent and fearless, and giving up his decades of experience at this crucial time would be a mistake. State Representative, 4th District: Shayne Maxwell. She proved her abilities by organizing the telephone rate campaign, and she's conservative enough to represent her rural district well. State Representative, 6th District: Rob Patridge. A smart, moderate Republican, he has climbed the leadership ladder and is well positioned to help reach consensus on the tough issues. State Representative, 55th District: George Gilman. He's served in Salem before, and he lives on our side of the sprawling new district that straddles the Cascades. Jackson County Commissioner, Position 1: Jack Walker. We often disagree with him, but he has a good grasp of how government works and represents a large segment of the county's voters. Jackson County Commissioner, Position 3: Dave Gilmour. Incumbent Ric Holt has been singing the same song for years without much to show for it. Gilmour is sharp, energetic and committed. Circuit Court Judge, Position 1: Lorenzo Mejia. We see no reason to replace a new judge who has the support of the governor who appointed him as well as his colleagues on the bench and in the legal community. Circuit Court Judge, Position 8: Bill Purdy. His experience and his demeanor will make him an excellent judge. Jackson County Sheriff : Ed Mayer. Despite unhappiness in the ranks of the department, Mayer has far more experience and a better grasp of the realities than his opponent, and will makea better sheriff. Measure 14: Yes. Long-forgotten racist language should be removed from the state Constitution. Measure 17: Yes. If 18-year-olds can vote, they should be able to run. And we're not afraid the Legislature will be overrun with teenagers. Measures 21 and 22: No. Written by people who don't like Oregon's legal system, these measures would make that system worse, not better. Measure 23: No. Our health care system is a mess, but this cure would be worse than the disease. Measure 24: Yes. It makes sense to let denturists provide partial as well as full dentures directly to patients. Measure 25: Yes. Oregon's minimum-wage workers haven't had a raise in four years, and this measure would link the minimum wage to inflation so they can keep up in the future. Measure 26: Yes. Returns some accountability to Oregon's initiative system by removing the payment-per-signature incentive to commit fraud. Measure 27: No. It might make sense to label genetically engineered foods if some potential harm had been proven, but even then, such a requirement should be nationwide, not confined to a single state. Measure 17-90: Yes. Rogue Community College's Medford campus has now passed the Grants Pass campus in enrollment. A real campus downtown is good for students and the community. Measure 15-37: Yes. Medford's two middle schools are too big, and will get even bigger with the addition of sixth-graders. The skill center concept has been successful elsewhere and can be here, too. Measure 15-41: Yes. It's more expensive than other local tax measures, but it will give Jacksonville's fire department a permanent income source with only a five-year tax. Measure 15-36: Yes. Phoenix needs to maintain police and fire protection, and this would do so for a net cost of just 48 cents per & 36;1,000 of assessed value. Measure 15-35: Yes. Talent's parks are in need of some TLC, and this would provide it at a very modest cost. Measure 15-40: Yes. The Shady Cove-Trail fire district needs to improve its fire station facilities to comply with federal laws and regulations. Measure 15-39: Yes. Shady Cove police cannot maintain existing police protection without this measure.