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53 °F 5 Day Forecast Monday, October 20, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 7, 2003 From left, Steven Froelich of Yreka, Calif., Toby Judd of Medford and Jim Rohn of Montague, Calif., line up for lunch at State Line Service in Hilt. Some Siskiyou County residents interviewed Monday said they are disgusted with California politics. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Hasta la vista to Davis That’s what Hilt residents plan to say in Tuesday’s election By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune HILT, CALIF. — If this tiny California border town is any kind of political barometer, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger should muscle out Gov. Gray Davis during today’s recall election. "I’ll be happy to get rid of (Davis)," said Penny Meads, owner of State Line Service, which sells gas, food and alcohol. One of only 20 registered voters in this generally conservative community, Meads thinks most of her neighbors support the recall that has made the Golden State the butt of much humor around the world. "It’s unfortunate," said Meads, who, like other Hilt residents, voted by mail. "It’s too bad we have got to go through this." Advertisement She doesn’t blame all the state’s woes on Davis, but she said he’s made a lot of bad decisions. Her vote goes to Schwarzenegger, who may not have all the answers but because of his business background knows how to find them. "Arnold is smart enough to surround himself with smart people," she said. Hilt resident Lorrie Rooker characterized the recent reports of Schwarzenegger groping women and admiring Hitler as "politics." Rooker, who wouldn’t say whom she voted for except that the candidate is a Republican, said she probably would be better off living in another state. "I’d rather be an Oregonian," she said. Other Siskiyou County residents think that despite the unflattering attention, the recall is healthy for the state. "The recall is a good thing," said Steven Froelich, owner of Mountain View Towing and Auto Repair in Hornbrook. "The comedians, the hookers and others have made a big joke out of it." He wouldn’t mind if a recall is held every time a governor gets out of line. "People need to make these politicians realize we’re getting tired of this stuff," he said. Like many conservative residents, Froelich said his county isn’t representative of the rest of the state. "I’d like to see the State of Jefferson," he said. "We seem to get the worst end of it up here." Dan Fisher, director of northern operations of the Fruit Growers Supply Co. in Hilt, said, "I’m extremely disgusted with California politics." Oregon might have its problems, but this Montague resident said it appears to be handling its budget problems better than California. "I’m impressed with (Gov. Ted) Kulongoski’s approach to help get out of the deficit," said Fisher, citing the push for job creation. He is not impressed with the strong political lean to the left in his state."Liberalism is flaunted about a little too much for my blood," he said. Jim Rohn, manager of Mountain View towing, said his county is too dependent on decisions made by voters in Southern California. "If L.A. votes for something, there is no way we can outvote them," he said. "The State of Jefferson is definitely for me." Rohn, who thinks Schwarzenegger won’t be beholden to special interest groups, looks forward to more recalls in the future to let lawmakers know that voters aren’t going to take it anymore. "I don’t believe in a career politician," he said. Bernadette Cizin, a 20-year resident of Hilt who now lives in Susanville, said the unusual list of candidates represents the diverse nature of her state. "This is California," she said. "This is what we are." The recall is nothing to get upset about, said Cizin, who is a conservative but wouldn’t say whom she voted for. "It’s exciting," she said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times