Document text
Colleen Roberts, Republican Incumbent Age : 62 Residence : Gold Hill Occupation : County Commissioner Education : MBA Political experience: 4 years as Jackson County Commissioner, 3 years elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of O & C Counties. What would you do to ensure clean air (free from choking wildfire smoke) in our county? This year alone, I have personally met with EPA and DEQ officials, and who have our shared concern over our smokey air quality. I have sought to study and show that the Federal fire policies contradict the mandates of our state Fire Marshall's proclaimed fire season that would not allow prescribed burning or natural ignitions be allowed to burn. I met with agency supervisors (Larson and George) to begin addressing these issues. Keeping roads open and increase firefighting resources is absolutely necessary too. Our economy and our health has suffered significantly, and enough is enough. Do you support building a new jail? Why or why not? There is no question that our jail is too small and an antiquated design. How it is going to be paid for is the challenge. The surveyed voters resoundingly said no to the $1.09 levy....I respect that. The Commissioners are looking to find alternative choices that have a less financial impact and burden to our citizens. What would you do to encourage economic growth in the county? There are several prongs to this issue: housing and a ready workforce with the needed education and realistic vocational training are key components to economic development. Also, expediting permit processes and reducing regulation are conducive to a business friendly environment. Our summers of smoke must be curtailed to encourage economic growth and sustain current business interests. Lanita Witt, Democrat Age : 68 Residence : Ashland Occupation : Rancher/farmer Willow-Witt Ranch, physician Education : UCLA Ob-Gyn residency,1979; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, M.D., Phi Beta Kappa,1975 Political experience : None What would you do to ensure clean air (free from choking wildfire smoke) in our county? I will partner with non-profits and state and federal agencies to develop an active forest management plan focused on understory clearing and controlled burns in the off-season to prevent out of control wildfires. Even better, the harvested material can fuel a new, green timber industry and create family wage jobs. Do you support building a new jail? Why or why not? Our current jail is inadequate. We need to be able to hold more than double its current capacity. But we don’t need just a larger warehouse to hold people. I would favor creating a facility specifically for low-risk drug offenders and the mentally ill focused on treatment and prevention. What would you do to encourage economic growth in the county? Two major barriers to economic growth are the housing shortage and lack of skilled workers. Businesses won’t come here if they can’t find homes or employees. We need more technical education to train new skilled workers, and to partner with cities to put these tradesmen to work creating affordable housing.