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County candidates stake out positions Citizens group grills Kupillas, Wright at forum By Dani Dodge Candidates for the Jackson County Board of Commissioners differed Thursday on how the county should be run in a forum before a group of citizens who consider themselves defenders of the Constitution. Incumbent Sue Kupillas said that it is prudent to look at each county department and consider whether privatizing services would provide better service at less cost. "It�s only good business," she said. Her challenger for county commission, Cleve Wright, disagreed. "I�m totally against privatization of public services," Wright said. "There has to be some protection for employees so their jobs aren�t just shoveled out the door." The debate Thursday before the Jackson County Citizens Group was attended by about 35 people. Although eight legislative candidates from Districts 46, 50, 51 and 52 were invited to the forum, only three showed up: the candidates from District 52 � Cherryl Walker and Lon Holston � and Jane Hunts, the Republican from District 52. The Jackson County Citizens Group formed just over a year ago because they had concerns about municipal, county and state government. They are devoted getting government to adhere to the Constitution, and have members who sit in courts and at county commission meetings to act as watchdogs. They have about 200 members. Many of the questions at the debate had to do with the Second Amendment and gun rights as well as private property rights. Hunts boasted of her A-plus rating with the National Rifle Association. Walker, a Republican and Holston, a Democrat, differed on Holston�s suggestion that there should be tax credits to help people buy gun locks and gun safes. Holston said the tax credit would help keep children safe, and make the devices cheaper to buy. But Walker said tax credits should be avoided to keep government as far away from gun regulations as possible. She called Measure 3 � a measure that would require background checks for the sale of guns at gun shows � "a travesty to have on the ballot." The biggest differences at the debate came between Wright, a Republican and Kupillas, a Democrat. The form of the debate, though, favored Wright. Each formal question was first directed at Kupillas, and then Wright, in effect always giving him the last word. The first question was whether the county should seek a vote of the people before forming urban renewal taxing districts. Kupillas explained that the county was within the law when it formed the White City Urban Renewal District after public hearings in 1991. The issue was not brought to a public vote. "I think that�s appropriate," Kupillas said. "We were dealing with severe blight. There was potential of companies moving out." She noted that as a result many jobs were created in the White City area. Wright, though, said urban renewal districts should only be created with the consent of voters. "When you are talking about taxing everyone in the county for one area, although it�s legal it�s taxation without representation," he said. "There are other areas in the county with blighted areas." Wright ended the debate by saying it is time for a change in the county, while Kupillas touted her accomplishments in office such as creating jobs in White City, enticing Boise Cascade to rebuild after the mill burned down, and helping to stabilize funding at the county by lobbying the federal government. Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.