Document text
Two newcomers run for Gold Hill muni judge By SANNE SPECHT for the Mail Tribune GOLD HILL - Two political newcomers are vying for a municipal judgeship in the May primary election. Rick Barclay and Don Leahan will square off for the position that requires no special legal knowledge and pays a monthly stipend of $100 for approximately one day's work. Candidates must live in Jackson County and have collected a minimum of 18 signatures before being placed on the ballot. According to City Recorder Tony Paxton, the city's new municipal judge can expect to hear cases involving violations of the city codes such as unkempt yards, licensing issues and a few traffic tickets. Barclay, of Ruch, has worked in the forest industry for 25 years. Barclay owns 2-B Forests and is a private forestry contractor. He also manages Cantrall-Buckley Park in the Applegate area. Barclay said he didn't think about running for municipal judge until friends urged him to get the necessary signatures. "I got out, beat on doors and got on the ballot," said Barclay. "It intrigued me. I wanted to be of service to the community and I also wanted to do this for the experience." Barclay says his forestry career has given him experience in working with business and government. Barclay also says community service in the justice arena runs in his family. "My dad was on the sheriff's posse and a reserve with the county sheriff's department in Kansas," said Barclay. "And my grandfather was a justice of the peace for 40 years in Texas." His opponent, Leahan, has strong law enforcement experience in his background. A resident of Eagle Point, Leahan has an associate degree in general education/police science and a vocational teaching credential. He retired from the Los Angeles Police Department Narcotics Division after 25 years of service. "I have worked vice, narcotics, traffic and founded the California Narcotic Detection Dog Association," said Leahan. He is currently working as a nationwide dog procurement officer and trainer for canines trained in explosive and narcotics detection. "After September 11, I was taken out of retirement," said Leahan. Leahan says he is "pro-law enforcement" but feels there are always two sides to every case. "Just because you are a police officer doesn't mean you're always right," said Leahan. "I've seen injustice on both sides. I have the ability to ask the right questions and find out what really happened in each case. And guess what? If there's some doubt, you're innocent!" He says he feels a strong affinity to smaller communities and wants to see them succeed. "Gold Hill has a lot of promise with the right leadership and insight," said Leahan. "I'll do what is fair. I'm an independent soul." Ballots will be mailed May 3 and must be returned by 8 p.m. May 21. Sanne Specht is a free-lance writer living in Rogue River. Reach her at [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.