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Commissioners take it on chin Holt and Walker put on defensive during debate; sheriff candidates low-key By JILL BRISKEY RUCH - From Ric Holt bragging about his baked potato dinner to Jack Walker's praise of the current administration, the two incumbent county commissioners were bombarded with criticism during a candidate debate Thursday night. More than 30 community members attended the Applegate Valley Community Forum at Ruch Elementary School to hear Jackson County election candidates debate the issues and each other. Incumbent commissioners, especially Holt, found themselves in the hot seat for most of the night. Holt was even under fire for his comments on the baked potato dinner he had enjoyed moments before. "The jokes, the posturing on issues, I was just stunned when I attended the (county) meetings," said position No. 1 commissioner candidate John Hallett, a former Medford city councilman. "It's like the rooster taking credit for the sunrise." "I think it's unconscionable to have pay increases (in commissioner's salaries) when you're cutting programs," said Central Point councilman Dave Gilmour, position No. 2 commissioner candidate. "It's not right." Sheriff candidates Ed Mayer and Mike Winters took a more subdued approach, focusing their debate around each man's qualifications for the job. "I've been training to be sheriff for the last 26 years," said sheriff's Capt. Mayer. "My opponent's a good guy. I'm here to tell you that I'm the most qualified." "I don't have a degree in criminology, I have a degree in people," said Winters, a contractor and former state trooper. "I'm here to do business. We need to be one (and) the same." "Are we having fun yet?" Walker asked at one point. Rancher and county watchdog Walt Fitzgerald, who filed for commissioner position No. 2, vowed to fight government building and focus on land and focus on growth and land issues. "I've got myself started on a real grass-roots level," he said. "I know you can push the hot buttons of the public ... I'm not here to do that." Holt, the position No. 2 incumbent, spent much of the evening defending himself. "You're going to hear a lot of people say what's wrong instead of what's right," Holt told the crowd. "I don't have any ill feelings about anybody. I think I'm doing a good job. I'll just continue to be me." Walker, the position No. 1 incumbent, also defended the current administration. He stated his opposition to a plan to increase the size of the board from three to five members while arguing the position was a full-time job. "I will stand by my record and what I believe in," he added. "Jack, you're a nice man. Let's settle this right now," Hallett said. "But you're going to face a very aggressive campaign." Questions from the audience covered the county budgets, cutting government costs and issues surrounding the Applegate Christian Fellowship. "I got the typical Ric Holt nonanswer," said Kurt Staicoff, who questioned Holt about a situation involving an illegal business sign. "I do wish we had more time for these issues." Gary Swanson, who asked commissioners to comment on mining and environmental issues, agreed more time was needed. However, he said he wasn't impressed when Holt announced it was hot and he was going outside to cool off. "It was expected. You get what you pay for," he added. County Clerk Kathy Beckett, who faces no opposition so far, spoke of the need for more resources in the election department. Circuit Court judge position No. 8 candidates Joseph Charter and William Purdy did not attend, but each sent a representative. Charter and Purdy instead attended a debate hosted by the Southern Oregon Rental Owners Association in Medford Thursday night. John Michaels, a Medford city councilman and production artist vying for commission position No. 2, did not attend. The filing deadline for the May 21 primary election is March 12. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.