Hall Easily Wins Primary

Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Hall won an easy primary victory Tuesday over challenger Ken Lundie. With 99% of the votes counted, Hall had 3,720 votes to 1,407 for Lundie. Hall, who is seeking a third term, faces Republican Tom Runions on November 6. That was the only local race on the primary ballot. In Lincoln County Republican voting for Congress, Fred Thompson beat Karen Bowerman. He carried the Fifth District by a 2-1 margin. Mitt Romney overwhelmingly led all Republican candidates for the Presidential nomination statewide. In Lincoln County, he polled 2,355 votes, with 466 for Ron Paul. All results are unofficial until certified.

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Tuesday is Primary Election Day

Ballots for Tuesday’s primary election must be handed in by 8:00 p.m. tonight. Ballots can be dropped off at the Eddyville Community Church, or the City Halls in Toledo, Siletz, Newport, Depoe Bay and Lincoln City, and the Lincoln County Courthouse.

Initial results in local races will be posted on the County Clerk’s website shortly after 8:00 p.m. Final results will be posted as soon as they are tabulated. Statewide turnout, as of Monday, was just 22%.

 

Check on local vote counts here.

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Lindly Replacement Will Serve Through 2014

When Lincoln County Commissioner Don Lindly announced he would retire before the end of his term, it set off a vigorous research project for County Counsel Wayne Belmont. Belmont issued his legal opinion at the May 2 Commission meeting, citing various provisions of Oregon law and recounting discussions with County Clerk Dana Jenkins, other County Counsels and the Secretary of State’s office. Belmont said the question of replacing Lindly with a fellow Democrat is not in question. But the matter of whether the replacement would serve the remainder of Lindly’s term or until the next general election (November 6, 2012), was unclear. In a memo to Commissioners, Belmont wrote “There are two possible interpretations of the law” and that “none of (the sources he consulted) could offer a conclusive answer” to apparently ambiguous language. In the end, Belmont decided to address “the general tenor of the law, from which I draw my own conclusions.”

Belmont also advised the county “cannot hold an election to fill the seat because the primary nominating process and election will have passed and there is no authority to call for a special primary election.” He said there is a “glaring gap” in state law which he believes should be addressed legislatively. Meanwhile, Lincoln County Democrats are taking applications through May 7 for a handful of candidates the Commissioners Hall and Thompson will riview as Lindly’s replacement. The process starts with a “willingness to serve” statement (SEL 145) signed by any qualified candidates. Qualifications include being a Lincoln County resident for at least a year and a registered Democratic voter 180 days prior to the vacancy on the commission. SEL 145 forms are available from the County Clerk’s office in Newport, online at the Secretary of State’s website or from the Democratic Party Chair (541-994-4694). Signed forms must be delivered no later than 5:00 p.m. May 7 at 3128 NE Hwy 101 Lincoln City, OR 97367. Parties should include a brief biography and resume with attention to prior, if any, governmental and/or community service.

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League of Conservation Voters Endorses Hall

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV) has endorsed Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Hall’s candidacy for re-election. Hall also received OLCV’s endorsement in the 2004 and 2008 elections. “I am proud to have earned OLCV’s endorsement again,” said Hall. “This is an organization that upholds values that I believe in—that we are obligated to be good stewards of the Earth, and that a healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand-in-hand.” Hall was interviewed by a panel of local OLCV members, who then recommended him to the organization’s statewide political action committee. “It was a good forum to discuss some of the initiatives our board has taken a leadership role in recent years, such as the responsible development of wave energy; the introduction of a system of marine reserves that is sensitive to local impacts; and local sustainability initiatives through our Solid Waste District.”

Hall said he is proud of several conservation items he has championed, including county support for an ODOT pilot program reducing herbicides on a 25-mile stretch of Highway 101 and the county’s investment in the Oregon Coast Community Forest project. “The concept of a locally owned and managed working forest is one that can generate support from groups who have long been at odds over forestry management,” Hall said.

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County Republicans Host Labor Commissioner Candidate

Lincoln County Republicans host State Senator Bruce Starr  Thursday, May 3 at their regular monthly meeting. The GOP meets at 7:00 p.m. at the Newport Recreational Center (225 SE Avery St). All are welcome. Starr will make a presentation and answer questions. On his website, Starr said, “I am running for Labor Commissioner because Oregon can no longer afford to ignore the impact of high unemployment and stagnant economic growth on the families of our state. We simply cannot settle for what we have been getting from leaders in Salem and I am running to help ignite a new period of economic growth in the state. I will devote myself to finding ways to make the Bureau of Labor and Industries part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.”

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