Democratic Commission Candidate Stressing New Perspectives

Ken Lundie

Ken Lundie, who is challenging incumbent Bill Hall for County Commission in the May Democratic primary election, stresses “fresh ideas, new perspectives and problem solving” skills. Lundie is a retired Fire Suppression Officer and served 12 years as a Harbor Commissioner in San Mateo County, California. He was also appointed by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. He spent 18 years (seven as President), on the Board of Directors of Coastside Preservation & Recreation, Inc., a non-profit Land Trust that owned and managed a children’s park and acquired ocean front properties as Public Open Space for future inclusion within the California Coastal Trail System.

Lundie said in a position paper he is seeking no endorsements, and will self-finance his campaign. Although he has no interest in donations, he will accept volunteers to work on his campaign. Lundie said he would like to see the Commission experiment with different session times to be more accommodating to residents who cannot make a 9:30 weekday meeting. He also said he would give back 5% of his salary to the General Fund, and encourage others to do the same, as a way to fund rehiring employees laid off due to budget shortfalls. For more information, visit Lundie’s website.

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Republicans Host Congressional, Senate Candidate

Lincoln County Republicans host Dr. Scott Roberts, candidate for Oregon Senate District 5, Tuesday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m. The group’s regular monthly meetings are held in the Public Meeting Room at Central Lincoln PUD (2129 N. Coast Hwy) in Newport. Roberts will make a presentation and answer questions. Roberts has a private oral surgery practice in North Bend, with a satellite office in Florence. On his website, he writes, “I have watched with great interest the actions of the Oregon legislature…(which has) created an unfriendly climate for small business. As a result, I have developed a heartfelt desire to change that climate for coastal Oregon.” For information, visit his website. Also speaking Tuesday night is Fred Thompson, Republican candidate for Congress in District 5.

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Cutter Withdraws From District 10 House Race

Dann Cutter

Waldport City Councilor Dann Cutter announced today (March 9) he is withdrawing. He issued this statement today: “Four months ago I announced that I would seek the vacant seat in Oregon’s House of Representatives District 10. When I announced, my primary concern was the lack of a strong ‘moderate’ voice for our coastal district stepping up. That is no longer the case – both in the primary and in the general, my opponents are reasonable and thoughtful choices for the region.

“In running for office, one asks for a lot from family and friends, from employers, and from the electorate. While I am willing to run a strong campaign and continue to ask for support against someone with a radical agenda on either party (as we so often see), I am not willing to ask these concessions today when my opponents are fundamentally decent people who would make good Representatives.

“In the end, the Party committee chose to back a candidate I had suggested to them after I announced – there is no ego loss involved here, they felt that my suggestion was better suited to their current structure and I agreed. I could fight the fight – and would if I felt the GOP pulled to the far right or if the opposition didn’t reflect coastal values and needs – however that does not appear to be the case, Jerome Grant is a good man. I still have a lot to personally contribute, but can do that in many different ways.

“As of today, I have withdrawn my name for consideration for the seat. I will remain a city councilman, I will continue serving my community, and I will continue to be involved in state, regional and local politics. And I very likely will be back later when perhaps the sacrifices are not so great on my family and work, and the challlengers not so similar to my own message and ideals.

“Running for office is never an easy decision, nor is stepping away from a campaign; I thank you all for the interest, kind words, and support you have shown.”

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County Commission Slot Will be Fully Contested

Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Hall of Newport filed March 2 to run for re-election to the Lincoln County Commission, and has an opponent in the May 15 Democratic Primary, Ken Lundie of Newport. The winner will face off against Republican Tom Runions in the General Election November 6.

Hall was first elected in 2004. “I’ve been able to accomplish a lot of good things with a lot of help, but the job is far from finished,” Hall said. “I will be grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the community.” Hall said he’s proud of his role in helping to guide the county through the worst budget crisis in recent memory. “Local governments across the country have struggled to maintain basic services, but we’ve been able to ride out the situation better than most. While some Oregon counties are talking about bankruptcy, we’ve been able to continue to deliver core services.”

Lundie is a retired San Francisco Fire Lieutenant and served on the San Mateo County California Harbor Commission as well as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. He told the Wavelength he pays particular attention to budget, and has studied Lincoln County’s annual budgets in great detail. He has been a regular attendee at Commission meetings since becoming a local resident, “and I think I have been at all of them except maybe one” to learn about local issues and processes.

Runions said fiscal responsibility by local government is his key issue, and he disagrees with some of Hall’s characterization about how the county budget crisis was managed. “He talks about getting through the (2008) financial crisis with good leadership. Implementing a several million dollar wage study was not good fiscal management,” Runions said. “I wonder how many other programs or members of the community we could have helped with that money,” he added. Runions was a Lincoln County employee for 28 years, during which he said he saw “a lot of inefficient use of public funds.” Runions also said the county can do more to engage local contractors in capital projects, as the Lincoln County Schools have done with their current construction schedule. Runions and his son own and operate Runions Construction. He also lives in Newport.

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Bill Hall Seeks Third Term on County Commission

Bill Hall

Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Hall announced he has filed to run for re-election to the Lincoln County Commission. Hall, 52, was first elected in 2004. “I’ve been able to accomplish a lot of good things with a lot of help, but the job is far from finished,” Hall said. “I will be grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the community.” Hall said he’s proud of his role in helping to guide the county through the worst budget crisis in recent memory. “Local governments across the country have struggled to maintain basic services, but we’ve been able to ride out the situation better than most. While some Oregon counties are talking about bankruptcy, we’ve been able to continue to deliver core services.”

The two-term commissioner cited creation of the Lincoln County Drug Court, the county’s Mental Health Court, the ten-year plan for housing and homelessness and its many spinoffs, the award of a Drug-Free Communities Grant and expansion of the county’s Veteran’s Services office as among his other key achievements. “At Home in Lincoln County,” the housing and homelessness plan, has led to the creation of a Land Trust to develop homes for middle-income wage earners, acquisition of 18 apartments for long-term homeless individuals and families, the launch of the 2-1-1 social service information and referral service, several Project Homeless Connect events, expanded services for homeless and runaway youth, and the opening of an emergency warming center.

In addition to delivering basic services, Hall said the county also plays a role in building a stronger economic climate, helping to fund economic development activities and investing in projects such as the effort to attract NOAA’s Pacific Fleet to the central coast. Hall has also been active at the state level, representing county interests on many boards and commissions, and frequently testifying before legislative committees. “It’s important that decision-makers in Salem understand that half the state lives outside of the Willamette Valley,” he said. Hall is a life-long Oregonian and has lived in Lincoln County since 1987. Prior to his election, he worked 18 years in local print and broadcast media. He and his wife and children live in Newport.

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