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Charter candidates bring long county ties, enthusiasm with them
Nine people are running for the opportunity to change Klamath County government. It’s a two-step process. They have to win the election, but for them to take office, voters have to approve the charter.
Under the charter, there would be five commissioner districts. Residents of each district would pick their own commissioner.
The Herald and News editorial board interviewed the seven candidates for the contested races in districts 2, 3 and 4.
None of the candidates scare us. We can recommend all of them as likely to make pretty good commissioners, though the legal residency of Jim Caylor in District 4 has become clouded. According to local officials, he is disqualified to serve, but Caylor said he was told by the Secretary of State’s office that he is qualified. He has sold his house in Klamath Falls and taken an apartment in Hillsboro, where he registered to vote. He said earlier that if elected he intended to stay in Klamath Falls and serve his term.
Races in Districts 1 and 5 are uncontested.
During their editorial board meetings, a common thread among candidates was a firm belief in the charter system’s strengths, including a commitment to long-term planning and nonpartisan leadership at the county level.
There was a general recognition that if the charter is approved, the winning candidates are signing on for full-time work, even if the pay — $12,000 a year plus health insurance — suggests it’s part time. They not only acknowledged the full-time nature of the work, but were enthusiastic.
District 2
Bonanza, Malin, Merrill, Henley Bly and Beatty
Candidates: Dennis Ensor, Merrill; Charlotte Rodgers, Shady Pine Road; Ruth Ann Patton, Crystal Springs Road.
Ensor is an owner of Sanden Consulting Inc. and has a background in surveying and engineering. He is a long-time Klamath County resident and has served on the boards of the South Suburban Sanitary District and the Wiard Memorial Park District.
Rodgers is co-owner of Shady Pine Ranch on Upper Klamath Lake, has been active in its management, active in civic organizations and was a member of the Oregon State Workforce Investment Board, on the Region 11 Workforce Investment Board.
Patton is a retired educator and rancher. She was a long-time business and art teacher at Henley High School and also taught at Klamath Community College. She has degrees from the University of Montana-Western and took course work at Idaho State University, Marylhurst University and is a member of Klamath County’s Family Law Advisory Committee.
District 3
South suburbs north of OC&E trail and east of Washburn Way, including Moyina Heights, Skyline, North Hills and Shield Crest areas.
Candidates: Ronald L. Campbell, Sierra Heights Drive; Mike Angeli, Delaware Avenue.
Campbell is retired, and has more than 30 years experience as a human resources executive for major corporations with degrees from Oregon Institute of Technology. He returned to Klamath Falls in 2006 from Arnold, Calif.
Angeli is a retired sheriff’s deputy from Riverside County, Calif., and also worked in the Klamath County Sheriff’s office for three years. He’s the owner of The Ledge in Klamath Falls, which offers goods and services for outdoor recreation. He has coursework in law enforcement and general education at California colleges.
District 4
Downtown area of Klamath Falls, including Pacific Terrace, Nob Hill, Pelican City and Running Y neighborhoods.
Candidates: Craig Rovzar, Van Ness Street; Jim Caylor, Pacific Terrace.
Rovzar is a semi-retired owner/broker at Rovzar and Associates with long experience in government and economic development. He’s served on numerous county and regional advisory boards, was executive vice president of the Klamath County Economic Development Association has and done work for the Klamath Tribes.
Caylor is chief operating officer of J. V. Michael and Associates, which works in commercial real estate, sports and event management. He was director of operations for the East-West Shrine Game from 1974 to 1998, when it was being played in San Francisco.
Districts 1 and 5
District 1 runs from Crescent south to Keno and also includes Chiloquin and Fort Klamath. District 5 runs from south of the OC&E trail, slightly west and east of Washburn Way, extending south of the urban growth boundary and includes Gatewood neighborhood and the airport.
The editorial board didn’t interview Bill Scally of Crescent, the only candidate for District 1 commissioner, or Dean A. Peugh, the only candidate for District 5. We do appreciate, however, their willingness to serve, especially Scally who, if the charter is approved, undoubtedly would be in for a lot of long drives to Klamath Falls from the county’s north end.
Opinion editor Pat Bushey wrote today’s editorial.
Under the charter, there would be five commissioner districts. Residents of each district would pick their own commissioner.
The Herald and News editorial board interviewed the seven candidates for the contested races in districts 2, 3 and 4.
None of the candidates scare us. We can recommend all of them as likely to make pretty good commissioners, though the legal residency of Jim Caylor in District 4 has become clouded. According to local officials, he is disqualified to serve, but Caylor said he was told by the Secretary of State’s office that he is qualified. He has sold his house in Klamath Falls and taken an apartment in Hillsboro, where he registered to vote. He said earlier that if elected he intended to stay in Klamath Falls and serve his term.
Races in Districts 1 and 5 are uncontested.
During their editorial board meetings, a common thread among candidates was a firm belief in the charter system’s strengths, including a commitment to long-term planning and nonpartisan leadership at the county level.
There was a general recognition that if the charter is approved, the winning candidates are signing on for full-time work, even if the pay — $12,000 a year plus health insurance — suggests it’s part time. They not only acknowledged the full-time nature of the work, but were enthusiastic.
District 2
Bonanza, Malin, Merrill, Henley Bly and Beatty
Candidates: Dennis Ensor, Merrill; Charlotte Rodgers, Shady Pine Road; Ruth Ann Patton, Crystal Springs Road.
Ensor is an owner of Sanden Consulting Inc. and has a background in surveying and engineering. He is a long-time Klamath County resident and has served on the boards of the South Suburban Sanitary District and the Wiard Memorial Park District.
Rodgers is co-owner of Shady Pine Ranch on Upper Klamath Lake, has been active in its management, active in civic organizations and was a member of the Oregon State Workforce Investment Board, on the Region 11 Workforce Investment Board.
Patton is a retired educator and rancher. She was a long-time business and art teacher at Henley High School and also taught at Klamath Community College. She has degrees from the University of Montana-Western and took course work at Idaho State University, Marylhurst University and is a member of Klamath County’s Family Law Advisory Committee.
District 3
South suburbs north of OC&E trail and east of Washburn Way, including Moyina Heights, Skyline, North Hills and Shield Crest areas.
Candidates: Ronald L. Campbell, Sierra Heights Drive; Mike Angeli, Delaware Avenue.
Campbell is retired, and has more than 30 years experience as a human resources executive for major corporations with degrees from Oregon Institute of Technology. He returned to Klamath Falls in 2006 from Arnold, Calif.
Angeli is a retired sheriff’s deputy from Riverside County, Calif., and also worked in the Klamath County Sheriff’s office for three years. He’s the owner of The Ledge in Klamath Falls, which offers goods and services for outdoor recreation. He has coursework in law enforcement and general education at California colleges.
District 4
Downtown area of Klamath Falls, including Pacific Terrace, Nob Hill, Pelican City and Running Y neighborhoods.
Candidates: Craig Rovzar, Van Ness Street; Jim Caylor, Pacific Terrace.
Rovzar is a semi-retired owner/broker at Rovzar and Associates with long experience in government and economic development. He’s served on numerous county and regional advisory boards, was executive vice president of the Klamath County Economic Development Association has and done work for the Klamath Tribes.
Caylor is chief operating officer of J. V. Michael and Associates, which works in commercial real estate, sports and event management. He was director of operations for the East-West Shrine Game from 1974 to 1998, when it was being played in San Francisco.
Districts 1 and 5
District 1 runs from Crescent south to Keno and also includes Chiloquin and Fort Klamath. District 5 runs from south of the OC&E trail, slightly west and east of Washburn Way, extending south of the urban growth boundary and includes Gatewood neighborhood and the airport.
The editorial board didn’t interview Bill Scally of Crescent, the only candidate for District 1 commissioner, or Dean A. Peugh, the only candidate for District 5. We do appreciate, however, their willingness to serve, especially Scally who, if the charter is approved, undoubtedly would be in for a lot of long drives to Klamath Falls from the county’s north end.
Opinion editor Pat Bushey wrote today’s editorial.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of HeraldAndNews.com. Comment Disclaimer: The editors of heraldandnews.com reserve the right to refuse publication of any comment posted for consideration. We may refuse for any reason, including use of profanity, disparaging comments, libelous comments, etc. Any reader who notices a comment they believe is particularly offensive, should notify us at webmaster@heraldandnews.com.
A voter wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:29 PM:
" To Sense:
Have you personally interviewed or spent time with EACH candidate for each position, as well as the reg commission candidates?
I have, and it is enlightening which are on a first name basis with more Oregon legislators and Federal legislators than are the present commissioner candidates. Also some of them are more qualified by education and experience leading state wide and regional organizations than some regualr candidates. Not all candidates got their information inthe Voters' Guide, so do you really know all of them also?
Call them and ask to talk with them - I have - all are in the phone book. Learn for yourself, don't just assume you know all there is to know about these people. Do your homework and research them. What do we really know about the reg. commission candidate who is a first timer? Is she as qualified for the position as some of the charter candidates? Cast your vote from a truly informed point, spend time with these people and ask them the difficult questions. "
Have you personally interviewed or spent time with EACH candidate for each position, as well as the reg commission candidates?
I have, and it is enlightening which are on a first name basis with more Oregon legislators and Federal legislators than are the present commissioner candidates. Also some of them are more qualified by education and experience leading state wide and regional organizations than some regualr candidates. Not all candidates got their information inthe Voters' Guide, so do you really know all of them also?
Call them and ask to talk with them - I have - all are in the phone book. Learn for yourself, don't just assume you know all there is to know about these people. Do your homework and research them. What do we really know about the reg. commission candidate who is a first timer? Is she as qualified for the position as some of the charter candidates? Cast your vote from a truly informed point, spend time with these people and ask them the difficult questions. "
Sense wrote on Oct 28, 2008 11:38 AM:
" Knowing, would you care to identify these candidates. The ones in the voters pamphlet looked pretty inexperienced. "
Knowing wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:10 AM:
" Actually, some of the candidates are supremely more qualified than are the other commissioners/candidates in the present system.
Some even have extensive experience running state wide organizations, have represented Oregon at the FEDERAL level and actually are very well known and more respected than the present group in political circles at the state and federal level.
How can someone make the judgements they are without actually knowing some of these people first hand? Arrogance. "
Some even have extensive experience running state wide organizations, have represented Oregon at the FEDERAL level and actually are very well known and more respected than the present group in political circles at the state and federal level.
How can someone make the judgements they are without actually knowing some of these people first hand? Arrogance. "
Why wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:34 AM:
" I am a voting citizen of this county and I read the above editorial. I have a question. Why weren't all the candidates for commissioners reviewed in your article? On my ballot there were also the 2 commissioners that are running for the present form of government. As a voter, I would think we would read about all of them. Have I missed an editorial for this general election? What are they wanting to bring to this county? I guess, all I am trying to say, is why isn't this fair and balanced-hearing from both sides. It seems to me, and I may be stating it pretty simple, that those charter candidates, or in fact, the charter itself, is really like an opponent. Just thinking out loud. Thank you "
Cant he Read wrote on Oct 26, 2008 11:32 PM:
" Can't Jim Caylor read the charter he helped write? How is it he knows so little about the basic qualifications outlined in the proposed charter that he even had to call the Secretary of States office?
A few of the other candidates have the qualifications "on paper". But fortunately, the ones that aren't recent California transplants, have been in Klamath for awhile, and are known outside of the sales pitch we're getting. The knowledge the community has about them, will help defeat this poorly written measure. "
A few of the other candidates have the qualifications "on paper". But fortunately, the ones that aren't recent California transplants, have been in Klamath for awhile, and are known outside of the sales pitch we're getting. The knowledge the community has about them, will help defeat this poorly written measure. "
Dar wrote on Oct 26, 2008 8:03 PM:
" So what, all of the other candidates are qualified.
Jim Caylor's advice from the state elections division was too bad, but there is still a candidate from that district and only 13% of voters have voted - it ends up being the same as having one candidate from that district for the rest of the voters who hadn't voted yet.
The other candidates will just put Rozvar in anyhow, if the charter passes. What an over reaction from the bloggers below to a mistake by the state election's division. "
Jim Caylor's advice from the state elections division was too bad, but there is still a candidate from that district and only 13% of voters have voted - it ends up being the same as having one candidate from that district for the rest of the voters who hadn't voted yet.
The other candidates will just put Rozvar in anyhow, if the charter passes. What an over reaction from the bloggers below to a mistake by the state election's division. "
I voted yes wrote on Oct 26, 2008 7:56 PM:
" Thank you H& N for the editorial - this article was about the charter candidates. They appear to be ultimately MORE qualified as a group than the present commissioners. I for one appreciate hearing more about them and their excellent backgrounds, experience, education and willingness to serve out of sense of community/county civic duty and NOT for the big $$$ salary and benefits.
Caylor, not withstanding bad advice from
the secretary of state's ellection office, was qualified also. It seems apparent that if Caylor gets more votes and the charter passes, the other commissioners will appoint Rozvar - they at least are honest and Mr. Rozvar was a candidate all along. Bill Brown has already stated he absolutley WILL NOT be a commissioner again. If he had wanted it, he would have run and won handily (like the last time).
It is fascinating that the small group opposing the charter is so vehemently against it that they are willing to attack the messenger (H & N) in this blog. "
Caylor, not withstanding bad advice from
the secretary of state's ellection office, was qualified also. It seems apparent that if Caylor gets more votes and the charter passes, the other commissioners will appoint Rozvar - they at least are honest and Mr. Rozvar was a candidate all along. Bill Brown has already stated he absolutley WILL NOT be a commissioner again. If he had wanted it, he would have run and won handily (like the last time).
It is fascinating that the small group opposing the charter is so vehemently against it that they are willing to attack the messenger (H & N) in this blog. "
Please calm down wrote on Oct 26, 2008 5:32 PM:
" I don't think the Herald and News is defending Caylor or endorsing anyone here. Way to jump to conclusions. "
A Day Late wrote on Oct 26, 2008 3:44 PM:
" Speaking of candidates who are worthy to serve in these positions, I think Jim Caylor's apparent deceit, and really sneaky actions, has really affected all of us who read about it. How dare a candidate, who is applauded to be one of integrity and character, pull such a stunt on all the people of this county. And then for the Herald and News to defend it. What is that all about?? People are not stupid-it is being talked about everywhere. No one has had a chance to even hear from these candidates, let alone what they stand for! Too many uncertainty's in the charter and unknowns in these candidates. I know the Herald and News really leans liberal and I know of sooooooo many people who have cancelled their subscriptions in the past because it does not adhere to the majority of the people in Klamath County, but I was quite surprised to see you actually endorse them when the paper would not take a position on the charter. It really adds confusion to where all of you stand, and when there is confusion, people tend to vote no. We and our married kids, and grandchild all voted no on the charter. "
What a Waste wrote on Oct 26, 2008 2:28 AM:
" Pat, though the quality of your work has been steadily declining recently, this is the worst editorial you have written.
This is a sales pitch for the charter, and is almost completely void of some very important facts.
The most glaring omission is the fact that the "charter" clearly states that you must be a registered Klamath County voter to run for Commissioner, and you must reside in the district you are running for election in.
Jim Caylor IS NOT registered to vote in Klamath County. Once he registered to vote in Washington County, he voided his Klamath registration. I thought the paper would be one organization that would be concerned about citizens having dual registrations, which is what that law prohibits. Remember the "one person one vote" standard Pat?
If the Secretary of States Office told him he wasn't disqualified, I would bet the proper question wasn't posed to the Clerk that took the question. It is the proposed charter itself that disqualifies him, not state law. Come on Pat, that should have been obvious to you.
Thank God the voters will decide this issue. Our voters seem to pick up on these important details. Even when you miss them. "
This is a sales pitch for the charter, and is almost completely void of some very important facts.
The most glaring omission is the fact that the "charter" clearly states that you must be a registered Klamath County voter to run for Commissioner, and you must reside in the district you are running for election in.
Jim Caylor IS NOT registered to vote in Klamath County. Once he registered to vote in Washington County, he voided his Klamath registration. I thought the paper would be one organization that would be concerned about citizens having dual registrations, which is what that law prohibits. Remember the "one person one vote" standard Pat?
If the Secretary of States Office told him he wasn't disqualified, I would bet the proper question wasn't posed to the Clerk that took the question. It is the proposed charter itself that disqualifies him, not state law. Come on Pat, that should have been obvious to you.
Thank God the voters will decide this issue. Our voters seem to pick up on these important details. Even when you miss them. "
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Sense wrote on Oct 28, 2008 5:12 PM: