Kitzhaber pulls off late victory…
The governor who once called Oregon ‘ungovernable’ on his way out of Salem has been elected to a third four-year term on the job. This time, the task ahead of Democrat John Kitzhaber doesn’t look much easier. Kitzhaber defeated political newcomer and former NBA star Chris Dudley in a close election that stretched the vote-counting into late Wednesday afternoon. While the governor’s office is staying in Democratic control, the once ‘super majority’ in the Oregon House, along with a simple majority in the Senate has swung to the center. Democrats will hold onto a 16-14 majority in the Senate, but the House will be deadlocked at 30-30. Democrat Arnie Roblan, who won his third term in a close race with Republican Scott Roberts says lawmakers run the risk of wasting precious time with political wrangling in the early days of the session that starts at the end of January.
215 – “Unless people start talking to each other here ahead of time and start getting things organized before we get into the session. And I hope that’s what happens. This is a difficult time for Oregon and we have to get together and do the right things regardless of party.”
Roblan says a voter approved measure allowing annual legislative sessions, but limiting the amount of time lawmakers can remain in Salem means there’ll be little time to work on balancing the current budget before getting to work on the next biennium.
Lane County Commissioners, faced with the withdrawal of support from one of the major proponents of a water protection overlay zone, decided to table the controversial issue yesterday. Tuesday the Eugene Water and Electric Board, which had initially pushed for the restrictions to help them protect drinking water quality backed away from the process that turned into a political football. Commissioners Rob Handy and Pete Sorenson voted against tabling the measure yesterday, while Fay Stewart teamed up with outgoing commissioners Bill Fleenor and Bill Dwyer to suspend discussions. A scheduled hearing for next week in Springfield on the matter has also been cancelled.
Florence Mayor Phil Brubaker edged Alan Burns with 51 ½ percent of the vote this week to win a rare fourth two-year term at the helm of Florence. Brubaker says he’s hoping for a smooth transition from the current council to one that will include Brian Jagoe, a newcomer who won election unopposed to the seat that has been occupied by Burns.
216 – “We’re going to have a goal setting session December Sixth. And to continue on to do that while Alan’s still on the council and Brian’s going to sit in and observe and that’ll be the time for the city management to present their recommendations and I hope that’ll make a smooth transition into the new year.”
The council recently appointed former councilor Paul Holman to fill a vacancy. Sue Roberts was reelected running unopposed.
In Dunes City, two long term councilors failed in their reelection bids. Susie Navetta and Peter Howison will step down at the end of the year. In their place will be Richard Anderson and Duke Wells. Returning will be Richard Koehler and recent appointee Troy Sathe who has high hopes for the future of Dunes City.
217 – “What we want to do is, we want to go out there and every three months have a community meeting so that we can actually run this… lead the city forward how the citizens want, not how individuals want to do it.”
The four winners will join current councilors Jaime Mills and Becky Ruede, along with returning mayor Eric Hauptman who was running unopposed.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - The U.S. Forest Service has found a new
branch of crime-fighting. A study by researchers at the Pacific
Northwest Research Station found less crime occurs in neighborhoods
with big trees in the yards and on the streets, and more crime at
homes with smaller trees.
SANDY, Ore. (AP) - Clackamas County animal control officers are
looking for the owner of an emu found running in traffic on a
highway southeast of Portland. KPTV reports law officers and a
highway worker helped corral the bird yesterday on Highway 26. The
bird is now in the custody of an area farmer.
SEATTLE (AP) - Don't like Northwest weather? Like they say, just
wait 20 minutes -- or in this case, two days. The National Weather
Service says Salem's high of 74 degrees yesterday set a November
record for that city and Astoria's high of 73 tied that city's
record for November highs. Rain and cooler air are back in the
forecast tomorrow.
DETROIT, Ore. (AP) - The tiny town of Detroit, Ore., will keep
its name. Residents voted 47-37 not to change the name of the town
southeast of Portland to Detroit Lake. Supporters of the switch say
they had no problem sharing the name with the Motor City, but
thought "Detroit Lake" sounded better and would attract more
tourists.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon voters have turned back a proposal
to build the state's first non-tribal casino. But in their approval
to create mandatory minimum sentences for repeat drunken drivers
and serious sex offenders, voters rejected arguments that it would
cost too much and could jeopardize other state programs.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - A Medford man will spend 18 months in
prison for accidentally killing a friend with a bow and arrow. The
Mail Tribune says Robert Bogart pleaded guilty yesterday to
criminally negligent homicide in a plea bargain. He also agreed to
pay funeral expenses for 25-year-old William Joseph Roberts.
BAKER CITY, Ore. (AP) - Four La Grande High School students have
been cited for trespassing and criminal mischief after vandals
spray painted graffiti on the rival Baker High School building and
part of its track. The Baker City Herald reports that two girls and
two boys were all seen on video surveillance tape.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Prep Volleyball:
Lindsey Logan had eight kills and six aces; Andrea LeClaire had three kills and 21 assists and the Mapleton Sailors eased past Umpqua Valley Christian in the first round of the OSAA 1A playoffs last night. The Sailors take it on the road for round two. They’ll face St Paul Saturday in St Paul… the winner of that match makes it to the final eight November 12th at the State Tournament in Forest Grove.
Siuslaw opens up their state final quest on the road Saturday when they take on Banks in the opening round of the OSAA 4A Volleyball Playoffs. The winner will be at LCC in Eugene on November 12th for the state tournament.
Prep Football: (through noon only)
Siuslaw Viking season ticket holders will have a chance to renew their seats for this Friday night’s ‘play-in’ game against Hidden Valley. Reserved seats for season ticket holders only will be on sale at the high school office between two and four pm today.
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