Monday, September 10, 2012
Campaign 2012 Comes to Florence
The Republican candidate for Oregon Secretary of State was in Florence for campaign appearances Friday. Knute Buehler is a Roseburg native, but longtime resident of Bend where he’s an orthopedic surgeon. Buehler also has a Masters degree in Politics and Economics; something he says helps add to his qualifications. Like every other challenger who has come before him, he also says there’s a need for change.
Knute Buehler — “I think what is really missing right now is that the State of Oregon at that level is out of balance.”
Government is designed, he says, to work best when there are checks and balances. Those have been missing for the last 20 years and Buehler says a Republican in the mix with Democrats would be able to alter the way things are run at the state level in the future.
Knute Buehler — “Not being a destructive-barrier antagonist, but someone who’s really asking that constructive question, ‘why are you doing it this way and accepting these poor results over the next 20 years?’ would be a big advantage to Democratic office holders at the statewide level.”
Buehler is facing off against incumbent Democrat Kate Brown in the November election. He has the Republican nomination as well as that of the Independent Party of Oregon.
Another Oregon Casino for the Coquilles?
The Coquille Indian Tribe opened one of the first casinos in Oregon. They’ve been operating the Mill in North Bend since 1995. Now, they’re looking to expand to Southern Oregon. The tribe has purchased a bowling lanes and restaurant near Interstate-5 in Medford and also leased an adjacent golf course. They intend to place the properties in trust with the federal government and pursue a gaming compact with the state to open the Rogue Valley’s first casino.
First Woman Police Officer Sworn in at Florence
Testimony will be taken beginning at six this evening at City Hall on the draft 2012 Florence Transportation Systems Plan. At seven, the council will turn to their regular agenda and recognize two employees… one coming, the other going. The first-ever woman police sergeant in Florence will be sworn in. Her name is Carol Ward. The council will also recognize the accomplishments of Sandra Belson who is stepping down from the post of Community Development Director to take a Peace Corps assignment in Africa.
Reforming Oregon Prison Spending
Oregon’s prison budgets continue to climb while programs that work to prevent crime are critically under-funded according to Paul Soloman. He heads “Sponsors”, a non-profit group that works to help people released from prison. With tighter and tighter budgets, Solomon says there’s a big financial incentive for change. Currently costs more than $100 a day to put someone in jail, about $80 a day to keep them there…
Paul Solomon – “Conversely, it’s $30 a day for a very short period of time, to house someone in transitional services that will help people become self-sufficient, substance-free, and able to become productive members of our community.”
Solomon says about 400 people are added to Oregon prisons each month. He believes voters in the state are ready to reduce those numbers and spend tax dollars differently.
Paul Solomon — “I think people recognize that we are paying for corrections on the backs of education, and health and human services, and all of the programs that actually have been proven to reduce recidivism. I think that the time is ripe for change.”
Solomon spoke at a conference for The Partnership for Safety and Justice in Keizer over the weekend. The group aims to reinvest some of Oregon’s corrections budget. (Audio courtesy Oregon News Service and Chris Thomas)