Candidates for Commissioner sound off on hot topics
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KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On Thursday, candidates for Klamath County Commissioner, position 1, participated in a forum arranged by the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce. Lasting approximately two hours, the candidates answered fourteen questions ranging from their personal education to housing; including water issues, public safety, and business among others.
Attendance included all four candidates for the position (Allen Headley, Dave Henslee, Todd Gessele, and Brandon Fowler) left vacant by the resignation of former Commissioner Donnie Boyd.
The event was moderated by Heather Harter, executive director of the Chamber. Candidates were given time for opening statements, two minutes to answer questions, and then allowed three minutes for closing statements.
Klamath Falls News captured an audio recording of the event and has segmented the questions into separate audio clips below for easier listening. The recording in its entirety can be heard here.
Introduction and Opening Statements
Personal Education
What college did you graduate from? When did you graduate? What degree(s) did you earn? What education do you have in addition to your degree?
County Resources
If new resources were available, what area of county services do you feel most needs additional resources?
Wildfires
In recent years our community has been effected by wildfires, what do you see is the role of the county and the county commissioners in wildfire management?
Homelessness
As a commissioner how will you work to address the homeless situation in Klamath County?
Divided Community
Many would say there is some divide in our community, how can it be healed and what can you do as a commissioner?
Water Crisis
If elected, what can you do as a commissioner to help address the water crisis? What is your opinion on the Bureau of Reclamation Klamath Project allocation announcement that was made this past Monday?
Top 3 County Services
In your opinion, what are the top three services the citizens need from local government and how would you deliver them?
Greater Idaho
What is your opinion of the Greater Idaho initiative?
Klamath County Business Climate
Please assess the business climate in Klamath County and what you would do to enhance it?
Election Security
How do you feel about the security of the election process?
Passenger Air Service
How do we get [passenger] air service back to Klamath County?
Personal Life vs Public Service
How does your personal life effect your ability to serve as Klamath County Commissioner? How will you balance what you believe and what you want if it does not coincide with what the majority? How will you know if you are serving the needs of the majority of the citizens if you are elected?
Housing and Natural Resources
Please describe as commissioner how you would address the critical issue of housing? How will you address the lack of water resources for the people who are already living here while you are trying to grow our city? (There are not enough natural resources to support any population growth. I am deeply concerned by a push to grow a city already beyond its resources).
Workforce
What is a commissioner’s role and what can a commissioner do to encourage broader employment and help relieve the workforce issue?