Jeff Golden enters race for commissioner seat
Jason Houk, 07.03.2010 20:58
Former Jackson County Commissioner Jeff Golden will enter the race for the seat now held by longtime Republican commissioner Jack Walker. On Wednesday, March 3rd, Golden's announced his candidacy for Jackson County Commissioner at the Jackson County Democratic Headquarters in Medford, Oregon.
Jeff Golden, announces candidacy at Democratic hedquarters in Medford, Oregon
Golden clowing around before press conference
"I think we can't do for the next ten years what we've been doing for the last ten or twenty years..." Golden warned.
"It happens that we live in a place, this valley, that has more going for it, for adapting to change than any place I can think in the country. And because of that, it is a real privilege to stand here today and say that I am a candidate for County commissioner."
Golden pledged to work on making county government more efficient and effective in providing public services and working for the community. "I think because of the nature of the times we have to do more."
Golden praised efforts to promote local economy, "...that's where our thrust has to be. I am noticing that people are really getting that in a big way..."
Golden outlined the areas he will focus on as commissioner, where government can be a "big assist" in encouraging local economy, protecting our local food and water resources and building a better transportation infrastructure.
On food and water,Golden supports doing everything we can to support smaller scale, community agriculture. "The best estimate I've seen is that 3 percent of the food we eat locally comes from this valley. The other 97% comes from great big trucks.... look at the agricultural resources of this valley and tell me we can't do better than 3 percent."
On transportation, Golden said,"There are not a shortage of ideas, there are terrific ideas... I personally don't believe we can pave our way out of congestion."
According to wikipedia, Jeff Golden has spent 25 years in public broadcasting, print journalism, politics, and mediation. For 10 years, he was the host for National Public Radio’s show Jefferson Exchange, from 1997-2007. Golden served as County Commissioner for Jackson County, Oregon from 1987-1991. During this time he became involved in the spotted owl controversy and petitions for his recall circulated among logging advocacy groups. One result in the wake of the controversy was his nomination of John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Profile and Courage award, the nation's most prestigious honor for elected public servants Golden was the first nominee from Oregon.
In 1990, after narrowly losing to fourth-term Republican incumbent Lenn Hannon for a seat in the State Senate, Golden took the position of Bill Bradbury’s Chief of Staff in 1993. Bradbury was President of the Oregon Senate at the time. Golden is being challenged on the Republican ticket by Gold Hill resident Morris "Bub" Saltekoff and Medford resident Don Skundrick.
Watch Golden's announcement on YouTube
Part 1 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJBl9RS82Gg
part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alPXCPfxP1w
e-mail:: jason@kskq.org
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