Skip to main content

CCP1014

Page 1

Baker announces write-in bid for county treasurer ........... A10

SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022

Brookings, Oregon

Curry County voters hear from local candidates voters, share their backgrounds and answer questions from the audience. The forums included those vying for city council positions, the Curry County commissioner position and Oregon State House district 1. The candidates for the Oregon State House seat are Republican incumbent Representative David Brock Smith and Democratic Party candidate Bret Cecil. During the voter's forum in Brookings on Saturday, Oct. 8,

BY BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot

Community members across Curry County got to know local candidates running for contested political races last week through a series of voters forums organized by The League of Women Voters of Curry County. The voters forums – held in Port Orford, Gold Beach and Brookings – were set up so each candidate could introduce themselves to

Smith touted himself as a “work across the aisle”Republican – although he said he is a strong Second-Amendment supporter and a pro-life supporter. “These are contentious issues when it comes to the state,” he said. The Republican incumbent said he has worked to represent the needs of Curry County during his time in office. “I work hard to make sure your voices are heard, and not only that, that actions are taken so that

healthcare, childcare and other issues are worked on and resources are brought to bear to help make that happen,” Smith said during his closing statement at the voters forum. Democrat candidate Bret Cecil says he will work to be a voice of the people if elected. He pledged to hold town meetings throughout Curry County during his time in office. “One of the reasons I got involved in politics is because we

have a lot of smart people here that have some really good ideas but our voices go unheard and unnoticed. So I want to work with you to make sure your voices get heard in the district and in Salem and anywhere we can affect change,” Cecil said. The Democrat said he is a strong believer in American democracy and wants to be a part of that. “We need to pay really close attention to the fact that our American democracy is under threat right Please see CANDIDATES Page A4

Candidates for Congress square off in debate BY DAVID RUPKALVIS The Pilot

Photos by Breeana Laughlin/The Pilot

The Brookings Women's March was part of the national Women's March happening nationwide. Port Orford community members also hosted a march at Battle Rock Park. Below, Suzie Ruiz speaks words of encouragement to participants at the Women's March held on Saturday Oct. 8 in downtown Brookings.

Brookings participates in nationwide Women’s March BY BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot

A group of women, children and a handful of men adorned signs, American flags, pride flags, beads and more as they marched through downtown Brookings on Saturday. The group participating in the women’s march assembled in front of the democratic headquarters in Brookings on Saturday at 11 a.m. Several speakers addressed the crowd, saying they were proud to support other women and stand up for their rights. Some women who spoke at the march said they fought for women’s reproductive rights 50 years ago. “We are the only Western Country moving backwards. We live in unprecedented times,” said Teresa Lawson, a Brookings resident who is running for city council. All three women running for Brookings city council were present Please see MARCH Page A11

Brookings candidates make their case BY BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot

The Brookings city council race is shaping up to be an interesting one. Three candidates are vying for the mayor position. At least one woman will be elected to the council. There is a possibility of having the first women’s majority on the council. There will also be at least one new person serving on the council.

Mayor Ron Hedenskog is seeking re-election but he must get more votes than his two opponents to keep his seat. The seasoned mayor candidate is running against Anthony Bond – who says he is running solely to stop Project Turnkey, a homeless shelter that was being proposed earlier this year – and Candice Michel, who has a longtime history of community engagement in Brookings. The Brookings mayor position is a two-year term. During a recent voter’s forum

INDEX

at the Chetco Library, Mayor Hedenskog touted himself as the candidate with the most experience and continuity. His first stint with the city council dates back to 2007 and he has been involved with the city government on and off since then. “I think I’ve got another twoyears in me. I would like to stay active,” he said. The mayor said the city has recently taken out a $30 million dollar grant/loan that he would like

to follow up with. “We’ve had projects that have been neglected for thirty-some years because our infrastructure were underfunded,” Hedenskog said. “I’ve tried to turn that around the whole time I have been with the city council and we have made good strides. This new loan is going to finish it off and I would like to be part of that and meet the goals that were set 15 years ago.” Please see BROOKINGS Page A4

The four candidates hoping to replace Peter DeFazio in the U.S. House shared their thoughts on a variety of issues during a candidate forum Thursday. The virtual forum allowed the candidates to show their differences on a number of issues important to the Fourth Congressional District, Oregon and the country. Republican Alek Skarlatos and Democrat Val Hoyle are the top candidates in the race, but they will also face a challenge from Mike Beilstein with the Green Party and Libertarian Levi Leatherberry. During opening statements the four candidates introduced themselves and some of their thoughts on the race. "The two major parties have a lock on political parties, but they're the same brand of political power," Beilstein said. "The Green Party represents the opposition to the controlled political party. The Green Party represents the power of the Earth and peace." Hoyle, the current labor commissioner in Oregon, said people in the district know her and can trust her. "People here know me because I've lived and worked in this community for 22 years," she said. "In this debate, you get to make some very clear choices because there's a vast difference between the candidates. I have always stood up for working people, I have always worked for jobs. You know me, I've delivered time and time again for this district." Leatherberry said it is time to give a third-party candidate a chance. "I'm a local farmer, an independent and a libertarian as well," he said. "Both parties, financially, are the same. I'm trying to find an alternative. I'm a farmer, I've seen how my land changes by their policies, how my ability to feed my family changes by their policies. You can't be funded by the problem and create solutions at the same time." Skarlatos, who served in the National Guard before running for office, said Democrats in charge right now have done little for the district. "I saw that our district was hurting. We're the poorest congressional district in the state of Oregon," Skarlatos said. "We've had Democrat leadership in our Please see CONGRESS Page A2

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Ave, Ste 7, Brookings, 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

Obituaries

A3

Calendar of Events Classifieds Crossword Answer

Crossword Puzzle

Latest news can be found online at:

We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Send us your news, photos, and videos and let us know what's going on!

A3 A6 A7

PilotNews@CountryMedia.net A10

@CurryPilot

www.CurryPilot.com

$1.50


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
CCP1014 by C.M.I. - Issuu