District 60 campaign heat ups
Cliff Bentz and Tim Smith ready for primary showdown
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Saturday, March 15, 2008 10:24 PM PDT
ONTARIO - It may not be as visible as the presidential campaign, but both candidates for the seat in Oregon’s 60th legislative district, vacated by Tom Butler, are hard at work getting out on the campaign trail across portions of Eastern Oregon.
Tim Smith, Burns, is vying for the District 60 slot with Ontario attorney Cliff Bentz. Bentz was nominated in January to Butler’s vacant slot after a unanimous vote of county court and commission members from four Eastern Oregon counties. Smith and Bentz have already agreed to participate in at least three public forums in three counties which form District 60. The first public forum is set for April 1 in Ontario, followed by another one April 10 in Burns. The last session is slated April 24 in Baker City. Exact times will be announced later.
Smith said he has been busy traveling around the district at least twice a week, while Bentz conceded his campaign is building steam after he spent about a month in Salem at the Oregon Legislature’s special session.
Smith said the main concerns that he hears from people out on the road revolve around economic development and use issues.
“The lack of room for expansion,” he said, is a major concern in the Vale and Ontario area. “That has to be addressed.”Also, he said, Oregon’s tax system needs to be addressed to be more favorable for those people wanting to live in the state. Smith also said more local control is needed and the public and private sector needs to work together more on economic development. Smith noted he has just been elected as the chairman of the Oregon Ground Water Advisory Committee.
From his visits with people, Bentz said water issues are a high priority, as are higher fuel prices.
“Some people are in shock over it,” he said. Another concern was on law enforcement, which focused on two ballot measures, one promoted by Kevin Mannix and one by the Legislature. Bentz said the Mannix measure focuses more on imprisonment, while the Legislatures alternative focuses more on treatment.
The cost of health care is also high on the list, he said.
