CANDIDATES FACE QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

For the first half of the forum in Toledo last Wednesday, the
candidates made their pitches and replied to those of their opponents.
But after that, they replied to questions from the audience - and the
answers those questions elicited were among the most interesting of
the evening.

One question asked the Sheriff candidates their views on the medical
marijuana ballot measure. It produced some interesting soul-searching
by the two candidates.

"I've been in law enforcement for 28-1/2 years," replied Sheriff
Dotson, "and the idea of legalizing marijuana was very hard for me to
accept. I've listened to the county drug team's stories, and they see
the effect it had on people. But - my stepfather has pancreatic
cancer, and is in a lot of pain. The chemo has not worked. His wife
asked me, 'How do I obtain marijuana?' ... So I'm conflicted on this.
He was a smoker and then he quit. I think the amount in the measure"
that would be decriminalized for medical purposes, "one pound, is far
too much. That's my only objection to Measure 33," Dotson said.

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His challenger, Lieutenant Ed Stallard noted the Sheriff is "a part of
the executive branch and has to enforce the law whether we agree with
it or not. So it is a little dangerous for us to take an opinion on a
legislative matter." Still, he said, "while I believe there may be
some benefit to medical marijuana, the cases that come before me are
of (its) abuse. I'd prefer to see the guidelines tightened up as to
what is allowable," he said. "The law needs to be very clear, if we
are to enforce it," he added.

Another question asked about the candidates' views on tobacco controls
and whether they would accept tobacco company contributions.

Jean Cowan, outgoing county commissioner and candidate for the State
Representative seat from the area, said she has been "a strong
proponent for years of anti-smoking measures." She said she would not
take tobacco money.

The man she is challenging, Rep. Alan Brown, replied "I have accepted
contributions from the tobacco companies, and all of their business
does not necessarily come from the sale of tobacco." But, he added,
"It was my bill that created the smoking ban for the state of Oregon."

The State Senate candidates were asked what can be done to halt child
abuse and neglect, and how government could retain or increase funding
levels for programs to combat such abuse.

Al Pearn said we should "first ensure that police departments are
properly staffed. There are programs to address it," he said, adding
that "child abuse is an offense against the most vulnerable of our
citizens." He added he did "not have an answer to the last part" of
the question (regarding funding mechanisms).

Joanne Verger said, "A lot of child abuse comes from families that
need jobs and are frustrated because they don't have jobs. And we have
lots of social ills, alcoholism, meth use, and they are all part of it
. Jobs would help, education would help, and if I were queen for a
day, I'd have 90-day programs for treating drug abuse and alcoholism
in each county in Oregon."