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Candidates square off at forum
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 The five candidates for a single seat coming open on the Union County Board of Commissioners prepare to take the stage at the candidate forum Tuesday. From left, Jim Mollerstrom and Greg Franklin are contending for the Democratic nod. From right, Mark Davidson, Kyle Corbin and John Lamoreau all seek the Republican nomination in the upcoming primary. - Observer photos/PHIL BULLOCK About 80 people showed up for the event, which was sponsored by the Union County Chamber of Commerce. Dan Ousley and Phil Mendiguren, candidates for judge, took the stage first, highlighting their contentious race. Ousley told the crowd that he can improve on the performance of incumbent Circuit Judge Phil Mendiguren. Mendiguren said he doubts it. “Any lawyer who thinks he can step in and take the place of a seasoned, competent judge is naive,” he said during his opening remarks. Ousley, a member of the Oregon bar since 1973, served 12 years as Wallowa County District attorney before losing the job to Mona Williams in 2006. Ousley runs a private practice in Enterprise and continues to represent Wallowa County in civil matters. Other experience includes a stint as city attorney and city manager in Toledo. He said Tuesday that his experience in the public sector and in private practice gives him extensive knowledge to draw from. “I have a wide range of legal experience, all of which I think would be invaluable. I’d draw on that experience every day as circuit court judge,” he said.
 Incumbent Circuit Court Judge Phil Mendiguren Mendiguren made a reference to “mud-slinging” by some of Ousley’s supporters. He asked voters to base their decisions on the past performance of the candidates. “Judges and lawyers are best judged by what they’ve done in the past. The proof is in the pudding,” he said. “I truly hope you look at the past for both Dan Ousley and me.” Following the judge candidate presentations, the five candidates for a single seat coming open on the Union County Board of Commissioners took the stage. Kyle Corbin, Mark Davidson and John Lamoreau all seek the Republican nomination in the upcoming primary; Greg Franklin and Jim Mollerstorm are contending for the Democratic nod. Debate among the candidates was civil throughout. Issues included funding for basic county services, the future of Buffalo Peak Golf Course and the Wallowa Union Railroad, accessibility of county officials and proposed establishment the Mount Emily Recreation Area. On the latter issue, all the candidates expressed some level of support. Davidson emphasized the fact that the county board of commissioners has referred the question of purchase of the property for the recreation area to voters. “The commission heeded the call for a vote and I think they did the right thing. If I was commissioner, I’d heed the outcome of the vote,” he said.
 Challenger Dan Ousley “I did not find a single candidate I thought was bad,” said Gene Erwin. “I felt they were almost teaching each other about county government and what it entails.” Stephen Donnell agreed. “It was excellent,” he said. “The questions were germane and the candidates did an excellent job answering them.” Today, The Observer continues its in-depth, five-part series of interviews with county commission candidates. The series began Tuesday with Corbin. Davidson’s segment appears today on Page 6A. Interviews with Lamoreau, Franklin and Mollerstrom will will follow on successive days. |
