>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

The Observer’s series of interviews with Union County Commission candidates continues today with Mark Davidson, one of three candidates vying for the Republican nomination.

Davidson is a 37-year La Grande resident who owns and operates the machine shop at Blue Mountain Auto Parts. He has served as a La Grande city councilor and as a member of the city’s budget committee and urban renewal district advisory board. He is a member of the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority Board of Directors.

Area residents will soon have the unique opportunity to hear the full might of the Portland-based Oregon Symphony live — and without trundling down the Columbia River to the City of Roses, either.

The symphony is culminating the first year of its Community Music Partnership in Cove and La Grande with a community concert Saturday.

The extravaganza will be held at the  La Grande High School gym at 7 p.m.

ENTERPRISE — A Joseph man has pleaded guilty and no contest to two of five charges in relation to an August bar brawl.

Two more men are expected to be charged in relation to the fight.

A La Grande man pleaded not guilty Jan. 30 on 10 charges resulting from a car wreck after the fight.

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.

Harris Lackey poses in September with the 9-pound, 8-ounce cabbage he grew last year. The cabbage won a state-wide contest for third-graders. - Photo/Peggy Wallace

The ancient Greeks, who lived some 2,500 years ago, would have been  impressed with Harris Lackey’s green thumb.

The student at Grande Ronde Academy in Island City is a skillful cabbage grower — a skill that has won him a $1,000 savings bond.

Harris grew the largest cabbage in Oregon among third-graders entering a 2007 growing contest conducted by Bonnie Plants, an Alabama-based national plant wholesaler.

The Elgin, North Powder and Summerville city councils will be back in business after Wednesday’s meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners.

The councils in all three cities were all but wiped out last month when members resigned to protest new state ethics reporting requirements. The county is required by state law to appoint enough members for quorums on the councils.

City of La Grande and Union County Art and Cultural Center representatives appear close to finalizing an agreement for lease of the city-owned Carnegie library building.

In a work session Monday night, the city and the UCACC met in a work session to hammer out the fine details of an agreement for the nearly century-old building at the corner of Penn Avenue and Fourth Street. The city council will consider approval of the agreement during its meeting Wednesday.

Union County residents set to vote in the May 20 elections have another chance to meet local candidates tonight, as the Chamber of Commerce hosts a forum at La Grande Middle School.

The five men vying for a single seat open on the Union County Board of Commissioners, and two others running for 10th District Circuit Judge will be on hand for the event. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with introductions getting under way at 7.

The race for 10th District Circuit Judge is shaping up as a contentious one, with incumbent Phil Mendiguren and challenger Dan Ousley looking like bitter rivals as the May 20 election draws closer.

In a recent talk with The Observer, Ousley, a former Wallowa County District Attorney, heavily criticized Mendiguren, who has been judge since 1997.

Mendiguren in turn defended his record and said his experience makes him the best choice.

The education career of Larry Glaze, superintendent of the Elgin School District, is coming full circle.

Glaze has been named the next superintendent of the La Grande School District. The La Grande School Board selected Glaze as the district’s new permanent superintendent Saturday. Glaze will take La Grande’s reins July 1.

“I’m certainly excited. I pledge to do everything I can to make the La Grande  School  District a great place for kids to get their education,’’ Glaze said this morning.