Candidates for state and county office spoke at a Meet the Candidates Night sponsored by the Mt. Vernon Grange Sept. 19. They included (from left) Grant County District Attorney candidate Mike Kilpatrick, county commissioner candidate Leonard Trafton, District 60 state representative candidate Roxanna Swann (Baker City) and District 59 state representative candidate John Mabrey (The Dalles); and (not pictured) District 59 state representative candidate Jim Gilbertson (Culver), District 60 state representative candidate Tom Butler (Ontario), county commissioner candidate Boyd Britton and Judy Schuette, representing Grant County District Attorney candidate Lee Carter. Communities Against Substance Abuse will host a candidates' forum Saturday, Oct. 19.

Editor’s note: Candidates presented their messages to voters at a Meet the Candidates Night sponsored by the Mt. Vernon Grange Sept. 19. Following are summaries about the candidates, based on information from this forum and from other sources. At the conclusion of each summary is the endorsement of the Blue Mountain Eagle.Grant County District AttorneyAbout the office: The DA’s office has seen its share of changes in the past three years. Nancy Nickel was appointed to the district attorney’s position by Gov. John Kitzhaber on April 10, 2000, after the resignation of Tom Howes. Howes was appointed by Kitzhaber after the death of longtime Grant County DA Ed Holpuch. Nickel was elected to the position in the May 2000 primary and did not have to run in the November general election. However, she was recalled from office this January. The governor’s office has provided acting DAs to fill the vacancy pending this fall’s general election.Ballot candidate Mike Kilpatrick, Mt. VernonCandidate background: A lawyer since 1978, Mike Kilpatrick owns a domestic elk ranch north of Mt. Vernon. Occupations: lawyer, lifetime rancher, commercial fisherman, court clerk. Education: Attended grade and high school in John Day and Mt. Vernon; earned a bachelor of science degree at Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande in 1974; received his jurist doctorate from Lewis and Clark College in Portland in 1977; attended numerous legal education classes on criminal and governmental law. Experience: pro tem Grant County Justice of the Peace; Multnomah County Circuit Court Clerk; represented the Grant County Assessor on tax court matters; practiced law in every county in Eastern Oregon in circuit court, justice court and district court, with additional experience in federal court, the Oregon Supreme Court, Oregon Court of Appeals and Oregon Tax Court. Personal: A fourth-generation Eastern Oregonian, Kilpatrick was born and raised in Grant County. He married Cindy Hansen in 1974, and they have two children, Tawnya, 20, and David, 14.Memorable quotes: “The law’s the same.” – Referring to the question of whether a former defense attorney can shift gears and prosecute cases as the district attorney. “It’s not a popularity contest. It’s about doing the job right.” – About the write-in campaign against him. “I have no problem with law enforcement, but law enforcement needs to be held to the same standards that everybody else is. I have no problem with anybody, law enforcement or state agencies, as long as they abide by what we pay them to do.” – About perceptions that he is anti-law enforcement. “I guess I’m troubled that law enforcement wants to go handpick someone they believe they can control. The district attorney’s office is not a private lawyer for law enforcement; it’s for all citizens.” – On his write-in opponent being recruited by and receiving support from citizens, many of whom are affiliated with law enforcement agencies.Goals: “The district attorney’s office has had many different people from out of the area acting as Grant County District Attorney. The office needs stability and someone who knows the people and problems of Grant County.” “I would shift cases back to Justice Court, all violations, all misdemeanors can be filed in Justice Court. That would help Circuit Court, that claims to be the busiest circuit court in Oregon, and it also helps the county, because the county gets half of the fines, whereas now those fines are going to the state. … We have a justice court here that is underutilized.”A guiding philosophy: “I think the law needs to be applied equally to all people, no matter who they are and who they work for.”Parting message: “My experience, knowledge and common sense will allow me to fully and successfully investigate and prosecute criminal actions and to do so in a speedy, timely manner.”Write-in candidate Lee Carter, PortlandCandidate background: At the prompting of local citizens, Lawrence “Lee” Carter announced his candidacy as a write-in candidate for the office of Grant County District Attorney. His name will not appear on the ballot, so voters must write his name in the designated spot to vote for him. He currently works in Portland as a trial attorney in criminal defense. Occupations: Carter served as Curry County deputy district attorney 1996-99, returned to private practice from 1999-2000, and currently practices law in Portland with Multnomah Defenders Inc. While practicing law, he served on the mental health advisory board in Curry County. Educational background: graduated with GED from Sonora High School in 1978, bachelor’s of arts degree from California Polytechnic University in finance, attended law school for jurist doctorate degree at University of California-Hastings, numerous seminars and classes. Experience: Carter started his public service career as a prosecutor, and he has added diversity by practicing law in six counties in Oregon. Carter has legal experience in domestic relations, juvenile and elder cases, as well as wide-ranging experience in criminal law, both prosecuting and defending cases. Worked as clerk for a judge in Oakland, Calif. Personal: Single; a gun-owner and believer in capital punishment. His parents ran a working cattle ranch near Las Vegas, N.M., and he spent time there in northern New Mexico. He says he sees geographic similarities with Grant County.Memorable quotes: “I first came through Grant County after people called me and asked me if I’d be interested in running for the position.” – Referring to this first trip to the county this spring. He has made numerous trips since. “I made a decision in my life that I wasn’t going to do any more work defending major felonies.” – On his priorities as a public defender. “How can you take a position one day and then reverse yourself with the same cast of characters the next day?” – Wondering about his opponent’s intention of shifting from defense work to prosecution work in the same geographic location. Goals: My goals would be to involve the community in the criminal justice system so everybody understands that it’s our justice system. To be sympathetic to local culture, but not beholden to this sympathy; he would approach each case based on facts and circumstances. “My first reaction was very pleasant surprise, I thought, ‘Wow, that could be a terrific opportunity for me and hopefully a place to settle long term if this were to come to fruition.'” – Referring to his intentions of settling in Grant County if elected.A guiding philosophy: “I have the knowledge of the law, combined with the work ethic and sense of fair play that citizens of Grant County expect from their district attorney. I am diligent in my approach to criminal prosecution, and am committed to the fair administration of justice.”Parting message: “I have an excellent track record of remaining neutral and objective to different viewpoints within county government. … The perception is I’m able to hear and appreciate more than one point of view on a subject.”Our endorsement: Lee Carter because he has the support of law enforcement agencies, a critical component to success in the district attorney’s office, and because he shows a genuine enthusiasm for the job. Also, his aloofness to Grant County politics should help him avoid the personal conflicts which plagued the last DA. We respect his opponent, but we encourage a write-in vote for Carter.Grant County CourtAbout the office: Incumbent Leonard Trafton won his seat on the Grant County Court in a three-way race in 1998. He is running for re-election. The person elected, Trafton or his challenger, Boyd Britton, will serve four years and work with commissioner Scott Myers and Grant County Judge Dennis Reynolds. Myers and Reynolds were elected to their seats in 2000.Democrat Leonard Trafton, John DayCandidate background: A lifelong resident of Grant County, Trafton has served on numerous boards, including school boards for Grant Union High School and Seneca; and was on the John Day City Council. Among his accomplishments, he helped form the John Day/Canyon City Parks and Recreation District and worked on developing the Seventh Street Complex in John Day. Memorable quotes: “I oppose what we’re doing, running our county on grants.” – Referring to uncertain funding sources for programs such as the school resource officer. “If we let that slide through our fingers and not keep those jobs in this county, then we’re remiss.” – On building roads and helping the city develop sewer and water infrastructure at a proposed industrial park near the Grant County Regional Airport. “We don’t have a grudge against the sheriff’s office.” – On the Grant County Court’s relationship with county law enforcement, particularly on the issue of compensatory time accrual.Goals: Industrial park near airport. Revival of youth camp at Lake Creek in Logan Valley. Diversifying the local economy.A guiding philosophy: “We need to stand on our own two feet and do these things ourselves.”Parting message: “The reason why we don’t have business coming into this place is because we don’t have anyplace with infrastructure.”Republican Boyd Britton, John DayCandidate background: Britton started his welding and fabrication business in Susanville, Calif., before moving to Eastern Oregon. “Happiness is seeing California in the rear-view mirror,” he said. Britton serves on the John Day/Canyon City Parks and Recreation District board.Memorable quotes: “A lot of people will say we don’t need a cop in the school. I think you’ll find that’s money well spent.” – Referring to the school resource officer, a position which could be discontinued once the grant requirements have been met. “I feel a different attitude needs to be taken to the BLM and the Forest Service.” – Referring to County Court efforts to revive the local timber economy with federal land managers. “I’m not going to fight the city. I’m going to encourage them.” Referring to John Day’s commitment of funds to develop an industrial park near the Grant County Regional Airport.Goals: Find ways to develop the west end of John Day for business recruitment. Encourage harmony between the County Court and departments. Investigate paying a sheriff’s deputy to serve northern Grant County.A guiding philosophy: “If you’re going to cut something, you go across the board.”Parting message: “I hope that I can restore some civility to the court.” Our endorsement: Leonard Trafton because he supports the concept of building an industrial park near the Grant County Regional Airport. Most campaigns do not hinge on a single issue, but this one does. We need unified support for an industrial park at the airport, and his opponent’s stated opposition to this concept tilts the scales in an otherwise competitive race between two excellent and tightly matched candidates.