Compromise means more port candidates on Our Town

Coast Radio News
Local News

It now appears that nearly all of the candidates seeking election to the Port of Siuslaw Commission will be present during Wednesday’s Our Town on KCST.  The program will air live from the Florence Events Center May 1st from four to seven pm and will also feature interviews with candidates for the Siuslaw School Board and Siuslaw Valley Fire Board.

Three candidates who previously said they will not be in attendance because of a schedule conflict will be able to participate after all, albeit on a limited basis.  “Team Siuslaw”, consisting of Jay Nefcy, Nancy Rickard and Shane Burnem will be at a campaign rally until six PM, but will join the Our Town broadcast for the final hour at the FEC.

4:05pm 1st Wednesday every month Starting off Wednesday’s program will be a one-on-one interview with fire board candidate Keith Stanton.  He is challenging John Scott for position one.  Two candidates are seeking position 6 on the Siuslaw School District board.  Scott Salisbury has held that post for the past four years.  He’s being challenged by Dr. Helen Ritchie.

The bulk of Wednesday’s program will focus on the crowded Port of Siuslaw Race.

Our Town Host Bob Sneddon said the format will allow all candidates a chance to talk about their views and qualifications.  Members of the audience at the Events Center will also be asked to join in with questions.

Two candidates will not be present.  John Buchanan was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and is recuperating in California.  He announced earlier this week he would not be actively seeking reelection to position 1.  His name will still appear on ballots though.

David Huntington is a candidate for position 5.  He says a “personal matter” will prevent his participation Wednesday.

Seven of the remaining ten will be on the air beginning at 4:30.   Terry Duman is seeking Position 1;  John “Jay” Cable, Dwight Coon and John Scott are all seeking position 3 which is currently held by Scott.

Scott, by the way, is also seeking re-election to position 1 on the fire board.

Ron Caputo is a candidate for Port position 5 and John Murphey and Gary Thorsen are seeking the 2 year unexpired term of position 2 formerly held by Joshua Greene.

Nefcy is running for position 5; Burnem position 1; and Rickard is seeking position 2.  They are all running as “Team Siuslaw” and will be in attendance for the final hour of the program from six to seven pm.

Participation of “Team Siuslaw” will balance the broadcast and give listeners a better perspective according to Sneddon.  “The more information voters can get on any issue or race, the better selection they’ll be able to make”.

Ballots for the May 21st election will be mailed Friday, May 3rd.

It’s all sponsored by Andy Baber of Edward Jones Investments; Holloway and Associates CPA’s; and PeaceHealth Siuslaw Region.  It airs on KCST, FM 106.9, Wednesday May 1st from  4:00 and 7:00 PM.

Portions of KCST’s Our Town also air on Community Television Channel 10 with the cooperation of Campbell Productions.  Viewers in Dunes City and Florence can watch the program on tape delay on this and other CPTV affiliate stations.  Each program airs 16 times per week, check local listings at http://oregoncities.tv    The programs also air on Charter Cable channel 18 in Lincoln and Tillamook Counties.