It was standing room only Tuesday night, as more than 80 people crowded into the council chambers at Coos Bay City Hall to hear candidates for two county commissioner positions debate the issues facing the county and answer questions from the community.

The League of Women Voters of Coos County hosted the forum, and candidates Nikki Whitty, Thomas Matosec of North Bend, and Mickey Kincheloe of Myrtle Point; Timm Slater, of North Bend, Kevin Stufflebean and Jack Christian, both of Coos Bay.

Questions were generated by the audience and submitted to moderator Tim Novotny, who held the candidates to a strict format and timetable. The candidates debated in groups of three, Whitty, Matosec and Kincheloe in the group for Position 2 went first, with Stufflebean, Slater and Christian following, for Position No. 3.

The prevailing issues of the night were the proposed liquified natural gas facility on the North Spit, economic development and how to handle the rampant methamphetamine abuse in the county.

LNG controversy

Matosec, who admitted he had no political experience, was outspoken regarding the potential danger of the proposed LNG terminal, accusing Jordan Cove of misrepresenting the risks and failing to follow recommendations to locate LNG terminals in unpopulated areas. He called the proposal an awful idea and questioned why Coos County never seems to receive any good ideas for economic development.

“I'm totally opposed to this,” he said. “The only hope you have if you oppose this LNG terminal, is to vote for me.”

Whitty, the incumbent, was a bit more positive on the LNG issue, encouraging those with questions to provide public input during the 18-month hearing and evaluation process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

“I support it. I know I represent a lot of people with questions about this issue,” she said. “But I think a commissioner's job is make sure there is enough public input during the hearing process.”

Kincheloe had no reservations about LNG, and said he supported the terminal.

“I don't think you can be negative right off the bat to a business that's interested in locating in your area,” he said. “I don't think we should be naysayers.”

During their turn at the microphone, the candidates for Position No. 3 fell along similar lines on LNG.

Stufflebean, currently a Coos Bay City councilor, and former North Bend Mayor Slater, said they supported the terminal, although Stufflebean said he was concerned about verifying the safeguards necessary.

Christian said he did not support the proposed LNG terminal.

“I think the opponents of the LNG facility have some valid concerns and we need to listen to that and try to reduce the risks,” he said.

Developing the economy

All candidates were asked about economic development or bringing more jobs to the county.

Kincheloe, Slater and Stufflebean all said they supported bringing more employers to the county, either through the South Coast Development Council or other means. Christian said he didn't know enough about development or the SCDC to hazard a guess.

Matosec pounced on the opportunity to reiterate his opinion that the county should not be involved in economic development, private business or providing tax breaks to companies.

“As far as SCDC, I don't see it's worth the money. As a commissioner I wouldn't have much to do with it,” he said.

Whitty explained that the county commissioners have a seat on the SCDC board, and supported the efforts of the group to bring more businesses to the area.

“We've been very proactive and made a lot of progress,” she said.

The candidates were less united on how to handle methamphetamine problems on the county. Although they all admitted something should be done, what to do was open for debate.

“If you dry up the users you'll dry up the dealers,” Kincheloe said. He encouraged law enforcement to crack down on people buying drugs from local dealers.

Slater didn't have a suggestion to stop the problem but called the meth use in the county an “epidemic” that had not received enough attention. Christian agreed the county needed assistance dealing with the drug issue, but said nothing else.

Matosec and Stufflebean both supported using more rehabilitation and less enforcement on users.

“I think you need a combination of prevention, intervention and rehabilitation to make the most impact,” Stufflebean said. “Underage drinking is not enough of a focus. It is the gateway to underage tobacco and drug use.”

Larger issues

When asked about the most important issues facing the county, the candidates provided a wide variety of problems.

Matosec summed up the issues facing the county in three letters: LNG. Other candidates had larger concerns.

Kincheloe and Slater both said unemployment and economic development were the largest problems for the county.

Whitty and Christian selected the fishing industry situation, which Whitty said had only begun to effect the area. She also said affordable housing was about to become a crisis for families countywide.

“It's getting to the point where young families can't afford to buy homes in the area, and our schools cannot afford the loss of any more students. They just can't take it,” Whitty said.

Stufflebean had a laundry list of problems, ranging from methamphetamine abuse to transportation for the aging community.

“Poverty is a big issue in Coos County. Our social environment affects our economic environment, and vice versa,” he added.

The atmosphere throughout the night was respectful and attentive, but at the end of the forum the audience launched into animated discussions, filling the council chambers.

Community members expressed interest in the different approaches the candidates took to the issues.

“It was very informative. There was a clear difference on some of the issues,” said Molly Ford, of Coos Bay. “It was very obvious the candidates had different levels of knowledge on the workings of the county and different priorities.”

Ford said the forum had helped her decide who she would vote for.

The final candidate forum will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 1, in the Hales Center for the Performing Arts at Southwestern Oregon Community College, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.