Here is an abbreviated look at the candidates for Coos Bay City Council. There are four open seats and nine candidates. For longer answers to questions, see the related links.

Daniel Baumann

Age: 39

Has lived in Coos Bay: 13 years

Occupation: Unemployed

Experience:

None

Why he’s running

“I feel there should be different age groups in public office. I believe the younger people need a voice on the Coos Bay city council as well.”

Hollering Place project: Use the site as a viewpoint, with information about the area and the marine life in the bay.

Economic plan: Oppose any new tax;

provide tax breaks to encourage development of a Home Depot or Costco.

LNG: I would say “no” to the proposed LNG terminal. I don’t feel it would help this area, and there are no guarantees it would be safe.

 Jon Eck

Age: 51

Years in Coos Bay: 51 years

Occupation: dispatcher/project manager with Reese Electric

Experience: 4 years on the budget committee, 6 years on the City Council; currently serves as council president and chairman of Urban Renewal Agency

Why he’s running:

Wants to help see through several projects the council started during his watch, such as construction of a new fire station. Also wants to make it easier for residents to work with the city’s building and planning departments.

Hollering Place: Improvements should be driven by the Empire community through cooperation with the developers providing the lion’s share of funding. Sees the desire for a light commercial mix that shows off the site’s historical significance.

Economic plan: Strongly supports the SCDC program, though it is simply one of many tools for the city to use in attracting new businesses. Also wants to continue the facade improvement program to get rid of blighted areas. Liked the idea of an option levy to pay for even more urban renewal projects, though wants to put it to voters first.

LNG: Hasn’t made up his mind. Doesn’t like eminent domain and thinks it’s important to maintain the “livability” of the area while providing more family-wage jobs.

“We need to try and get a big company in here whether it’s LNG or manufacturing.”

David Engholm

Age: 43

Years in Coos Bay: 18 years

Occupation: property management, E-Bay sales

Experience:

Former president of the Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association

Why he’s running:

He would like to offer new ideas. Has a good rapport with councilors and will work for consensus. Also would like to work with the Coos County Historical and Maritime Museum to develop a museum on the Coos Bay waterfront.

Hollering Place: Supports the project.

Economic plans: Thinks the city should consider putting out tax incentives to attract companies to the business district.

LNG: Does not have enough information to comment on the project.

Howard Forte

Age: 51

Years in Coos Bay: 12 years

Occupation: sales

manager at Coos Bay Toyota

Experience:

Two years on Coos Bay Budget Committee

Why he’s running:

Said he feels he has a mission to be involved in his community.

“I would like to help make it easier for people to move here and start a business and build a home and put their children into our schools.”

Hollering Place: “It should be a place where families can go for a quick picnic, get a bite to eat, etc. It needs to be accessible and affordable for the users.”

Economic plans: Make it easier to work with the city to build a home and start a business. Improve customer service at City Hall. Thinks the SCDC has been effective. “We are on the map because of those guys.”

LNG: Figures the issue is out of the city’s hands. “My thoughts are, whatever the decision, we jump in and try to find a way to make peace.”

Joanie Johnson

Age: 61

Years in Coos Bay: 55 years

Occupation: owner of Sincerely Yours! Antique Mall

Experience:

State of Oregon Ombudsman, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Hollering Place: She wants to see a viewpoint with a really nice building structure, a restaurant/hotel at the lower level, and a developed dock to accommodate Tall Ships.

Economic plans: Need to have two-way traffic on Anderson and Commercial avenues to Fourth Street. Reduce charges to existing businesses. Create a shopping district.

LNG: The city has no control over the issue, but she supports it. “I’m fully ready to accept it, embrace it and look forward to the benefits it can bring to our area.”

Thomas Kramer

Age: 72

Has lived in Coos Bay: 6 1/2 years

Occupation: search & rescue captain

Prior political experience:

None

Why he’s running

Wants to make a difference in the community and offer a new perspective to what he perceives as a Good Ol’ Boys network.

Hollering Place

Wants the city to construct an overlook so people can see that progress is being made while plans are developed for the lower section

Economic plan

Doesn’t think the city should be a member of SCDC. Instead, the city should contact businesses itself. “I don’t see anything coming out of the investment.”

LNG

Supports it. I think the good that would be created by having the LNG terminal outweighs the negatives.

Gene Melton

Age: 69

Years in Coos Bay: 56

Occupation: retired truck driver

Political experience: Eastside City Council, Bay Area Transportation District board, Coos Bay Budget Committee, Coos Bay City Council, Coos County Urban Renewal Agency

Why he’s running

To stay involved with his hometown and its citizens while working to increase jobs and improve the area’s livability.

 Hollering Place

Likes the process of gathering input from the public about what should go in on the city’s site. Likes the proposed mixed-use idea, including the restoration of the dock.

LNG

Still has an open mind on the project. “As a citizen, it would create jobs for the area. As a retired fire chief, I understand the danger or the lack of danger.”

Economic plan

Need to ease or speed up permitting process for businesses and help people to grant programs. “There are too many roadblocks for businesses.”

 D. Stephen Pickering

Age: 61

Years in Coos Bay: 6

Occupation: retired manager

Prior elected experience: a student senator in 1960s

Why he’s running:

Wants to see change and serve as a full-time city councilor. “Public Servant is more than a title. You need to be a servant of the people who elected you.”

Hollering Place:

On record as supporting a mixed-use replica seaport village with public and commercial spaces. “Some parts of the current plan are great, but I don’t understand the need to go outside the area for expertise and guidance. The public has told the city what they want for nine years. Listen to them.”

Economic plans:

Needs to be greater collaboration among cities. Doesn’t support new taxes unless mandated for something such as sewer system.

LNG

Leaning toward opposition. “I have seen the countryside dotted with refineries. It is not a view I or anyone else wants to see on the Oregon Coast anywhere.”

John Pundt

Age: 57

Years in Coos Bay: 4

Occupation: business owner

Political experience:

Nothing elected, though served as president of Concerned Citizens of Empire and Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Why he’s running

“My purpose for running is to help redirect priorities in the community and bring to the table a fresh look at how the city can better serve the citizens and the small business community.”

Hollering Place

Believes the project needs to get under way. “It’s a centerpiece project in the Empire area that has garnered a lot of support.” Was unhappy the council picked an out-of-town firm to produce a master plan, but is encouraged to see the progress. Thinks a wayside should be built and funded by the Urban Renewal Agency. The rest of the project should have significant public say.

Economic plans:

The city’s bureaucracy is cumbersome. Has mixed feelings about SCDC. “Philosophically it’s a great concept, but it really hasn’t developed into any strong assets.”

LNG

Has no public opinion, though considers it a serious issue. “I think public opinion has brought attention to many serious issues that need careful consideration.”