John Pundt is campaigning for Coos Bay City Council in the Nov. 4 mail-in election. This information was provided by the candidate.

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

• What in your background would help you as an elected official?



I was president for three years of a group founded by myself and others in Empire dubbed Concerned Citizens of Empire. Our group has been very pro-active in lobbying for improvement of the Empire area, including the hollering place project. I was president of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce in 2004 and on the chamber board from 2002 to 2005.

• Why are you 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.

• What do you see as the key issues in the race?

There are many issues that need to be addressed. Spending needs to be narrowed down to common-sense priorities. Bureaucracy needs to play less of a role and be streamlined so as to better serve citizens and small businesses.

The police department is a major issue — better utilization of funds and manpower. More officers may be needed, but only after careful study and consideration.

Fire Department and its future new home downtown are significant issues that need to be attended to in a timely fashion.

• What would you like to see happen at the Hollering Place?

The Hollering Place Project needs to get underway. It's a center piece project in the Empire area that has garnered a lot of support, particularly with Empire area residents and businesses. The wayside component was to have started some time ago and it is encouraging to see the project now may at last have a master plan in place in the near future. I do wish a local firm had been selected to formulate the master plan instead of an out of town firm. The issue from the perspective of many who have been involved since the beginning has been the change in focus putting the focus on finding a commercial developer or developers to fund the project. It is my opinion that the project should be city owned and at the very least, the Wayside funded through the Urban Renewal Agency, who owns the property and is funded by public money. If a developer is located for the lower property than I feel the community should have a major say in how it is developed so that the best interests of the community are taken into consideration.

• What do think is the solution to the situation involving Southwestern Oregon Community College refusing to pay for police services?

I feel it's the city's responsibility to protect its citizens. The college is a major part of our community and needs the same consideration as the rest of Coos Bay residents and taxpayers.

• What do you think about the proposal to construct an LNG terminal on the North Spit?

I think public opinion has brought attention to many serious issues that need careful consideration. I think I would at this point refrain from taking an official position on this very critical decision in the event, I am elected and called upon to vote on the issue. I would add that this is something not to be taken lightly.

• If the Presbyterian Church site falls through, where do you think a fire station should be built?

I do not have enough specifics on the options to give a recommendation on an alternative site, but I think the church site is a good one and hopefully it will not fall through.

• What ideas do you have for improving the city's urban renewal districts?

 I think the past has shown that more careful consideration should be made with respect to expenditures and more public input should be solicited by the city to find out what residents want of their communities. It is the job of city government to serve and not to direct shaping of our community. The city and the Urban Renewal Agency need to be more aggressive in seeking public comments.

• How would you rate the performance of the current city council?

Fair, but I think a lot more can be done to better represent the citizens and business owners.

• What do you think about the city annexing Bunker Hill or any other county land?

I think that question is better asked of the residents in the area

being considered for annexation. If the majority are in support of such an action, than I think it should be considered.

• How should the city pay for the $42 million in repairs to the wastewater treatment and sewer system?

Without more information, I cannot answer this question in specifics. I do know that we are talking about a necessary improvement, but the dollars need to be spent wisely. I think every possible funding option should be explored.