Candidates gather at forum

She said people wanting to submit questions for candidates don’t have to wait until the forum starts at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, on the third floor of Building 2 at Columbia Gorge Community College.

“This just makes things easier for people,” she said.

Questions can be sent via email to info@the dalleschamber.com.

The chamber has teamed up once again with the Wasco County Farm Bureau to sponsor the candidate gathering so residents can be informed about issues prior to the Nov. 4 general election.

“We are going to give people an opportunity to meet the candidates and then we’ll get right down to the questions,” said Hardin.

Fritz Ellett, president of the local farm bureau, said the organization co-sponsors the event to provide voters with a chance to personally meet the candidates.

“We encourage all voters to participate and formulate an objective opinion,” he said.

Mark Bailey, director of programming for Bicoastal Media stations in Hood River and The Dalles, and Rodger Nichols, news director for Haystack Broadcasting in The Dalles, will serve as master of ceremonies for the question and answer session.

Guests in contested races are:

• Wasco County Commissioner Rod Runyon and his opponent Bridget Bailey for the Position 3 seat.

• Carolyn Wood, who serves at-large on The Dalles City Council, and challenger Taner Elliott.

• The Dalles City Councilor Bill Dick, who holds Position 3, and contender Russ Brown.

• Circuit Court Judge Karen Ostrye and rival Timothy Farrell.

The Dalles Mayor Steve Lawrence, who is running unopposed, will also be present, as will Jill Amery, candidate for Wasco County Assessor.

Hardin said the chamber and farm bureau were unable to coordinate schedules for a visit by any of federal and state candidates.

Tables will be set up to provide information on ballot measures that will be decided by voters in a little less than a month.

These include:

• Measure 88 – Seeks issuance of driver’s licenses to people who can’t prove legal residence in the U.S.

• Measure 89 – Changes Oregon’s election system so all voters receive the same primary ballots, regardless of party, and the top two winners go on to the general election.

• Measure 91 – Asks voters to legalize recreational marijuana and tasks the Oregon Liquor Control Commission with sales.

• Measure 92 – Mandates labeling of foods that contain genetically modified organisms.