Two Candidates file for County Commissioner

Roseburg, OR-Thursday September 10, 2015 was the first day candidates could officially file their candidacy for the May 2016 Primary Election. First term Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice turned in his papers at the Douglas County Clerk’s office filing to run for re-election to Position 3, the seat formerly held by Doug Robertson until his resignation last July. Boice was elected to his position in the November 2014 general election and his current term will end December 31, 2016. Local businessman and civic leader Gary Leif also filed his papers for County Commissioner for Position 1, the position being vacated at the end of 2016 by Susan Morgan who has been term limited out. This is Leif’s second run for commissioner. He ran for the same seat vacated by Robertson which Boice now holds. However this time he’s not running against Boice, he will seek to join him as a colleague on the three member Board of Commissioners. Neither Boice nor Leif have an opponent at this early stage of the campaign, and the filing deadline of March 8, 2016 is several months away. Boice described his first eight months in office as a “quick learning curve” which he said was full of fairly controversial issues, like charging at the landfill, and parking at county parks, which were supported unanimously by all three current commissioners. Boice said however, that if it weren’t for the loss of timber revenues to the county they wouldn’t need those new user fees. He also said at some point when timber payments are restored he’d like to see those fees repealed. Leif said his involvement in civic groups and on various economic development boards has prepared him for the challenges of the commissioner’s office. “My leadership and can-do attitude and the ability to work with others will be essential as we deal with the county’s financial problems and many departments run by the county.” Leif is optimistic about his chance of winning this time based on his support by more than 13,000 voters in the last election.