Jackson County Measures Weigh-In

With 43 percent or 90,000 of the Jackson County Vote recorded.

Measure 54

yes 34,473 73.67 percent
no 12.323 23.33 percent

Measure 55

yes 37,137 79.65 percent
no 9,490 20.35 percent

Measure 56

yes 25,540 52.91 percent
no 22,734 47.07 percent

Measure 57

yes 28,617 59.19 percent
no 19,732 40.81 percent

Measure 58

yes 23,025 47.08 percent
no 25,886 62.52 percent

Measure 59

yes 18,483 38.26 percent
no 29,823 61.74 percent

Measure 60

yes 19,587 39.88 percent
no 29,524 60.12 percent

Measure 61

yes 24,275 49.79 percent
no 24,479 50.21 percent

Measure 62

yes 19,729 40.72 percent
no 28,716 59.28 percent

Measure 63

yes 24,494 50.42 percent
no 24,082 49.58 percent

Measure 64

yes 24,809 51.58 percent
no 23,290 48.42 percent

Measure 65

yes 14,948 32.52 percent
no 31,016 67.48 percent

The View from Standing Stone

From our Reporting team in downtown Ashland (Zach Kennedy, Ray Boyd, Rebekah Hill, Stephanie Polito
Joshua Peck and Andrew Martin):

Alex Amarotico, the owner of the Standing Stone Brewing Co., is playing host to a large and boisterous crowd as the night creeps closer to a conclusion.
Amarotico thought it was his duty to serve the public by providing a venue for the public to get together and watch the race progress.
He expects to see candidates Greg Lemhouse and George Kramer, City Councilor Kate Jackson, and lots of locals over the course of the night.
Amarotico, who originally supported Hillary, voted for Obama and has high hopes that he will win. He thinks “Obama had a little more meat in his speeches.”
He also called Joe Lieberman “an incredible running mate.”
As a restaurant owner, Amarotico would be affected by the passage of Measure 15-88. He says the proposed bill is “missing parts” and doesn’t have any “clear guidelines.”
He thinks some businesses would be affected negatively, and some would be affected positively. He thinks Standing Stone would not be affected by the measure.

President Obama

“President Obama” echoes through the Armory as the Blue Bash throws up its arms to welcome the Democratic president into office.  Everyone at the Bash is clapping, dancing, and cheering with happiness for their long awaited win. Many are talking about what Obama is now going to be able to accomplish as our president, some mention wanting more of a balance in government, achieving a better foreign policy, improving healthcare, and fixing our economy. Robin Foster from Ashland said she hopes Obama can bring the country back together, and hopes he will improve Americas “standing in the world.” Democrats here at the Bash all feel a change is approaching in America, and as Obama begins his acceptance he starts it with “Change is coming to America”. Democrats here at the Blue Bash are ecstatic with where we are headed as a country.

Jackson County Races update

At 8 pm the Country Election Office has reported 43 percent of the vote recorded.

President of the United States

Barack Obama    26,870

John McCain   22,847

U.S. Senator

Gordon Smith 23,496  47.43 percent

Jeff Merkley  22,866  46.16 percent

County Commissioner

Dennis C.W. Smith  24,208        50.28 percent

Jim Olney 23,864                       49.54 percent

House District 5

Lynn Howe  6,092         50.96 percent

Sal Esquivel 6,622         48.89 percent

Why did you vote?

On campus our reporter John Crow interviewed Austin Loreman:

Q. Is this your first time voting?

A. No, I voted in the 04 election.

Q. Do you vote based on your party?

A. I try to keep an open mind pertaining to referendums, but sticking mostly to the Republican party.

Q. Why did you vote?

A. Anyone who doesn’t vote has no say in what happens in this country.

Q. What are the major issues you were concerned with?

A. Everyone says the economy, but I believe it is the progress of this country.

“It’s About Your Future”

Sent in by Cynthia Edmonds and Michael Nomura:
Cheers, cries and screams of “Go Obama!” lit the air throughout the Redrock Italian Eatery in downtown Medford.
As early election results come in from the eastern U.S. for the presidential election, Obama supporters and Democrats started celebrating the election early.
“It’s a great night,” said Denise Cyr, volunteer coordinator for the Obama campaign in Jackson County. “We’re doing so well so early its amazing.”
Patrons to the Redrock include one Jacksonville family with three children under 5 enjoying the spaghetti.
“They feel the excitement. They can fell there’s something going on,” said Ken Snoke about the children.
Snoke said the thought the day was bigger for the children than the adults.
“They’re the ones that inherit what we do right now. I think Obama has the potential to make some long term improvements,” he said.
Alan Bates, Oregon state senator for District 3 echoed that sentiment.
“It’s really about your future, not my future,” said Bates to Southern Oregon University students.
Bates spoke about the importance of affordable collage education, mentioning that college was only $99 a term when we went to school.
Although positive about this election outcome, Bates cautioned against declaring early results, stating that he has seen campaigns turn at the last minute.
“This thing isn’t done. Don’t’ count McCain out yet.”
As the Redrock was loud with excitement, the Jackson County Democratic Office was notably quiet. The office space was dedicated to last minute phone-calling for the Jeff Merkely campaign.
Volunteer Carol Brockfield noted that most people she had spoken with already voted.
“I spoke to a number of dead people,” she said. She called more than one residence where to ask for a voter who turned out to be deceased. Most of these calls were answered by an elderly voice.

Good news and no news…

From our Ashland reporting team —

Instead of being glued to a television, Cate Hartzell, the incumbent candidate for Ashland City Council Position 3, is spending the evening at a city council meeting. Hartzell supports Obama.

“I’ve only just watched part of [the presidential results] come in,” she said, “but it’s really exciting.”

At the moment, Hartzell’s reaction to her own races seems relaxed.

“I’m just watching to see how it goes,” she said.

She plans to spend time with her family later in the evening.

students watch election coverage as John McCain concedes the election.

Red Lion Celebration

Flag waving children wind their way through a well dressed crowd of adults, most over the age of 40, at Medford’s Red Lion Inn as concerned viewers watch Fox News on large monitors placed around the room. Jackson County Republican HQ closed early tonight in order to move their operations to the Inn’s grand ballroom. As national news reports Obama as the next president of the U.S. the crowd awaits local election results, and a speech from Greg Waldon. It is yet to be seen how Republicans will fair in Jackson County this evening.

Allii Gilligan and Philip Shilts

C.W. and the Catch of the Day

Dennis C.W. Smith cooks his jambalaya dish.

C.W. Smith, Jackson County Commssioner and Republican incumbent running for re-election

for position 2, is celebrating his campaign with pre-election jambalaya and

catfish — a staple at the Smith home.

“I make the world’s best jambalaya!” Smith said shovelling a serving onto an open

plate. He reached down to take more catfish fresh from the oven and called

out to see if anyone wanted more. And they did.

Smith says that his jambalaya “has raised over $2,000 for for charity.”

Smith makes the dinner selection and auctions if off, with proceeds going to

help charitable organizations.

“It’s got be good jambalaya so people will buy it,” Smith said with a

chuckle.

Friends and colleagues gathered at the Maentz agency in Medford to feast on

Smith’s well-known meal and the local and national political scene coming in

through the news.

Former broadcast news anchor and currently up for Medford City Council

Tonight, Chris Corcoran joked with Smith about the meal.

“Did you catch that?” Corcoran jested about where Smith got the catfish he

deep fried.

“I sure caught that catfish!” Smith said. “I caught it in the frozen food

section at Wal-Mart!”

Dennis C.W. Smith in the kitchen