Candidate criticizes water deal

Basin water pact becomes issue in Siskiyou County supervisors race

By TY BEAVER

H&N Staff Writer

April 28, 2008

Bergeron

   Leo Bergeron says the proposed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement is what pushed him to run for the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors.

County not protected 

   He criticizes the agreement as fulfilling the needs of special interests and not taking care of those who live in the Klamath Basin . He also said he was disappointed that the board didn’t take action necessary to protect Siskiyou County . 

   The challenger now faces a June 3 election against incumbent Jim Cook to represent

District 1 which includes Tulelake, on the board. Bergeron said his campaign is about revitalizing the entire board and not just representation for his district.

  “It’s not Jim Cook, it’s the posture of the board,” he said.

  Born and raised in New England , Bergeron and his family moved to California when he was 18. His father was unable to work so he supported the family with wages he earned

working in a factory.

   He has worked as an insurance broker for more than 40 years and been a rancher for about the same amount of time. He’s seen the impact water issues and federal policy can have on an agricultural community, such as when a freeze on commodity prices in the 1970s crippled the cattle market. 

   “I have a deep understanding of what it feels like to have your ranch or farm threatened,” he said. 

   He’s been active in agriculture, holding leadership positions in state, county and local grange organizations. 
   
   He’s a former chairman of the Siskiyou County Republican Central Committee and has received its endorsement. 

   Other concerns 

   Bergeron said he also is concerned about a loss of state tax incentives for agriculture, potential closure of a rail line between Roseburg and Dunsmuir used by timber companies and loss of $4 million to the county’s general fund from the expiration of the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Act. 

   “We have a lot of problems and we need to address them,” he said.

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