“I don’t know yet what to expect,” he said. 

 

    NATURAL RESOURCES & AG

    Natural resources is one area that could see a lot of changes, local officials said. 

    Dan Keppen, executive director of Family Farm Alliance, said he was pleased to see Kulongoski re-elected despite Saxton’s campaign that stressed the governor was a “no-show” on agriculture issues. 

    In the years he had worked with Kulongoski, Keppen said the governor followed through on promises he made on water issues. Keppen said he looked forward to working with Kulongoski and other state and federal officials during the proposed Klamath Summit scheduled to take place before the end of the year. 

    “I think he does care about rural areas despite what was said in the debates,” he said. 

    Trey Senn, director of the Klamath County Economic Development Association, also looks forward to the summit as well as the role of renewable energy in the state. 

    California and Washington both had legislation pending the advancement of renewable energies and fuels, and Senn said he expected to perhaps see similar actions in Oregon with Kulongoski’s re-election and the Legislature’s shift in power. 

    An increased emphasis on renewable energy, such as biofuels, also could economically benefit the Klamath Basin as well as the overall environment, he said. 

    “Whether you’re saving the Earth or making a buck, you can do both,” Senn said. 

    Klamath County commissioner Bill Brown said he thought Saxton would be stronger on natural resource issues than his opponent, but said the county will find a way to work with the state. 

    “I expect some changes, many we may not agree with, but will have to live with,” he said. 

    PUBLIC SAFETY 

    Klamath County district attorney Ed Caleb said both gubernatorial candidates led good campaigns, but he is pleased Kulongoski was reelected. 

    The governor has shown a commitment to put more Oregon State Police troopers on the road, Caleb said, adding Kulongoski had a plan to increase the number of troopers last term, but it was shot down by the Legislature. 

    Klamath voters preferred Saxton, 60 percent to 40 percent, but Caleb thinks there is a better chance for more OSP officers to be available with both the governorship and the Legislature under one-party control. 

    “I think he’s a governor who cares about the whole state,” he said. 

    Caleb was disappointed that local bond measures to provide improved buildings for Klamath County Fire District No. 1, the Klamath Falls Police, Emergency Services and Klamath County 911 failed. The large number of bond measures on the county ballot is what he said deterred many from voting for any of them. 

    “It was just a tough year and people were overwhelmed,” he said. 

    ECONOMIC  DEVELOPMENT 

    Senn said he didn’t expect much to change for business recruitment in the near future. 

    The re-election of Kulongoski to the governorship will ensure that methods for bringing businesses to the state will stay relatively the same.