Warner, Stiff both draw one opponent in race for county commission

Well, last day anyway.

Incumbents Fred Warner Jr., a Democrat and chairman of the three-member board, and Republican Carl Stiff both filed for re-election last October.

No one had signed up to oppose either incumbent until Tuesday, which was the final day to register as a candidate.

Republican Dick Fleming of Baker City is seeking Warner’s seat, position No. 3.

Democrat Roger Kinney of Baker City will run against Stiff for position No. 2.

Fleming, 60, is a civil engineering consultant who moved to Baker City in 1999 to work as the city’s public works director.

Fleming said he decided to challenge Warner in part because he believes the county could strengthen its political position, relative to the federal government, by taking advantage of “coordinating agency” status.

Between the BLM and the Forest Service, the federal government manages about half of the 2 million acres in Baker County.

“I think there’s more that can be done to help use the natural resources to improve the local economy,” Fleming said.

Kinney, 62, said he formerly worked as a right of way representative for a natural gas transmission company.

He has lived in Baker City for four years.

Kinney said he decided to run for the commission seat because he believes “we need a new direction.”

“I have experience in dealing with local, state and federal governments, and I want to get involved in the process,” he said.

For the May 18 primary election, voters who are registered Democrats will receive a ballot listing only Kinney and Warner, County Clerk Tami Green said.

Registered Republicans will get a ballot listing Fleming and Stiff.

Independent voters’ ballots will not list candidates for the partisan commission race unless party officials decide to open the election.

Unless a write-in candidate receives more votes than any of the foursome, all four will advance to the November general election.

In the county’s two non-partisan races, no one registered to run against incumbent Treasurer Alice Durflinger, or against Green.