Mallams, Bellet next commissioners

by SAMANTHA TIPLER, Herald and News 11/7/12  

Tom Mallams and Jim Bellet will take their seats as Klamath County commissioners come Jan. 1.

“I am so enthused about going forward now because I know the citizens are behind us and the direction we want to go,” Mallams said after hearing the results. “That is very enlightening. It’s so exciting to know the citizens are behind what we have been wanting to do for our county and our county government.”

Mallams, a Republican and Beatty-area rancher, ran against Independent candidate Kirk Oakes. Preliminary Klamath County election results showed Mallams took 72.77 percent of the vote, while Oakes garnered 26.54 percent.

“I thought it would be closer to a 50/50 race. I was a little surprised,” Oakes said. “I put in the best race I could. The people of Klamath County have spoken.”

Bellet, the former owner of Bellet Construction and Bullet Rentals and Sales, ran unopposed after winning the Republican primary in May. He earned 98 percent of the vote Tuesday.

Mallams and Bellet both took tough stances against the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.

Bellet said with himself and Mallams both opposed to the KBRA, there may be a need to say it officially as commissioners.

Both Mallams and Bellet said the budget is another big issue they hope to address.

“It will be an issue for a long time,” Mallams said. “We have to come to terms with the revenue we have coming in now and live within our means. Our county hasn’t been able to do that.”

stipler@heraldandnews.com

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