Scronce wants to create solutions that benefit all sides

By MITCH LIES
Capital Press

March 25, 2010

Karl Scronce, immediate past president of the National Association of Wheat Growers and a current board member of Oregonians for Food and Shelter, has talked often with politicians in recent years.

Now he is seeking a seat on the other side of the table.

Scronce is running against five-term incumbent Bill Garrard, R-Klamath Falls, in the May 18 primary to represent House District 56.

Following is an excerpt from a Capital Press interview with Scronce.

Q: First off, why are you doing this?

A: I've always had an interest in politics and I always had a dream of doing something like this someday. I guess in my mind I felt like an opportunity was there.

Q: Do you think you can make a difference in Salem?

A: I think I'm still young enough (at 50), and I feel like I'm open to different ideas. I'm not set in my ways to the extent I wouldn't be receptive to lots of ideas. And with the political situation the way it is in Oregon -- with it being a pretty Blue state -- I think I could work with people who think differently than I do and come up with solutions that might benefit both sides.

Q: Did your recent involvement in the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement help motivate you to run?

A: I think that was a big motivator. If we were getting a lot of good support from our state representative, I would have never considered doing this.

Q: Are you unhappy with Rep. Garrard's approach to the KBRA?

A: I don't think he was as open-minded as I think he should have been. And why he chose to be the way he was, I don't know.

Q: What's your farming situation?

A: Two years ago I sold my farm and started renting a farm. Right now I'm farming on a year-to-year basis.

Q: Rep. Garrard seems pretty secure in his position down there. Do you think you have a chance of unseating him?

A: I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think I had a chance. And I think because of my background in agriculture, I could be a champion for this area and its natural resource-based economy, its recreation and its business.

We're hurting down here. We have over 12 percent unemployment. It's shocking to me how many small businesses are closing their doors.