Backers of Klamath dam-removal plan fail at polls

That combination of political stances on Klamath County commission candidate Dennis Linthicum's website was a winning combination -- particularly the part about opposing the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, which calls for removing four dams on the Klamath River. Opposition to dam removal helped the political newcomer win nearly 63 percent of the vote in the May 18 Klamath County Republican primary to unseat long-time commissioner John Elliott. Elliott has been a supporter of the dam agreement. Linthicum now faces Democrat Kirk Oakes in the general election. Rep. Bill Garrard, R-Klamath Falls, who also opposes the agreement and dam removal, scored a convincing win May 18, securing 64 percent of the vote in the Republican primary for House District 56. His opponent, wheat farmer Karl Scronce, supports the agreement. "The people have spoken," said Tom Mallams, a Klamath County rancher and vocal opponent of dam removal...more