By AnneMarie Knepper, for the Lebanon Exprss | Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:00 am
Gordon Kirbey Jr., the owner of Boccherini's Coffee and Tea House in Albany, has filed for the Democratic nomination for Linn County Commissioner, position 3.
Kirbey, 63, said he has been interested in government since he moved to Albany in 1993.
"I'm intrigued by the amount of culture," he said. "Both environmentally and artistically, and I want to see that nurtured, grown and protected."
The Democrat's prior government experience includes serving on the Central Albany Revitalization Area board. He said he also participates in the Albany Downtown Association.
"I've owned a business here in Albany so I've got a little bit of background in what it takes to manage something," he said.
Kirbey has worked at Boccherini's since 1994 and purchased the business in 1999.
"I'm interested in seeing how Albany and the surrounding area develop," he said.
Cliff Wooten, a Republican, currently holds the position but has announced he will not run for re-election.
Kirbey is the only Democrat in the primary election. He will face one of two Republicans in the fall: real estate broker Will Tucker of Lacomb or Michael Spasaro, a retired federal drug enforcement agent from Lebanon.
Candidates for the other open commission seat, position 2, are incumbent Roger Nyquist of Albany, a Republican, and Pete Boucot, a Democrat of Lebanon, He is a cashier at Costco and a farm owner.