GOLD BEACH – Frank C. Van Meter, who resigned as Curry County Veterans Services director effective Sept. 7, announced Thursday that he would be a candidate for Curry County Commissioner Position 2 in the May primary election.

“Now facing severe financial challenges, Curry County will need strong leadership, someone with a powerful vision of the future and the communication skills to bring together the citizens working as a team to make that vision a reality,” Van Meter of Gold Beach said.

“Across this great country of ours many other places have faced similar situation and are ghost towns now,” he said.

 “The federal debt is now over $15 trillion and the state deficit is over $1 billion, so we, the citizens of Curry County, are left to find our own solutions, and I have faith that we can do just that,” he said. 

“I have served this country most of my life,” Van Meter said.

“I retired from the Army in 2000 after an honorable 23 year career. I came back to Oregon and went back to school and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Portland State University,” he said.

“Then in 2005 I moved to Gold Beach and served as the Curry County Veterans Service Officer,” he said.

“I consider the county my home and care deeply about the people who live and work here. I have overcome many difficult challenges serving this county and I am fully aware of both the personal and professional sacrifices that are necessary to succeed,” Van Meter said.

“I sincerely appreciate all of my supporters, but I will not be accepting any campaign donations,” he said.

Van Meter is the third candidate to file for Position 2, now held by George Rhodes of Brookings, in the primary race.

David Brock Smith of Port Orford and Randy Dubbs Dowler of Brookings have previously filed for Position 2. Rhodes has said he hasn’t decided whether he will be a candidate for re-election.

Three candidates have also filed for commissioner Position 3, the most recent Greg Empson of Gold Beach who announced earlier this week. Incumbent Commissioner Bill Waddle and Susan Brown, the county’s former director of Economic Development, earlier filed for the nonpartisan post. 

County Commission Position 1 is held by David Itzen, who is completing his second year on the board. That position will not appear on the ballot until 2014.

Sheriff John Bishop filed for re-election on Oct. 11.

Deborah Crumley, who was appointed as county treasurer on Oct. 11, filed for election to that office on Oct. 25. 

Other county offices on the ballot in 2012 are County Clerk and County Assessor.

Candidates have until March 6 to file for the May 15 primary election. If there is no clear winner at that election, a runoff will be held at the November general election.