Woodburn Independent Online

Gubernatorial candidate stops by Woodburn

John Lim, a former legislator, is running for governor in an ever-increasing pool of candidates

• By: Rachel Cavanaugh  
• Published: 11/26/2009 10:38:36 AM

Photo By: Rachel CavanaughCandidate for governor
John Lim, a Republican candidate for Oregon governor, stopped in Woodburn Tuesday and said Oregon’s top three issues facing Oregonians are creating jobs, education and public safety.

WOODBURN — Oregon gubernatorial candidate John Lim stopped in Woodburn Tuesday during a media campaign.

The Republican candidate — and former legislator — said his top three priorities are job creation, education and public safety.

“We have a lot of problems in our state,” said Lim. “We have the second highest unemployment in the nation and then underemployment, which means people are working two, three, four hours and day … something is not going right.

“I ask people, ‘what can I do as a governor when I’m elected?’ and they say, ‘Jobs.’ OK, what’s the second issue? They say, ‘jobs.’”

Lim said Woodburn and its surrounding areas have not only good residential communities, but a great potential for business. One of the key assets, he said, is the proximity of I-5 and other transportation outlets.

The soil is also fertile in this region, he said, pointing to agriculture as the second largest industry in Oregon after high technology.

He said a variety of crop possibilities exist.

“Instead of bringing in from the south and California and Mexico, we need to grow our own,” said Lim. “Not only tulips, but many different kinds. Plus we can have some tourism in this area.”

He pointed to potential in Woodburn for things like ginseng and new types of flowers.
“This is a good central location,” Lim said. “… If you have any product in this area, it’s easy to move. You go to Portland or Salem or any other area so you don’t have to pay high transportation costs here. The problem is what product we are going to have to market locally, nationally and internationally?

“I want to be the top salesman,” Lim said.

The Korean-born man said, if elected, he would be the first Asian-born governor in the nation. He could use his connections abroad as a business advantage for the region, he added, noting how he chairs trade and economic committees in Asia and travels a lot.
Lim said six cycles of Democratic governors have only given “lip service” but no economic recovery.

He said the state is divided and he wants to make “one Oregon.”

The Republican candidate spoke highly of Woodburn during his interview, noting how he and family have visited in the past.

“This has nice neighborhoods and has good living places to stay and it’s centrally located,” he said. “You have the famous … tulips from this area. We have come many times.”

Lim joins a group of well-known politicians in his race for governor.

Also announcing intentions are businessman Allen Alley (R), activist Bill Sizemore (R), former governor John Kitzhaber (D) and former secretary of state Bill Bradbury (D).

Former Portland Trail Blazers center Chris Dudley is also rumored to be planning an announcement soon.

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