Campaign Phone (public)
5419618323
Town Where You Live
Depoe Bay
Your Experience/Qualifications
8 years military, hon. discharge; road district board; Depoe Bay Budget Committee; Depoe Bay Financial Advisory Committee; Depoe Bay City Council (envoy for Watershed Issues)
County
Lincoln
Term
4 Yrs
Term Expires
Jan. 2029
Our safety and quality of life are at stake. Inaction or poor decisions by the county have resulted in rural sprawl, environmental threats and chaos across many central fronts. However, my vote for top three self-inflicted challenges would be, No. 1, THE DECLINE OF TOURISM, left vilified and struggling in the wake of the county's bungled oversight; No. 2, TRUE WORKFORCE HOUSING that makes the dream of home ownership a reality instead of crowded project living; and No. 3, PUBLIC SAFETY, undermined by county-seat rivalries and inattention to emergency planning. We can do better. "Finances First" is my pledge to ease the burden on taxpayers by scrutinizing every dime in the county's $50 million budget for its benefit to residents.
In my life I have been a soldier, logger and journalist. As a newspaper publisher for 30 years I acquired a thorough understanding of the sobering trials facing local governments. I used those insights during my growing record of public service. Voted to a cash-strapped road district, I led a winning war on potholes, then served on a city committee that saved my hometown thousands of dollars and identified overlooked sources of revenue. On the budget committee, I opposed sweetheart deals and pet projects. Elected to the Depoe Bay City Council, I oversee emergency planning, advocate for transparency and serve as envoy for watershed issues.
Earning too much for subsidies and too little for a home, workers are in last place behind public assistance and prosperous retirees for housing. The county's policy of massive increases in government housing leaves behind cops, teachers, hospitality workers and all people who aspire to rise above crowded project living. I will stoke efforts for affordable home ownership. TRUE WORKFORCE HOUSING will make the dream of home ownership a reality.
Town Where You Live
Newport
Your Experience/Qualifications
Marine Corps veteran, experienced in governmental accounting and budget preparation, execution, and auditing
County
Lincoln
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2029
Increasing Access to Affordable Housing: Our housing crisis continues to mount. We should be leveraging county owned land and partnering with nonprofits and affordable housing developers to create more housing opportunities for families and residents on fixed incomes.
Ensuring Access to Healthcare Services: Our large aging population deserves quality care here at home. Driving to other counties hours away is unacceptable. But first we need housing for additional doctors and the staff they rely on including nurses, receptionists, and technicians.
Protecting Our Environment: As we plan for smart growth, we can't forget to protect our environment. We must adopt a Climate Action Plan for a carbon neutral future.
I am a US Marine Corps veteran where I served as a Financial Analyst preventing fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer funds. I’m experienced and knowledgeable in governmental accounting and budget preparation, execution, and auditing. During my time in the Marines I singlehandedly managed a budget double that of Lincoln County and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for my innovative approach to the role. This experience will help me make the most of our county’s limited resources.
County government should be leading the charge in addressing our housing crisis and setting an actionable example for our cities to follow.
Currently, the county owns multiple plots of land which are zoned residential and are sitting undeveloped even as residents struggle to find a place to live. We must leverage these properties into affordable housing units for families and seniors. This won't only help those residents directly, but it will also have an outsized impact for our business community which is struggling to grow amidst a shortage of labor because workers can't find a place to live here.
As your next commissioner, I intend to take concrete actions to resolve our housing crisis.
Contact Phone
541-272-0197
Town Where You Live
Waldport
Your Experience/Qualifications
Local Social Worker, who is connected to community partners and aware of many local issues. Bachelors degree in Business Management from Marlyhurst University. Landlord since 2010 (long term rental property). Has helped managed large amounts of investments and has been licensed with the SEC on two occasions with no negative marks on my SEC record. Willing to listen and learn from community members to get a better understanding of the needs that I'm not yet aware of.
County
Lincoln
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2029
Lincoln County struggles with enough housing for everyone, not just low/no income families. We need to be proactive with using grants and other means to add homes for residents.
Our first responders need improved support. This includes law enforcement, fire, and EMS. They are stretched too thin, some areas are not even covered by local fire response, and in some cases, they are using out dated equipment. This leaves our community at risk.
Lastly, something that effects the entire community is fiscal responsibility. It is important to properly distribute funds to support the county on a variety of issues, not being focused on one issue alone. It is also easier to save money than to generate revenue, so being methodical is important.
I am a local Social Worker who is connected to many of the local community resources and my experience has opened my eyes to opportunities for improvement.
I Have a Bachelors degree in Business Management from Marlyhurst University.
I have been a land lord (long term rental) since 2010 and know the ups and downs that come with it.
I am a new face/person so old feuds could be put aside to help focus on working together without any historical tensions.
I have worked with large amounts of money before and have been licensed with the SEC on two occasions (Series 7 and 63 licenses both times).
I am willing to admit I'm not perfect and am humble enough to talk through situations with people so we can work together to find a solution.
I would like to explore the underutilized state and federal grants to help encourage increased development of homes. There has been a focus on low income housing but many working professionals cant find a place to live locally, being forced to drive 45 minutes plus to get to and from work. I would be open to exploring other County's options and learning from other municipalities as to what has worked for them.
Contact Phone
5412722455
Campaign Phone (public)
5412722455
Town Where You Live
Newport, Oregon
Your Experience/Qualifications
Held present elective position since 2005
County
Lincoln
Term
Four years
Term Expires
1/1/29
Housing Shortage, Homelessness, and Quality of Life:
As Chair of the Oregon Housing Stability Council, I’ll help steer funds to Lincoln County(LC)for permanent and transitional housing, and expand the portfolio of local Land Trust homes. As Chair of the LC Homeless Advisory Board, I’ll work with our partners, and use my statewide connections to negotiate OR HB 4123 funds toward our homeless strategy. I’ll support our 2 transitional housing programs, and open our 2nd Shelter & Resource Center. Finally, I’ll increase Veteran Benefits and Senior Services, champion Small Business Development, grow the transit system, work with our state and federal legislators to bring the state roads up to par, and support the enforcement of STR regulations.
I’ve done the job for 20 years. I’ve tended to the business of managing a county with about 500 employees and a yearly budget of $164 million. I’ve earned the trust of the last 4 governors, who have put me in appointive positions. I am familiar with the state legislature, and skilled at taking our Lincoln County’s causes to Salem--gaining access to funding that serves us all. As one of three Lincoln County commissioners, I’ve been tested by two simultaneous crises—COVID pandemic and Echo Mountain Fire. I helped forge a strong, united effort that brought multiple levels of government, non-profits and the people, together, in an active, united recovery effort. My record of proven results makes me the clear choice for the next 4 years.
As Chair of the OR Housing Stability Council, I’ve had a leadership role in addressing these challenges already. If I am reelected, I will be able to help the county maintain our momentum. I’ve been able to steer funding, through the LIFT bond program, to our county for nearly 300 (and counting) safe and affordable homes—some designated for Veterans. I Helped facilitate acquisition of a 201-space, RV home park by its residents forming a tenant-cooperative to manage and maintain the property. I have been pursing grant funds that allow for the purchase of newly-constructed homes in the Echo Mountain fire area, working with Habitat for Humanity who helps a qualifying buyer to purchase the home. There is more I’ve done, and more yet to do.
Campaign Phone (public)
5412706054
Town Where You Live
South Beach
Your Experience/Qualifications
Park Ranger(16 Years),Tour Operator, English Language Teacher, Councilor, City Council Member (6 Years)
County
Lincoln
Term
2025-2029
Term Expires
12/31/2029
Economic affordability, educational opportunity, and climate change adaptation. Oregon property taxes need reform to be fairer to working people and fixed income retirees. Lincoln County needs to invest in its kids-more and better vocational programs in the school district and public/private partnerships in the community. A highly skilled workforce will give our kids a reason to stay and make a successful life here.
In the face of active climate disruption the county shall, under my leadership better prepare for Cascadia, better route and sign emergency escape routes and rural roads, plant demonstration forests to learn and succeed by selling timber in niche forest product markets and take care of each other along with accountability.
I'm a working parent as are the vast majority of taxpayers in Lincoln County. We're a forests, fisheries and farming county that also relies on tourism. But full time residents deserve better outcomes from partnering with all of these sectors. I have experience in all of these sectors, and I am poised to help grow all these sectors while leveraging state and federal funds to expand, innovate and sustain our county economy through reimagined small industry, commercial and tourism with a special focused on locally grown ecotourism, wetland restoration and a burgeoned science hub at HSMC. We will improve fire preparedness, reduce invasive plants through careful management and create a county forest that stores carbon and provides future rev.
We need large scale workforce housing. Workforce housing contributes property tax revenue to the county. Affordable housing is a taxpayer funded necessity, but is not self supporting. Many affordable housing projects include many years' property tax abatements for out of state developers. While still a community improvement, it is another liability for single family homeowners and renters, indirectly, as the county can raise property taxes 3.5% per year due to the long-outdated Measure 50. Some grand bargaining is on the horizon but this effort must be a combined effort of our coastal counties to provide our citizens equity compared to more populated valley counties. Developers need to embrace solutions that are unique to each job site.
