Where I hope we can go
County government cannot solve every problem, and commissioners should not promise what government cannot realistically deliver.
But we should be clear about where we want to improve and what we are trying to accomplish.
Reliable Essential Services
The services people depend on should be reliable, accessible and sustainable.
That includes public safety, roads, elections, public health, behavioral health, veterans’ services, planning, emergency management and the less visible systems that keep County government functioning.
Stable, Well-Run County Government
Good public service depends on a stable organization with clear responsibilities, strong employees and understandable authority.
Residents should not have to understand internal organizational confusion in order to receive good service. County employees should also have the structure, information and support they need to do their jobs well.
Public Money People Can Follow
Budgets, contracts, grants and major expenditures should be understandable to commissioners and the public.
Public money comes with a responsibility to know where it came from, where it went, why it was spent and what the community received in return.
A County Where People Can Build a Life
People who work in Lincoln County should have a reasonable opportunity to live here too.
Housing, jobs, child care, transportation, health care and the local economy are connected. County government cannot solve those challenges alone, but it can bring partners together, remove barriers where possible and help connect our communities with resources.
Government People Can Follow
People should be able to understand what their County government is doing before important decisions are made.
Clear agendas, useful meeting materials, timely minutes and records, online access and understandable ways to participate all matter.
Residents should not have to be government insiders to follow their government.
A Prepared and Resilient Lincoln County
Our communities need to be ready for wildfire, Cascadia, tsunami, winter storms and other emergencies.
Preparedness happens before the emergency through communication, planning, exercises, equipment, strong relationships and individual readiness.
Stronger Footing
I do not expect every problem to be solved in one term.
I do want Lincoln County to be on stronger footing: reliable services, a stable organization, responsible finances, understandable government, better preparedness and more opportunity for the people who live here.