OUR PRIORITIES

 Homelessness across Curry County has become a serious concern—impacting families, businesses, and the safety and dignity of our communities. From Brookings to Port Orford and especially in areas like Harbor, I’m seeing the effects more and more each day. This is not something we can ignore, and it’s not something that can be solved with a one-size-fits-all approach.

I understand this issue on a personal level. There was a time in my life when I experienced homelessness myself. I know firsthand that behind every situation is a different story—some people need temporary help getting back on their feet, while others are facing deeper challenges like addiction or mental health struggles.

That’s why I believe in a “hand up, not a handout” approach.

What does that mean?

It means focusing on real pathways forward:

- Supporting local partnerships that connect people to job training and employment.

- Expanding access to mental health and addiction recovery services.

-Encouraging accountability while offering opportunity.

-Protecting public spaces so they remain safe and accessible for everyone.

It also means addressing practical, common-sense needs. In high-traffic areas—especially those visited by tourists—I support investing in more public trash receptacles and maintenance, funded in part by tourism dollars. Keeping Curry County clean and welcoming benefits everyone who lives here and everyone who visits.

And just as importantly, I believe we must prioritize public safety. While many individuals simply need help getting back on their feet, there is also a criminal element that cannot be ignored. Our communities deserve to feel safe. That means supporting law enforcement and ensuring they have the tools and backing needed to address illegal activity, prevent unsafe encampments, and respond effectively when laws are broken.

At the same time, I want to be clear—compassion without structure doesn’t solve the problem. And enforcement without compassion doesn’t fix it either. We need both.

Many of you may have read in our local papers that discussions are ongoing regarding offshore windfarm development. As a Curry County Commissioner, I want to make my position clear: I firmly oppose offshore industrial wind anywhere near the coast of Curry County. Our coastline is not an industrial zone; it is our identity, our economy, our natural wonder, and our way of life. Supporters of offshore windfarm development often highlight climate benefits, but we must consider the full picture. Massive offshore turbines require enormous amounts of steel, concrete, cables, subsea infrastructure, global shipping, and constant maintenance in harsh ocean conditions. There are also real local consequences, including impacts to commercial fishing, navigation, marine ecosystems, and tourism. Additionally, there is a crucial aspect that few are discussing — public safety. As a former County Emergency Manager, I can assure you that this would create an emergency management nightmare. Severe weather, marine accidents, mechanical failures, and search-and-rescue complications would all fall on local responders. When something goes wrong offshore, it is not Salem that responds — it is Curry County. Before any project moves forward, proponents must prove it will not harm our fishing, overwhelm local emergency services, or shift risk onto taxpayers. That standard has not been met. Leadership requires clarity. On this issue, I stand firmly with our fishermen, our first responders, and our families. Our coastline should remain protected — not industrialized.

When it comes to county government, I want to be very clear: I believe the Board of Commissioners, including the Curry County Commissioner, should be a working board. That means being engaged, informed, asking tough questions, and taking responsibility for decisions every day—not delegating oversight and walking away. 

Too much authority is concentrated in a single unelected position, with one role overseeing multiple core functions across county government. When oversight, operations, and departmental control are blurred, accountability suffers. That is not good governance, and it is not sustainable. This risk isn’t theoretical—it has already resulted in multiple lawsuits and unnecessary legal expenses paid for by taxpayers. As a result, while other counties in Oregon have seen modest increases of 1–3% in government liability insurance, Curry County’s liability insurance has increased 27% year over year. 

The county worked better when Commissioners served as direct liaisons to elected officials and department leaders, with open communication, efficient collaboration, and clear lines of responsibility and oversight. One person stretched thin over everything doesn’t create efficiency—it creates exposure. 

One of the most important responsibilities of county leadership, including the role of a Curry County Commissioner, is ensuring public safety — and that starts with understanding the facts. 

In 2024, the Curry County Sheriff’s Office Patrol, Criminal, and Civil Divisions operated with an approved budget of $3,678,910, supporting 11 deputies on the road serving our communities. 

This fiscal year, that budget has been cut to $1,726,025. That isn’t a minor adjustment — it’s a fundamental shift in how public safety is being prioritized in our county. 

The Sheriff is an elected official, chosen by the people to carry out this responsibility. Efforts by the Board of Commissioners to effectively defund the office or override the Sheriff’s authority undermine both public safety and the will of the voters. 

We can — and must — do better. Strong communities require consistency, cooperation, and leadership that supports those tasked with keeping us safe. 

As a Curry County Commissioner, I will work directly with the Sheriff to ensure we meet the public safety needs of our communities. That means using available short-term funds to begin rebuilding law enforcement capacity while relentlessly pursuing long-term financial solutions, even as we explore opportunities like offshore windfarm development to bolster our economy. 

People keep asking me: “What’s your plan to restore public safety in Curry County?” As it relates to our current County budget, there are opportunities that have been wasted.

Here’s one significant example: TLT Funds.

The 2025–26 TLT (Transient Lodging Tax) revenue is $2.3 million, plus $1 million in carryover from the prior budget year. What is the purpose of the TLT? To promote tourism, fund local services such as public safety, and to boost our economy.

Of the $3.3 million in total revenues, $1.5 million went to fairgrounds, tourism and promotion, as well as the general fund. While past TLT budgets included funds for the Sheriff's Patrol, Criminal, and Civil divisions, nothing in the current budget went to the Sheriff’s Office!

Under ORS 320.350(5), the Sheriff could have received up to 30% of current TLT revenues. Instead, the Board chose to place $1,806,906 into an operating contingency. These monies could have helped bridge the approximately $2 million cut to the Sheriff’s budget, impacting public safety efforts in our community.

This is only one example of budget choices that leave our deputies underfunded while we consider future projects like offshore windfarm development that could also contribute to our local economy.