SUPPORTERS

I once heard it said: “You and I are told increasingly we have to choose between a left or right…There is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down: up to man’s age-old dream…or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism.” 

This week I attended the League of Women Voters forum at Chetco Library in Brookings to hear the candidates for Curry County Commissioner.

Jeremy Dumire was the only candidate to speak on the history of Curry County and share his vision of a Curry County with strong economic base, growth in tourism and recreation, resurgence of strength in public service and safety and a voice for the people of the people.

Through his years of residency and relationships developed, Dumire demonstrated he has his finger on the pulse of Curry County.  Dumire plans to fully fund the Sheriff’s office, maintain a balanced budget, improve efficiency through technology, promote tourism and recreation, partner with state and federal agencies, and collaborate on ideas to bring funding back to Curry County for real growth.

It was disgraceful and embarrassing to listen to the current seated Curry County Commissioner and candidate, Lynn Coker, using inflammatory rhetoric and resorting to personal attacks through innuendos and fact less claims.  This was Mr. Cocker’s time to shine, to share his achievements and vision moving forward. Yet he wasted most of his allotted time lambasting others.  Mr. Coker talked about more of the same with zero specifics and no plan. He spoke of the endless lawsuits that the current seated board has engaged in, and continues to do so, without resolution, and somehow also claiming that they have “saved” our county money.  His words were a direct contradiction. He also made a statement that the current seated board has brought us back from the “cliff of bankruptcy” without providing details or facts other than his word.

Candidate Coker proclaimed to the crowd that we, as a county, must conform to what the capital wants us to do (specifically the recent issue surrounding our local farmers’ market) . As a county in the State of Oregon, we have “home rule”. Simply put: We have local control. We are permitted to make our own decisions about local issues and do not require asking Salem for permission. I met with Mr. Coker afterwards and reminded him: he works for US – not Salem.

When a commissioner takes the oath of office, they promise to follow the law, serve the public fairly and do the job with integrity. No single Commissioner can act alone. Unfortunately, Mr. Coker’s comments revealed the current BOC supports placing legal, operational, and financial control in one individual. What’s called cost savings becomes a concentration of power. One that weakens oversight and shared responsibility. Is that what we want to continue?

The choice is clear: Dumire for leadership. Dumire for Public Safety. Dumire for a better Curry County.

David Blythe, Brookings

I want to take a moment to address the current state of our Board of Commissioners (BOC) in Curry County. It is disheartening to see that our community has been subjected to the mismanagement of taxpayer funds, with hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on unwarranted lawsuits, both past and pending. This pattern of financial irresponsibility raises serious concerns about the stewardship of our resources and the transparency that has been promised but not delivered.

The BOC has consistently communicated only partial truths regarding their actions, which undermines the trust we should have in our local government. It is clear that we are facing one of the most challenging periods in the history of Curry County, and I believe that the current leadership has led us down a troubling path.

As a concerned citizen, I find it difficult to trust this BOC with our hard-earned tax dollars. It is time for a change, especially with the upcoming Curry County elections, which is why I am supporting Jeremy Dumire for our next commissioner. I have faith that he will work diligently to turn things around, even in the face of opposition from those few who may still support the current administration.

Curry County is at a critical juncture, and the decisions made by our BOC have far-reaching consequences for our community. I urge everyone to ask the important questions and consider the direction in which we want our county to head. By voting for Jeremy Dumire, we can pave the way for a brighter future and restore integrity to our local government.

I am confident that those who choose to support Jeremy Dumire will not be disappointed. Let’s take this opportunity to advocate for responsible leadership and a more accountable BOC. Together, we can make a difference in Curry County.

-Michele Martin

Gold Beach

On May 19, Curry County elections will see voters filling an empty Curry County Commissioner's board seat. To date, we know that both Jeremy Dumire and his appointed opponent will be on the ballot. Over the past two years, I've listened to the commissioners express their thoughts and opinions. What I've determined is that, more than anything else, Curry County needs what it hasn't had for years; an independent voice on the commissioner's board.

During the August 6 BOC meeting, his opponent referred to the other two commissioners and stated, "one of the jobs I've got as their partner is to support them so that they can keep their eye on the ball." Clearly, his allegiance was to his partner commissioners rather than the Curry County citizens he should serve.

Both candidates are known as nice guys. Prior to his appointment, his opponent and his wife even shared their bottle of wine with my husband and me. Following his board appointment, he stated to the public that he is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. In a recent letter to the editor, the writer expressed some of Mr. Dumire's minor mistakes. Neither of these men is perfect.

His opponent boasts about his past financial experience, but why isn't he using it? He has served as a member of the budget committee for the past eleven months. The budget he approved for legal services for the entire 2025/2026 year was $46,948.00. That's the entire year's budget!

Jeremy Dumire is an independent voice in Curry County leadership. He has proven that he is not afraid to speak up, even if the other commissioners don't agree. My vote will be for the independent thinker, Jeremy Dumire, and I encourage others to show their support for him too!

-Georgia Cockerham,

Gold Beach