News

For nearly six months, Lincoln County has operated with a vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners following the passing of Commissioner Claire Hall in January 2026.

While two commissioners can legally conduct county business, the public deserves full representation and a fully functioning three-member Board. The purpose of filling a vacancy is not simply to occupy an empty seat. The purpose is to restore representation, strengthen governance, and ensure the county has the capacity necessary to address the issues facing our communities.

At the June 17 Board of Commissioners meeting, I will once again advocate for the appointment of Commissioner-elect Curtis Landers to fill the Position 2 vacancy through the end of the year.

How We Got Here

Since January, I have consistently advocated for a transparent and publicly understood appointment process. Review Miller’s attempts to create a framework early on.

On January 7, I submitted a memorandum requesting a public work session and staff report to review the commissioner appointment process before candidate selection began. I requested discussion of eligibility criteria, interview procedures, public participation opportunities, evaluation methods, timeline development, and workflow responsibilities.

Later in January, I submitted a proposed framework that included:

• Public review of the appointment process
• Development of interview questions in public meetings
• Community feedback opportunities
• Public deliberation regarding finalists
• Public interviews
• Formal appointment deliberations
• Commissioner onboarding discussions

My goal was simple: establish the process publicly before selecting a candidate.

Unfortunately, many of these process discussions never occurred in the manner I had hoped. The vacancy remained unresolved through the spring.

As the process continued, I publicly stated that if the vacancy remained unresolved after the May Primary Election, I would consider the election results as part of my appointment decision.

That is where we find ourselves today.

Changed Circumstances

The circumstances today are different than they were in February, March, or April.

We now know who the Commissioner-elect is.

Curtis Landers won Position 3 outright and will take office in January 2027. Position 3 will not appear on the November ballot.

At the same time, Position 2 remains an active election between Cristen Don and Joe Steere.

These facts matter.

I do not believe the Board should provide either November candidate with the advantages that can accompany incumbency before voters make their final decision. Appointing either candidate would place the Board in the position of influencing an ongoing election.

Commissioner-elect Landers allows us to restore full representation while avoiding that concern.

Why Landers

Landers is uniquely positioned to contribute immediately.

During 37 years of service to Lincoln County, he served as Patrol Deputy, Administrative Lieutenant, Emergency Management leader, and ultimately Lincoln County Sheriff.

Few individuals possess such extensive experience as both a county employee and elected official. He understands county government from multiple perspectives and has firsthand experience managing personnel, budgets, emergency preparedness, public safety operations, and intergovernmental relationships.

Because of his experience, Landers requires very little onboarding and can begin contributing immediately. Rather than spending months learning county operations, he is prepared to address county issues from day one.

Those issues are substantial.

Lincoln County continues to face important work involving housing, budgeting, workforce development, organizational management, economic development, public safety, natural resources, health care, and long-term strategic planning. These are not future challenges. They are current responsibilities that deserve the attention of a full Board.

What I Am Hearing From The Community

Following recent media coverage, many residents have expressed a concern that resonates with me:

The public deserves a full three-member Board, but the Board should avoid giving either November candidate the advantage of incumbency.

Whether residents support or oppose my recommendation, many recognize that the vacancy should be resolved in a manner that restores representation while preserving public confidence in the ongoing election.

READ (6.4.25) – Lincoln Chronicle – Two Lincoln County commissioners again stalemate over how or who to appoint to fill vacancy

I believe appointing Commissioner-elect Landers accomplishes both objectives.

Looking Forward

This appointment is about more than one individual. It is about restoring full representation. It is about ensuring county government has the capacity to address important community priorities. It is about maintaining neutrality in an active election.

And it is about moving Lincoln County forward after nearly six months of operating with a vacant seat.

I also continue to believe Lincoln County should work toward restoring full-service meetings, meaningful public participation, in-person meeting opportunities, and broad public access to local government. Public trust is strengthened when government remains accessible, transparent, and responsive to the people it serves.

After reviewing the election results, the remaining term, the need for full representation, and the importance of election neutrality, I believe appointing Commissioner-elect Curtis Landers is the most practical, fair, and effective path forward for Lincoln County.

The county has work to do. Six months is long enough. It is time to restore full representation..

* Details regarding county commissioner meetings, agendas, videos and minutes can be found online. At the County’s – Agenda and Minutes Portal:
https://lincolncoor.portal.civicclerk.com/

* Miller is trying to resolve the current uncertainty about how to provide agenda topic only – virtual public comment. In absence of clear online details – Miller encourages the community to provide written public comments in absence of these links on the county’s website.
https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/559/Attending-a-Meeting

Two of my favorite things… bikes and garage sales! The Great Garage Sale and Green Bike Co-op Annual Open House are happening Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7, in Waldport.

For many years, one of my primary garage sale obsessions was bicycles. In fact, as the years have passed, many of my bike finds have made their way back to Green Bikes. I am having a bit of fun writing this article and looking back at the early days of Green Bikes at its original Highway 101 location.

These days, it’s less about bikes and more about vintage and pre-owned audio equipment. I love discovering older audio gear and pondering its original purpose. During my bike phase, the impulse and fascination were much the same. Whether it’s a garage sale find or a purpose-driven nonprofit like Green Bikes, an important theme is discovering items that take on new life as they pass from one owner to the next.

Every item purchased secondhand represents one less product headed to a landfill and one more opportunity to extend the useful life of something that still has value. In a world where many products are designed to be replaced rather than repaired, garage sales offer a practical alternative to the culture of planned obsolescence. They also help families earn a little extra income while giving buyers access to useful goods at affordable prices.

Perhaps I’ll see you out there supporting the community and looking for your favorite treasures!

The Waldport Great Garage Sale is hosted by the Waldport Chamber of Commerce and presented by Pioneer Connect. Over the years, it has become a regional tradition for bargain hunters, collectors, and anyone looking for cool and useful stuff.

Garage sale maps are available through Oregon Coast TODAY and can also be picked up at the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center & Museum.Map:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1_Q7Nwu-1lWQYzHvGUE4yHGgrlanRrDg&ll=44.397583976726686%2C-124.05874845&z=12

The Green Bike Co-op Annual Open House, also taking place Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., will feature discounts on bicycles and accessories, refreshments, and pedicab rides.

For more than 15 years, Green Bike Co-op has served as a unique community resource, helping residents and visitors keep bicycles on the road. Green Bikes operates under the umbrella of Seashore Family Literacy, combining bicycle access with community service and education.

What began as a free community bike-sharing program with approximately 100 “green bikes” has evolved into a full-service community bicycle shop offering bicycle tune-ups and repairs, bike rentals and loaner bicycles, sales of refurbished bicycles, maintenance classes and instruction, and access to tools and parts for self-repair projects.

Green Bike volunteers help visitors, local riders, and cyclists traveling along Highway 101. Volunteers gain practical skills while supporting a program that encourages outdoor recreation, sustainable transportation, and community engagement.

The co-op is located at 320 NE Grant Street in downtown Waldport and welcomes donations of bicycles, parts, and financial support.

Consider making a day of it: explore the garage sales, visit downtown businesses, stop by the Green Bike Co-op, and experience firsthand the community pride that makes Waldport such a special place to live, work, and visit.

This week I had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting celebration for the new recycling improvements at Thompson’s Sanitary Service in Newport.

Events like this matter because recycling is changing significantly across Oregon through the state’s new Recycling Modernization Act (RMA). The law represents one of the largest updates to Oregon’s recycling system in decades and is designed to make recycling more reliable, easier to understand, and more effective statewide.

As a County Commissioner, I believe these conversations are important because rural communities like Lincoln County face unique challenges when it comes to waste management, transportation costs, environmental stewardship, and public education. Recycling systems only work well when the public understands how to participate correctly.

For many years, people were encouraged to recycle as much as possible. Unfortunately, “wish-cycling” — putting questionable items into recycling bins hoping they could be recycled — created major contamination problems. When contamination levels become too high, entire recycling loads can sometimes end up discarded.

Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act is trying to solve that problem by:

• creating more consistent recycling standards statewide
• increasing accountability for manufacturers and recycling processors
• improving transparency and public trust
• helping fund transportation and recycling infrastructure for rural communities
• reducing contamination through better public education

One of the biggest lessons from the new system is simple:

The best recycler is not the person who recycles the most items — it is the person who recycles the correct items.

Some of the most important recycling habits include:

• flattening cardboard
• rinsing containers
• keeping recyclables loose (not bagged)
• avoiding food contamination
• learning which materials are locally accepted
• reducing and reusing before recycling whenever possible

The event also highlighted practical tools available to the public = the “Waste Wizard” feature available through Thompson’s Sanitary Service, which helps residents quickly determine what can and cannot be recycled. Tools like this help remove confusion and reduce contamination.

I was especially excited to learn that Thompson’s Sanitary has added several new recycling opportunities at their recycling depot, including:

• textiles such as cotton shirts, towels, and sheets
• plastic film and grocery bags
• shredded paper (contained properly in paper bags)
• certain plastic clamshell containers
• light bulb recycling

I want to thank the entire Thompson’s Sanitary team for their continued investment in recycling infrastructure and public education here on the Oregon coast. Their work helps support cleaner communities, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability for Lincoln County residents.

Good recycling is not just about throwing things away correctly — it is about building a culture of responsibility, stewardship, and community participation.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make the event possible.

This week I spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for Olalla Meadows in Toledo — a new 30-unit affordable housing development that represents years of planning, partnership, and community collaboration.

Projects like this do not happen overnight.

As Northwest Coastal Housing Executive Director Sheila Stiley explained during the event, this effort has been in development since 2019 and required persistence, coordination, infrastructure planning, funding partnerships, and long-term community commitment. She described affordable housing development as a process requiring “determination, resourcefulness, partnerships, cooperation, planning, creative problem solving, and persistence.”

Olalla Meadows will provide affordable one- and two-bedroom housing opportunities for residents earning at or below 60% of Area Median Income, including supportive housing opportunities for some vulnerable community members.

For Lincoln County residents, the broader takeaway is clear:

Housing affordability continues to affect workforce stability, economic development, family stability, healthcare access, and overall community resilience throughout the Oregon coast.

This project also demonstrates the importance of cooperation between local government, nonprofit organizations, state agencies, and community stakeholders.

During the ceremony, Northwest Coastal Housing recognized the contributions of the City of Toledo, Oregon Housing and Community Services, the Housing Assistance Council, local contractors, engineers, planners, and Lincoln County itself.

I was especially proud to hear Lincoln County acknowledged for helping support the project through Community and Economic Development grant funding awards that assisted with architectural, geotechnical, waterproofing underlayment, and roofing-related project costs.

As a County Commissioner, one reason I attended and spoke today is because local government plays an important role in helping facilitate long-term housing solutions. While counties alone cannot solve Oregon’s housing crisis, we can support projects, build partnerships, coordinate infrastructure discussions, and help connect public resources with community-driven solutions.

Northwest Coastal Housing has also previously received support through nonprofit social service allocation funding and other collaborative local investments designed to strengthen housing stability and community wellbeing in Lincoln County.

Another important takeaway from today’s event was the reminder that affordable housing projects are ultimately about people and community.

Throughout her remarks, Sheila emphasized that Olalla Meadows is intended not simply to become another apartment complex, but a positive and lasting part of the Toledo neighborhood and broader community.

That message matters.

Strong communities require housing opportunities for working families, seniors, young adults, service workers, and residents who want to continue living on the Oregon coast. Housing conversations are often complex, but today’s groundbreaking was a reminder that progress is possible when organizations remain focused on practical solutions and collaborative problem solving. I appreciate everyone who helped move this project forward and look forward to seeing Olalla Meadows completed in the years ahead.

Links:

Northwest Coast Housing
Meili Construction
City of Toledo, Oregon
Capri Architecture
Housing Authority of Lincoln County
Oregon Housing and Community Services
Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County
WorkSource Oregon
Northwest Oregon Works

Community members from across Lincoln County gathered for the “Adventures Under the Sea” Gala supporting the Lincoln County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). The event was more than a celebration — it was a reminder that protecting children and supporting families requires an entire community working together.

The Children’s Advocacy Center has quietly served Lincoln County families for decades, helping children navigate some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable in a safe, trauma-informed, and compassionate environment. Since opening in 1997, the Center has provided services to more than 2,000 children and families throughout Lincoln County.

The CAC exists to reduce trauma for children who may be victims of abuse or neglect through coordinated care, forensic interviews, medical assessments, advocacy services, counseling, and prevention education.

One of the most important aspects of the CAC model is that it helps reduce the number of times a child must retell painful experiences. Instead of navigating multiple disconnected systems alone, families are supported through a coordinated team approach involving law enforcement, child welfare professionals, medical providers, counselors, and advocates.

The organization also invests heavily in prevention and education. Their programs help adults recognize warning signs of abuse, respond appropriately, and create safer environments for children throughout our communities.

Importantly, these services are provided to Lincoln County families at no cost. The Center serves approximately 200 child abuse assessment cases annually.

Organizations like the Children’s Advocacy Center depend heavily on community partnerships, volunteers, donors, grants, and local support to continue their work. Events like the gala help fund counseling services, advocacy programs, prevention education, forensic interviewing resources, therapy support, and outreach efforts that directly impact vulnerable children and families in our county.

How You Can Support the Children’s Advocacy Center

There are several ways community members can help:

• Attend future fundraising events
• Volunteer your time and skills
• Support prevention education efforts
• Share awareness about child abuse prevention
• Make a direct financial contribution
• Advocate for strong community support systems for children and families

The Center welcomes volunteers in advocacy, prevention programs, fundraising support, clerical assistance, and community outreach.

The CAC also announced that gala photos are now available for complimentary download, and next year’s gala has already been scheduled for April 17, 2027 at Chinook Winds Casino.

To learn more, donate, volunteer, or explore prevention training opportunities, visit the Lincoln County Children’s Advocacy Center website:
Lincoln County Children’s Advocacy Center

Gala photos:
2026 Gala Photo Gallery

The work of protecting children is not the responsibility of one organization alone. It requires compassionate professionals, engaged community members, and a shared commitment to ensuring every child in Lincoln County has the opportunity to feel safe, supported, and heard.

Over the past several months I have attended multiple Lincoln County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) meetings. These conversations have reminded me of my former role serving as Public Information Officer for both the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners Office and the Emergency Operations Center during major emergencies and disaster response efforts.

What is a COAD?

What I continue to see is an inspired effort to bring together local organizations, volunteers, nonprofits, faith-based partners, emergency management professionals, and community leaders to strengthen Lincoln County’s disaster preparedness and long-term resilience.

The former Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG), originally created following the 2020 Echo Mountain Wildfire, is now transitioning into a broader countywide COAD model focused on helping Lincoln County prepare before disasters occur — not simply responding afterward.

I have been encouraged by the many individuals participating in this effort, including former Commissioner Kaety Jacobson, who is helping coordinate many aspects of the transition, along with representatives from Oregon State University Extension, Lincoln County Public Health, wildfire preparedness specialists, emergency response partners, and numerous community organizations.

Explore these links! Local Expertise at Work.

• Aaron Groth — Regional Fire Specialist with Oregon State University Extension
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/people/aaron-groth

• Dan Norton — Lincoln County Public Health
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g88ssbxOAB4

• Dustin Rymph — Oregon State Fire Marshal Office (OSFM), former Southwest Oregon Forest Protective Association program manager, and contributor to community wildfire and air quality resilience efforts
https://www.oakridgeair.org

Current efforts include planning around community sheltering, animal evacuation and sheltering, donations management, emergency communications, volunteer coordination, and long-term community resilience.

Sign up for Lincoln Alerts

As we enter wildfire season and continue facing risks from storms, flooding, earthquakes, power outages, and other emergencies, preparedness at every level matters.

Community preparedness starts at home. Residents should consider building emergency supply kits, developing family communication plans, preparing for evacuation scenarios, staying informed about local hazards, and checking on neighbors and vulnerable populations during emergencies.

Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer

The Lincoln County COAD is actively seeking participation from volunteers, nonprofits, businesses, faith-based organizations, emergency response partners, and residents interested in preparedness and resilience. Strong local partnerships built before disasters occur can make a major difference when emergencies happen.

Preparedness is not just a government responsibility. It is a community responsibility — and building resilience starts long before disaster strikes.

Oregon Wildfire Readiness Guide

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Help build our COAD!

Residents interested in becoming involved with Lincoln County COAD efforts, preparedness planning, volunteer coordination, or future training opportunities are encouraged to reach out to:

Allyson West
Lincoln County LTRG / COAD
director@lincolncoad.org

Community members do not need to wait until a disaster occurs to become involved. One of the major goals of the Lincoln County COAD effort is building relationships, volunteer networks, communication systems, and preparedness capacity before emergencies happen.

26-27 Proposed Budget (Mobile Phone Optimized) – 5.19.26

– Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Book (Stories OPENGOV)
– Fiscal Year End Audit 25 (Unavailable) – Finance and departmental staff are currently assisting the auditors to complete the audit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

The FY26–27 Proposed Budget Message outlines a county government attempting to balance rising operational costs, service demands, staffing pressures, and financial uncertainty while maintaining core public services. Lincoln County is attempting to maintain (and in some areas expand) public services during a period of significant uncertainty involving inflation, healthcare costs, staffing pressures, administrative instability, and unpredictable federal/state funding.

REVIEW THE 26-27 PROPOSED BUDGET – PROVIDE FEEDBACK

The purpose of the budget and the Budget Committee is much larger than simply approving numbers. Budgets reveal organizational priorities more honestly than rhetoric. A budget is not merely a financial document — it is a public expression of values, priorities, leadership, and policy direction.

“Will the 26-27 proposed budget accurately reflect the county’s priorities, risks, and stewardship of taxpayer dollars?”

The committee exists to publicly determine whether county resources, staffing, and priorities are aligned with the community’s values, operational realities, legal obligations, and long-term financial sustainability. The budget process should create opportunities for elected officials, budget committee members, and the public to challenge assumptions, ask questions, understand definitions and mechanics, and where possible improve upon historical practices. Through transparency, strategic planning, and public participation, the budget process helps ensure that community priorities, fiscal responsibility, and quality public services remain connected and sustainable over time.

In the absence of a countywide strategic plan, the Budget Committee can still meaningfully rely upon Lincoln County’s mission statement as a foundational guide for fiscal and operational decision-making. The mission of Lincoln County is “to provide legally required and locally desired essential public services in an efficient, effective, and respectful manner.” Until the County establishes more uniform long-term strategies, measurable goals, and coordinated organizational priorities, the departmental budget narratives themselves help communicate the evolving aspirations, responsibilities, and service objectives of county government.

At its core, the county’s foundational service profile — public safety, health and human services, infrastructure, planning, administration, and community support systems — is inherently tied to the economic stability, resilience, and overall well-being of the community. Sustainable budgeting therefore is not solely about balancing expenditures and revenues, but about responsibly maintaining the organizational capacity necessary to support essential services, community confidence, and long-term public value for the residents of Lincoln County.

“As we move into the FY 2026–27 budget process, I want to continue encouraging a transparent and deliberative public discussion regarding the county’s financial priorities, organizational structure, and stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”

Under Oregon budget law, the Budget Committee plays an important oversight role prior to formal budget adoption. ORS 294.428 specifically provides that the Budget Committee may: “demand and receive from any officer, employee or department… any information the committee requires for the revision and preparation of the budget document.

The process is intended to allow committee members and the public to: and examine organizational and financial issues before adoption. ask questions, request clarification, understand assumptions, and examine organizational and financial issues before adoption.

Victor Jackson, an administrative health care professional with experience all over the world and in varied health care fields, on May 18 joined Lincoln County as Director of Health and Human Services.

Jackson was born and raised in New Jersey, spending much of his time in Philadelphia. His first introduction to health care was his family – his mother is a retired registered nurse, and his father was a behavioralist at a state facility for the developmentally disabled.

“They really taught me to treat people like family,” he said. “They’re still alive and well on the East Coast. I’ve got a number of siblings that are there. Advocacy starts at home – my real passion for health care started with wanting to advocate for the needs of family members that had severe chronic conditions. My passion for advocacy in the health care space was born in my home.”

He earned his undergraduate degree in public health from Richard Stockton College and his master’s in public administration-health care from Kean University, both in New Jersey. He began his health care career at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Philadelphia.

“It was a very, very diverse patient population – 90% did not speak English,” Jackson said. “That’s where I cut my teeth, so to speak, understanding the needs of marginalized communities and how to get the best care possible to them.”

From there, Jackson moved on to working in international health care, moving to the West Indies for five years, working in acute care settings in Trinidad and Antigua/Barbuda.

“Some of the great successes there were bringing cancer treatment services and, of course, managing some of the chronic conditions that we typically had to send out of the country for care,” Jackson said.

Following his time in the Caribbean, Jackson moved to Egypt, working in academic acute care settings in Cairo for a couple of years before moving to Mumbai, India, to work for a private charity hospital.

“It was a phenomenal facility. Its goal was to provide care irrespective of the caste that a person was born in,” Jackson said. “One of the things consistent throughout my career was providing exceptional care irrespective of someone’s background or their ability to pay. I’ve very much enjoyed that public health perspective.”

Jackson then returned stateside and made his first move to the West Coast, landing in Portland. There he managed a long-term, acute care facility with critical patients that would be in the ICU in a typical short-term hospital.

“During the pandemic, I had the wonderful opportunity to serve as CEO for a non-profit whose primary business was behavioral health and substance use disorder,” he said. “We were the largest in southwest Washington and stood up programs like mobile outreach and a very large substance use disorder facility.”

Jackson now brings that varied, global perspective on health to Lincoln County.

“I went into public health wanting to touch every aspect of care, and it’s allowed me to focus on the whole person,” he said.

“I saw the opportunity to join Lincoln County, and the first thing is, I really understand rural health care and the challenges that come with it. I also understand being in sort of a tourist market, having served in the islands, and I think people have this misconception that you work in a tourist place, it certainly must be easy to recruit, but that’s not always the case,” Jackson said. “I understand the nuances of working in that space, but I also appreciate the environment, and how that supports your ability to show up every day and be the best version of yourself. I do better in environments that are more rural, where I can go hiking and go to the beach, as opposed to urban environments with a very different dynamic.

“I count it as a high honor to be able to be front facing in public health, and I see no reason why people can’t come to expect excellent care, good customer service, and really a standard of care that is quite exceptional. It doesn’t have to be the last choice, it can be the first choice, and by extension the employees can feel proud to work in a place that provides exceptional care,” he said.

Among Jackson’s key focuses will be what he calls one of the biggest drivers of health decline – housing insecurity – and finding ways to partner with other agencies around affordable housing. He also plans to work on managing chronic conditions “in a way that meets people in the place and time of their need, expanding mobile outreach.” He also plans to partner more fully with other health care organizations.

Human Resources Director David Collier welcomed Jackson to the county, describing him as a friendly individual “with good ideas and great energy.”

Traci Sackett, HHS finance manager and previous acting co-director of the department, also noted Jackson’s high energy level and his readiness to start on day one.

Valerie Davis, HHS deputy director of Quality and Risk Management and acting co-director with Sackett, said, “Victor’s personality is warm and inviting. He is a good listener and had thoughtful responses to questions and in his general interactions with others in the various panel sessions.”

Jackson now lives in the Depoe Bay area with his seven-year-old English bulldog. He has an adult son.

Lincoln County’s economy depends on a strong network of partnerships, education, entrepreneurship, and community investment.

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners is proud to support both the Oregon Coast Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County (EDALC) through the Commissioners Economic Development Fund. Together, these organizations help strengthen the entire business ecosystem of Lincoln County.

From startup advising and workforce development to youth entrepreneurship, business planning, digital marketing, and capital access, these programs provide real-world tools that help local businesses grow and succeed.

– NEWS (5.17.26) – Board Of Commissioners Receive Update From OCCC – Oregon Coast Breaking News
– NEWS (5.14.26) – Oregon Coast Community College Hosts Youth Entrepreneurial Pitches – Lincoln County News Source

The Oregon Coast Community College SBDC alone served hundreds of clients in 2025, helped launch new businesses, supported job creation, and provided dozens of training opportunities for entrepreneurs across our county.

One exciting example is the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP), a partnership involving OCCC, EDALC, local schools, foundations, Lincoln County, and community partners. The program helps local students explore entrepreneurship, develop business ideas, and gain practical leadership and presentation skills.

Economic development is more than recruitment — it is about investing in people, supporting innovation, strengthening existing businesses, and creating opportunities locally.

Lincoln County appreciates the collaborative work being done by OCCC, SBDC, EDALC, educators, business leaders, and community partners to help build a resilient and sustainable local economy for today and for future generations.

Elders Climate Action Oregon Chapter – Commissioner Candidate Meeting – 5.14.26

Elders Action Network broadly represents a growing movement of older Americans working to address the environmental, social, and governance challenges of our time.

Elders Climate Action Oregon Chapter is a synthesis of the Elders Acton Network in our coastal communities to have discussions and share information with each other regarding climate and environmental topics.

At the Oregon Chapter 5.14.26 meeting candidates were asked to give a brief 10-minute presentation outlining their views on climate and environmental issues and to explain how their knowledge, experience, and values would guide their decisions on these issues as an elected county commissioner.

Elders organizers expressed interest in hearing each candidate’s personal story, priorities, and commitment to protecting the planet for current and future generations — a legacy Elders hope to leave for younger generations.

Casey Miller, Cristen Don, Marci Baker, and Walter Chuck presented.

Elders mission recognizes that elders carry decades of experience, wisdom, and perspective that can help communities navigate increasingly complex challenges including climate change, democratic participation, economic justice, and sustainable living.

We appreciate Mike Allen, founder and co-leader of the Oregon Chapter, along with Martin Desmond and Tom Kerns, for creating this opportunity!

May we all get connected and learn more – visit (https://www.eldersclimateaction.org/)

Elders Action Network (EAN) including its projects, Elders Climate Action (ECA) and Elders for Sound Democracy (ESD) are nonprofit and nonpartisan, elder-centered and volunteer driven working to engage older generations to advocate for policies and practices that protect our air and water, our democracy, our economy, our communities and our health—now and for generations to come.