To the editor:
Because of my involvement in Ballot Measure 21-203, voters ask me who I support for the two open positions on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. My response: “Casey Miller for Position 1 and incumbent Kaety Jacobson for Position 3.”
Then shock sets in. “How can you support Kaety? She spoke out against Ballot Measure 21-203 before the election?” The truth is that initially, I did not.
I am a named intervener on behalf of the county in the lawsuits filed by 24 short-term rental investors over Measure 21-203. The interveners’ constituents are the 10,080 “yes” voters on Measure 21-203 — many of whom are donating to cover the legal fees for our intervention.
As an intervener, I have a unique window into the litigation phase of this process.
I listened with an open mind to Jacobson’s responses to the many short-term rental questions voters asked candidates the last month. I concluded that Jacobson is best positioned to make the STR phaseout a reality by Nov. 19, 2026. Our success requires her re-election.
Why? Because Jacobson does not have to “come up to speed” as would the other candidates. As the incumbent, she will not have to wait eight months until her swearing-in to make decisions. She can (1) be briefed by outside counsel, (2) approve the litigation budget, and (3) direct implementation during these critical next few months. As the incumbent, Kaety Jacobson felt the acute sting of a wildly successful ballot measure. Therefore, I trust her.
The candidates’ responses to the 15neighborhoods’ questionnaire are on its website. Developer Mark Watkins did not respond. Jacobson responded in English and Spanish.
Casey Miller was the only candidate for Position 1 who responded to the 15neighborhoods questionnaire. That says it all.
Vote “yes” for Kaety Jacobson and Casey Miller.
— Monica Kirk/Depoe Bay
