Lincoln County commissioner reflects on first six months following appointment

To the editor:

I was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners six months ago and am grateful to Commissioners Claire Hall and Casey Miller for choosing me to serve with them.

During this time, I have participated in 11 commission meetings and during those meetings I have seen both of my fellow commissioners be the subject of very strong and pointed comments during our public comment period.

The public is well within their right to voice their displeasure with us as elected officials. But I have not enjoyed seeing either one of them go through that. As a long-serving commissioner for the Port of Newport, I experienced being the focus of the public’s ire and displeasure, and I realized that’s just part of the job.

One of the common subjects in many of the comments directed at my colleagues is the Sept. 18, 2024, commission meeting. I will say that I have not and probably never will watch the recording of that meeting, for two reasons:

One, it was the cumulation of many events and discussions, involving many people, that I was not privy to nor part of. Therefore, I have found that it is virtually impossible to retrace all the steps and incidents that led to this event.

Two, I have learned that forming opinions and making judgements based on a single event is never a good idea, especially in a role of responsibility and authority. In my six months in office, the different perspectives and points of view that have been shared with me is vast.

I will spend my time and energy on getting out into the community and personally engaging with all of you.

Unfortunately, over the past 3-4 years, people have become tiles on computer screens and rarely engage with each other in person, and the quality of engagement and discussion has suffered. You will see me at community events and meetings of other local governments to get a firsthand perspective from members of the public and our local and state officials.

Lincoln County is in the process of finding qualified candidates to fill the vacant position of county administrator. This duty is one of the most important that the commissioners currently have on our plate. My focus will be showing prospective candidates for this important position that they will be supported and given a chance to succeed.

I look forward to continuing my work for the residents of Lincoln County. You’ll see me around.

   — Walter Chuck/Lincoln County commissioner