To the editor:
I am supporting Walter Chuck, Cristen Don and Cathie Rigby for Lincoln County commissioner positions. Of the candidates for seats on the commission three stand out for their exceptional qualifications.
Commissioner Walter Chuck, running to retain Position 3 seat, prioritizes the strengthening of local incomes, expanding access to affordable housing and ensuring our government remains transparent, responsive, and fiscally responsible. Chuck has two decades of experience working for the people of Lincoln County. He is known for and steady collaborative solutions-oriented approach. He deserves to be elected and to continue the work he has begun.
Cristen Don, who is running for Position 2, has lived in Lincoln County for 22 years and has dedicated her career to public service. Don has extensive experience in managing public programs and budgets, building partnerships, and helping coastal communities navigate complex issues with clarity and trust.
Cathie Rigby, who is running for Position 1, has been the grant writer for city of Newport and is very well acquainted with the issues facing Lincoln County. She is the daughter of immigrant parents who came to the country with hope and determination and the hope of building a better future. Her life has been shaped by service, resilience, and a deep belief that we thrive when we take care of one another. Cathie has the experience both lived and professional, to take on challenges we face right now.
Please join me in voting for these three candidates May 19 and remember vote early and take your ballots to an authorized ballot box.
— Kimmarie Skondin/Lincoln City
Ms. Skondin’s letter reads more like a team endorsement than a real case for good county government.
Folks don’t need polished bios and feel-good stories. We need commissioners who’ll follow the rules, do business in the open, and tell the public the truth.
Sure, candidates can all say nice things about service, trust, and working together. But that’s not the real test. The real question is whether they’ll respect public process when it actually counts. Will they support open meetings and real public comment? Will they follow the law instead of letting things get handled behind the scenes? Will they be straight with voters about their record and qualifications?
That’s what matters.
People can endorse whoever they want. But Lincoln County deserves more than campaign-style praise. We deserve honest scrutiny, real transparency, and the same standard applied to everybody.