Commissioners Conduct Interviews For Commission Appointment

Lincoln County is one step closer to filling its vacant Commissioner Position 2 seat, after a lengthy public work session and interview with the two finalists, Cristen Don and Marci Baker, on Monday April 20th. Two others selected for interview, Christine Chandler and Matthew Harwell both pulled their applications for the position. Commissioner Casey Miller floated the idea of holding the process in ‘suspended animation’ and potentially bringing in additional candidates to interview, given the drop‑outs. But after discussion, Commissioner Walter Chuck opposed changing course, and the board ultimately proceeded with just the two remaining candidates.

The meeting started with a debate over process. Commissioner Miller and Commissioner

Chuck disagreed over how tightly they should stick to the list of questions prepared by staff. Miller pushed for flexibility to add his own questions, noting that his past suggestions hadn’t always made it into the final list, while Commissioner Chuck argued they should stay with the established process to maintain fairness and keep candidates from seeing questions in advance.

Commissioner Miller questioned whether Commissioner Chuck could remain objective in the appointment process, noting that he and candidate Don have been out campaigning together on the same ticket and are endorsed by the local Democrats. He raised the concern that this could create ‘dissonance’ for the other candidate and for the public watching the process. He suggested the possibility of waiting for the voters to decide to give some indication of how to make the selection process.

Commissioner Chuck pushed back on the suggestion that he couldn’t be objective, saying he has not endorsed anyone in the race. ‘I have not endorsed anybody in this campaign, Commissioner Miller, and we’re here to interview the people who are in front of us,’ he said. ‘Let’s interview them, and then we’ll discuss it at the next meeting where we can make a decision.’”

Over the course of the work session, which lasted over three hours, Don and Baker fielded questions on county services, budgets, emergency preparedness, housing and homelessness, and controversial issues such as short-term rentals and the potential siting of an immigration detention facility in Lincoln County. Both candidates said they do not support bringing an ICE detention center here, citing community values and economic and humanitarian concerns. Don drew heavily on her 18 years at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and her service on the Lincoln County Budget Committee, while Baker underscored her experience as a small business owner and Lincoln City councilor, focusing on staff morale, public engagement, and “systems that serve people” across departments.

The work session also clarified that whoever is appointed would only serve through the end of this year. Voters will decide in November who finishes the remaining two years of Hall’s term, with Don and Baker both seeking that seat at the ballot box along with two others who are seeking to be elected to the position in the May primary. The Board of Commissioners is expected to bring the interim appointment decision back at a future business meeting, after reviewing the answers provided to the interview questions and written materials from the candidates.