Stalemate Continues Over Commission Position 2 Appointment

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners again left its long-vacant Position 2 seat unfilled during its July 15 regular meeting, as Commissioners Casey Miller and Walter Chuck remained divided over the appointment process and whom the board should select.

The board has operated with only two members for more than six months.

Chuck opened the discussion by saying the board should complete its earlier application and interview process, which produced two finalists: Cristen Don and Marci Baker.

“I think we need to finish the process we started,” Chuck said. “I think Ms. Don and Ms. Baker have been waiting to get a decision from us.”

Miller responded with a prepared framework and a series of proposed appointments.

“The public deserves a fully functioning three-member board,” Miller said. “I do want us to restore representation, select someone capable of contributing immediately, and avoid using the appointment power in a way that gives an advantage to any candidate in the ongoing November election.”

Miller said his proposals reflected the election results, the original application process and an effort to find common ground.

Four proposed appointees

Miller first moved to appoint Commissioner-elect Curtis Landers through Dec. 31. Landers was elected in May to Position 3 and is scheduled to begin his full term in January.

Miller said Landers was the only person already elected to serve on the board and was not competing for Position 2 in November.

“His appointment would restore full representation, provide continuity into next year, respect the voters’ conclusive decision, and avoid giving any incumbency advantage to either Position 2 candidate,” Miller said.

Chuck declined to second the motion.

Miller next proposed Marci Baker, a Lincoln City councilor who applied for the vacancy, completed the interview process and was selected as one of the two finalists.

“Her appointment would honor the original process while preserving neutrality in the November election,” Miller said.

Chuck responded, “None,” when asked whether he would offer any discussion or second the motion.

Miller then proposed Dru Earls, another vacancy applicant. Miller noted that Earls had been among Chuck’s five original selections from the applicant pool and presented him as a possible compromise.

“He participated in the process, you identified him as qualified for further consideration, and he is not a candidate in the November election,” Miller said.

Chuck again declined to second the motion.

Miller’s fourth proposal was Cheri Brubaker, who received 3,399 votes in the May primary but did not advance to the November election.

Miller said Brubaker received the most votes of any commissioner candidate who did not advance and described her as another possible compromise that would consider voter input without benefiting either November candidate.

Both Earls and Brubaker ran against Miller in the May primary, underscoring that his proposed alternatives were not limited to political allies.

Chuck offered no discussion or second.

Because none of the four motions received a second, none proceeded to a vote.

Proposed special meeting also fails

Miller then proposed that the board hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, or at another mutually agreeable time within the following seven days, for the sole purpose of continuing the vacancy discussion.

Chuck declined to second that motion as well.

“Isn’t that the purpose of having this on the agenda today?” Chuck said. “I don’t think we need a special meeting for it.”

Chuck says board should finish earlier process

After Miller completed his motions, Chuck said the board had established a defined process but had not completed it. He said the May election results were not part of the original appointment process.

“I think it’s moving the goalposts to now bring that into discussion,” Chuck said.

Chuck argued that if the primary results were going to be considered, Don had the stronger claim.

“If we are going to go off solely on what the election has to say, Ms. Don is the preferred candidate by the people,” Chuck said.

He asked Miller to explain why he did not believe Don was qualified, apart from Miller’s concern that appointing her would provide a perceived advantage in the November election.

Miller did not say Don was unqualified.

“I like Cristen Don a lot,” Miller said. “I actually met with her, had a great conversation, but I will not be moving her forward.”

Miller then summarized his position for the record.

“Let the record reflect that I offered four individuals for appointment and a specific opportunity to reconvene within the next seven days to continue working toward an appointment,” Miller said. “I remain ready to meet at any time and appoint a qualified person who will restore full representation without placing the board’s appointment power on either side of the November election.”

Chuck said he had spoken with Don only once since the election, during an event the previous day. He said he had also seen Baker at a meeting but had not discussed the election with her.

“I did not want to taint the process by having separate discussions with these candidates and having other interviews outside of open public meetings,” Chuck said.

Chuck concluded by restating his support for Don.

“I feel that Ms. Don is the most correct candidate to fill this position, and we need to finish the process that you and I both agreed on,” he said.

The discussion ended without an appointment or an agreement to meet again before the board’s next regular meeting. Unless Miller or Chuck changes positions or the two commissioners agree to another process, the Position 2 seat will remain vacant.

Watch the discussion on YouTube here.