IS TILLAMOOK COUNTY BECOMING ERIN SKAAR’S ‘PRIVATE’ NON-PROFIT?
By Bruce Lovelin, Candidate for County Commission
In the last several months, I have had a great opportunity to talk to the citizens of Tillamook County. A common concern continues to arise – ‘homelessness, low-income housing and drug addiction’. As a 24-year business owner and resident, I asked myself ‘aren’t we more than that?’ Listening to hours of County Board meetings, examining budgets, participating in candidate debates and listening to hundreds of citizens, I have come to the realization:
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Erin Skarr’s principal job experience is managing a non-profit, CARE for 10 years. She has said “Government is a lot like a non-profit”.
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As County Commissioner she pushed for a 39-year lease of County property to CARE ($1 per year) to provide nightly lodging for the homeless.
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As County Commissioner she pushed for a County Housing Advisory Committee which spent over $400,000 this year to subsidize low-income housing to private businesses.
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As County Commissioner she adopted the largest deficit budget in Tillamook County history resulting in a $4,114,890 projected loss.
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As County Commissioner she supported new taxes such as a County wide business tax, construction excise tax while attempting to balance the budget by defunding our Sheriff department. Thankfully these all failed.
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She is now considering additional County taxes such as a prepared food tax, higher transient lodging tax and a vehicle registration fee for county residents.
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The $125,000 annual salary (cost to Tillamook County taxpayers) that Erin receives will go up by 4 percent next year, and likely the year after.
The challenges are great for the County. School funding, public safety, rising food costs, economic stagnation - our county’s future is on the line. Personally, I don’t fault Erin as non-profit activities is all she knows so what else should the voters expect of her? But this singular focus is pushing our County to the economic brink of insolvency and a very bleak future.
Whether I am the answer here is your question? One thing is certain -- A vote for Erin will be more of the same. A vote for me will bring about change – a balance back to the things all of us need. Our future depends on you.
Respectfully submitted to the Citizens of Tillamook County.
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Bruce Lovelin