Q & A with candidates for Wheeler Co. Commissioner #2

Wheeler County will hold primary elections on May 21 and ballots will be mailed out next week. The race for Wheeler County Commissioner is one of the best in the region.

Three candidates with diverse experiences and who are deeply invested in Wheeler County are vying to become the next county commissioner.

The three candidates are Matt Davis, Candy Humphreys, and Zach Bruce.

We asked each of them five questions – here are their responses.

MATT DAVIS

TJ: Please tell us about yourself - your family, where you grew up, went to high school, other educational achievements, and work experience.

Matt Davis: I grew up on a farm near Spray, learning about hard work and forging a lasting connection with the land and people of Wheeler County. I attended Spray School (K-12) and earned an academic scholarship allowing me to attend UofO. I received a degree in political science and served as Committee Assistant during multiple sessions of the Oregon Legislature, also working in sales and consulting.

My wife Coco and I came home to Wheeler County to raise our two amazing daughters and I was hired as Planning Director in 2018. I also provided office support for the Sheriff's Office and served as Emergency Management Coordinator during the pandemic. Afterwards I accepted my current position as Community Development Director, administering land use planning and economic development activities.

I am running for County Commissioner because I have the right skillset and am dedicated to serving the people of Wheeler County.

TJ: What will be your top 3 priorities for Wheeler County as County Commissioner and what experience do you have in these 3 areas?

Matt Davis: Economic Development - Laying the foundation for economic growth and family wage jobs by bringing affordable high-speed internet options to every household; increasing access to business financing and support services; developing office and manufacturing spaces with modern equipment and training; establishing childcare opportunities so parents can work; designating land for commercial/industrial development; and utilizing tax incentive programs to encourage business development.

Housing - Wheeler County must designate land for small acreage residential development; incentivize owners of vacant homes to consider long-term rental; and pursue housing rehabilitation/construction programs.

Bringing Resources & Opportunity - Over the last several years I have helped secure well over $4,000,000 for important public projects. I have existing positive relationships with state, federal and private partners. I have followed and participated in policy level discussions around housing, economic development, broadband deployment and more. As Commissioner I will be a dedicated and effective advocate bringing resources home to Wheeler County.

TJ: How can Wheeler County prevent population loss and boost housing for young families?

Matt Davis: Successfully addressing the issues above will enable Wheeler County to reverse the current trend of population loss and attract young families. This means kids in our schools, workers in our businesses, and infusions of fresh ideas and energy ensuring that our communities remain vibrant and attractive places to live.

However, young families must locate where they can achieve financial security, professional advancement and personal growth. Many times these young families aren't yet at a point in their lives where they can buy or build a home, so Wheeler County must work to increase the availability of long-term rental housing. We must simultaneously: designate land for residential development so when they're ready to buy or build they have options; develop childcare facilities; increase business support services; and expand workforce development/training opportunities. Wheeler County is a wonderful place to raise a family, together we can ensure more folks have that opportunity.

TJ: Wheeler County has one of the highest property tax rates in the state and the lowest tax revenue – what are some solutions for improving the county's tax base and county revenue?

Matt Davis: If we desire to increase County revenue and services, the solution is to incentivize growth and construction, not to increase property tax rates. Simply put, we need to make it easier to build homes and businesses in Wheeler County. We must designate more land for these kinds of developments and leverage all available tools to make construction projects more feasible for current and future residents. More construction means more tax revenue which enables more and better county services. This is attainable without raising taxes.

I understand how to utilize Oregon's land use system to identify and designate more land for needed development without compromising our productive agricultural and forest lands. I understand how to leverage the various programs offered by our state and federal partners to spur development. I believe that with your help and support we can achieve the kind of responsible growth our County needs to thrive.

TJ: Where do you see Wheeler County in 10 years and how will you help to achieve these goals?

Matt Davis: I love Wheeler County as it is, I'm not advocating for explosive growth or massive change. Instead, what I hope we can achieve together is responsible, measured and manageable growth enabling our communities to thrive for generations to come. I want Wheeler County to be known as an ideal place to raise a family, start a business and enjoy a very high quality of life.

In 10 years, I envision a Wheeler County with adequate housing; affordable, reliable, high-speed internet in every household that wants it; a childcare facility in every community; a growing local economy; stellar emergency services and healthcare systems; a strong local food system; pristine wild places and productive farm and forest lands.

I will help to achieve these goals by working hard to secure resources and deliver the projects necessary to lay the foundation for this growth. I appreciate your consideration, please remember to vote!

CANDY HUMPHREYS

TJ: Please tell us about yourself, your family, where you grew up, went to high school, other educational achievements and work experience.

Candy Humphreys: I grew up in Spray, graduated from Spray High School, and have deep roots in Wheeler County. My family has resided in Wheeler County for many years. After living away, I returned to Wheeler County with my family, where I have remained over 40 years. I have worked as a school librarian, sales representative for federal/state government, preschool teacher, City Recorder at Spray, and business owner. I retired after two decades as program coordinator for Wheeler County Community Transportation and am currently the Executive Director of Frontier CASA. I have extensive experience in fiduciary matters, budgets, human resources, program management and implementation. At last count I have successfully secured over 2.5 million dollars in grant funding for projects in Wheeler County, examples of which would be the water system in Spray, EMS buildings, starting community school programs, supporting veterans' transportation needs, and others. I have seen these projects completed.

TJ: What will be your top 3 priorities for Wheeler County as County Commissioner and what experience do you have in these 3 areas?

Candy Humphreys: It is difficult to prioritize 3 things, but I believe strongly in the following:

Economic Development: I believe in the importance of shifting our focus from tourism to the development of businesses that offer job stability. Enhancing infrastructure, such as completing high-speed internet access in rural areas, is essential. With my experience in public projects and as a project manager, I understand how to make this happen.

Community Services: Ambulance/fire services, food pantry, senior meal sites, transportation, and healthcare are vital for our community's well-being. I have either worked or volunteered in most of these areas and understand the challenges of maintaining services with increasing costs, decreasing revenues, and tired volunteers.

Agricultural Resources: As the daughter of a logger and a rancher, protecting our rural land resources is crucial to me. It's time to support our farmers and ranchers and protect our agricultural industry. I will advocate for policies that support the interests of local farmers, ranchers, including predator management.

TJ: How can Wheeler County prevent population loss and boost housing for young families?

Candy Humphreys: Regarding these issues:

Constructing multifamily housing and rehabilitating empty dwellings through public-private partnerships. Local builders need to be empowered to look at duplexes, four-plexes, and other designs that support young families.

Providing economic or tax incentives for new construction and encouraging ADUs to maximize existing lots and preserve rural land for farming.

Encouraging the development of consistent childcare options in our communities. I have heard it frequently voiced over many years that Wheeler County has no childcare support for working families, forcing some to leave or relocate or drive prohibitive distances. This is an issue that needs to be taken up by our local leaders.

Lastly, increasing infrastructure to support and encourage the growing global remote work force that allows young families to live in Wheeler County and still earn professional wages.

TJ: Wheeler County has one of the highest property tax rates in the state and the lowest tax revenue – what is the solution to improving the county's tax base and county revenue?

Candy Humphreys: Wheeler County deserves a thriving future. Three decades ago, Oregon instituted what we now lovingly refer to as "Measure 50", and along with other issues this makes the discussion of property tax rates nuanced and much longer than 150 words allows. We must take a multifaceted approach to improving our tax base and county revenue. We must renew our efforts to increase our tax base by encouraging further business development. Some of the first steps in this is building out our infrastructure, which I have three decades of experience in doing for this County (e.g., transportation, EMS, education). Additionally, there are opportunities for responsible development, including the support of rehabilitation of some existing properties and vacant lots. No project is too small and we need to think outside the box. And yet, my years of fiduciary experience will ensure tax dollars are allocated effectively and objectively.

TJ: Where do you see Wheeler County in 10 years and how will you help to achieve these goals?

Candy Humphreys: This is a very broad question and could fill volumes. Wheeler County has always found itself juxtaposed between maintaining it's heritage as a frontier rural county filled with (what Mary Fitzgerald used to call) "an independent folk" and still providing services and opportunities that encourage investment and continued population supports. In 10 years, I would like to see:

1) A stronger fiscal independence with a strong tax base that is supportive of private/public enterprise controlled by local population and less dependency on federal dollars.

2) A county government that is proactive to the needs of its constituents and goes out and engages with its communities (outside of an election cycle). In this way local government can start being part of the solution and run less from a "risk management" position.

3) A thriving set of communities that continue to engage and support their small schools and have opportunities that support local families.

ZACH BRUCE

TJ: Please tell us about yourself, your family, where you grew up, went to high school, other educational achievements and work experience.

Zach Bruce: I am 39. I'm a business owner in a couple different industries. I own AOA Outfitters, which is in the tourism industry and I'm also in the agricultural industry. I help control noxious weeds and other invasive plants. I also help manage a ranch in the Twickenham area. I do this around owning and caretaking my own small property. I have two daughters, Lanie (14) and Leah (12) and one son, Beckett (5). My wife and I have been married for 15 years. My folks moved to Wheeler County the first time in 1986. We lived here for two years and in 1998 my folks returned to the county. I graduated from Spray High in 2003.

I have a business degree with an emphasis in Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

I have experience is managing ranch properties and running businesses. I have worked in the home building industry and in water and irrigation districts.

TJ: What will be your top 3 priorities for Wheeler County as County Commissioner and what experience do you have in these 3 areas?

Zach Bruce: 1) To facilitate and support businesses. If more businesses in different industries are able to start up, get over hurdles and make a profit this will create a positive ripple effect that branches out into so many areas the county is struggling. Having started my own business, I'm better able to help other business owners avoid the growing pains I went through.

2) Support Emergency/Health services. The average age of the county is increasing. It would be wise to strengthen and bolster the health services within the county. Encouraging county residents to obtain a 1st aid/CPR card through training classes and seeking grants to better our health system's equipment and tools.

3) Diversifying the tax burden. Property taxes are the highest of any other county in the state. By advancing the 1st priority, there would be more taxable revenues. Those of the business owner and of the employees, thus relieving property owners some.

TJ: How can Wheeler County prevent population loss and boost housing for young families?

Zach Bruce: This county is a great place to live, raise a family and recreate. A lot of young people don't want to leave. Some of the high school graduates would like to return after graduating college, but what do we have to offer college graduates with a plethora of degrees and whom are expecting to earn a competitive wage in their field? Wages and housing are both major hurdles. It is nearly impossible to find a vacant rental in the county. Businesses and industries have job openings, but potential employees can't find housing. Young people need to be able to afford to live in the county. Jobs need to pay more. Establishing supporting current businesses will be a solution to some of these challenges. Improving and expanding facilities related to professional fields like doctors, dentists, accountants, lawyers, teachers and others will attract more experienced workers in each area.

TJ: Wheeler County has one of the highest property tax rates in the state and the lowest tax revenue – what is the solution to improving the county's tax base and county revenue?

Zach Bruce: The county needs to grow in terms of resident population and it needs to grow in the number of annual visitors. Businesses and facilities need to see an increase in visitors to grow revenues. They need higher revenues to then pay folks a decent wage. If everyone's annual earnings are increasing and the population is increasing, then there are more folks to share the tax burden and higher earnings to tax as well. Schools have an opportunity to grow and salaries can increase. More city and county jobs will come because of growth in other areas. This is economics 101 and the county residents understand how this works. The "how" that is challenging is how do we get from point A to B and then to C? Bringing in economists, industry experts, professionals, and others to increase knowledge and understanding in the county population could be a useful tool.

TJ: Where do you see Wheeler County in 10 years and how will you help to achieve these goals?

Zach Bruce: More outsiders are learning about the county, its genuine, hospitable residents and its rugged beauty all the time. Residents of the county need to have the tools to help each other and the visitors to our county. Visitors who would like to be residents and young residents who would like to become permanent and old residents need to have jobs, good wages, good education for students, business support, services support, knowledge and experience and resources to lean on and learn from. Everything and everyone has to grow and improve together. State legislation needs to be understood and the county defended when something might negatively affect the residents. With new ideas and the right mentality and focus, I see folks living more comfortably, property owners relieved some, and health and emergency services adequately supported and work loads distributed and lessened.