Having the administrative progress this county has made over the past three years turned upside down is disturbing and disappointing.
Had the recall petitioners and their followers paid attention and listened to the platform on which Elizabeth Farrar-Campbell and Pat Shannon ran when they were elected back in 2020, they would have known exactly what to expect, rather than claiming to be alarmed now by the action of the court.
The petitioners could have been a positive part of the process then and along the way, rather than the disruptive contingent they have turned out to be.
Judge Farrar-Campbell brought rare and over-the-top qualifications of intelligence, organizational acumen and management protocol to the position of county judge, and a strong commitment to carry out far-sighted planning that would move Gilliam County further into the 21st century.
Pat Shannon brought a ground level perspective of county conditions and a commitment to make improvements in the lives of Gilliam County residents.
To oust them mid-stream was a short-sighted action based, as we see it, on personal grudges, and without consideration of the ‘greater good.’ The action has stifled the court’s mission to research the best path forward for the county and led to the loss of good employees.
While we were destined to lose Judge Farrar-Campbell’s leadership in any event at the end of this year due to her planned retirement from the position, we have another opportunity to support Pat Shannon in his bid for re-election as county commissioner in this primary election. We support Pat Shannon for county commissioner.
To that end, we also add our support to the candidacy of current County Commissioner Leah Watkins, who is running for Gilliam County Judge. She is a stable, proven, focused county leader.
On the district level statewide, we strongly endorse the candidacy of Raymond Akers in his bid to be elected as State Representative for District 57. His election would provide a change in that position that is long overdue. Raymond Akers will work for all of his constituents, not just those who can pad his coffers.
With hope still,
Mac and Jan Stinchfield
Condon, Oregon
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