Last week, Redmond Mayor Alan Unger announced that he will be running
for a spot on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. Unger, a
Democrat who has served as Redmond’s mayor since 2001, will be seeking
the seat currently held by Republican Mike Daly.
Unger, a lifelong
resident of Oregon, was actually born in the city of which he is now
mayor. Before taking the city’s top office, he served on the Redmond
Area Planning Commission and was then elected to the Redmond City
Council.
In a recent interview published in the Source two weeks ago, new Deschutes County Democratic Party chair Jim Thomassen, hinted that Unger might toss his hat in the ring, calling the mayor “astute on Central Oregon issues.” Unger didn’t officially announce his candidacy, however, until last Thursday, which was followed by a “Listening Tour” with different groups throughout the county on Friday and Saturday.
When we spoke with Unger this week, he said his reasons for seeking a spot on the board of commissioners were simple.
“You can’t stay wherever you are forever – you make a difference and then you move on,” the mayor said.
But that said, Unger is hardly jumping ship in Redmond – he feels like he’s built a strong legacy in the city.
“We’ve been able to address growth and stay ahead of the challenge, there’s lots of things that we were able to accomplish, but that’s the big one,” Unger said.
Just as growth was an issue in Redmond, Unger knows that it will also be a concern should he be elected to the position. And in step with growth comes Central Oregon residents’ concern over preserving the quality of life they’ve either come to expect, or perhaps moved here to enjoy, he said. He also mentioned stressed better communication within the county.
“I want to make sure that we as a region are talking and all the different cities are talking. I’m not saying that doesn’t happen now, but it’s important for the county,” he said.
It’s hard to overlook Unger’s entrance into the race and the fact that he’s running for a spot on a board of commissioners that’s currently, and long been, comprised exclusively of Republicans. Still, Unger, who’s entrance into the race has been welcomed by the county’s progressives, doesn’t seem to be beating the drum of partisanship.
“When you’re talking local politics and county offices, the issues aren’t always that partisan. I like to drive down the middle of the road and make sure we can take care of issues that both Democrats and Republicans care about.”
This article appears in Jan 31 – Feb 6, 2008.
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Ah, more of the same with the Bend-Redmond centered Bored of Commissioners! But, for Tammy Baney, the rural constituency, our natural environment, ‘the working poor’ and especially the scammed property owners scammed by unscrupulous realtors, brokers and developers (‘what groundwater problem?’) in collusion with the ‘county land (‘carpe emptor’) watchdogs,’ La Pine would have NO voice in County government. The Republicans seldom venture this far south except for election years and the Dems except for Randy Gordon can’t even find La Pine on a map! Hellloooooooooo up there! Deschutes County is NOT part of Bend/Redmond, Bend and Redmond are part of Deschutes County. Who else knew that? Probably no one at the Source or that ‘other’ paper, either, knows that.
The election process is always enhanced and enriched when there is a choice of candidates. Mayor Unger’s interesting decision to run for Deschutes County Commissioner against incumbent Mike Daly showcases Democracy in action.
However, with Daly a well known candidate it will be of great interest to discover who is behind Unger’s bid. Who are his financial backers, his advisors, his promoters? What motivations drive them (“Anyone but Daly”)? What campaign strategies and machines in Deschutes County will be made available to Unger by former elected office holders or local politicians?
With Les Stiles unexpected withdrawal as a candidate even as he was on the verge of declaring his bid for commissioner where does someone like Stiles – whose personal and professional feelings about Commissioner Daly are not unknown – possibly fit into Mayor Unger’s political platform and those who might contribute or benefit from his election?
These are the hard, biting questions that should be asked as the race gets underway. The answers may prove illuminative as to the future of Deschutes County politics and powerholders…something the voters of Deschutes County may wish to know before they cast their ballots.