Deschutes County voters have some big decisions to make this time around — including deciding on a controversial district map proposal and the addition of two more commissioners to the Board of County Commissioners. This race doesn’t make decision-making much easier, as the two candidates on the ballot for Position 3 this November are both quality individuals whose work has touched some of the community’s most vulnerable; Lauren Connally with her past work with veterans, and Amy Sabbadini with her decades as an educator.
Sabbadini has come a long way as a candidate during this election cycle. Earnest and well-meaning, she should continue to pursue public office. But in an incredibly close race with both candidates showing strengths in certain areas, Connally stood out as more measured and prepared for what will be a tough cycle on the County Commission. We appreciated Connally’s knowledge around Deschutes County Health Services — especially the crucial role it plays for people’s mental health. She also had pragmatic things to say about the issue of homelessness and indicated support for more permanent solutions that go beyond the County’s recent effort to fund a managed camp in Redmond.
We saw strength in Connally’s realistic approach to the coming years, with reduced federal funding, and the hard choices that will need to be made. Connally was not afraid to say that in a funding crunch, she may be inclined to fund health services over homeless services. That may very well happen with the Temporary Safe Stay Area at Juniper Ridge, whose funds are set to expire next summer. When or if budget shortfalls materialize — as it seems they will — Connally appeared more ready to avoid sugar-coating the problems and making the tough calls.
Connally also had practical things to say about the oversight needed at the sheriff’s office. While she would not go so far as to opine that the office should be appointed, rather than elected, it was clear she took the issue with the seriousness it warrants.
Connally did not impress us with her support of the district mapping proposal that is before Deschutes County voters this November, nor with her argument that different areas of the County need their own representation. As Sabbadini pointed out, both outgoing commissioners Tony DeBone and Patti Adair were from rural parts of the county — so the notion that the County has thus far been run with a Bend-centric position is simply not true. Deschutes County is just not that large, and commissioners should be prepared to consider the needs of the entire county, whether it’s landfills or land use. On the topic of the map, Sabbadini was more aligned with the values of this editorial board; however, that matter will be decided by voters by the time one of these candidates becomes commissioner. If the map passes, both agreed they’d want to see the lines redrawn following the next U.S. Census. In other words, voters will decide how they want to be represented; what we want in a commissioner is someone who will ensure those boundaries are drawn in the fairest manner possible. Both candidates seemed committed to that.
Both candidates have strengths that would serve them well on this commission; however, our endorsement goes to Connally. Vote Lauren Connally for Deschutes County Commissioner, Position 3.
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