The Harney County Chamber of Commerce hosted a public forum for the county commissioner candidates on Thursday, April 19.

Following opening statements, candidates Patty Dorroh, Suzanne Settle, and Jimmy Walker were asked a series of prepared questions related to the commissioner position. Dorroh is currently serving as a commissioner after being appointed to the vacancy created when former Commissioner Pete Runnels was elected county judge.

One of the questions posed to the candidates was, “What do you hope to achieve should you get elected?”

Settle stated that she had a list of priorities for working with the community, and finding out what slots need to be filled in the county court would be her main objective. Other projects would include developing a relationship with community elder care, mental health, and home health care providers and coordinating the best care strategies to make sure everyone in need is included. She said that also includes enhancing our county’s ability to prevent and treat drug and alcohol abuse and mental health and juvenile issues through grants, education, and treatment. She also stated that she wanted to support businesses in innovative ways to use the forest products that we have left by helping to advance biomass projects. She added that helping businesses and nonprofits lower their costs to be more sustainable will give them more capital to grow in the community.

“Because if we grow those businesses, we will grow jobs,” she said. “Also, encouraging businesses to come here, to start small, and make sure we have the infrastructure to help them grow.”

Walker said he’d encourage the development of new businesses, with the expectation that the businesses will be successful.

“And that we would have the opportunity to see that they have done their homework as far as putting together a business plan, and hopefully that they would be successful in Harney County,” Walker said.

Walker added that he would work with the county departments to hopefully be able to help youth who stay in the community be successful.

Dorroh stated that she wants to improve the economic health and prosperity of the community. She said the water basin issues are vital, they need immediate work, and that work is ongoing.

“Working to retain our agriculture sector in a sustainable way is vital to Harney County, and to Harney County’s future,” she said. “We want to attract businesses, be business-friendly, raise our level of customer service as a culture in our community,” Dorroh said.

She added that the court is finding ways to fund and hire technical assistance and analytical studies to help with the foundation of the work. She said housing, water issues, and natural resources are also areas of concern.

The candidates were then asked about the most pressing needs for infrastructure or capital projects in the county.

Walker said roads need to be maintained, and the schools need some help.

Dorroh said she would like to see an expansion of broadband services, improvements at the Burns Municipal Airport and at the fairgrounds, housing issues, and improvements at the schools.

Settle stated that we need improvements to the infrastructure, including water, electrical, and communications, and she noted that the county is already working on broadband services. She said capital projects should also include improvements to the jail and schools.

When asked if they saw the commissioner’s post as full time or part time, all three candidates agreed that it is a full-time job even though it is advertised as part time.

The candidates were asked, “What characteristics would they use to describe their qualifications to be elected as commissioner?”

Walker said he has a history of showing his dedication to something he has attempted, and is a character of high integrity. He added that he works well with people, enjoys visiting with and listening to people, is a lifelong resident of the county, a hard worker, and honest.

Dorroh said her personal qualities that are good for the job are that she is both a people-person and an analytical type of person. She said she likes decision-making, is highly motivated, has a diverse background, and is fair and unbiased.

Settle stated that she likes to look outside the box and “put the puzzle together.” She added that she is a people-person, is very empathetic, a good listener, and a pit bull when put on task.

The candidates were also asked how they would focus funds if the county comes into a large amount of unrestricted funds.

Settle said she would start by looking at what the needs of the community are. She said she would look at infrastructure, increase feasibility studies for water and power, expand commercial properties, and get them prepared for building.

Walker said he would address the needs of community members who need mental services, do something about the drug problem in the community, school improvements, and getting all the people in Harney County who want to work a place where they can work, prosper, and put money back into the community.

Dorroh reiterated that she would improve broadband, upgrade the airport, make the fairgrounds first class (including an events center), get a new jail, upgrade the schools, and establish a county loan program.

In closing, Walker stated that he has been a major part of two large golf tournaments at the Valley Golf Club for a number of years because he wanted to bring out-of-county and out-of-state visitors to the area. He would do his best to assist businesses that want to come to the county. Walker said he has dedicated his life to being in Harney County and helping Harney County youth.

“Now, I have an opportunity to also help the adults in Harney County. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of being your commissioner,” he said.

Settle said the two-minute time limit didn’t allow for much dialogue, so she encouraged residents to contact her to voice their concerns. She said she never felt at home until she moved to Harney County, and she looks forward to working with the community, working with Harney County, and making us grow.

Dorroh said it is a privilege to serve as county commissioner, and there is nowhere else she wants to live.

“I’m running for county commissioner because I want to work hard for Harney County, represent, advocate for, and create partnerships to enable Harney County to prosper,” she said. “I am passionate about Harney County and its future. I’ve discovered I do have an aptitude for this work, and I would like to continue. I pledge to dedicate myself to this work on behalf of Harney County if elected.”