Elections: Hood River County Commissioners Position 4

Hood River County’s housing shortage and home affordability are the most pressing issues we face. Many who work here are unable to purchase or rent within the county. Often they live in neighboring counties. This lack of housing drives our younger generations away and threatens the long-term well-being of our community.

2. When you are elected to office, what projects will you work to continue?

I don’t want to choose a specific project until I have had an opportunity to work with the other commissioners and to learn where my specific skills and understanding could be put to work most effectively for the good of the people of Hood River County.

3. What makes you a good choice for County Commissioner District 4?

A strong community requires involved residents. I have served eight years on the Hood River County Fair Board, studying and approving budgets, and sticking to them. I plan and produce major events, make tough decisions, and work with 4-H children and families. On the Wy’East Fire District Board, my work also involves budgeting for necessities for our firefighters. A self-employed small business owner in Hood River County for 22 years, I work daily with county residents. I am skilled at balancing competing demands and making decisions using facts, logic, and common sense. I work hard, and I get things done.

4. What inspired you to run for a position with Hood River County?

I am a 46-year resident of Hood River County. I am running to be a county commissioner because I live here, have raised my family here, and because I want Hood River County to be a place where my children and grandchildren can grow up and thrive. I think it is important to be involved in my community by serving wherever I can — on boards, committees, or wherever there is a need. My long-time participation in Hood River County life has prepared me well to represent the interests of the people of district 4.

5. How can the county continue to serve all residents and vice versa?

In order for the county to continue serving its residents, it will have to make and stick to a healthy budget that plans wisely and strategically for the future. Hood River County includes a diverse population, but we all have a common interest both in preserving the county’s natural beauty and in the wise management of our resources to provide an economy that benefits both us and generations to come.

Albert Nance

1. What do you see as the greatest need/priority going forward?

Emergency preparedness  — our county deals with crippling winters and wildfires every year. Just this January, the blizzard knocked out power in Cascade Locks for more than 18 hours, leaving citizens to fend for themselves and struggling to survive in sub-freezing temperatures. I want to see the county help communities better prepare and plan for these emergency situations by giving them the resources, tools, and training to act swiftly and confidently when the need arises.

2. When you are re-elected to office, what projects will you work to continue?

I look forward to working on multiple issues:

Community services — we need to engage the State to support Hood River County with funds to revisit the wildfire risk map, fund sustainable energy, enact climate change mitigation, secure our land usage maps, protect our natural resources, and protect our citizens.

Land management use — our county feeds the country. We can’t trade our beauty for sprawl nor our trees for buildings. Infrastructure — We need to move toward a mentality of reinvesting in our current infrastructure via reasonable improvements and away from the mentality of let it crumble and ask for help.

3. What makes you a good choice for County Commissioner District 4?

My civic mindset comes from experience in various public service sectors. I am actively serving as Port of Cascade Locks Commissioner Seat 3. I was a digital advertising director for the largest presidential campaign in U.S. history. I was an intern for U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett. I helped Portland Metro pass a bond measure that secured funding for Metro Parks and Natural Areas. I helped Oregon Lottery promote lottery beneficiaries, including veteran services, state parks, education, and others.

I know the intricacies of government, citizen support, and maintaining tight, fiscally-responsible budgets and how to make informed, prudent decisions.

4. What inspired you to run again for a position with Hood River County?

I have been in love with the natural beauty of the Gorge since the moment I first saw it more than 20 years ago. When my family had a chance to move to the Gorge, we knew immediately we had to make that dream a reality. After moving to Cascade Locks, I joined the local Parent Teacher Organization, started a small business, held fundraisers, and was elected to the Cascade Locks Port Commission.

Given my personal, professional, and governmental background, I know I can make a positive impact for the county, and specifically, district 4.

5. How can the county continue to serve all residents and vice versa?

I think the county has done a good job creating a desirable place for people to live, work, and recreate. To create a lasting legacy with these foundational strengths as our everlasting pillars will be the job for the county commission in the years and decades to come.

To help make that happen, the county needs to pass the upcoming budget and accompanying levies in a way that ensures foundational services are continuing to be funded and provided to the citizens.

Brian R. Merz

Editor’s Note: Some answers were edited to conform to the 50-100 max word allowed candidates on each question.

1. What do you see as the greatest need/priority going forward?

The biggest issue is affordable housing for residents who wish to live and work for local businesses that keep our county thriving and attractive, as well as people who work here seasonally. Another concern is the balance between the expanding population and the preservation of the natural beauty, agricultural economy, and ecology. The county’s budget challenges are not just a problem for Hood River County (but counties statewide) and require solutions that do not harm the natural beauty of the place but also help local businesses and residents to grow while not burdening them with increased strain on their pocketbooks.

2. When you are re-elected to office, what projects will you work to continue?

This being my initial run for the seat on the county commission I can only comment as an outsider. However, the work that has been done in our county’s forest lands with a long term vision of increasing revenue without burdening our residents with more taxes is something that I look forward to building upon. I look forward to expanding those ideas and implementing creative solutions that preserve our county’s natural beauty in balance with the need to increase our county’s budget to provide much needed services to our residents.

3. What makes you a good choice for County Commissioner District 4?

My career as a software engineer requires me to understand complex problems presented by customers while balancing those with the technical demands of my superiors; I know this has helped me develop the skill to bridge the gap between stakeholders with disparate demands and provide outcomes that benefit both sides. I understand the struggles of people who live here because of time spent living and growing up here, as well as living outside this county. I come with a unique perspective that helps me to build relationships with the diverse population of people that live in our incredibly special county.

4. What inspired you to run again for a position with Hood River County?

My history and experience connecting with the people of our county gives me the knowledge required to bridge the gap between the past and the future. I am a third generation Parkdale resident, graduating from Hood River Valley High School in 2000. I went to Pacific University, majoring in computer science and studying music. At Pacific I was granted the opportunity to study abroad in London and travel throughout Europe. Currently, I work as a senior software engineer for a small but growing company based out of Minneapolis. I live in Parkdale, where I own and work on Leafbucket Farms.

5. How can the county continue to serve all residents and vice versa?

I believe the county has managed well, to the best of its ability, the bridge between our past and the unavoidable future that confronts all of us. I want to be the voice of Hood River County’s young and growing population, and our farmers, seasonal workers, and small business owners to bring my unique understanding of all who live here and help bridge the gap between our past and the future. The county should continue its work to bring more affordable housing to the residents who help make our home the special and attractive place that all of us treasure.