This article was written in Friday’s (December 9th, 2016) Herald and News

Written By: Stephen Floyd, H&N Staff Reporter 

The incoming board of Klamath County Commissioners expressed a sense of optimism and teamwork as they prepare to take the reins in January.

Donnie Boyd and Derrick DeGroot will take office Jan. 3 and they joined incumbent Kelley Minty Morris in a wide-ranging interview with the H&N editorial board.

Much like on the campaign trail, Boyd and DeGroot said they look forward to providing cohesive leadership with goals to improve economic development and move beyond divisive issues that framed the previous administration.

“I would honestly like to be the county commissioner that the county — the citizens and the taxpayers of Klamath County — have asked me to be,” said Boyd.

“I think Klamath County is capable of being a lot more than it has been for a very long time,” said DeGroot.

Boyd was elected commissioner in May when he defeated incumbent Commissioner Tom Mallams and five other contenders during the primary. DeGroot and incumbent Commissioner Jim Bellet were proceeding to the November general election but Bellet withdrew in August due to the greater turnout for DeGroot during the primary.

Both men said they need to take time to become familiar with the county’s budget and policies but already have an idea of the direction they would like to head in.

Economic driver

Boyd said he would bolster support for the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA), which he believes has the potential to grow into a major economic driver for the area.

“There are a lot of great things happening with KCEDA today and I think the county needs to be a part of that,” said Boyd.

DeGroot said he would like to restore trust between commissioners and the public in light of contentious issues brought before the board in recent years, and also wants to restore what he sees as low community self-image.

“One of the things I think we can do right away is working on the way we feel about ourselves and working on pride in the community,” said DeGroot. “A lot of that has to do with leadership.”

When it came to contentious issues, Boyd and DeGroot were in agreement with how the county should proceed.

Both said they believe in upholding a county ban against marijuana businesses, particularly in light of an initiative on the May ballot in which 57 percent of voters rejected an attempt to overturn the ban.

They were also in favor of keeping an “In God We Trust” sign displayed in the commissioners’ meeting room and, though they may not have supported installation of the sign if they were incumbents, they saw no reason to remove it.

Solving the water issue

On the issue of dam removal along the Klamath River, Boyd and DeGroot deviated from their predecessors and said the issue is not one currently worth pursuing as it relates to local water resources.

“The dams are history,” said Boyd. “That ship has sailed. I think we need to come up with plan B that does not include the dams.”

When asked how they plan to interact with Sen.-elect Dennis Linthicum and Rep.-elect Werner Reschke, both of whom strongly oppose dam removal, Boyd said efforts have already been made to reach out to the incoming legislators and encourage cooperation rather than division.

“We all have to be able to work together because we have a very, very limited resource,” he said.

Police cooperation

Boyd and DeGroot are also meeting with law enforcement officials, including Klamath Falls Police Chief Dave Hensley and Klamath County Sheriff-elect Chris Kaber, to learn what the needs and resources are for local policing.

When asked if annexation of the Klamath Falls suburbs into the city limits would help alleviate the strain on the sheriff’s office, Boyd and DeGroot said this was a matter that should be decided by suburban voters.

“I think there’s solutions without annexation, too,” said DeGroot. “So there’s a lot of different areas we can look at to improve policing.”

When asked how they would reach out to and serve citizens in the outlying areas of the county, Boyd said he plans to maintain contact with community groups in those areas. DeGroot also said it is important to remember many outlying residents moved there for the solitude and may not want overbearing outreach from commissioners.

“In a lot of ways people live out in the rural areas of our community because they want to be left alone,” he said.

Community outreach

Minty Morris said the board intends to continue holding regular meetings at locations outside of Klamath Falls from time to time, while Boyd said he would additionally push for evening meetings at least once per month so those unable to attend morning meetings can offer input.

All three commissioners, incumbent and incoming, agreed they work well together. Minty Morris said, while there may have been political divisions among sitting commissioners, incumbents worked well on a personal level and she believes this will continue with Boyd and DeGroot.

“I’m just thrilled to have these two guys come in,” she said. “They feel almost like my brothers, already.”

Boyd and DeGroot are expected to begin their duties as commissioners Jan. 3 during the commissioners’ regular Tuesday morning business meeting. The public will be welcome to attend the event.

To read this article and others on the Herald and News website, please refer to the link below:

Common Goals Shape Incoming Board of Commissioners (H&N)