10.20.99
Cowan, Brunette file for county commisson
Two persons have filed for Lincoln County commissioner, Position 2.
Incumbent Jean Cowan has filed for reelection for a third term as a Democrat. Margaret Brunette has filed as a Republican.
Jean Cowan
Cowan said her main reason for seeking reelection is a sense of unfinished business.
In 1992, when Cowan first sought election, she said she brought a belief in the importance of communication and cooperation., and said this commitment has not changed.
“Today’s political climate asks those in public service to look closely at services which are being provided, and enhance efforts to avoid a duplication of service, no matter whether that activity is provided by federal, state, county or city governments,” Cowan said. “I remain committed to the challenge of finding ways to deliver a broad range of services in a collaborative and cost-effective manner.”
She noted that the current board of commissioners is united in a philosophy that strong communications, both internally and externally, are essential to effective county management. “Together, we have supported a team concept amongst county department heads and other elected officials, while striving to keep the public well informed about important issues facing county government,” she said.
Cowan’s primary areas of supervisory responsibility include health and human services, emergency services, veterans services, and transit. She said she is active in expanding the public recognition and development of a broader range of services to seniors, as well as a more comprehensive availability of health care options for all ages.
In 1996, she was named “Transit Advocate of the Year” by the Oregon Public Transportation Association.
Cowan is treasurer of the Association of Oregon Counties and is involved with other state activities in order to impact decisions that affect local government. In 1995, she received an “Outstanding Service Award” from the association. She currently serves on the Oregon Health Council, the Public Health Advisory Board, and the New Carissa Review Committee.
She was born and raised in Astoria, where she graduated from high school in 1965. She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from Marylhurst College. She was a city councilor and mayor in Elgin.
Cowan and her husband, Pat, live in Newport. He is the principal at Siletz School; they have two married children, a son, Tavis, completing his medical residency in Minot, N.D., and a daughter, Tracy, pursuing a master’s degree in counseling at Oregon State University.
Margaret Brunette
Margaret “Margie” Brunette is a Toledo shopkeeper and Toledo Chamber of Commerce president.
She ran for county commissioner unsuccessfully last year.
“I have the same concerns this year as I’ve had before,” Brunette said. These include environmental, health care, transportation, and housing issues.
Brunette is also a member of the Disabled Services Advisory Committee, and said she has not made up her mind about the prospect of a disabled services/senior services office move from Newport to Toledo. “I’m in favor of whatever DSAC wants,” she said of the committee. “If it can improve the quality of life or keep people safe, it’s OK to make the move. If it hurts people, then it’s not good.”
She wants to see the Oregon Health Plan extended to small business owners, such as herself (she owns Margie B’s in Toledo). Health care prices, she said, “have got so high it puts us in the poor house. If we could make it available to business owners, it would have benefits across the board. If they bring us in, people who can afford to pay, it could ease the burden on other people.”
As to transportation, she wants to see Lincoln, Linn and Benton counties “talk with the Siletz council. They have a regular transit system in the tri-county area. They already have it set up for the casino.” That service is part of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
Brunette also is concerned about finding ways to ensure adequate affordable housing in the county. “There’s got to be ways beside getting grants, that’s taxpayer money,” she said. “Duplex, triplex, two-story apartments, people could put them up in some spots, and reduce the cost per unit, and still respect the environment, not cut down all the trees on the hillside and have a landslide.”
She noted that west of U.S. Highway 101 isn’t the place to do it. “That takes away people’s views, access,” she said. “And it’s dangerous,” she added.
Brunette is married.
