DEPOE BAY — The race for Lincoln County commissioner Pos. 1 is crowded as a freeway at rush hour, with candidates struggling to stand out in the May 19 primary race. Nicholle Moody has found her niche with a focus on Lincoln County’s faltering economy, her opinions shaped by real-world experience in business and social services.

Because she was willing to talk about anything, the Beacon put five questions to the Depoe Bay businesswoman:

1. The county recently closed its business meetings to the public and eliminated public comment from the agenda. Do you agree with this decision?

“The county believes “public comment” is a privilege. Not a right. I disagree. The county created policies to stifle public input. Those policies conflict with the language and spirit of The Constitution. The Constitution is the law of the land, not the administrative state. Not the bureaucracy. I fully expect representatives making nearly $100,000 a year to regulate their emotions and act like adults. I do not expect them to throw tantrums, shutting taxpayers out of the meetings we fund.”

2. Weighing factors like tax revenues, tourism pressures, and liability for locals, would you rather see more or fewer short-term rentals at the coast?

“While I like a free market approach to business, we cannot deny the housing issue on the coast. I believe we need a comprehensive approach to this issue. But, it isn’t as simple as short term rentals or second homes. Drug addiction, mental illness, homelessness, etc. compound the issue of housing. We cannot ignore that poor leadership led us down this path. Nor can we drop the issue at the feet of property owners. Lincoln County created this issue and they need to find a balanced resolution. Not a punitive solution, for those who contribute to Lincoln County’s tax base. A tax base which is desperately needed.”

3. Do you think second homes are the reason for the coast housing shortage, or are other factors at work such as zoning barriers, and land used restrictions?

“Contractors report that taxes and regulations make up 30% of project costs, while restrictive urban growth boundaries limit land availability, reducing supply and driving up prices. This issue is compounded by permitting delays, stemming from comprehensive zoning reviews and limited staff. Lincoln County needs to stop blaming taxpayers for county failure. People, who worked their whole lives to buy a primary home and / or vacation home, are not the problem. Taxpayer success is not the problem. Lincoln County failure is the problem.”

4. What things would you do to improve public safety?

“The first thing I would do is refocus priorities on tax-paying citizens. Lincoln County has completely forgotten about the middle class. The second thing I would do is, push back on our sanctuary status, which cost us billions in federal funding. Lincoln County sanctuary policies CREATED a financial short fall, leading to understaffing, all over the county, including the Lincoln County DA’s office. The coast has seen an increase in violent crime, while the county panders to criminals. Lincoln County needs to show taxpayers they respect us and care about our well-being. That means they need to make us a priority.”

5. What would you do to improve the local economy?

“As Lincoln County commissioner I would work with business owners, the city and the state to develop a more business-friendly environment. The current approach to taxes and regulations, not only stifles growth, but pushes companies to leave. The engine of any community is jobs. So not only do we need to treat our business owners better, we need to look at inviting new industries to the coast. But we cannot do that as long as we continue to treat job creators, like the enemy.”

Besides Moody, an MBA graduate and business owner, Pos. 1 candidates Congressional aide Cheri Brubaker, Union representative Dru Earls, businessman Carter McEntee, incumbent Casey Miller, and Cathie Rigby, a senior official with the City of Newport.