News & Notes

Public Trust in the Budget Committee
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Public Trust in the Budget Committee

There should be a transparent process put in place where public notice is given of committee vacancies, and a time period given where interested citizens are sought out, encouraged to complete applications, and interviews are conducted. I am not aware of that process existing currently nor do I find any evidence of it in county records that are readily accessible to me.

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Addressing Government Efficiency
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Addressing Government Efficiency

We are one step closer to having a local citizen-driven committee modeled after the soon-to-be-formed federal Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) organized by Elon Musk!

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I need your help.
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

I need your help.

I’m looking for a group of people interested in being a part of a citizen driven task force to show the county leadership that there is another path forward, and that we do indeed want a law enforcement presence in Coos County.

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Looking beyond Trump
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Looking beyond Trump

Regardless of the outcome of today’s election, we should all be concerned for the future. Who will lead our nation into the next decade? Is there anyone out there who is truly focused on returning America to the foundations it was built upon?

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Election Results
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Election Results

As a guy who had no political experience and just wanted to make a positive difference in his community, I am lucky to have had so many of you come out and vote for me and share my message.

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Interview with Jefferson Public Radio
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Interview with Jefferson Public Radio

I was interviewed this week by Jefferson Public Radio for a story on crime and proposed tax increases in Oregon. (photo by Justin Higginbottom / JPR)

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Update on North Bend Budget
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Update on North Bend Budget

Ensuring government officials are responsibly spending our tax dollars has been and will continue to be a focus of mine regardless of the outcome of this month's election.

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Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum

The current county leadership and my opponents have no plan to fund law enforcement without raising taxes. Their plan is to defund the police, and I will not stand idly by while that happens. With all the taxes we currently pay we deserve safe neighborhoods.

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Salary Pledge
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Salary Pledge

Reversing our current trend toward lawlessness is something I'm passionate about and something I believe in, which is why I would never feel comfortable cashing a $74k/yr Commissioner paycheck knowing deputies are being laid off and we are releasing criminals back into our neighborhoods without consequences.

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Debate on “Rob Taylor Report” Podcast
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Debate on “Rob Taylor Report” Podcast

We need transparent leaders who can make tough decisions and stand behind them -- not career politicians who obscure their voting record and take money from the Democrat party while claiming to have no affiliation.

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How to crack down on CRIME in Coos County
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

How to crack down on CRIME in Coos County

Our leaders need to prioritize funding to law enforcement departments FIRST so that they receive financial support necessary to fully open the jail and hire enough deputy district attorneys to effectively prosecute all of the crime in the county.

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The “homeless” solution
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

The “homeless” solution

When talking about the ever increasing homeless problem, I am often asked “Okay, but what are you going to do about it?” This would be my approach.

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Encampments near our schools, is this okay with you?
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Encampments near our schools, is this okay with you?

Sex offenders and criminals with active warrants should not be living in the woods anywhere near our schools. These encampments behind Blossom Gulch Elementary in Coos Bay have been ignored by our local leaders for years.

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Interview with The World Newspaper
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Interview with The World Newspaper

“Castleman thinks the county should remove restrictions and barriers for businesses and homeowners. He objects to homeowners and businesses paying more taxes because they improve their properties.”

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Issues with the North Bend Budget
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Issues with the North Bend Budget

The incredible hypocrisy of pushing your constituents to vote to pay more taxes to fund the jail and district attorney, while being unwilling to set an example and pay for it yourselves is beyond me. I ask that you reconsider how this vote speaks volumes to the true priorities of your administration.

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How to tackle crime and homelessness
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

How to tackle crime and homelessness

Handing out money, clothes, and food without any accountability does nothing but enable drug addiction, mental health, and crime. How can the county help build strong families/communities? It is only with strong families and strong communities that we can have any hope of a long term solution. But there are a few things we can do in the short term.

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The “Public Safety” Levy Trick
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

The “Public Safety” Levy Trick

The current county leadership has the money available to fully fund the jail and District Attorney's office, but they choose to spend it on other projects and departments that are lower priority.

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Candidate Questionnaire
Chris Castleman Chris Castleman

Candidate Questionnaire

I filled out a questionnaire the other day, and while I don't feel like these are high priority issues affecting Coos County, but they are issues nonetheless. I hope this helps people understand how I view these topics.

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"The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody has decided not to see." - Ayn Rand