Episode #17 - Coos County Citizen Council
We covered a range of community issues, including concerns about homeless camping on school property, the Waterfall Clinic's handling of a sex offender employee, and the hiring of a sex offender at Southwestern Oregon Community College. Chris Castleman discussed his candidacy for the Southwestern Oregon Community College Board and the Coos Bay School District Board, emphasizing the importance of voting in these local elections to bring about change. The discussion also touched on the need for greater community engagement and involvement in addressing local problems.
Key Topics:
Homeless Camping on School District Property:
Chris and a friend encountered a woman camping on school district property near Elrod in Coos Bay.
The property is frequently used for illegal camping and littering, which disturbs the local community.
Chris politely asked the woman to leave the property and relocate to a more appropriate location, which she eventually did.
The issue highlights the challenges of addressing homelessness in the area and the need for a community-wide approach.
Concerns about Southwestern Oregon Community College:
The college administration has attempted to shut down social media comments criticizing their hiring of a convicted sex offender as an employee.
Chris filed public records requests to obtain more information about the college's actions and the nature of the comments they claim are "harassing and abusive."
He is running for a position on the college board to bring more transparency and accountability to the institution.
Chris's Candidacy for School Board and College Board:
Chris has filed to run for positions on both the Coos Bay School District Board and the Southwestern Oregon Community College Board.
His main goals are to bring more conservative and common-sense perspectives to these boards, address issues like the presence of LGBTQ flags in classrooms, and ensure taxpayer money is spent responsibly.
He believes he can provide a needed counterbalance to the current liberal-leaning majorities on these boards.
Importance of Civic Engagement:
Chris encourages community members to get involved, attend local government meetings, and hold elected officials accountable.
He suggests that residents directly engage with the homeless individuals camping on public property to politely ask them to leave, rather than relying solely on authorities.
Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of active civic participation to address community challenges.