Colm Willis is fighting for Marion County families

Originally published in the Statesman Journal.

My name is Colm Willis. I am a husband and a dad.

I am running for the Marion County Board of Commissioners seat because I believe Marion County is one of Oregon’s treasures. I want to be an advocate for working families in our community and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to have a good education, a good job, a good home, and a secure retirement.

Over the course of this campaign, I have visited many of our cities in Marion County, and I’ve had conversations with people from all walks of life. I’ve met with small business owners, fire and police chiefs, mayors, farmers, moms and dads, kids and grandparents. I have listened and learned. And I’ve developed my priorities as your next County Commissioner.

Keeping you and your family safe is one of my top priorities. Our sheriff’s deputies and deputy district attorneys as well as the nonprofits and health-care providers they work with, do incredible work for our county.

As your next county commissioner, I will work diligently to ensure that the men and women who serve us in the sheriff’s office have the resources they need to keep us safe, and I will work to increase the presence of law-enforcement officials in our neighborhoods and schools.

We need to address the homeless epidemic that has affected nearly every community in Marion County. I support the relocation of the Union Gospel Mission, which will reduce the number of homeless camps in downtown Salem, and I will work hard as your commissioner to expand new affordable housing options which will ease escalating rents and home prices.

I oppose the Army Corps of Engineers' plan to drain Detroit Lake. Our cities rely on Detroit Lake for our drinking water, our farmers rely on the lake to water their crops, and our economy relies on the lake to support good-paying jobs. That is why I oppose the plan. More than 1,000 people here in Marion County have joined me and signed a letter to our representatives in Washington, D.C. asking them to stand up for us and protect our lake. As your Marion County Commissioner, I am committed to working for a better solution that will keep Detroit Lake full.

Finally, I am going to be a strong advocate for a third bridge to West Salem. We need to improve our transportation infrastructure throughout Marion County so that you can be at home with your family at the end of the day not sitting in traffic.

I am grateful that in this campaign I have been endorsed by Marion County Sheriff Jason Myers, and Marion County Commissioner Janet Carlson who is leaving this seat.

Commissioner Carlson has served our community for years and has done so much to make Marion County a better and safer place for everyone. I am honored to have the support of Commissioner Carlson, and I would be honored to receive your support as well.

Colm Willis is a candidate for Marion County Commissioner, Position 2. He can be reached at INFO@COLMWILLIS.COM.