Dear Tillamook County Commissioners:
I am writing to express my concern and frustration regarding the lack of response to my public comment submitted two weeks ago regarding a request for public information. According to Ms. Garland, my comment was received by your office on May 6, 2026, yet I have not received any acknowledgment or reply. I have also spoken with Commissioner Skaar, who had not seen the context of my inquiry, though I appreciate her responsiveness following our second meeting.
Commissioner Bell, I have contacted you several times regarding the book “Epidemic: America’s Trade in Child Rape” by Lori Handrahan, which I loaned you and have renewed twice without a response. To set up a follow=up meeting which we postponed when you were trying to recover from the flu. While I appreciated the answers you provided from your department heads at our initial meeting, several of my questions remain unanswered. I will now direct these questions to Ms. Hagerty. It appears your focus is currently on your election campaign.
This lack of communication is not unique to me—many community members have experienced emails and phone calls going unanswered. I have reached out to Commissioner Fournier, the board chair, regarding my request for public information and an outreach communication plan, but have not received a reply. I do want to commend Ms. Hagerty, Ms. Jacobs, Ms. Nyseth, Ms. Gilda, and Ms. Garland for their conscientiousness; I believe all commissioners should strive for similar engagement.
Specific Questions and Requests
1. Facial Recognition Technology
Does the countywide security system—or the one in the courthouse—include an AI facial recognition feature, as referenced in the new library security system? The library has stated this feature will not be activated, but does the broader county system include it? Commissioner Skaar believes the courthouse uses an older system, but a clear and direct answer is appreciated. Commissioner Bell: Thus far you have not addressed our concerns regarding the new library security system that I included in my public comment and why we paid for a feature we have no intention of using?
2. Improved Communication
Recent topics such as the DA’s office investigation and the fireworks ordinance have been major concerns, but direct communication with constituents remains lacking. I urge all commissioners to prioritize timely responses and engagement. Additionally, for transparency, I recommend that primary documents such as the investigation and subsequent report be posted on the county website, so the public can access accurate information rather than relying on hearsay.
Suggestions for Better Outreach
Hold more accessible meetings for working families—both during the day and in the evening. Josephine County successfully alternates morning and evening board meetings and provides five minutes for public comment. I plan to contact them to see how that is working.
I am developing a flyer template with clear contact information to encourage public involvement, titled along the lines of: “The Tillamook County Commissioners Want to Hear from You: Ideas, Questions, or Concerns.” I would be happy to distribute this in South County, and April Bailey may cover Neskowin if approved. Consider inviting employee volunteers to help distribute in their communities, including North County.
Post flyers on bulletin boards at library branches, post offices, banks, grocery stores, gas stations, and other willing local businesses.
Hold informal meetings and roundtable discussions throughout the county on a regular basis, not just at chamber events, to restore public trust and encourage input.
Advertise town halls and meetings through diverse channels—not just local newspapers or online forums—to reach those who don’t use these platforms.
Additional Topics for Engagement
Presentations on the county budget process (as suggested by Commissioner Skaar)
Emergency preparedness, especially in Pacific City, which faces unique challenges as tourism increases and is a death trap
Roles and responsibilities of department heads and elected officials, with opportunities for them to speak at town halls
Support for cottage industries—fishing, timber, family farms—and addressing their concerns regarding state and federal policies; what lobbying efforts are underway?
Updates on the Beaver Project and related infrastructure planning, including water/sewer capacity and resident input
Information on all affordable and workforce housing projects underway
Roads and bridges—community presentations
County parks and recreation updates
Soliciting constituent feedback: “What would you like to know?”
Questions about recent centralization efforts, such as the reduction of the elected treasurer’s position without a public hearing. Why do we have elected positions?
Updates on the BLM building and Hwy 6 issues and solutions
How our election process works? Many voters are confused
On Recent Legal and Community Issues
I will be forwarding Ms. Olson’s email response to me regarding Brian Hoogendyk’s case to Mr. Libel. He was an Alternative Education teacher at the Nestucca Valley High School. I am concerned that the former superintendent conducted an independent investigation rather than promptly notifying law enforcement and DHS, as required by mandatory reporting laws. Ms. Olson redirected me to my school district and did not provide a clear answer about why charges were reduced from felony to misdemeanor. I have also contacted Senator Weber’s office about delays in these cases reaching trial; I would like to know whether postponements are due to defense attorneys or the DA’s office.
Thanks to Will Chappell’s recent article, I understand now what took the county so long to release these findings to the media. I certainly hope that the names of the whistleblower(s) are protected. Ms. Olson is abusing her elected position, and she has a blatant conflict of interest by using her position as a means of retaliation. I also thanked Will Chappell for going through this lengthy document to write an article about the contents. That was quite the undertaking, and subsequent information he has provided. I was also concerned why there was never disclosure regarding Ms. Olson’s husband who is a DDA and was fired as an Oregon State Trooper for striking his child and other issues regarding his daughter. The fact he deals with cases of this nature is very concerning. County Counsel has provided me with the redacted investigation findings, and I plan to see if this is included in this investigation.
I plan to attend Jeremy Davidson’s trial in July to support the 16-year-old victim who was assaulted and raped. It has taken 1 1/2 years for these trials to take place and meanwhile they were back in the community. As a former special education teacher and working with advocates for abused children since the 1960s, I am acutely aware of the lasting impact of such crimes. Our community, especially its most vulnerable members, deserves better communication, transparency, and engagement from its elected officials.
I also heard that Commissioner Fournier got this process started for an independent investigation into the 7 formal complaints from victims, victim rights advocates and county employees. On behalf of our community, thank you. Will Chappell, the editor of the HH told me he was aware of issues shortly after she was hired in 2023.
Ms. Olson is a disgrace to her profession, has violated her oath of office, and is now trying to use her elected position to go after the whistleblower(s) to file a defamation lawsuit. What was most telling is she told the investigator she didn’t even want to be a prosecutor. She needs to resign.
Thank you for your attention to these matters.
Note how many people voted for our DA Aubrey Olson. This information also was released after our ballots were already mailed and people had voted. Several of us wrote letters to the editor several months ago that she was incompetent, so these recent findings from the independent investigation into the DA’s office didn’t come as a complete surprise, but it was far worse than I imagined. I will be reviewing the 200 page document and we will be calling for her to resign and will will work on a recall petition. We do not understand why Tides of Change has not made a statement regarding this? What is most disturbing is how many people aren’t even talking about this who care about victim’s and women’s rights. The HH is the only media outlet talking about this.
Robin
Pacific City
