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By Drew Lawson
The Record-Times 

Candidate for Commissioner: Jason Debord

 

Last updated 6/16/2022 at 2:26pm

CRESTON-The current trio of Lincoln County Commissioners has been in office together for nearly a decade. Jason Debord wants to change that, and he's running against incumbent Rob Coffman for the District 3 seat in this year's election.

Debord, who is the project manager for Huppin's in Spokane and has been with the company for 17 years, said he decided to run the week before Filing Week in May after several people told him he should throw his hat in the ring.

"I talked with several people, and they all said, 'yes, please do,'" Debord said. "I was told by my buddy, Andy Manke, who's running for Sheriff, that I had a week to (file in May)."

Debord, who admitted he is still learning all the roles of a commissioner and its various powers and duties, said the current board does its job well. However, he wants to see improvements on county roads and property zoning, which he thinks he can influence in a commissioner role. New blood on the board wouldn't hurt, he added.


"People complain about a road, and get...kind of a negative response," Debord said. "I think they (the current commissioners) do a good job, but think some places need improvement."

"I also think overall that there's got to be new blood in there at times, because you don't want everyone retiring at the same time," he added.

Roads and ambulance response time are two of his primary concerns if he were to take office.

"Everybody in the county complains about the roads, so (we) should do what you can do within our budget," Debord said. "The roads in our county are lacking, in areas."

Debord has dealt with budgeting, which is the primary role of a commissioner, in his role with Huppin's.

"I'm in charge of making sure that all our stuff is correctly written up and making sure that everything is on time in an order," he said.

Debord, the assistant fire chief for Fire District 7, said the Seven Bays and Deer Meadows areas could use improved fire and EMT response times which he hopes he could influence as a commissioner.

He also believes the county crusher system is inefficient, and thinks a contract with Copenhaver Construction would suit the county better.

"They could really save some taxpayer money just to contract with Copenhaver Construction," Debord said. "As long as there's a place for (current workers) to find other jobs."

Debord said he would make cuts to the county budget to close a budget gap only if "absolutely necessary."

"That would be the last resort," Debord said. "The last thing I would want to do is take jobs from people."

Debord and Coffman are the only two candidates for District 3 Commissioner, so both will advance past August's primary election into the November general election.

Ashley Parkinson contributed to this report.

BIO

Position sought: Commissioner

Age: 44

Hometown: Creston

Current city of residence: Creston

Family: Divorced with three children

Relevant experience: Assistant fire chief for Fire District 7, EMT in Creston, project manager for Huppin's in Spokane

Author Bio

Drew Lawson, Editor

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Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.

 

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