Maddie is the type of leader who wants to remain flexible and open to the changing needs of the public.  She always welcomes feedback and appreciates the opportunity to learn more about the complicated and dynamic issues facing our community.  One of Maddie’s favorite sayings and guiding principles is “When we know better, we can do better”.  Leadership means listening to the experts and the people on the ground, and being prepared to pivot when new information is available.  

She has spent decades in direct service to our community, learning from our most vulnerable citizens. Here are some of Maddie’s top priorities: 

1.  Protections for the working class  

Maddie is focused on making sure that those of us who work in Deschutes County can afford to live here. There are countless service industry folks who work 2, 3 and 4 jobs just to be able to afford their rent.  We need to make sure Bend and Central Oregon doesn’t become a playground for the ultra-wealthy.  Maddie will focus on affordable housing and childcare options, strengthening our public transportation system, ensuring we have walkable neighborhoods, and protecting our migrant workforce. Vital public programs like the County Health Department, Behavioral Health, Nurse Home Visiting programs, and Nutrition Assistance programs are vulnerable to budget cuts. Maddie is a strong advocate for the essential programs so many of our neighbors depend on. 

2. Protecting our wild spaces

Balancing the need for growth against the protection of what makes our area so special is a critical concern.  Concerns such as protecting the Skyline Forest, the Thornburg development, and plans to build RV parks in neighborhoods that cannot sustain the impact to their natural resources must be looked at with an eye toward conservation. We cannot afford to make all our decisions based on what projects will be the most lucrative.  We need a voice on the board who will stand strong for our natural resources.  Maddie will work with the leading experts to help guard our community against dangerous mismanagement of our drinking water and wildfire plans. We will look at innovative ways to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and scale up our solar infrastructure, looking at models like Ashland’s Carbon Pollution Impact Fee for established policy. We need immediate action to help us transition to a world of clean, renewable energy.

3. Engaging and activating future generations of leaders  

Maddie is forming a youth advisory board between ages 16-24 to guide and inform her campaign toward issues that are compelling to our young people.  This youth group will transition with Maddie as she takes office and become a critical piece of Maddie’s decision making process. Maddie will engage the youth advisory board on issues facing the commission, and get the youth perspective when deciding how to vote on local policy.  Our community belongs to the future generations and Maddie strongly believes they need to have a say in how today’s decisions impact tomorrow’s community. This youth panel will not only be an excellent way to educate and train the next generation for leadership, but it is a compelling resume builder as well. If you know a passionate young person who is ready to make a difference, send them our way!