It’s Time to Talk Honestly About Corruption in Douglas County
People all across Douglas County can feel it — something isn’t right in our county government. Budgets keep sliding deeper into deficit, public services are shrinking, and yet a handful of county leaders seem to have no problem taking care of themselves.
Folks around here are hardworking and straightforward. When something doesn’t add up, we notice. And lately, a lot isn’t adding up.
What the Reporting Shows — and Yes, It’s About Douglas County
In 2020, The Oregonian/OregonLive published an investigation showing exactly how Douglas County Commisioners spent federal safety-net money — funds meant to support essential services and vulnerable communities.
What did the county spend that money on?
Flight upgrades
Banquet dinners
A paid meeting with a conspiracy theorist
(Source: The Oregonian/OregonLive, Jan. 2020 )
This wasn’t extra money lying around. It was supposed to help the people who live here.
And this isn’t the first time Douglas County leadership has been in the spotlight for questionable decisions. One of our current commissioners, Tim Freeman, made statewide news in 2012 for an incident involving a topless bar — a moment that raised serious questions about judgment and professionalism among our elected officials.
(Source: The Oregonian/OregonLive, Aug. 2012)
This is the pattern: money mismanaged, decisions made in poor judgment, and a lack of accountability when the public deserves better.
Why This Matters for All of Us
When county leadership wastes money or hides how it’s being spent, the impacts are real:
Libraries lose funding.
Small businesses struggle without support.
County workers lose jobs.
Roads, parks, and services fall behind.
Young families move away because opportunity dries up.
Douglas County’s problems aren’t caused by its people. They’re caused by leadership that hasn’t respected taxpayer dollars or planned responsibly for the future.
What Has to Change
We need a county government that:
Is transparent with every dollar
Stops rewarding insiders
Cuts waste instead of cutting essential services
Accepts responsibility for years of mismanagement
Fights for stable jobs and long-term economic growth
These aren’t extreme ideas — they’re basic expectations for public service.
A County Worth Fighting For
Douglas County is one of the most beautiful places in Oregon, filled with hardworking people who deserve a government as honest and resilient as they are. The corruption and mismanagement we’ve seen aren’t just embarrassing — they’re holding us back.
If we want a stronger future for our kids, our businesses, and our community, we must demand accountability. We must insist on leadership that respects the people, not the perks.
Douglas County is worth fighting for — and it’s time we all expect better from the people elected to lead it.