With just days until the May 19 primary, Jefferson County commissioner candidates wrapped up a three-forum series hosted by the Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, with the final event held at Camp Sherman’s community center. The conversations covered economic development, rural land use, short-term rentals, and what candidates believe Jefferson County has lost — and could get back.
Position 1: Wunsch vs. Curtiss vs. Chard
Challenger George Curtiss made the recurring argument that Jefferson County has hemorrhaged services over the past several years, pointing specifically to the closure of the local animal shelter and the consolidation of 911 dispatch outside the county.
“In the last four years, Jefferson County has lost so many services,” Curtiss said. “We’re not spending our money in our county.” He argued that economic growth requires first bringing those functions back locally.
Incumbent Mark Wunsch acknowledged that short-term rental regulation has been on the county’s priority list “for probably three years” but said staff turnover has stalled progress. He pledged to bring community input into any policy decisions, particularly for Camp Sherman residents who have raised concerns about the neighborhood character of their community.
Position 2: Simmelink, Erdekian, Mead, and Atherton
Incumbent Kelly Simmelink, who has served since 2017, made clear he doesn’t want Jefferson County to become a bedroom community for Bend or Redmond. When asked about rural land development, he said: “So what do we become? The bedroom community for Redmond or Bend? I don’t want that — I want our kids to not only live here, but be able to live here and have a home.”
Challenger Ara Erdekian raised concerns about the loss of financial services, specifically citing the upcoming closure of the Madras Wells Fargo branch — the county’s only Wells Fargo location — scheduled for June 24. “Access to financial services matters,” Erdekian said, noting that residents will soon be redirected to a Redmond branch.
Challenger Greg Mead emphasized a deliberate, infrastructure-first approach: “If we don’t have the infrastructure to sustain growth, then we are going to find ourselves without the opportunity to make any policy.” He acknowledged he is still learning Jefferson County’s economic development needs but said he would lean on experts and collaboration with fellow commissioners.
Former Lake Oswego City Councilor Bill Atherton, running as an outsider with deep land-use experience across multiple states, said the public must have a voice in development decisions.
Short-Term Rentals: A Hot Topic in Camp Sherman
The Camp Sherman venue gave candidates a direct audience of residents concerned about short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). A new county ADU ordinance passed in December 2025 has stirred debate in communities like Crooked River Ranch and Camp Sherman, where Curtiss holds property.
“I am against ADUs,” Curtiss said. “We already have too much traffic out there — everybody shouldn’t put an ADU on their property.”
Wunsch pledged to seek community input before setting policy: “It is your community, and I want to know exactly what it is you guys want.”
Ballots are due May 19 at 8 p.m. at the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, 66 SE D Street, Madras.