FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2022
Commissioner Freeman Talks About the Role of Government with Project Leadership
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman was a featured panelist and host for this month’s Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Project Leadership workshop on the Role of Government. The full-day educational workshop for members of the 2022 Project Leadership program was held at the Douglas County Courthouse on Thursday, January 13, 2022. Commissioner Freeman was joined by Roseburg City Councilor Shelley Briggs-Loosley and State Representative Christine Goodwin, who spoke about how various levels of government function in Douglas County. The Role of Government workshop is one of nine full-day workshops integrated into a curriculum sponsored by the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
Commissioner Freeman provided an overview of the role County Commissioners play as elected administrators of the County. The three County Commissioners govern as the head of the executive branch, as the legislative branch and in the very narrow scope of land use, as the judicial branch (quasi-judicial) for Douglas County. Freeman noted that this kind of governance efficiently allows for “zero disconnect” when administering the business of the County. Participants learned that Douglas County government effectively serves 112,000 citizens as a large organization operating with over 500 employees working in over 25 departments under the administration of Commissioner Tim Freeman, Commissioner Tom Kress, and Commissioner Chris Boice, and along with the other 9 Douglas County elected officials.
Panelists Shelley Briggs-Loosley represented the City of Roseburg on the panel, while State Representative Christine Goodwin, a former Douglas County Commissioner, shared how her work at the state level is impacting Douglas County citizens.
“Roseburg Chamber’s Project Leadership is a valuable program that helps the participants understand how many aspects of our community work,” said Commissioner Freeman. “This specific workshop on the role of government is valuable to attendees because it is an opportunity for elected officials to engage with and show how all levels of government are working together to serve the citizens of Douglas County. It seems that disagreements are what typically get more media attention, but in all actuality, we are spending almost all of our time and resources working together to make Douglas County a great place to live, work and play.”
Project Leadership is a nine-month program sponsored by the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce designed to strengthen and educate community-minded business leaders to serve in volunteer leadership positions throughout Douglas County. Since 1989, the mission of the program is to educate, inspire, and strengthen participants through comprehensive awareness of the many facets of Douglas County. Many of today’s respected Douglas County business and civic leaders are graduates of this esteemed program that fosters dedication to our community, as they learn about opportunities for involvement, to help create a more vibrant future for Douglas County. Project Leadership Roseburg requires a two-year commitment that challenges its participants to become more involved in local politics, the Roseburg Chamber of Commerce, civic organizations, and our community. For more information or to download an application for the program, visit www.roseburgchamber.com.
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Contact Tamara Howell, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Office: (541) 957-4896 office | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us
(Photos Attached)