South Coast Times

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 2023 Project Leadership program was held at the Douglas County Courthouse on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Commissioner Freeman was joined by Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich to speak about how the  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, 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 600 employees working in over 35 departments and divisions under the administration of Commissioner Tom Kress, Commissioner Chris Boice, and Commissioner Tim Freeman and the other eight Douglas County elected officials.

“Project Leadership is a great program that provides the opportunity for participants to see how different facets of our community work,” said Commissioner Freeman. “Today’s workshop on the role of government is valuable to attendees because it provides a chance for our elected officials to directly engage with and show how all levels of government are working together to serve the citizens of Douglas County and make it a great place to live, work and play.” 

Project Leadership is a nine-month program facilitated by the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce is designed to strengthen and educate community-minded business leaders, with a goal of fostering dedication to our community, as they learn about opportunities for involvement and ways that they can help create a more vibrant future for Douglas County.  The Class of 2023 is the 32nd set of community-minded individuals going through the program and this year, for the first time ever, is an all-female class of 12. Participants are sponsored by their employers and include Aviva Health, Cardinal Services, Douglas Fast Net, FCC Commercial Furniture, Northwest Community Credit Union, Phoenix School, Roseburg Forest Products, Sunrise Enterprises, Umpqua Community College, and UCAN.

“This is the first all-female class in Project Leadership history, so it’s worth noting that Douglas County is in good hands,” remarked Debbie Fromdahl, Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce President.

Project Leadership 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. 

Original source can be found here