Hello

Todd Gessele is a people connector, who aims to bring his business & media/marketing acumen Klamath County politics.

 

Here's why you might elect Todd for County Commissioner Position 3.

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Todd represents “We the People of Klamath County, not special interests, not outsiders.”

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Todd is running against an 8 year incumbent and against another candidate who switched parties recently.

“...Politicians are a lot like diapers, they should be changed frequently, and for the same reasons. Keep that in mind the next time you vote." — from the 2006 film ‘Man of the Year’ Robin Williams’ character.

 

Rather than just pay $600 to be in the Oregon Voter's Pamphlet, Todd gathered 269 signatures from citizens to qualify.

“To better understand the issues we face together, I decided to spend 4 days getting signatures personally. A big thanks to all the business owners, health care providers, tribal leaders, farmers, fast food workers, shoppers, and the unhoused, who took the time to meet with me. I look forward to getting to know the rest of you! Don't hesitate to call me and follow me on the campaign trail.

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Let's build back the office of the Sheriff!

I oppose taking county money and subsidizing the Klamath Falls City Police Department so they can provide proxy services to the unincorporated areas. It makes no legal sense. Plus City Police officers cost the tax payers more than Sheriff's deputies, so our tax dollars will go farther if we build back the office of the Sheriff. We also need to recruit a county coroner and a larger refrigerated morgue to properly process homicide investigations.

 

I'd like to give you more time to speak and be heard!

Since it can be intimidating for the average person to introduce and try to explain their concerns in 90 seconds at a public meeting, I'd like to grant 4 minutes to each speaker at our meetings. Not everyone will use all 4 minutes anyway. Unless we begin listening and hearing each other, unity and solutions will not be achieved.

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I'm in favor of in-person voting with voter ID.

Mail in ballots without ID leave to much room for election fraud. One solution to clean up the voter rolls in Oregon would be to ask everyone to re-register to vote. I also would like to see our county Clerk leave the camera's livestream on 24/7 once ballot counting begins.

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I believe government interference in our life should always be minimized, when possible.

I am all for freedom, law and order. And consider myself to be a servant. I know each tax dollar was earned and should be deployed thoughtfully and responsibly to do the most good. I am opposed to the deep state, and the UN's 2030 concept of 15 minute smart cities.

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The job of commissioner:

Our first job is to oversee multiple county departments. We are to listen and bring citizens together who can discuss important issues and make positive civic decisions for the county for:

 

•  Administrative Functions: Overseeing the implementation of county policies and making decisions on various administrative matters.

•  Legislative Duties: Enacting ordinances and resolutions for the county's governance.

•  Budgetary Oversight: Adopting the county budget and ensuring fiscal responsibility. 

•  Public Services: Managing public services such as health, mental health, juvenile services, and veterans’ services and to evaluate department directors, the services and operations provided to the public. 

•  Land Use and Planning: Regulating land use and maintaining infrastructure like roads. 

•  Representation: Advocating for the county's interests at the state legislature and addressing residents' concerns.

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These responsibilities are designed to ensure that the county operates efficiently and serves the needs of its residents. County Commissioners play a crucial role in local government, balancing state mandates with the specific needs of their community.

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To be effective, one must be able to get key stakeholders into the room, where decisions can be made ethically, openly and fairly with due process which benefits citizens. When possible, we need to encourage and engage small and emerging businesses, and not just let the most prominent contractors, families, or outside interests have monopolies or undue influence. This means my job is about getting to know what you can contribute, while balancing the responsibility of overseeing the daily workings of multiple county departments and services.

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Homelessness, Foreclosures, & the 21 Day Camping Rule Revisited​

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Currently, correct me if I am wrong, foreclosures only costs the county $$$$ and have no financial benefit beyond the fees levied on property owners.

 

When people buy land in Klamath County, do they understand that they can’t camp on it for more the 21 consecutive days every 6 months?  And if they come to hunt on it, or camp, that they must register their in and out dates with the County? Is this undue government interference? Alaska, Montana and Idaho don’t do this.

 

My understanding was that the original 21 day rule was put in to help identify illegal drug grows inside of RV’s, which would then be abandoned by the cartel. It also helps identify squatters on vacant, un-permitted land. Since the 21 day rule is probably here to stay, I am in favor of exploring reducing the cost of county permits in the rural areas of the county, so squatters and fire victims who are now living on vacant land can better afford to install septic system and begin building back and up properly according to code.

 

With more people, legally, being on their property year-round, community watch could spot out of place activity, and the value of the property assessments will also be strengthened, making up for the discounted permits offered. Code enforcement, like the Sheriff's office, needs to also be strengthened. 

 

Currently for vacant land to be livable, landowners/buyers need a permitted self-contained outhouse or septic system, a well or tank for drinking water, and a permitted shelter that is not on wheels, if they wish to stay on the property for more than 21 days. Some land in this county, for instance in the lava land areas, won't accept septic tanks, so composting toilets should be an permitted option. I think the County Commissioners ought to consider asking the county planning and permitting departments to make some kind of discounted homesteading permitting fees, which would strengthen the tax base in Klamath County by increasing the number of legally occupied properties. Let’s buck Oregon’s land use laws, a bit more creatively, and assist the improperly housed in the rural areas, so they have an affordable path to housing on land they own or are purchasing legally.

 

The title company should also let buyers of rural property know that local road maintenance is required annually, if the roads to the property are privately owned by a group of neighbors.

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The Identity of Klamath County

The unique identity of this County is many different things to each of us, all of which needs to be protected and preserved, while we grow & the world discovers the natural wonders and recreational opportunities that surround us. Let's work together "So Klamath Rises..."

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