On the final stretch of their political campaigns, The Chronicle asked candidates to reflect on what they have learned from the community and what their closing promise to voters is ahead of the May 19 election. 

Lane County Commissioner (East) represents the rural and suburban communities of East Lane County, focusing on specialized regional issues like wildfire recovery, rural road maintenance, and supporting rural communities like Cottage Grove and Creswell. These non-partisan officials manage the county’s multi-million-dollar budget, focusing on local infrastructure such as roads, parks, and public health services. They serve four-year terms.

Heather Buch, incumbent

Age: 50 

Hometown: Veneta, OR 

Top priorities: Healthcare, Housing, Public Safety

One word to describe your leadership style: Collaborative 

One word to describe our community: Resilient 

One word to describe you at your best: Resourceful 

One word to describe you at your worst: Impatient 

Favorite local landmark: Mount Pisgah 

Biggest local asset: Our natural surroundings from the coast to the Cascades

Last local event attended: Trauma Intervention Program “Heroes with Heart” Gala

A historical figure you admire: Anne Frank 

Talking with voters has always been one of my favorite parts of running for office.  When I meet people across Lane County, hearing their concerns helps me focus on what matters most. Usually, that means access to healthcare, affordable housing, public safety, and climate resilience. That’s why I’ve put my energy into these areas instead of getting distracted by the chaos of national politics.  

Families across our county are having a hard time affording the basics these days, from gas to groceries. Just as families are forced to stretch their dollars further, I believe local government must, too. We need to focus our resources on delivering the core services that residents depend on.  

I’m dedicated to listening to rural communities and standing up for Lane County’s small towns. I’ve championed the recently opened South Lane Clinic in Cottage Grove, supported the recovery of the McKenzie Valley after the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire, and championed public-private partnerships that helped build more than 600 affordable housing units to help families and individuals get off the streets and connected to services.  

I know that public safety looks different for families in rural and small-town areas than it does for people in Eugene. That’s why I voted to increase sheriff patrols, add new mobile crisis vans on the roads in metro and rural Lane County, and build a new stabilization center for those experiencing mental health and addiction crises.  

I will continue to listen to voters across the political spectrum, focus on the real issues that impact our communities, and deliver results that make a difference in the everyday lives of families across East Lane County. That’s what I’ve done, and that’s what I  pledge to do if I’m fortunate enough to be elected for another term as your Lane County  Commissioner.  

Jake Pelroy

Age: 40

Hometown: Veneta

Top priority in three words: Fund Law Enforcement

One word to describe your leadership style: Active

One word to describe our community: Pioneering

One word to describe you at your best: Rested

One word to describe you at your worst: Grumpy

Favorite local landmark: Autzen Stadium

Biggest local asset: Our natural resources and our people

Last local event you attended: East Lane County Commissioner Forum – CG Chamber of Commerce

A historical figure you admire: Martin Luther

My life has been defined by a commitment to service. From serving three combat tours in Iraq as a United States Marine to operating a small business right here in our community, I have learned that leadership is about accountability, discipline, and delivering results. Today, I am asking for your vote to serve as your next Lane County Commissioner for District 5.

We are at a crossroads. For too long, current leadership has failed us. Irresponsible spending of your hard-earned tax dollars has pushed Lane County into a serious budget deficit. As a public policy analyst and a local business owner, I see the “red tape” and fiscal mismanagement that holds our families back. It is time for a change.

As you sit down to fill out your ballot this election, I ask you to consider a new direction for Lane County—one rooted in common sense and constitutional values. As your Commissioner, I will:

■ Protect Your Wallet: I will fiercely fight against any new taxes or hidden fees that increase the cost of living for our residents.

■  Prioritize Public Safety: I will provide unwavering support to our Law Enforcement to ensure our neighborhoods remain safe places to raise families.

■ Restore Our Resources: I will advocate for responsible forest management to protect our environment and revitalize our local economy.

■  Cut the Bureaucracy: I will remove the administrative hurdles that make it difficult for families to build homes and for small businesses to thrive.

■  Real Solutions for Homelessness: I will push for a more effective homeless strategy that prioritizes results and public order.

I am not a career politician; I am a neighbor who believes that East Lane County deserves better. I am ready to bring the Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment to the Board of Commissioners. Whether you drop your ballot in the mail or at a local drop box, I would be honored to have your vote.

Bob Zybach

Age: 77
Hometown: Woodland, Washington
Top priority in three words: Jobs Forest Management
One word to describe your leadership style: Effective
One word to describe our community: Disheartened
One word to describe you at your best: Helpful
One word to describe you at your worst: Demanding
Favorite local landmark: Applegate Trail
Biggest local asset: Workers
Last local event you attended: April 25 Forum at Creswell Grange
A historical figure you admire: Arnold von Winkelried

What I have learned is Lane County needs to get back to work and off welfare! 

There is a golden logger on top of the State Capitol for a reason — for generations Oregon families, businesses, schools, roads, and police depended on forestry, mining, and commercial fishing industries to support some of the finest and safest schools, parks, towns, and recreational opportunities in history.

In 1990 that changed abruptly with spotted owl politics and litigation. Then, ten years later, our schools, roads, and police went on federal welfare through PILT and SRS payments by US taxpayers to partly compensate for lost timber revenues. The results were predictable: deadly wildfires, rural unemployment, and toxic smoke.

My campaign focus is to resolve these problems by restoring active management of our public forests. This would result in thousands of needed full-time rural jobs, greatly reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, help restore old-growth and native wildlife populations, and eliminate the need for PILT and SRS welfare payments for our failing schools and underfunded police. 

Lane County is one of the most heavily forested counties in the world, contains some of the finest timber growing soils and weather in history, and most of it is being systematically destroyed at tremendous cost to US taxpayers, and even greater cost to Lane County residents.

These are national issues, played out at a local level. I will focus on restoring active and sustainable forest management for the direct benefit of this and future generations — as outlined by law and successfully practiced by earlier generations. This will greatly reduce wildfire risks, deadly air pollution, and ugly landscapes; while greatly increasing local job and recreational opportunities, and needed funding for our county schools, roads, and police.

We know how to fix this mess. Our parents and grandparents showed us how.