Serving the communities of Mill City, Scio, Lyons, Mehama, Gates, Detroit, and Idanha

Commissioners commend staff, residents for COVID-19 efforts

By Alex Paul 
Linn County Communications Officer

Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker celebrated the approaching end of the state’s COVID-19 mask mandate on Saturday (March 12) and commended county staff and elected officials who continued to keep their offices open and provide services for the past two years at their meeting March 8.

“I also want to express my gratitude to the citizens of Linn County who made it work,” Nyquist said.

Nyquist said the county staff reacted to the pandemic like the 130,000 residents of Linn County.

“We persevered, lived life and did what we could do for each other,” Nyquist said.

Nyquist said that the commissioners held every meeting as scheduled and “all departments were open to the public.” 

Nyquist praised health care workers, law enforcement, the business community “especially small businesses,” and schools, teachers and parents.

Sprenger said she didn’t know of a group of people who worked harder than those in the Health Department.

“They worked nights, weekends,” Sprenger said. “I don’t think anyone worked more intimately, or was impacted more by COVID-19.”

Tucker thanked the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Juvenile Department. “We have not had a kid who has contracted COVID while in our care.” 

In other business:

The commissioners encouraged people concerned about proposed large-scale chicken farms in the Scio area to review a summary of the state’s land use laws on the county website at https://www.linncountyor.gov/. While the commissioners can approve or deny building permits, the siting of farm operations on land zoned Exclusive Farm Use is controlled entirely by the state. The commissioners said they can be advocates for local families, but individuals should contact the appropriate state agencies to address their concerns.

Approved a Road Department construction contract for $2,993,068 with Marcum and Sons for the Thomas Creek, Richardson Gap Road Covered Bridge Project. It is funded by the State Funded Local Project Program and will be reimbursed at 89.73 percent by ODOT.

Previous Article

Members needed for Scio advisory committee

Next Article

SPC looking for auction donations

You might be interested in …

Here is a look at the scene where two snowmobilers were rescued Sunday amid heavy snow in the Breitenbush area. Marion County Sheriff’s Office

Two snowmobilers rescued Sunday near Breitenbush

Two snowmobilers are safe and sound and back with their families after being rescued Sunday in the Breitenbush area, Marion County Sheriff’s Office officials said Wednesday. Search and rescue crews were dispatched Sunday night when […]