It is becoming increasingly evident that the challenges we face are regional, not just confined to a city or county jurisdiction. The test becomes electing leaders who have the demonstrated ability to work effectively across political boundaries to tackle these issues and create regional solutions.

Deschutes County voters are fortunate to have such a leader vying for county commissioner. Alan Unger has demonstrated his capacity and commitment to address regional challenges while still serving as an effective mayor in Redmond.

As current and former mayors, we know the difficulties in working productively at both levels simultaneously. That is why we have the upmost respect for Alan’s abilities as a steward and servant of Central Oregon’s future.

Alan has earned his role as a senior statesman of Central Oregon officials. He has played a major role as head of the Central Oregon Cities Organization, focusing on water and transportation issues. In fact, he is probably the most knowledgeable elected official on regional water policies in Central Oregon.

Alan has also served as a vital bridge to Salem, working on issues from tax policies to transportation and human services funding to land use practices. Just as it is critical to build a regional response to our challenges, so is it equally critical to cultivate our working relationships with Salem and the rest of Oregon.

Alan is a quiet leader. You won’t find him grandstanding or becoming a polarizing figure. His approach is to be a careful listener and a thoughtful decision-maker, bringing people together to find solutions that best serve the future of our entire region.

Whether it is Alan working to recharge the Deschutes with surface water to protect our vital river, or working to bring resources to La Pine when that community became a town, or helping the small community of Culver to obtain transportation funds, he has continually demonstrated a concern for and willingness to work with communities outside his own.

And let’s not forget what has been accomplished in Redmond during his tenure as mayor. That community has won a major award for the process used in expanding its urban growth boundary, no small feat, as the city of Bend well knows. During his administration the city has also:

•Rerouted Highway 97 traffic around the downtown to re-create it as a community place.

•Developed city-owned large-lot industrial land to attract new industry and jobs.

•Built Maple Avenue, an east-west arterial with two bridges for efficient travel.

•Supported improvements and new flights at Redmond Airport, a vital economic engine for Central Oregon.

•Worked to pass a school bond to build new schools to accommodate growth.

One other trait serves Alan very well. He understands that at the local level, challenges that face us are not Republican or Democrat challenges; they are community challenges. His capacity to set aside party label and work with everyone is testament to his being a bridge builder, not a bomb thrower.

The challenges we face in the coming years are too critical to be viewed with parochial prejudices. We must have a regional solution to assure our water quality. We must have a regional approach to meet our growing transportation demands. We must have a regional strategy for diversifying our economic base and providing more and better job opportunities.

Alan is willing to be proactive in solving problems. For example, he will soon be convening stakeholders to come up with management solutions for our forests that eliminate the need to perform controlled burns every summer.

In the coming year, one of the most critical undertakings by Deschutes County will be its comprehensive land use review. This brings into focus challenges such as destination resorts, economic growth, and cooperation with cities on urban growth, water use, housing choices, recreational opportunities and open-space preservation.

There is no better-qualified person in terms of experience and temperament to address these matters than Alan Unger. That is why we strongly urge Deschutes County voters to vote for Alan Unger, Deschutes County commissioner.