Rod Taylor’s campaign for Coos County Commissioner has problems. He missed the deadline to put a candidate statement in the General Election Voters Pamphlet. His failure is a major self-inflicted wound.
The pamphlet is an inexpensive way for candidates to message every voter in their district. Most voters use the pamphlet when deciding how to vote.
Mr. Taylor did put a statement in the Primary Voter’s Pamphlet. Unfortunately, it contained the false allegation that the interim County Clerk was appointed “on yet another 2-1 County Commissioner vote”. This allegation is part of the fable that Commissioner Cribbins and Sweet frequently steam-roll Commissioner Robert Main by outvoting him. In reality the Clerk’s appointment vote was unanimous with Commissioner Main voting yes. Over the years Commissioner Main has voted with his colleagues more than he voted against them.
Coos County Sheriff Craig Zanni’s endorsement of Mr. Taylor’s opponent is another blow to his campaign. Mr. Zanni is retiring after 12 years as Sheriff an over 50 years serving as a police officer. His endorsement will influence many voters.
On his campaign website Mr. Taylor says, “I will honor and support funding of law enforcement.” His support is only a sometimes thing. Mr. Taylor has repeatedly said that if he is elected the County will refuse state and federal funding. Without this money the Sheriff’s office will be largely defunded. Mr. Taylor claims he supports adding beds to the jail but he Is against the levy that would pay for this expansion. Mr. Taylor has also repeatedly said Coos County should defy state and federal law it opposes. Is advocacy for breaking the law support for law enforcement?
Mr. Taylor claims he is pro-business, however the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce recently endorsed Commissioner Cribbins. According to the Chamber in its endorsement process it “conducts a thorough assessment of each candidate from a business point of view.” Endorsement by the Chamber requires two-thirds approval by the voting directors. The chamber has over 530 members representing every part of the local economy. The business community clearly thinks Ms. Cribbins is the pro-business candidate.
In the Primary Voter’s Pamphlet Mr. Taylor said “we should evaluate candidates less on what they promise, and more on what they’ve already done.” This is some of what Mr. Tayor has already done:
- Participated in the January 6th 2021 insurrection in Washington D.C.
- Used a bull horn to yell at people in a Bandon home after they reported a safety violation to OSHA
- Led the disruption of a Coos County Commissioner meeting
- Told numerous fables and falsehoods during his campaign for Commissioner
Mr. Taylor has some redeeming qualities. He is easy to talk to. Finn his companion on the campaign trail is a cute little dog. At times his political drama is entertaining. However, Mr. Taylor is unfit to serve as a Coos County Commissioner.
To add to the list of things that Rod Taylor has done: he unclipped his conceal carry weapon holster on his right hip in an illegal fashion, dangerously escalating a benign situation while out on the corner on 42S and 101 in Bandon while on one of his flag waving protests when approached by someone who came to ask him to leave other folks who were demonstrating peacefully. This was in front of a child, mother, and other residents. Bandon Police was called on scene and Rod Taylor was cited (apparently). In speaking with the police officer who appeared on site, he said that yes, in fact, Rod unclipping his holster, placing his right hand fully on his handgun, and partially drawing it out of its holster, was an illegal use of a conceal-carry weapon/license. Whether he actually was cited by this police officer, or if he just received a warning, is not information we are privy to. Had it not been for a peace keeper who was there as this all unfolded, there is no telling what would have happened. Rod Taylor was extremely quick to go straight to his weapon, before having any information on the situation, what this approaching person wanted, or even trying to engage in a conversation before anything else. This is NOT the type of person who should be allowed to step into a position of power or to lead others.
Wow!Terrible, though I am not surprised he would jump for his gun like the coward he is. Do you know what date this was?
Yes. It was June 5, 2020
Thank you so much! I’ve contacted Taylor for acknowledgement of the event. So far, only crickets
I imagine so. It was always crickets with him also when we would reach out to him to actually come up with a time and place to meet as a group, to try to find common ground and healing in the community. He would say that he wanted to meet up and talk but then would never commit.
I’ll be posting a separate story about this, thank you for the tip.