Commissioner Don Lindly (2009 Chair)

Don Lindly

Don Lindly was elected Lincoln County Commissioner in 1990 and reelected to second, third, fourth, and fifth terms in 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006. He is only the second commissioner in Lincoln County's history to be elected five terms, equaling the late Mike Miller. He has chaired the Board of Commissioners eight times. The Association of Oregon Counties presented Commissioner Lindly with its "Outstanding Service Award" for his leadership with Oregon county governments in 1993.

Commissioner Lindly moved to the Oregon Coast in 1981 to become an administrator for the Lincoln County School District. He was "Administrator of the Year" in 1988 and had a successful twenty-year career in education before his election to public office. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon.

Don was elected President of the Association of Oregon Counties in 1997, and was appointed by Governor Kitzhaber to chair several statewide committees and work groups. In recent years, he has participated in statewide committees involving corrections, transportation, community and economic development and government reorganization. He has been a champion for improved highways in our region for years. Commissioner Lindly believes that as the state and federal governments continue to shift responsibilities to local governments, counties are becoming the primary providers of efficient and effective government services to local citizens. In a time when the public is often critical of government and elected officials, citizens know Don as a fair and responsible leader.

Don is active in the community. He has been president of the YMCA, United Way, and Newport Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the Board of the Children's Advocacy Center and the Yaquina Bay Economic Foundation. He has chaired the Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association (OCZMA), and the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments. He's currently the vice-chair of Community Services Consortium and the Cascades West Area Commission on Transportation, representing Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties. He has been a volunteer coach for youth sports and a member of numerous community organizations.

Don has a management style that stresses teamwork and partnerships. He has promoted a team approach with county department managers and other elected officials, and has developed partnerships with citizen groups and other local governments. Commissioner Lindly has a clear vision and understanding of the county's mission and has worked hard to put goals and plans in place to support that mission.

Don and his wife Lin, a retired school administrator, live in Newport. They have four grown children. In his spare time, Don enjoys cooking, photography, collecting antiques and political memorabilia, and golfing.

Updated May 2007