Mickey Kincheloe, a Myrtle Point contractor, has filed paperwork with the Coos County clerk to run against incumbent Nikki Whitty for position no. 2, on the Coos County Board of Commissioners.

Kincheloe, the owner and operator of Kincheloe and Sons, a Myrtle Point construction and rock company, said he wants to become involved in politics to bring some “business sense” to the fiscal management of the county.

A longtime Independent, Kincheloe has never held public office. He worked in politics through his association with the Oregon Dump-truck Commission, the Oregon Trucking Association, and assisted former Rep. Bill Bradbury, Oregon secretary of state, to pass the Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program legislation.

He holds a bachelor degree in education and business accounting from Adams State College in Colorado.

If elected, Kincheloe said he will look into bringing more businesses into the county and evaluating the county's current tax system.

“The county needs to work more with the citizens. I have this feeling from speaking with other people, that taxes are too high. There's gotta be better ways than just paying more and more taxes all the time, that isn't the answer,” he said.

Although he said he isn't sure how he plans on changing taxes for the better, Kincheloe has big plans regarding economic changes for the county.

“I think we're a community that is looking at clean businesses only, and that's not always possible,” Kincheloe said. “There's feelers out from companies all the time, looking for what is there in your county that they can use, and one thing we got is a heck of a work force that isn't working.”

While Kincheloe says that the current county commissioners have looked for businesses to invite into the area, they have mostly kept to “clean businesses” like the natural gas pipeline and coal bed methane. He hopes to bring in more diversified businesses, allow more construction and make it easier for the economy to put the workforce back to work.

“I would like to start allowing more building in Coos County, let's bring more people in, that will bring more property taxes, and more jobs,” he said.

Kincheloe believes he would be a good county commissioner because of his eagerness to communicate with people and willingness to listen.

“I believe a county commissioner does his best when he's out there talking with the people themselves. I don't think you can dictate from a throne, I think you need to get out and speak to the constituents of Coos County,” he said. “I think the most important thing is communication, If you don't keep the people informed you've got problems.”

He believes his experience in business will also serve him well as a county commissioner. “I have business experience, and experience working with larger amounts of money, taking care of business through accounting, I have a lot of experience getting things done,” he said.

Although he's been very busy working with his business in Myrtle Point for the last several years, Kincheloe believes he now has the time to serve the county.

“My son is taking over the business, and I have more and more time. I haven't served the community that much, and this gives me an opportunity now,” he said.

Potential candidates have until March 7 to file for office.