Media and Press
Jamie in the media: South Deschutes County water has a nitrate problem. County Commissioner candidates differ on solutions.
In this independent investigation by The Source, reporter Peter Madsen examines the nitrate contamination crisis affecting 18,000 residents in southern Deschutes County — where a recent DEQ survey found nitrate in 65 of 100 wells, along with arsenic, lead, and pharmaceuticals in the drinking water. Jamie draws on his extensive experience cleaning up toxic contamination — directing response after Hurricane Harvey, leading the 2019 biodiesel spill cleanup in the Columbia River Gorge, and overseeing hazmat incidents across 18 Oregon counties as a DEQ on-scene coordinator — to lay out a concrete plan: immediate filtration for every family at risk, new sewer infrastructure through Senate Bill 1154, and a cost-sharing model so the burden doesn’t fall on the families who can least afford it.
After 15 years in office, Jamie’s opponent points to a rebate program that has reached 150 property owners out of 18,000 affected, a failed $10 million federal grant application, and a groundwater fund with $150,000 in it — a response that doesn’t begin to match the scale of a crisis that has been documented for 44 years. Asked what comes next, Jamie’s opponent tells the reporter: “At some point this will come around again and the County can have a policy discussion.” Jamie argues that South County families have waited long enough for “some point” to arrive. The Source, March 12, 2026.
Op/ed: South County’s poisoned water is a burden for us all
Thousands of families in southern Deschutes County have been living with a public health emergency for over 30 years — their only drinking water source contaminated with nitrate from septic systems at levels so dangerous that pediatricians warn parents not to use well water for infant formula. Jamie argues that decades of studies and meetings have produced no clean water, and that it’s time for political courage and shared sacrifice to finally build the infrastructure these communities need. The cost of cleanup must be borne across Deschutes County and Central Oregon — not by the families who didn’t create the problem and can least afford to fix it. Guest Column for The Bulletin, March 4, 2026.
Jamie in the media: We Black Radio interview at the Lion’s Den barbershop
Jamie joined WBR’s Riccardo Waites for a wide-ranging interview on his weekly show, The Truth Ride. Jamie shared his thoughts on empowerment, economic development, and making the County a place where all voices have a place at the table — not just the voices of high-dollar campaign contributors. The Truth Ride on We Black Radio, November 16, 2025. Riccardo’s interview with Jamie starts at 22:30 on the Mixcloud recording.
Op/ed: Deschutes zoning driving us straight into flames
As wildfires intensify across Central Oregon, Jamie explains how the current County Commission’s practice of “spot zoning” — the piecemeal conversion of protected farm and forest land into luxury housing and destination resorts — is putting first responders and residents at risk. Jamie argues that every zoning decision is a fire decision and calls for leadership that restores responsible, resilient land-use planning to keep Deschutes County livable, sustainable, and insurable for the next generation. Guest Column for The Bulletin, November 4, 2025.
Jamie in the media: A Historic First: Central Oregon’s First BIPOC-Led Candidate Forum
Jamie was humbled to share his vision for the County at a November 6, 2025, forum with local Black and BIPOC business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members. We Black Radio, November 6, 2025.
Press release: Jamie Collins files to run for Deschutes County Commission, Position 1
Press release announcing that Jamie has officially filed as a candidate. October 2, 2025.
Public letter: Public comment to the County’s District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMAC) and County Commission
Jamie’s letter of public comment to the County’s District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMAC), which has been ordered to draw five geographic districts by the County Commission. In my letter, I call for a fair, transparent, and genuinely democratic redistricting process — one that resists political manipulation and gives every resident of our county a real voice. September 21, 2025.
Jamie in the media: Coast Guard veteran launches campaign for Deschutes County commissioner
Central Oregon Daily News coverage of Jamie’s campaign announcement. Central Oregon Daily News, June 25, 2025.
Jamie in the media: Candidate List For Five-Seat Deschutes County Commission Growing
Jamie featured in a story in Bend’s alt-weekly, The Source. The Source, July 30, 2025.
Press release: Jamie Collins announces campaign for Deschutes County Commissioner, Position 1
Press release officially announcing Jamie’s campaign for County Commissioner. June 25, 2025.
Jamie in the media: Candidates gear up for ‘once-in-a-generation’ Deschutes County Commission race in 2026
Jamie featured in a story about the unprecedented level of interest surrounding the race. The Bulletin, June 14, 2025.
Op/ed: Land-sale silver bullets won’t tame the West’s wicked twins
While we’ll need all hands on deck and an array of solutions to tackle our intertwined housing and wildfire crises, Jamie argues that quick-and-dirty Federal land sales to luxury developers will only make both problems worse. Oregon already has a system — our urban growth boundary law — that allows for planned, thoughtful annexation of land to support growth. Guest Column for The Bulletin, June 11, 2025.
Op/ed: Human-caused climate change, fire severity and the heat dome
A call to action that lays out some of the most severe ways climate change is affecting our communities here in the High Desert. Guest Column for The Bulletin, July 2, 2021.