The Nov. 8 election will be a big one for Oregonians, both numbers-wise and in terms of importance for the state, as multiple legislative seats will be fi lled with new faces and three candidates are running for the open Governor’s Office seat. Our Voter’s Guide focuses on the local and state races, and the measures that will be in front of voters. Due to the number of candidates, we have opted for questionnaires, which provides an even playing fi eld for those running.
Susan M.C. Coleman, 50
Years in Sweet Home: 13 “My mother was born in Sweet Home, and it was a joy to return to my roots.”
Education: BA, Simpson University (formerly Simpson College); and MA, Alliance Theological Seminary.
Professional Background/Work Experience: Third Party Pension Administrator; Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce Office Administrator; Legislative Assistant to State Representative Sherrie Sprenger; Executive Assistant to the President of Corban University; Executive Assistant to the CEO of BiblicalTraining.org
Political Experience/Affiliations: Five years as a city councilor. In that time, I have served in a variety of roles, as the chair of the Sweet Home Capitol Christmas Tree Committee, liaison to the Chamber of Commerce Board, appointee to the Library Board. Also serve on Linn County Public Safety Committee and have served on Linn County Compensation Board, as secretary of the Oregon Sportsmen’s Caucus Foundation.
Other Community Involvement/Affiliations: Teach Sunday School at Hillside Fellowship church.
Family: Married for 28 years. “We have four children, two terrific sons-in-law and two adorable grandchildren. Three of our children are grown and the youngest is in seventh grade.”
Contact: [email protected].
David Lowman, 59
Years in Sweet Home: 4 and a half
Education: AA degree in business
Professional Background/Work Experience: Bail bond business owner, Private Process Server, Liquor Store/Night Club Owner, retired Kroger store manager.
Political Experience/Affiliations: Have served three years on Sweet Home Budget Committee; one year member of city Charter Review Committee; currently serving four-year term on Sweet Home Planning Commission.
Other Community Involvement/Affiliations: Extensive volunteer service in cities I have lived in. Helped organize a city clean-up in Florida while residing there. Volunteer for Sweet Home Harvest Festival.
Family: One of six children raised by single mother, now 93 and living in Florida. Siblings in Ohio and Florida, and a twin brother in Sweet Home.
Contact: [email protected] / David Lowman on Facebook.
Greg Mahler, 59
Years in Sweet Home: 51
Education: Sweet Home High School (Diploma), Linn Benton Community College
Professional Background/Work Experience: Sheriff reserve deputy (four years), volunteer firefighter (35 years). 46 years retail
experience including management stints with Sprouse Reitz, Payless Drug; currently owner/manager of Hoy’s Ace Hardware.
Political Experience/Affiliations: Republican Party / 16 years Sweet Home city councilor (Past six as mayor).
Other Community Involvement/Affiliations: Sweet Home Community Chapel. Past eight years participating in traveling ministry throughout the state re-enacting the “Living Last Supper.”
Family: Wife Terry, kids Ryan Hightower, Lacey Avery and Jill Ray, five grandkids, father John Mahler.
Contact: (541) 401-0110
Dylan Richards, 25
Years in Sweet Home: 24
Education: Sweet Home High School, Oregon State University (political science).
Professional Background/Work Experience: Sweet Home High School, Oregon State University (political science).
Political Experience/Affiliations: Republican.
Other Community Involvement/Affiliations: Rotary Club.
Family: Parents Aaron and Amy Burke; sister Brooke Burke; brother Jaxson Burke.
Contact: (541) 409-5752
James Risinger, 58
Years in Sweet Home: 16
Education: South Albany High School (1982); Oregon State University (1988)
Professional Background/Work Experience: Montgomery Wards, Portland (five years); Intel Corp., Portland (10 years); Sweet Home Liquor Store owner (16 years).
Political Experience/Affiliations: Member, Linn County Republican Party
Other Community Involvement/Affiliations: Sweet Home Elks Lodge member (five years); Members, Sweet Home Business Men’s Association (15 years).
Contact: [email protected]
Josh Thorstad, 44
Years in Sweet Home: 4
Education: High School
Professional Background/Work Experience: Millwright for 20 years; Self-employed owner of two companies – Thor Armory and Thor Targets LLC.
Political Experience/Affiliations: Two terms as PCP and former vice-chair of Linn County Republican Party (resigned due to candidacy for office).
Other Community Involvement/Affiliations: Did not respond.
Family: Wife Amanda, Daughters Cambria (5), Freta (4 Months).
Contact: [email protected]
Josh for Sweet Home website and Facebook.
Why do you want to be a Sweet Home City Council member?
Susan Coleman: I love Sweet Home. It’s a wonderful community filled with great people. I want to serve our community by listening, problem-solving, planning, and making decisions on how best to continue to keep our community moving forward.
David Lowman: I want to contribute to serve the people of Sweet Home and donate and volunteer as much to the city I love, and live and work in. I want to be part of helping to keep the City of Sweet Home safe and beautiful for all the residents of this great city. I want to see a healthy and successful Main Street/downtown, where businesses are thriving and people want to come and shop and spend money. I believe that it is finally time to turn the page and explore a new chapter. I am very much looking forward to serving our citizens as their councilman. The people that truly know me know that I will work tirelessly on behalf of this great community.
Greg Mahler: I take a lot of pride and ownership of our community and always striving to make Sweet Home the greatest community in Oregon. I’m trying to improve the quality of living in our community for our citizens and my family present and for generations to come
.
Dylan Richards: I want to be re re-elected to the City Council because I bring a different voice to the council.
James Risinger: I am at an age where I want to serve and give back to my community. I want to use my 16 years of Sweet home business experience to revive downtown and make Sweet Home more livable. I want to make sure the council serves the larger community and not their own special interests. I want citizens to be proud of Sweet Home. I want to keep Sweet Home … sweet!
Josh Thorstad: I’m a resident and a taxpayer. I’m concerned about the direction of the city. I started going to meetings when the topic of a homeless camp was being approved. I haven’t missed but three meetings since then.
Please describe your view of the proper role of government and how your philosophy of government would impact how you carry out your responsibilities in leading the city.
David Lowman: The role of government is to serve and work with the people of their community and I believe our government is meant to preserve our liberties and promote the general welfare. I would weigh each decision and how it would affect the citizens and our community. Government should put the people in their community first, and listen to all their concerns about problems in their community.
Greg Mahler: Make the best decisions and operate our community to the expectations of our citizens.
Dylan Richards: First and foremost, I am a Republican, and I believe that the government should have a limited role. As a city councilor, I have voted and stood for conservative principles.
James Risinger: The role of government is to serve the people’s needs with fair laws and ordinances. This should be done with the least amount of taxation necessary to provide the infrastructure within which to live their lives freely. Government should never tell you how to raise or educate a child. Government should never remove your privacy. Government should serve you as long as you are law-abiding. Period.
Josh Thorstad: I believe we should have limited government. I’m only one vote out of seven people, but I will make the wisest choices for the city and its growth.
Susan Coleman: I believe the role of local government is to provide a safe, just, good, and compassionately responsible system and structure in order to preserve our freedoms. How this impacts how I carry out my responsibilities is that I weigh the decisions I make based upon this criterion: “Does the decision I am making move us toward a safe, just, good, and compassionate future?”
What would you consider your primary responsibility/ies to voters as a council member if you are elected?
Greg Mahler: Be good stewards of the city finances, provide quality services, maintain overall infrastructure including streets and roads. Making sure our city management is operating our community to the expectations of our citizens.
Dylan Richards: I would consider my primary responsibilities to be making sure that there is fiscal responsibility in the city government, being clear and honest with the public, and making sure that our infrastructure is being maintained, and expanded.
James Risinger: Listen, listen, listen: The council has a duty to act in the best interest of the city and its citizens. This can only be done with input from our fellow Sweet Home citizens. I’ve seen the current City Council acting on behalf of their own personal interests – namely the homeless camp that a majority of citizens didn’t want. It’s the reason I am running for office. City councilors need to act on what is best for the majority and not focus on helping the non-profit organizations they belong to.
Josh Thorstad: I will be the voice of the people and will be involved to answer questions on social media. My
door and phone are always open.
Susan Coleman: My primary responsibilities to voters is to treat each one equally, listen to their concerns, and make wise decisions for the entire community.
David Lowman: If elected, I would make policy decisions and enact laws on our behalf to ensure that our city runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible, with citizens able to access the services and programs they need to live safe and healthy lives: developing, managing and maintaining infrastructure and public facilities such as roads, water supplies, drains and gullies, parks, recreational centers, public sanitary conveniences, and clean drinking water. I have conservative values and believe in conservative use of our city finances. Council members are there to represent the people of Sweet Home and make sure they are spending money and passing ordinances that are in the best interest of our people, and using tax dollars wisely.
A lot of city government revolves around funding – budgets and taxation. In general, how do you view the city’s performance in these areas? If you would change it, how would you do so?
Dylan Richards: I think the city is lacking in both of those areas. I believe that the city is taxing people too much. I think that we should cut property taxes, lower water rates, and lower the gas tax, and give out more tax incentives.
James Risinger: I believe city taxes can be lower. There needs to be more focus on waste of tax dollars. Efficiencies and saving on current expenses needs to be researched with input from the various city off ices. The people who work in these city off ices oft en know best where waste occurs and saving can be realized. Let’s get them involved in determining the solution to eliminating wasted tax dollars.
Josh Thorstad: The city’s accountability and transparency could be improved. Lack of future planning needs improvement.
Susan Coleman: One thing I know is city staff and councilors work to the best of their ability to ensure each tax dollar is responsibly spent. Considering the city’s significant infrastructure needs, the city is watching the budget closely. Notably, the last police levy passed with overwhelming support. This year, SHPD realized they did not need the full 2022 levy. So, the Budget Committee and City Council voted to not receive the full levy. This demonstrates staff and council’s concern for the community’s tax burden and their determination to be fiscally conservative.
David Lowman: I believe that they could improve in these areas. I would seek out and fight for as many federal grant dollars as possible for our city to help save our taxpayer dollars. I would fight to give new businesses great incentives, with tax breaks to move into our great city of Sweet Home to help the tax base, and to help bring more people to shop and spend money in our town.
Greg Mahler: We’ve always stayed within our allotted budget (taxes) and been great stewards of the city finances even in times when it’s been challenging. Our council is always looking for opportunities to improve our financial position through grants, lottery funds, etc.
Economic growth is an issue of interest for many in Sweet Home. What should the city do to encourage economic growth in Sweet Home? How what you, as a City Council member, do to facilitate economic development in the community?
James Risinger: Lower business taxes, expedited the building permitting process and focus on franchise recruitment. Do you want a Red Robin? … a new bowling alley? … a Pizza Hut? … an Olive Garden? … a steak house? These are all franchise businesses based in central corporate off ices. I think if we reached out to them at the city level and demonstrated our local market strengths and opportunities, then investments from these
businesses would increase. This, in turn, makes Sweet Home more livable, more profitable and more attractive. Taxing empty downtown buildings is useless and petty. Let’s focus on growth.
Josh Thorstad: I want to bring new business to Sweet Home. I would like to see some type of break, like taxes or grants, to help new business.
Susan Coleman: Recently, Sweet Home has seen refreshing new growth (urgent care centers, new restaurant, etc.). We have established a CEIP (Commercial Exterior Improvement Program) which offers grants to improve business’s exteriors. We overhauled our codes to facilitate development. We partner with RAIN (Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network) to assist our entrepreneurs and have connected business owners with SBDC (Small Business Development Center). If re-elected, I will continue to support these programs, stay alert to opportunities for businesses, and connect with decision makers and invite their investment in Sweet Home. We are on the cusp of more revitalizing growth.
David Lowman: I would choose an area to target, like the Downtown area. A plan for growth should include taking stock of the city’s strengths and areas that need improvement, embracing the future. Another essential element is to keep the future in mind. Get everyone involved. Continue to build partnerships regionally and statewide. Promote new businesses and give incentives with tax breaks to move into our great city of Sweet Home. Increase real wages; if nominal wages grow above inflation, then consumers have more disposable income to spend.
Greg Mahler: In order to have economic growth, you first have to improve your community infrastructure, parks, schools, police and fire services, and medical services. Even though we are in the process of improving our wastewater treatment plant, outdated water lines, I still feel we excel in all services within our community. I see tremendous growth in Sweet Home in the next few years. I personally lead the efforts to bring medical services to Sweet Home.
Dylan Richards: To encourage economic growth in the city, we should be giving out tax breaks for businesses that want to come here and cutting taxes and regulations on businesses that are already here.
Sweet Home is obviously growing, and the cost of living has increasingly become an issue. If elected, what would you do to address this situation?
Josh Thorstad: I’m concerned about the homeless, crime, drugs and just a lack of the rule of law. It needs to change.
Susan Coleman: Decisions made at the state, and national levels inevitably impact every community in the country. What I can do is to continue to look for ways to encourage local economic development so good paying jobs are available, and to keep pursuing fiscal responsibility.
David Lowman: I would seek out a full-time grant writer for our city to write grants to help lower taxes in our community that property owners have to pay, for example, for road repairs, improvements, sewer systems, park improvements. Get federal grant dollars to help fix up downtown-area buildings. Promote and give tax breaks and incentives for new businesses to come and set up shop in our great city of Sweet Home. Promote more community functions that will bring people in to see our city and spend money here.
Greg Mahler: We are in a recession and our inflation is going through the roof. As a council, it is very important to be great stewards of our city finances. Supply chain issues are nationwide and companies are gouging for that reason. This is why the cost of the wastewater treatment facility has doubled over the past 1½ years. My experience as a city councilor and as a business owner plays a huge part as we navigate through this worst economy we’ve faced in years.
Dylan Richards: One thing that I would do to address the cost-of-living increase that is being caused by President Biden would be to reverse any tax hike, or fees that the city has increased over the last two years, and I would also lower property taxes to give homeowners a break.
James Risinger: I think the city should focus an effort on acquiring federal housing grants to aid low-income families with the costly rents we are seeing charged. We have seen many new apartment developments lately but each unit rents for about $1,000 per bedroom. Helping low-income citizens with this primary expense would free up some of their income for rising food and energy expenses.
In addition to any of the issues already touched on, what do you consider the most important issue(s)/challenge(s) facing Sweet Home? As briefly as possible, how would you address it/those?
Susan Coleman: Like other communities, Sweet Home has seen a rise in crime. For the first time in a couple of years, our SHPD is at full staff . This is one step in the right direction to address crime. Since the largest percentage of crimes in our community is property crime, continuing our efforts to establish more neighborhood watch groups is another step. Choosing to be good neighbors and watching out for each other is a great deterrent to crime. Regionally, we are seeing a rise in homelessness. Although federal and state laws limit the city’s ability to act, we have developed two key responses. First, the Community Court brings essential services directly to those who need them. Second, we are partnering with FAC (Family Assistance and Resource Center). Once established, this partnership will provide vital tools needed to move towards cleaning up our public spaces. The best transformation happens through committed communities caring for each other and services of non-government organizations. So, I will continue to seek NGOs who can bring transformation. Sweet Home has significant infrastructure needs as made apparent when the wastewater facility overflowed this last summer. Because of the current rate of inflation, the upgrade costs to the wastewater facility have increased significantly. To see the economic growth that people are asking for, we need to be sure our infrastructure is ready for it. Continuing to be fiscally responsible and seeking grants (like those secured for Sankey Park improvements) are the ways I would address this pressing need.
David Lowman: I feel the most important issue in Sweet Home right now is our water treatment plant. We need to seek out all the help from the federal government Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Interior. Seek out grants for all repairs and update systems for our water treatment plant to provide safe, clean drinking water and cleaning “used” water before releasing it back into the environment. Keep working on beautifying our downtown area. I believe it would bring people in to shop and spend money. Let’s make our city a place people from other areas of the state want to come to visit: our great City of Sweet Home.
Greg Mahler: Besides trying to improve our wastewater treatment plant, revising City codes and streamline our planning department to help our obvious community growth.
Dylan Richards: Some issues not mentioned that are extremely important to me is getting more investment into our water system, and into getting more roads paved, and finally promoting more pro-business policies. I would put more tax dollars towards fixing the water pipe infrastructure. And to get more business to town I would cut taxes, and cut regulations on starting a business in Sweet Home.
James Risinger: The homeless camp our current City Council approved may be the biggest risk and challenge to Sweet Homes future. The old adage “if you build it, they will come” has never been more appropriate. I believe this homeless camp will solve the homeless problem in Lebanon and Albany because we will see the homeless shipped here. The nonprofit behind this camp was formed and is ran by a couple from Albany. Why did they come to Sweet Home for a homeless camp? Quite simply, it was because they had friends on our current City Council. Now we are stuck with it and must deal with the inevitable negative outcomes. I believe the new City Council must closely manage and monitor this situation. If it becomes an issue for our town or our citizens, I want to be there to help correct the situation. I don’t hate homeless people, I just don’t think this camp was the best solution available to our homeless citizens. It’s simply not humane or dignified to put people in huts down by the railroad tracks.
Josh Thorstad: Did not respond.
In a field of six candidates, what most distinguishes you from the other candidates? Why should voters consider electing you to the council?
David Lowman: I am capable of solving problems. I exhibit strong work ethic and skills. I am a leader and I have the ability to work with a team. I am a big believer in volunteering for the city I love and live and work in. As outlined above, I have served on multiple city committees, all non-paid and voluntary. I enjoy being a public servant and giving back to my community. I believe a city should be run like a business, with checks and balances. I have over 30 years of management experience. I have been known to work tirelessly on project that concern the community that I live in.I have service-oriented work experience. You will always come first. I will fight for our citizens of Sweet Home. I know how to stand up and make the right decisions, even if it is not always popular with others.
Greg Mahler: I’ve led this community through some very tough times the past years including COVID, wildfires, blackouts, providing heat shelters, homeless problems, wastewater treatment issues, city management changes, and made great strides in bringing medical services to Sweet Home. I realize not all citizens may agree with some of the decisions made by our council but they also need to know the back story why those decisions were made. Overall, I have a lot more experience than the rest of the candidates and I feel I’ve done a great job for our beautiful community I’m proud of.
Dylan Richards: In a field of six candidates, what distinguishes me the most is the fact that I have served on the council for two years, I’m the youngest councilor, and I bring a different voice to the city, and I am not scared to stand up to the majority on the council.
James Risinger: Sixteen years of owning the Sweet Home liquor store has provided me with a great amount of experience and knowledge about our town, its businesses and people. Also, I’ve gained valuable experience in dealing with a large Oregon state agency, like the OLCC. Additionally, I managed million-dollar projects for Intel Corporation that included working with high-tech professionals all over the world. Meeting deadlines, creating budgets and allocation of resources was a daily task for me.
Josh Thorstad: I’m a local business owner. I do all the budgets and finances and payroll. As a councilor, you are only one vote. But I can give my opinion and experience to others so we all can make a good choice for the city. I really want to get more community involvement in the decisions of the city.
Susan Coleman: I believe my level-headed approach to issues and understanding of the needs people in Sweet Home face are two distinguishing factors. Instead of facing the future with alarm or a scarcity mentality, I am running on hope, and the belief that the best is yet to come for Sweet Home.