Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Three men have applied as candidates for an open seat on the Sweet Home City Council.
They include Greg Alan Mahler, Daniel James Holman and Donald W. Austin. The deadline for applications was Dec. 21.
Mayor Craig Fentiman said he hopes to get interviews done this week sometime if possible. If so, the council could select a candidate at its regular meeting on Jan. 8.
The council seat was left vacant on Nov. 20 when Bob McIntire resigned after serving some nine years.
The appointed councilor will serve the remainder of McIntire’s term, which expires in December 2010.
Mahler has lived in the Sweet Home area for 36 years nine months, he said. He is manager at Hoy’s True Value.
“I’ve been on the City Council once before, and I have a good understanding of the city government,” he said in his application.
He also has served as a volunteer with the Sweet Home fire department for more than 20 years.
“Living and working in Sweet Home for 37 years, I’m known to be someone who listens and cares about the future of our community,” he said.
Holman has lived in Sweet Home for two years five months, he said. He is a retired special inspector.
He has a background in real estate and building construction inspections, he said in his application. “I have an aptitude for dealing with issues facing Sweet Home.”
He has been involved in numerous volunteer activities, including the Sweet Home Rodeo, Elks Lodge, Community Chapel, Oregon Jamboree, Sweet Home Parks Board and the Sweet Home Board of Appeals.
“If appointed to the City Council, I will think carefully and study each issue to be voted on, combining my skills, integrity and faith with dedication to the council and the people of Sweet Home,” he said.
Austin is retired and has lived in Sweet Home for 17 months, he said.
“My Marine Corps experience as well as years in business management give me both leadership and management skills,” he said in his application.
Over the years, he has been active in church work, including high school youth leader, Boy Scouts leader, Sunday School teacher and various other positions, like deacon, trustee, maintenance and more.
“Being relatively new to the area, I do not have any preconceived ideas about people or projects and could look at things from an unbiased viewpoint,” he said. “I deal well with people and could build rapport with both the committee and constituents.”