Six more candidates joined the ranks of those seeking appointment to the Canby City Council vacancy this week, making an even dozen vying to replace the unexpired term of Jordan Tibbals, who stepped down a month ago due to moving out of state.
Previous City Council candidates Jason Padden and James Hieb were the first to file when applications opened (Padden actually turned his in the day after Tibbals’ resignation), and they were later joined by comparative newcomers Daniel Owczarzak, Mark D. Johnson, David Bajorin and Bryan H. Peterson.
Another half-dozen jumped into the fray this week before the window for applications closed Thursday: Brad Clark, Amanda B. Short, Bri Condon, Alan Gallagher, Edwin “Mac” Garrison and Cindy Lang. None have previously held elective office.
Clark, a program librarian for the City of Wilsonville as well as a crisis counseling volunteer and a pastor and faith leader, cited his interest in “strategic planning and development across city departments, budget, and supporting city employees to focused on building the quality of life for Canby residents.”
Clark said he wants to help position Canby as “a forerunner of small-town government.”
“Canby first, Canby better,” he wrote.
Short is a nine-year Army veteran and currently, a logistics officer for the Oregon National Guard tasked with emergency domestic operations management and support. She said she wants to be a voice for responsible growth and change.
“I regularly see an ‘all are welcome’ mentality throughout the community, but ensuring that we stay respectful and accepting to keep a well-rounded mindset is important,” she wrote. “People come home to Canby, and I want to support people always feeling happy and comfortable when they come home.”
Condon, the executive director of Bradley Angle, a Portland nonprofit providing shelter and support to domestic violence survivors, said she believes she could help shepherd the council through some of the recent conflict and dysfunction it has experienced.
“I know that I can help the current team of councilors reach consensus more often, despite differences,” she wrote. “I understand differences in ideologies, and I also understand that our town needs to hear insights from all political backgrounds, and from all livelihoods.”
Condon also expressed an interest in managing growth and traffic and developing new recreational opportunities for citizens.
“The quality of decisions being made in our town are not in alignment with all who reside here,” she said. “I would like to secure green space so that not only is this a town where work is readily available for local community members, but that you can explore our area without navigating around large industrial parks at every turn.”
Gallagher’s application for the position was the sparsest of the 12, though he also included a detailed resume. He’s a retired attorney, consultant, writer, former municipal judge, professor and Spanish language interpreter. He has also served as president of the Canby Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
He said he has an interest in law, police, courts and economic development and has the time and willingness to serve.
Garrison, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and operations director for Life Flight Network, said he has lived in Canby for only about a year and a half and believes serving on the council would be a unique way to get involved.
“It is very important for ordinary citizens to become involved in their local governments in order to have a say in how the government is run, how city resources are managed and distributed, and that business and citizens benefit as much as possible,” wrote Garrison, who has 30 years’ experience as a helicopter pilot.
He said he would help ensure the local government is accountable to citizens and run efficiently.
Last but not least, Lang is a self-employed business owner with corporate and communications experience. She cited interests in community theater, art and music, nonprofit fundraising and “most importantly, the safety and wellbeing of our children.”
She said she hopes to foster a “more proactive approach to transportation needs” with regard to new development and enhancing and retaining the town’s history and aesthetics.
Lang said she wants to help keep Canby “the wonderful, diverse and family-friendly community that it is while we continue to grow and prosper.”
The applications were forwarded to the mayor and council Friday, with interviews planned to be held in open session Oct. 6. The new city councilor will be sworn in at the following meeting Oct. 20 and will serve through the end of December 2022.
Tibbals’ resignation is expected to shift the balance of power in favor of the council’s progressive bloc for the first time in years, with councilors Sarah Spoon, Chris Bangs and Greg Parker poised to have the majority vote in appointing his replacement.
Spoon and Bangs, however, are also facing a recall effort, which was initiated the same week Tibbals stepped down. Petitioners must collect at least 1,151 verified signatures from Canby residents by 5 p.m. Nov. 29 to trigger a recall election.
The city is also seeking qualified applicants to serve on a number of important committees, including the Canby Planning Commission. See the city’s website for details.
