By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com
A Yachats City Council member who is often at odds with the mayor and city manager has filed to run for the mayor’s position in the November general election.
Councilor Leslie Vaaler, who was elected to a four-year council term in 2018, has filed paperwork and collected signatures to challenge Mayor John Moore.
Moore was elected in a two-person race in 2018 to a two-year term and has filed to run for re-election. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2016.
Because Vaaler’s council term is for four years she does not have to give that position up to run for mayor and would keep that seat if she loses Nov. 3. If she wins, the seat would become vacant and the new council next year would need to appoint someone to fill out the rest of her term.
It is the first time in at least 20 years that an incumbent mayor has been challenged by sitting City Council member, according to Lincoln County elections records.
It is only the second time in at least 20 years that there are more than just three people running for two council seats. Four people ran in 2018; so far five people, including two incumbents, have filed to run for those 4-year positions.
In a process made more complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, people interested in running for either the mayor’s position or the council have until 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 to turn in a city-approved candidate application form and 20 signatures. The Lincoln County and state filing deadlines are Aug. 25.
There will also be a handful of choices for two seats on the City Council. The top two vote-getters in November take office in January 2021.
So far these current council members and Yachats residents have filed to run:
- Max Glenn, who was appointed to the council in 2015 and elected in 2016, is seeking a second term;
- Jim Tooke, who was also elected in 2016 but had often stated during council meetings that he was debating whether to seek re-election;
- Greg Scott, who was first elected to the council in 2006 and served 11½ years before resigning in July 2018;
- Ann Stott, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor against Moore in the November 2018 general election;
- Dawn Keller, a member of the city’s Parks & Commons Commission.
YachatsNews asked Moore and Vaaler for a short statement on why they are seeking the mayor’s position. Here are their responses:
Moore: “This has been a challenging two years, but our council has accomplished a number of important things despite all the roadblocks along the way. We will be facing some difficult financial challenges in the next two years … and I feel I’m better prepared to meet these challenges than my opponent. My experience in chairing two of our commissions, my background in finance and management, and my networking with fellow mayors and other elected officials from around the state will all be helpful to seeing us through the next couple of years.”
Vaaler: Many people in our community urged me to run for mayor, and after careful deliberation I decided to do so. I believe Yachats works best with a mayor who listens respectfully, who welcomes robust discussion, and who recognizes the value of diverse points of view. My priorities include open and honest communication, citizen input, and responsible stewardship of our financial and natural resources.”
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that four people ran for the Yachats City Council in 2018.