Candidates still have time to file in Sweet Home

LEBANON - Two incumbent Lebanon city councilors are running unopposed for re-election Nov. 4, and one council seat and the mayor's position will be contested.

The filing deadline for candidates was Friday.

Rebecca Grizzle and Don Thoma will run unopposed to retain their council seats.

Mayor Ken Toombs will run for re-election against Mel Harrington.

In Ward I, incumbent Councilor Ray Weldon will run against Aaron Falotico. Jim Beck had filed for candidacy in Ward I but said today he plans to withdraw due to pressing personal engagements.

Beck and Weldon, along with Harrington and his wife, Shirlee, have an ongoing lawsuit against the city, claiming a clause in the city charter is discriminatory. The clause bans family members of city employees and elected officials from serving on the city council, including the mayor's position. In May, Lebanon voters upheld and reaffirmed this rule by citywide vote.

Lebanon council seats are for four-year terms and the mayor serves a two-year term.

The Sweet Home City Council has four seats up for election this November. Under the city charter, the top three vote recipients will receive four-year terms and the fourth-highest vote-getter will receive a two-year term.

Prospective candidates have until 5 p.m. Aug. 29 to file at Sweet Home City Hall, 1140 12th Ave.

So far, incumbent Rich Rowley is the only person to file for candidacy. Rowley was appointed to the council in 2006 and is seeking his first election this year. Councilors Jim Bean, Jim Gourley and Eric Markell also hold seats that expire this year.

To run for city council, prospective candidates must have lived in Sweet Home for at least one year and file a petition with 10-20 signatures of qualified electors, or sign a declaration of candidacy and pay a $10 fee to the city.