Patterson

PRAIRIE CITY — Two candidates have filed to be included on the ballot for mayor of Prairie City. They are current Prairie City City Council member Scott Officer, and former Councilor Georgia Patterson.

In recent days, signs had appeared supporting a write-in vote for Jim Hamsher, the current mayor. But just as quickly as those signs had appeared, they vanished after the incumbent put the kibosh on the idea. While Hamsher said he was “flattered” that someone had started a write-in campaign, he asked on Facebook for the signs to be taken down.

AGE: 56

OCCUPATION: Transportation planner

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: 

Student council member at Grant Union High School, Clackamas Community College, Oregon State University College of Agriculture; served on Prairie City City Council four years, with two years as council president/mayor pro tem; city representative to the Grant County Economic Development Committee

CANDIDATE STATEMENT:

Aging infrastructure: I will continue to work on updating the infrastructure, building on the water and sewer projects that we have completed in the last four years.

Planning document: The city’s planning document is outdated and does not meet the needs that we are currently experiencing in the city.

Housing: Housing shortages have been identified as problematic to attracting businesses and jobs at the state, county and city levels.

As we address our water, sewer and street issues it makes it possible for the city to attract more people and housing. To me, growth within the city is critical, providing additional revenues at a time when operating costs are growing at an unprecedented rate.

The city of Prairie has made great strides with the water and sewer project recently, and I will continue to make improvements in these two critical areas.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: