JOHN DAY — John Day’s 2024 city council race features a mix of experienced candidates and newcomers and could have a major impact on the future direction of the city.

Despite his departure as John Day’s city manager in June of 2022, the city’s politics are still very much defined by support or criticism of Nick Green and the policies he put in place.

Three of the six candidates in the race (Heather Swank, Vernon Pifer and Ed Newby) largely oppose Green’s policies, while two (Dave Holland and Shannon Adair) have been staunch supporters. The final candidate (Chris Labhart) describes himself as a moderate with loyalties to neither side. Half of the candidates are incumbents and another has held a council seat in the past.

The three highest vote-getters out of the six will fill the three council seats up for election in the 2024 cycle.

The Blue Mountain Eagle sent identical questionnaires to all of the candidates in the race. In addition to biographical information, we asked them to explain in 50 words or less why they’re running what makes them the best person for the job. We also gave them 150 words to list the top three issues facing the community and state what they would do to address them.

Holland has not submitted a response.

Here are the responses from the other candidates, arranged in alphabetical order:

Shannon Adair

AGE: 57

OCCUPATION: Self employed, entrepreneur

EDUCATION: GUHS graduate (1985), Oregon State University – Bachelor of Science in Business (1989), Central Oregon Community College – Oregon massage therapy license (2003-2005).

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Grant County Chamber of Commerce board member for two years, John Day city council (2017-2022), Grant County Emergency Communication Agency (2021-2022).

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: As a business owner and 50+ year resident of John Day, I care about the financial health of our community and creating an environment that allows people of all ages to thrive. I have an extensive business background and the historical experience that would add value to the council.

ON THE ISSUES:

• Lack of workforce housing

Continue work to incentivize development of housing to keep infrastructure crucial to our survival, including medical services, schools, government employers and local businesses.

• Economic development

Develop financial partnerships and create an environment with services that draws employers to our area, allowing us to increase our population back to a sustainable number instead of steadily losing numbers, increasing our ability to keep critical services such as public safety, schools, medical facilities and businesses.

• Wastewater treatment plant

Continue to work on completion and affordability.

Chris Labhart

AGE: 75

OCCUPATION: Retired educator

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: John Day mayor (8 years), John Day city councilor (17 years), Town of Canyon City mayor and city councilor, current Grant School District board member, former Grant County Commissioner, Grant County Senior Citizen Advisory Council President, Health Evidence Review Commission board member, Grant County ESD board member, Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization President, Blue Mountain Hospital District board member/president.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: 

As a former mayor and city councilor, I know how important having a good functioning city council is. You must respect each other, conduct your business in a transparent manner and have no hidden agendas. All decisions made in the past were made by duly elected or appointed councilors. Let us move forward.

ON THE ISSUES:

• Completing wastewater treatment plant

I have been involved with the planning, engineering and financial aspect of this project. The future of John Day and Canyon City are directly tied to completing this project.

• Affordable housing

This is one of the main reasons people are not coming to John Day. I believe the council should work with private and government officials to tap into all sources of financing to ensure our citizens have good, affordable housing.

• Job retention

I believe we should work with private and government sectors to provide a stable workforce and support existing businesses. Good medical facilities and a good education system will keep families in our area.

Ed Newby

AGE: 70

OCCUPATION: Writer, editor, researcher (sometimes)

EDUCATION: Bend Senior High School 1972 graduate. 1972-1974 Central Oregon Community College, now Central Oregon College: Honors English, Debate/Speech, Western Civilization, Ancient English, Creative Writing, working towards a degree. 1983-1985 New Tribes Institute, Language Acquisition, Language Translation, Ministerial Degree.

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: John Day City Council (current), continue to serve on a board of directors with SFMI International since 1985. Duties include interviews of those applying to serve overseas. Worked with other directors regarding budgets and distribution of funds with overseas missionaries as well as funding Indigenous Schools on occasion.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: I was challenged by and accessed to be a good person by a number of John Day citizens to be helpful with working with other City Council members regarding the issues we face as a community.

ON THE ISSUES:

The primary one is the new sewage treatment plant, which has moved forward much closer to actual construction. It is something the community needs if other construction is to be made.

The second priority is rebuilding the budget. That will immediately require some difficult decisions and a tighter fist on the budget before beginning something that wasn’t sufficiently vetted. That doesn’t mean we overlook grants that are available, but they must not be a repetition of applying for a grant that cannot be used within our community.

The third priority is to evaluate and approve projects that will actually benefit the community. The Greenhouse can accurately be labeled a vanity project that was never properly assessed and which quickly showed the lack of planning in building and operating it.

Vernon Pifer

AGE: 72

OCCUPATION: Retired

EDUCATION: Associate of Science in Aviation Maintenance Tech

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: City Center Foursquare Church Board in Redmond (2 terms)

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: I care about this community and want to help John Day thrive going forward. I am a problem solver and work well in a team environment.

ON THE ISSUES:

• Financial stability

Prioritize spending with a balanced budget.

• Police

Budget for a city police force.

• Wastewater treatment plant

Work with the team to stay on track and continue moving ahead with the current plan.

Heather Swank

AGE: 71

OCCUPATION: Retired

EDUCATION: Graduate of Grant Union High School and Associate’s Degree from Flathead Valley Community College in Business Management/Hospitality

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:  After attending many City Council meetings during recent years I decided to become more involved and for the second year have served on the City of John Day Budget Committee and City of John Day Planning Commission.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: My goal is to bring better awareness to the public regarding decisions that will be made, and the impact this will have on our community as a whole. As we plan for the future, I seek to consider and prioritize projects that best fit the needs of our changing community.

ON THE ISSUES: 

Considering Fiscal Responsibility in the City budget, essential needs should be dealt with before non-essential projects are implemented. Which projects are affordable to fund, complete, maintain, and benefit the most residents? Obviously the Sewer System is #1 Priority. As the Council moves forward, I would encourage better communication with Canyon City.

Police Service (homelessness, speeding, theft etc.) and Ordinance Enforcement. This includes the Council developing a better working relationship with Grant County Court and Sheriff’s Department.

Some of us many not be as experienced as other candidates, but consider what experience got us: no police, no pool, to date a failed greenhouse, expenditures on the purple pipe venture not happening now, and City finances out of whack — lingering issues. With fresh ideas and sensible future planning, I encourage mending community relations with willingness to listen as we move forward. I would bring common-sense reasoning to the table. Let’s talk.