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MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon City Council race features one incumbent and three fresh candidates battling for two seats up for election.

Like most communities in Grant County, Mount Vernon’s mayoral race is uncontested, leaving current Mayor Kenny Delano running unopposed for the post. Two other councilor seats are not up for election during this cycle.

The two top vote-getters in the Mount Vernon City Council race will each serve a four-year term.  

A check of the state’s court database for all of the city council candidates returned hits on one of them.

Andrew Johnson has an Oregon criminal record that includes six Class A misdemeanor convictions and three felony convictions over an 11-year span, court records show. The first of Johnson’s run-ins with the law occurred in late 2007, with his most recent occurring in 2018.

The felonies, two counts of delivery of marijuana to a minor and one count of fourth-degree assault, occurred in 2011 and 2017.

The misdemeanors on Johnson’s record include one count of driving under the influence of intoxicants (2007), four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor (2011) and one count of menacing (2018).

Johnson acknowledged the criminal convictions in his past, adding that he is not the same man today that he was then.

“I’ve tried to put that part of my past behind me,” he said.

Johnson has not had any further criminal charges since 2018.

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 and 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.

Here are their responses, arranged in alphabetical order:

Judi Bennett

No photo submitted

AGE: 70s

OCCUPATION: Retired

EDUCATION: Grants Pass High School graduate

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Mount Vernon City Council (current)

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: I am an incumbent, I’ve been on the council for four years. Part of that is helping to improve Mount Vernon. Right now we are working on codes to try to be more compliant with the state of Oregon. I decided to devote my life to public service after the passing of my husband.

ON THE ISSUES:

• Housing

• Water system which is in the process of being fixed. Things age and because we’re small, things have been challenging to keep up with. Just general improvements like the parks and streets.

• Compliance with state regulations.

Flora Cheadle

No photo submitted

AGE: 80

OCCUPATION: Retired

EDUCATION: Graduated from Prairie City High School; attended Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: No political experience

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: I was encouraged by a council member to run for this position. I would not say I am the best person for the job, others may be more qualified because of their political experience. I have worked with the public in my 40 years of employment, the majority of the time in the legal and court system.

ON THE ISSUES: Water and sewer projects, enforcement of city ordinances. I will work closely with the city council, seeking progress for our community, whatever that looks like.

Ken Douglas 




AGE: 57

OCCUPATION: Infrastructure Sales




EDUCATION: Some college




POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None. 

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: I feel I have professional experience that can help the City with fiscal challenges and solutions. I feel I can be of value to the citizens of Mount Vernon and bring an open communication approach to issues and solutions that best serve the community/city.




ON THE ISSUES:

• City Operations: As a city council member, I would strive for a well-functioning and fiscally responsible as well as a harmonious community, not only for today but in the future as well.

• Best interest of the City: City council’s main job is to represent the needs and desires of Mount Vernon citizens while keeping the best interests of the city in mind.

• Listening/hard work: Work to maintain the friendly, small-town nature of the city through considered choices and planned growth and development.

Andrew Johnson

No photo submitted

AGE: 46

EDUCATION: GED, short-term certificates in mathematics and construction blueprint reading, Central Oregon Community College

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: No political experience

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: I would like to do my part to make our community a better place to live.

ON THE ISSUES:

It would be nice to have a school back. The others would be drug use and housing.