PRAIRIE CITY — A write-in candidate has entered the race for Prairie City mayor while four candidates are jockeying for three city council seats.

None of the four candidates hoping to fill one of three council seats up for election are incumbents, although one does have former experience on the council. 

Prairie City’s mayoral race will be unique in Grant County because it will be contested through an organized write-in campaign even though only one name appears on the ballot. (Incumbent Mayor Ed Clark formally filed for the office before the deadline; challenger Colin Kolb did not.)

The winner of that race will serve a two-year term as the city’s mayor. The three highest vote-getters in the city council race will each serve a four-year term on the city’s governing board. 

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.

We got responses from both mayoral candidates and two of the four council contenders. Scott Clark and Georgia Patterson responded to the newspaper; Danner Davis and Amanda R. Whale-Murphy did not. 

Here are the responses of all who participated, arranged in alphabetical order:

MAYOR

Ed Clark

No photo submitted

AGE: 58

OCCUPATION: Retired Forest Service

EDUCATION: Community college (two associate’s degrees from Treasure Valley Community College), Bachelor of Science accreditation through the Forest Service for Fire Management Specialist with an emphasis on fuels

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Prairie City mayor (current), Prairie City Council member, mayor pro-tem

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: I’m running because I think Prairie City deserves a mayor who will take the time to guide Prairie City into the near future and help the city grow if at all possible. I have a desire to see Prairie City survive. I’ve lived here for 35 years, this is my home and I want to see it prosper. I think I have the background to understand how to get things done on a larger scale.

ON THE ISSUES:

• The economy

There is no growth in our downtown and we’re losing businesses. I am reaching out to potential startup businesses to see if they want to come here.

• Housing

We don’t have enough affordable housing here. I am communicating with some folks that have land they want to develop that is within our urban growth boundary. We are working on the permitting to allow them to develop that land into housing for the community.

• Employment and recreation

I am working to try and keep the mill operating as an employer to this community. I am in communication with folks who want to start businesses here. We are working on a 10- to 15-year plan on how to increase recreation in the community. Recreation is important and we need it, it helps you feel more connected to the community.

Colin Kolb

AGE: 75

OCCUPATION: Retired

EDUCATION: High School graduate (Mt. Eden, Hayward, CA), some college

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Molalla Rural Fire District budget committee (1991-1992)

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: My goal is to be open-minded to the concerns of the people in Prairie City. I’ll answer questions and if I don’t know the answer I will find it and make personal contact with the citizen. I will work with the city staff and city council in Prairie City.

ON THE ISSUES:

• Growth

Attracting businesses to Prairie City.

• Water

Make sure the city has plenty of clean drinking water.

CITY COUNCIL

Scott Clark

AGE: 64

OCCUPATION: Criminal defense investigator for all of Eastern Oregon

EDUCATION: High school graduate (Franklin High School), professional certifications

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: No political experience

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: I’ve been here long enough that I’ve just watched how things happen. I bring what I think is a unique perspective to the conversation. I’m very easy to get along with but I’m not afraid to look at something and ask why we did what we did. Being an investigator, I ask a lot of questions.

ON THE ISSUES:

• Jobs

I would want to be involved in creating a plan that would involve attracting businesses and jobs into our community. We have opportunities to bring other businesses into the city and we need to be open to those discussions.

• Tourism

I don’t want to turn our town into McCall, but we have a lot here to show people. I think we can do a better job promoting tourism into Grant County. That will also bring jobs.

Amanda Whale-Murphy

AGE: 37

OCCUPATION: Insurance concierge

EDUCATION: Grant Union graduate, went to school for real estate and cosmetology.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT:  I grew up and have lived in Grant County the majority of my life. I love Prairie City and value the people of Prairie City. I want the city to be the best possible place to live that it can be.

GEORGIA PATTERSON

No photo submitted

AGE: 74

OCCUPATION: Retired

EDUCATION : High school graduate (Oregon City Sr. High)

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Prairie City Council (2014-2019), Prairie City Public Works (25 years)

CANDIDATE STATEMENT: I want to help make Prairie City good and make sure all rules and regulations are followed.

ON THE ISSUES:

I want to make sure that everybody is aware of what’s going on at City Hall and how it is being run while making sure they are doing everything possible to make the lives of Prairie City citizens better.

Amanda Whale-Murphy’s candidate profile was added the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 22.