With first-termer Ava Olson declining to seek reelection, candidates Paul Berg and Evrek Smith throw their hats in the ring for what may be one of the quieter races of the year. Both these candidates exude calm, but in some ways, that’s where the similarities end.
Smith is youngish, Berg is many years senior. Smith is studied and Berg is explorative and observant. Smith when questioned is openly communist. Berg is a mainstream Democrat.
In this debate, which runs a little over fifty minutes, both Berg and Smith, for as different as they are, stay civil, and are direct. It’s easy to appreciate both.
The Advocate Cityspeak Candidates’ Debate Series
Of nine council seats, five are contested, and we’ve conducted debates for each of those. The debate videos are all available on both our website and Youtube channel.
Next week’s debates will include the race for Corvallis Mayor, a ballot measure that would reduce the number of city councilors and expand their terms to four years, and a proposed tax levy supporting local schools. The Advocate will be posting those debates as they are completed.
These debates are all co-presented by The Corvallis Advocate and City Club of Corvallis; moderators include Helen Higgins, Steven J. Schultz and Campbell Grove.
By Steven J. Schultz
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