The list of candidates hoping for your vote on November 8 has been finalized.
For Mayor: Councilor Charles Maughan, Council Vice-President Andrew Struthers, and Roen Hogg
Running for council seats for each ward:
Ward 1: incumbent Jan Napack running unopposed
Ward 2: Briae Lewis and Christina Jancila
Ward 3: incumbent Hyatt Lytle and Alec Turner
Ward 4: incumbent Gabe Shepherd running unopposed
Ward 5: incumbent Charlyn Ellis running unopposed
Ward 6: incumbent Laurie Chaplen running unopposed
Ward 7: incumbent Paul Shaffer running unopposed
Ward 8: incumbent Tracey Yee running unopposed
Ward 9: Tony Cadena, Nyssa Towsley, and Cliff Feldman
Statewide Elections:
Governor: Tina Kotek (D), Christine Drazen (R), and Betsy Johnson (U)
U.S. Senator: Ron Wyden (D) and Jo Rae Perkins (R)
Labor & Industry Commissioner: Cheri Helt and Christina Stephenson
As we move toward the November elections across the U.S., the number of women registering to vote for the first time has surged by anywhere from 35% to 70% since the reversal of Roe v. Wade. While this may not affect our local elections which tend toward the liberal side of the ballot, it might significantly shift national politics.
Commissioners Assess Climate Impacts: The Benton County Board of Commissioners are making a more concerted effort to address their and their staff’s impact in terms of climate change.
The most successful action taken has been to continue telework policies. By allowing staff to work from home and offering flexible work schedules, the county has been able to reduce their commute miles by 40%.
On the downside, the goal for getting fewer single-driver cars on the road during commute times through public engagements, public hearings, and adoption of policies by the Board has only reached a 25% completion rate to date.
Benton County’s Progress on Houselessness: Progress on the issue of houselessness has continued in Benton County.
The Health Department claims a 100% success rate in getting those with developmental issues into housing, provided the person in question works through the Developmental Diversity program. That program serves “individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that meet state criteria for eligible diagnoses and level of functioning.” Additionally, those included must have the “onset of the qualifying condition” before age 22.
The county’s Community Development Department is one-third of the way towards its goal for 2022 to draft and adopt a “County Code establishing procedures and standards pursuant to House Bill 2916 to authorize establishment of transitional housing within urban growth boundaries.” Records & Elections are also one-third of the way into training their staff to “better serve marginalized/underrepresented communities.”
By Advocate Staff
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