Four vie for Sisters City Council seats

Four Sisters citizens will vie for three Sisters City Council positions in the November 2 election. Three are incumbents; the fourth is a retail store owner.

The Council consists of five members. Four serve for four years, one for two years. Three positions come up for election every two years. The two highest vote getters serve four-year terms, the next serves two years.

Brad Boyd, 43, has owned Eurosports, a retail store in Sisters, for 15 years. He has lived in the City of Sisters for nine years.

He has been on the boards of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, the Deschutes County Bicyclist and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Forest Service Trail User Group.

Boyd is concerned about the people's vision of Sisters. He asks, "How will it look in 10, 15, or 20 years?" Although outspoken against the couplet, he is passionate about the city.

He says he is not against growth. "We just need to be smart about it."

He wants to see the older sections of downtown developed, with less emphasis on adding new residential and commercial areas outside the downtown core.

Dave Elliott, 55, a Sisters deli owner, has been in Sisters for 26 years. Elliott has 16 years of experience in Sisters government -- city council/mayor (twice, in the 1980s and currently), budget committee, and planning commission. He also has been Board President of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District.

Elliott considers growth and the economy as the most important issues facing Sisters. He feels "Most other issues stem from or are affected by growth."

And he is concerned about city economics, the viability of the town 12 months out of the year.

He considers the couplet a necessary part of Sisters' transportation planning and as to Sisters' future, "My crystal ball broke a long time ago."

John Rahm, 53, has owned AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service for 10 years. His experience includes 3-1/2 years on the city council, involvement with various home inspection organizations and he is a member of the Couplet Advisory Committee.

Rahm looks at growth as the major issue facing Sisters. He feels there is a generally negative attitude about many things associated with growth -- density issues, the couplet, most anything relating to change within and around the city. He believes there is no reasonable alternative to the couplet at this time.

Judy Trego, 42, is the Community Advocate for the Community Action Team of Sisters. She currently serves as president of the city council and serves on the Board of Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council.

Trego also puts growth at the top of the list of issues facing the city.

She sees the couplet as a possible solution to the city's transportation problems but says there are still concerns to be worked out.

She sees a need to regularly analyze forecasts to take into account current trends and changes.

Council applicants must be 18 years of age or older, a registered Deschutes County voter, a resident of the city prior to the election, and must submit the signatures of 10 or more active registered voters.

The council elects the mayor and the council president.

The mayor, with the city manager, sets the agenda for council meetings, runs the meetings, and performs ceremonial duties.

The president fills in for the mayor when necessary.