Three candidates for three spots on council

Sisters voters won't really be making choices when they cast their votes on the November 8 ballot for three members of city council.

There are three open seats and only three candidates have thrown their hats in the ring. Two current councilors, Nancy Connolly and David Asson, have two more years to serve of their four-year terms.

Andrea Blum, who was appointed to serve out the term of Wendy Holzman, who resigned from office, is running to be elected. Current councilor Amy Burgstahler, who was also appointed to fill a position left vacant due to resignation, has chosen to not run for election.

Chuck Ryan, who has served for two years as the chairman of the City budget committee, and is also a current member of the forgivable loan committee, has entered his name into the race for a Council seat. His background is in the world of finance and since his retirement he has been acting as a consultant for local businesses.

Local show promoter and professional photographer Richard Esterman is the third candidate for one of the three Council positions. He is known in Sisters for his Central Oregon Shows, including the annual Wild West show, as well as his Fall Street Festival and Sisters Art in the Park, all held in Sisters. Besides those in Sisters, Esterman's shows are held around the state.

City Recorder Kathy Nelson told The Nugget that this is the "first time since I've been here that we don't have more candidates than open positions."

Although there is no question that all three candidates will be elected, the number of votes received by each candidate will determine the length of their term. The top two vote-getters will serve for four years and the third will serve a two-year term.

Due to the resignation of Chris Frye from the Council when he moved out of the city limits, the Council has been functioning with four members. For the remaining three months of this Council's tenure, one of the two candidates now running (Blum is currently serving) will be appointed to fill Frey's empty seat until the new Council is seated in January 2017.