Sisters gets set to vote

Ballots will be in hand in the coming days, and Sisters voters will have a chance to decide on the make-up of their city council; the size of the county commission; and who will lead the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

There are three open positions on the Sisters City Council, with five candidates throwing their hat into the ring. The five candidates participated in a League of Women Voters/City Club of Central Oregon forum on Thursday, October 10. The forum can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3BKW0Pu. The Nugget’s profiles of each candidate may be accessed through the links below this story.

Captain William Bailey and Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp are squaring off in a contentious election for Deschutes County Sheriff. Both men currently serve in the agency. The candidates participated in a LWV forum in late September, which can be viewed at https://bit.ly/48nR3bP.

Voters will decide whether to expand the Deschutes County Commission from three to five members (Ballot Measure 9-173). Proponents argue that expanding the commission will provide increased representation and more effective deliberation. Opponents raise concern about increased costs for salaries and office space and argue that keeping the commission at three members forces all discussion of county matters to occur in public meetings due to quorum rules.

The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking a 6 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation permanent tax rate to support its work in promoting voluntary efforts to conserve water, protect drinking water supply, improve soil health for local farms and agriculture, support forest health, reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish/wildlife habitat, control invasive weeds, restore streams, and conserve natural areas and green spaces (Ballot Measure 9-176).

Sisters voters will also be weighing in on the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 5, pitting incumbent Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer against Democratic Party challenger Janelle Bynum. Democrat Emerson Levy and Republican Keri Lopez are vying for the Oregon District 53 seat.

Ballots were to be mailed on Wednesday, October 16, and must be postmarked by Election Day, November 5. Drop boxes open on Friday, October 18. Sisters’ drop box is located in front of Sisters City Hall at 520 E. Cascade Ave.