Mayor
Ed Gowan

How long in Lakeside?
12 years.

How old are you?
62.

Political experience?
Two years on the Lakeside city council and 21/2 years as mayor.

Why are you running?
Ending the "good ole boy" policy is Gowan's main objective.

"This includes, and/or has led to, some of our water and drainage pipes that were either the wrong size or were installed incorrectly," he said. "Now at taxpayer expense these errors have to be corrected."

What is the most important issue?
Gowan sees fire protection and safety, along with maintaining the city's infrastructure as most important.

"The best way to address it is cooperation with the fire department and the city," he said. "We need to meet the existing problems head on; don't haggle amongst us, set up committees opening dialog, come to an agreement and move on with purpose."

Gowan said on the issue of safety, the city could use its own ambulance service. Fire district personnel soon will have the proper training and with the inclusion of lake property, he thinks there will be more need for ambulance service.

How has the council performed since the recall two years ago?
Gowan said councilors have followed what was set up for them by the prior council and mayor. "If it was being done so wrong, why didn't we see some major changes and improvements?" he asked.

How would you foster open government?
"I would hold two meetings a month. The first one would be a workshop for citizens to come and take part in the monthly agenda," he said.

"This would also serve as an aid to those councilors that do not pick up agendas until the night of the meeting. The second meeting would be the monthly city council meeting."

Mayor
Orville Nelson

How long in Lakeside?
Since 1961.

How old are you?
71.

Political experience?
Has served on the Lakeside Rural Fire Protection District Board of Directors, Lakeside Water Board and for two years as mayor.

Why are you running?
Nelson said he ran the first time because folks who used the senior center approached him, saying they were being charged rent and the building was in ill-repair. Once elected, Nelson worked with the budget committee to come up with a budget that didn't require charging rent. The city started fixing the building and replacing old appliances.

What do you see as the key issues in the race?
I want to have the county help with county roads, so the city can turn on more street lights to possibly help prevent crime.

What is the most important issue?
Water system superstructure needs to be brought up to standard.

"The water system isn't allowing for adequate water flow to some of the city's fire hydrants which affects insurance rates for homeowners," Nelson said. "The whole system needs to be updated.

"If we don't, everybody's insurance will go up."

How has the council performed since the recall two years ago?
The people elected to the council helped beautify the city, helping people maintain their property if they were not able to. The STEP and STEG systems were brought up to standard, without having to raise rates. The new treatment plant was finished and the city repaired the line running from Shutter Creek.

How would you foster open government?
"The last two years people have been able to say what they wanted at the city budget meetings," Nelson said. "They wanted more street lights and a police officer on the streets. ... We basically got that taken care of.

"You do what is best for the most of the people. We will listen to them."

City Council:
Elaine Armstrong


How long in Lakeside?
25 years.

How old are you?
54.

Political experience?
precinct committee person; previously served on Lakeside City Council.

Why are you running?
"I believe Lakeside's best years are yet to come with strong ethical leadership on the council. I have the experience, knowledge and willingness to work hard for the citizens of Lakeside in order to accomplish this."

What is the most important issue?
The economy and spending. Armstrong said Lakeside may be spending more revenue than it is taking in. If Measure 63 passes (the one where you won't need a permit for construction work under $35,000), the city will lose a big source of its revenue. The only way to address this is to control wasteful spending and manage the limited revenues, since the city has no tax base.

How has the council performed since the recall two years ago?
The councilors were elected to bring government back to the people, signing a pledge for open and transparent government. Councilors were to be fiscally responsible and to form citizens committees. With the exception of Mack Eubanks, who helped organized the successful Lakeside Parks Advisory/Community Garden Committee, none of this has taken place, Armstrong said.

How would you foster open government?
"Our greatest resource we have here in Lakeside is the citizens of Lakeside. We have so much knowledge, experience and expertise out there. We have to be able is tap into it, to be able to draw on the citizens of Lakeside for their input. We need committees to help with new ideas."

City Council:
Darline Atkin


How long in Lakeside?
9 years

How old are you?
73

Political experience?
Seven-years as secretary/treasurer on the rural fire board of directors.

Why are you running?
"I want the money spent, used to benefit the majority of the residents of Lakeside and not just a selected few. Our city has residents with expertises that will help direct this city (with no property tax base) to a brighter future. Our government needs to open up opportunities for these individuals to come forward. We have recently seen this type of cooperation in our Harmony Community Garden."

What is the most important issue?
Atkin believes the lack of any reserve funds for any unexpected financial crises is the most pressing issue. Those losses include less revenue from bed, gasoline taxes and potentially building permits if Measure 63 passes. The council will need to revisit the budget and adjust accordingly.

How has the council performed since the recall two years ago?
Atkin feels the council has operated with a constant turnover of members and has had trouble addressing problems, though the attitude has become more cooperative. She feels Lakeside needs a diversified group of people with fresh ideas for a better future.

How would you foster open government?
"Accept any complaint as an opportunity to solve or help resolve the complaint, without blaming others or denying any fault."

City Council:
Mack Eubanks


How long in Lakeside?
7 years

How old are you?
54

Political experience?
Two-year Lakeside City Council member, president of the council, mayor pro tem and safety director.

Why are you running?
"I want to make Lakeside a better placed to live by starting community-based committees such as the community garden committee that works to beautify Lakeside."

What is the most important issue?
"I'd like to see a stronger liaison between the city, fire department and water district to ensure more cooperation between entities to solve the water problems on Kings Avenue, Kristy Loop, Hilltop and Council Hill. Solutions to water pressure and sewer problems must be successfully sought. ...

"I'd like to see procedures improved by putting all work out for bid, and not bypassing legal processes to appoint friends. When there is a job opening, let's do a complete and thorough job interview and award the position to the best candidate."

How has the council performed since the recall two years ago?
"I believe government should be accessible to residents through workshops, public comment at the end of council meetings, and expanded community based committees. The council elected years years ago signed a contract to the citizens of Lakeside promising an open and fair government. After two years, I still uphold this promise to them."

How would you foster open government?
"My renewed promise to Lakeside is to listen to the citizens and do my best to work with you, not exclude you, in governing Lakeside."

City Council:
Benny Henry


How long in Lakeside?
12 years.

How old are you?
70.

Political experience?
Seven-year former council member, council liaison to the planning commission, commissioner of public works.

Why are you running?
"I am running in order to help maintain the future and progress of Lakeside."

What is the most important issue?
Henry wants to examine the water district infrastructure, work closely with the county regarding the maintenance on their designated roads in the community, utilize the monies collected from the street light fund that is used for road repairs and return it to the citizens by turning on the lights.

How has the council performed since the recall two years ago? Henry believes it has had sound governing and made substantial progress in many areas, including sewer plant compliance with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. "Also by eliminating comp time pay for city employees, we have provided Police protection for 40 hours a week in Lakeside."

How would you foster open government?
Henry would encourage people to discuss complex public issues. "We have to always keep the people and community in the uppermost decision making," he said. "Grant each the wisdom to exercise the responsibility to govern wisely on the issues. I will assist the city, water district, and fire district to resolve the ISO rating issues within the fire district.

City Council:
Rod Schilling


How long in Lakeside?
One year.

How old are you?
52.

Political experience?
31 plus years as a paid firefighter in a large department.

Why are you running?
"When I arrived in Lakeside, I started attending City Council meetings and talking to people," Schilling said. "What I found was a town divided. The good old boys practiced an "us and them" mentality that precluded fairness, and practiced heavy-handedness on those who would oppose them. ... Although all I really wanted to do was stay retired, hunt and fish, I could not stand by and do nothing in the face of such blatant abuse."

What is the most important issue?
"Making City Hall accessible, fair and friendly to every resident of Lakeside. Every constituent should have a voice regardless of who is in power. Women should be treated with equality and allowed to serve." Schilling also believes the council needs to ensure all city employees are treated fairly and justly, making sure the job gets done as fiscally responsibly as possible."

How has the council performed since the recall two years ago?
"The city has spent almost every penny that it has and as times are getting tough, wise and prudent spending will be a necessity. The track record of the current leadership is bleak at best and the future will depend on better management of the dwindling resources available."

How would you foster open government?
"Open government is not hard. You treat every person fairly and evenly. This is a small town and each of us is an important part of the equation."

City Council:
Chrysta Swift


How long in Lakeside?
3 years.

How old are you?
74.

Political experience?
None.

Why are you running?
"I am running because I believe I can be fair and honest, and be informed and knowlegable of all business that comes to the city government. I will work for each person in community.

What is the most important issue?
"The key issues to me are solving our non-fire protection in the center of town, stopping drug trading, vandalism and robberies, (and) making our town safe for young and old.

"The most important issue is to open the city government to all our citizens and not for just a few."

How has the council performed since the recall two years ago?
Swift believes that too many issues remain hidden from the public, despite the recall election.

How would you foster open government?
"People must feel free to bring their problems to the city council and know we will work for them."

City Council:
Gary Wilson


How long in Lakeside?
More than 60 years.

How old are you?
n/a.

Political experience?
Eight months on city council.

Why are you running?
"I am running because I want to help the seniors and low income people get help for the homes and also trying to help get a food bank in Lakeside."

What is the most important issue?
"I feel the most important thing we can do now is keep thing going like they are."

How has the council performed since the recall two years ago?
"We are improving things here in Lakeside. We have the sewer system just about straightened out. We are trying for grants to help the city."

How would you foster open government?
Wilson said he will keep an open mind and listen to people for ideas that will help. He said he will try to be available to people as much as possible.