The city of Aumsville has the only contested race in the Santiam Canyon this election, with councilor Larry Purdy challenging incumbent Derek Clevenger for the position of mayor.
“I chose to run because of the number of community members that asked me directly to run again,” Clevenger said.
“It is humbling to have such a large number of people approach me in public purely to ask me to run again because they believe in the change we have created within our community,” he added.
Clevenger said the largest issue facing the city in the next 2-4 years is failing infrastructure.
“This is an issue that is failing a number of rural communities, but is that much more severe in Aumsville due to decades of mismanagement,” he said. “Luckily, we have made great strides to fix these issues, and I plan to continue to do so.”
Clevenger said Aumsville has a number of commercial development opportunities that city government has been looking into to help provide funding.
“With that, I have met with our federal representation on multiple occasions to help address the failings within the state’s current grant approval system,” he said. “Funding will always be an issue, and the city will always have work we can do to improve.
“The second largest issue seems to be the unwillingness to embrace change by some members of the City Council and individuals that were involved in the previously mentioned mismanagement of the city,” he added.
“The fact of the matter is, we have a number of potential revenue streams that could be used to help fund these vitally important projects, but these individuals refuse to consider them because it does not meet with their vision of what Aumsville should be. Luckily, this is a mindset that is dying out and is not supported by the community as a whole.”
According to Clevenger, Aumsville has become a community that is “so highly involved and so highly invested in its own future, that it would be impossible for these small groups to stall the myriad of amazing changes we are making.”
Clevenger said he brings willingness to listen to the table.
“While I am the mayor, and I have my own opinions on a number of issues, my job isn’t to impress my will upon the community,” he said. “My job is to be a voice for the community and a central figure for them to address their concerns with. I have done that and continue to do that. I am not a ‘politician.’ I am a man that was asked by the community to do a job. Nothing more, nothing less. That job is to be their voice, before I can do that, I have to listen.”
Clevenger said he has forged relationships within and outside of the community to help him to address the needs of the community.
“I have a willingness and a desire to serve my community, and have no qualms about being the ‘squeaky wheel’ when needed,” he said.
Clevenger is with Vighter Medical as well as serving in the U.S. Army/Oregon National Guard since 2004. He worked for the Oregon Health Authority in 2019-2020. He holds a master’s degree in health care administration from Excelsior College.
Purdy, the challenger for the mayoral slot, has been an Aumsville city councilor since 2018. He is a precinct committee person, 2019-present; and was on the board of directors of the MidValley Literacy Center, 2011-2014.
Attempts contact Purdy for this article were unsuccessful by press time.
In his voter’s pamphlet statement Purdy said, “We made our home in Aumsville 12 years ago and plan on remaining here for many years to come. With that in mind, I desire to continue serving our community as your next Mayor.”
“Aumsville is a great place to live, but as a community, we are facing some major obstacles to our future growth and prosperity. If granted the privilege of serving as your Mayor, I promise to work closely with our Council Members, City Administrator, and community members, to set an agenda that addresses our most pressing needs.
“Those needs include obtaining funding for the following priorities: overdue maintenance and expansion of our potable water system; development of a new waste-water treatment facility; road maintenance and sidewalk installations; development of our industrial zone and expansion of the commercial business sector.”
He added, “We can enhance the family-friendly environment of Aumsville and continue to make it “A Great Place
to Live!”
Purdy is Chief of Investigations for the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services. He joined the Oregon State Police as a cadet in 1988 and continued his service up the ranks, including being a senior trooper 1998-2007.
He holds a Certificate of Public Management from Willamette University and an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Clackamas Community College.
Three four-year councilor positions are also open, with three candidates running: Doug Ecclestone, Scott Lee and Ryan Bambrick.
Other races
Sublimity has the mayor and two council positions up for election. Mayor Jim Kingsbury is running unopposed, as are councilors Michael Taylor and Jim Crowther.
Stayton has two open councilor positions with Ben McDonald and Chris Molin looking to fill them.
McDonald is the IT manager for Jeld-Wen and has been on the city council since January. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Oregon Institute of Technology.
Molin is the director of IT for the Oregon State Treasury, and was chief information office for the Secretary of State. He was appointed to the city council for 2018-2020, and holds a bachelor’s and an associate’s degree
from the University of Maryland University College.
The city of Lyons has two council seats on the ballot. Incumbent Mike Wagner is seeking re-election. Diane Hyde is running for the second position.Mayor Lloyd Valentine is also seeking another term.
Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Nov. 3.
They may be dropped off at these sites:
Aumsville City Hall, 595 Main St., Monday and Tuesday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson St., Monday and Tuesday 8a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Stayton Public Library, 515 N First St., Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Mill City City Hall, 444 S 1st Ave, Monday and Tuesday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The dropbox at the Marion County Clerk office, 555 Court St NE, Ste 2130, Salem will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 3.
