By Mary Owen
Two long-time Stayton politicians have turned up the heat on the race for mayor left vacant by Virginia Honeywell. Honeywell, who began her term of office in January 2007, has decided not to run again.
Gerry Aboud
Former Stayton Mayor Gerry Aboud said prioritizing and seeking outside funding for city needs is his motivation for running for his fourth term in the office. He served for three terms prior to taking a required-two-year break before vying for another term
“We have to keep government services from expanding and see that we do what government presently does well before taking on any additional responsibilities,” he said.
Aboud was also on city council for five years, the planning commission for two, and the North Santiam School District’s budget committee for three. He spent 20 years on the Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and served on the Marion County Economic Development Advisory Board.
He holds a college degree in business/accounting, and has former purchasing agent and facilities manager. He has been a small business owner for 38 years and was a former purchasing agent and facilities manager.
A former U.S. Navy officer, he has been married 41 years to his wife, Deanne, and has two grown daughters, Signe and Jennifer.
“I like being involved in city government,” Aboud said. “I think I did a good job as mayor in the past and my experience far exceeds anyone else’s.”
Aboud has been attending almost all of the city council meetings since beginning his respite from the job. He said he is “prepared, understands what’s going on and knows all the players.”
“We need some historical perspective on why we are where we are and where we want to go,” he said. His first priority is “to get everyone working together or we’re not going to accomplish anything.”
His concerns include finding funds to fix Stayton’s streets, many in poor condition. He wants to help the city find funding to purchase the Longhorn Property across from Dairy Queen to deal with storm-water control issues. He wants the city to continue to be “business friendly.” Also, he wants to see that all the city’s master plans are adopted by the city council, implemented and modified, “especially the parks.”
“We have to make it a clear policy that we will be able to fund any new fund or project without taking from existing programs,” he said.
Aboud believes he has proven that he can work with local people and groups outside of Stayton to “get the job done.” He views his networking with state, county and federal government entities as partly instrumental for bringing Stayton’s portion of the $28 million I-5 interchange project in at $50,000 and as a key component in getting the 51-acre Stayton Riverfront Park project going.
“Unless someone’s willing to be out there on a daily basis and contact people, that wouldn’t happen,” he said. “It takes all of us working together to see all is in place to carry out the development the citizens want.”
Jack Fiske
Jack Fiske, who is also running for the mayor’s seat, is willing to give up his city council position to also see togetherness happen, starting with the citizens.
“I want Stayton to be a city by the people and to move in a positive direction for all, not just a few,” Fiske said. “I want to see the citizens more involved in what happens in the city. I’ll listen to anyone and take action for the majority when necessary.”
New business growth is a priority for Fiske, along with sufficient funding for area schools, especially “getting back on track to keeping them in good repair,” he said.
“I know what is NOT happening in our community, and want to put that back on track, too,” he said. Citing his ability to talk to anyone, Fiske said, “I will bring positive leadership to the council for the good of all citizens, and keep us moving in a positive direction.
“What we need is a mayor who does what is good for the people. I have worked in this town for over 20 years and have not seen much growth. My wife and I have lived in this town for more than five years and have seen few improvements. I feel that WE can make this town a place where the people have a voice and have input,” Fiske said.
Fiske said he believes in unity, not just “a one-man show” when running the city.
“We now have in place people who are doing a fine job making the right decisions that will move us forward,” said Fiske, whose background includes degrees in accounting and business management.
Born in McMinnville, he has been married to his wife, Toni, for 44 years. The couple has four children and three grandchildren. He attended Skadron College of Business and Riverside City College.
Fiske serves as the chairman of the auditing committee of a $100 million business in town, and knows how to let people that are put in charge do their jobs, he said.
“I have the same concerns as everybody else,” Fiske said. “I don’t like to see more taxes or fees put upon just a few to carry the weight of the many.”
He promises to support “what is absolutely necessary for our city.”
“I will continue to support positive change to gain even more confidence of the citizens toward city government,” Fiske said. “This is our town. We can make a difference as long as we trust one another and work together. The future is ours only if we work together in unison.”
CITY COUNCIL
Fiske’s run for mayor opens a seat in the race for City Council. Vying for the three seats are Scott Vigil, James Loftus, Alan Roth and Catherine Hemshorn.
Scott Vigil
Vigil, 29, appointed to Larry Emery’s vacated seat, is the youngest member of the Stayton City Council.
“I want to see the council move toward more achievable goals,” said Vigil, a former U.S. Army National Guardsman who says he wants to bring fresh ideas and new influences to his position.
The owner of Cascade Pro Auto and former owner of The Koffee Kup in Sublimity, Vigil thrives on making things happen most say could never be done. Saying he is a forward thinker and goal initiator, Vigil says he wants Stayton parks grow and improve.
“I’d also like to see the city take some reasonable measure to repair our streets, and not always look to taxpayers for the funding,” he said. “We need to deal with existing revenue and how to spend more wisely.”
He wants to make “right decisions” to improve livability. “We can do some things better,” said Vigil, who wants to put to work his abilities to “mend and rebuild and the foresight to start something new.”
Vigil says he and his wife, Melissa, are committed to Stayton and hope to be long-term contributors to its growth. He serves as a volunteer for the Stayton Rural Fire District.
James Loftus
Loftus, the co-owner of the Gardner House in Stayton, wants to help reduce “the over-regulation” of Stayton citizens.
“Other people are experts in their field,” he said. “We just need to pick up the phone and call them. We can then make more informed decisions.”
Loftus has lived in Stayton for three years after living on a farm outside of Salem for 20. He and his wife, Loni, have two children, Caitlin, 18, and Meghan, 12. He has worked with a government surveillance and political intelligence organization that monitored special legislative working groups and committees. “I feel I have assets to bring to the council,” he said.
