Mayor Taylor's lonely seat at the Election Forum. Taylor cancelled plans to attend the Forum two days prior to the event.

"I want to personally thank everyone who has shown up for the evening. It is very important that we get more information out about local politics, not just when it affects you, but throughout the year," Salem Monthly publisher AP Walther said during his introduction.

Voters in the May primary within the city of Salem will have somewhat limited options on their ballots. Essentially serving as volunteers with long hours and no pay, convincing someone to run for city council is not usually an easy task.

Of the four city council positions up this round, only one -- Ward 5, representing a large part of northeast Salem -- is contested. While likeable and well-respected, one of the Ward 5 candidates is seen as a perennial candidate. According to city recorder Kathy Hall, who oversees the election paperwork, Salem resident Tom Mahon, a local entrepreneur, considered running for mayor but later returned the campaign packet with a note saying he had changed his mind. It's unclear why he was initially interested and then decided against it.

Lloyd Chapman


Chuck Bennett


Diana Dickey

"I've met so many neighbors of mine who are not even registered to vote. I would really like to see some sort of public education to help people understand that they can make a difference. Maybe they don't feel like they have a voice," she said.
When it comes to city politics, the primary election is much more characteristic of the general election in November. If a city candidate, whether for council or mayor, receives more than 50 percent of the vote in May, that candidate is the only name on the November ballot.

City candidates in Salem are not identified with political parties. It's known as a non-partisan election. So although the Republican and Democratic primaries are closed -- meaning that unless you register with either one you can't vote for the respective party's candidates -- any registered voter may pick and choose as long as they live within city limits.

Chuck Bennett, who was appointed to city council to represent Ward 1 six months ago and is now running for the first time, said that as an elected official, accessibility is key.

"You have to get out of your council seat, and you have to go to your neighborhood, and just listen and make yourself available," he said. "There's a lot more ideas than there are problems in town."
Bennett specifically identified his dislike of council chambers, with its depressed well, arguing how difficult it is to see the spectators and people giving testimony. He believes the physical layout discourages proactive discussion. The design is decades old and hasn't changed much through the years.

With the lack of candidates, all "ayes" are likely to focus primarily on the mayor's race. There are two contenders for mayor -- incumbent Janet Taylor and challenger Lloyd Chapman, who currently serves as a board member of Salem-Keizer Transit. Taylor is running for a fourth term and has a distinct advantage. She has amassed an immense campaign fund compared to Chapman with about $30,000 on hand while he has none thus far.

Two days before the candidates' forum, Taylor notified organizers that she had a previously unnoticed scheduling conflict and would be unable to attend, instead giving preference to an event known as the "Private Bite of Oregon" -- hosted by notable resident Gerry Frank. Critics of Taylor have said she is merely pandering to and hobnobbing with a wealthy elite in the hopes of finding donors for her campaign.

"I was disappointed, but in some ways not surprised," resident Cindy Kimball, who heads the Progressive Film Series, said.

Responding to the live blogging on WillametteLive.com (Click here to see the story), an anonymous reader posted,

"So why did Janet drop out ... afraid? I would like to see some follow-up on the outcome. I would like answers as to what Janet was doing that was more important than speaking with the people in this forum. After all, aren't we the voices that make the decisions?"

Chapman did not discuss his policy stands when talking to local media after he filed. During the forum, he pointed out some policy stances, contrasting himself with the mayor on a couple of issues.

"There are lots of very positive things happening around the community, but I believe there are more voices that need to be heard," Chapman said.

Two people are working to succeed councilor Kate Tarter in Ward 5: disability activist David Beem and Dickey, current chairwoman of the Northgate Neighborhood Association. In 2004, Beem ran unsuccessfully against Rick Stucky, who represented Ward 5 for many years before moving to Silverton. Dickey's goals include improving public safety and ensuring taxpayer money is spent wisely, she said.

"I believe that the time commitment of city council is a deterrent for prospective candidates," Dickey said. "I think there are many reasons for a lack of participation, including apathy and a mistrust of the system. I think many people don't realize how much they can affect what happens in their neighborhood and city through city government."

When it comes to development, Chapman, Bennett and Dickey appeared to agree on most issues, all noting concern about sprawl and the need for well-planned growth with plenty of open spaces and mixed-use neighborhoods. Dickey mentioned the need for more options, rather than the typical standard subdivisions, to help strike a balance in continuing development.

"I think we've done a mixed job," Bennett said.
With a bond on the horizon to finance a third bridge across the Willamette River, at an estimated cost of at least $670 million, opponents to it are emerging and asked the panel about it.
"I don't think a bridge by itself is the solution," Chapman said. Mass transit in the Salem area must be improved, he said.

Bennett is concerned that the transit system is inadequate to serve the needs of citizens, recognizing that as the second largest city in Oregon, Salem is far behind.

He said that mixing it up whether in the community or on the council isn't necessarily a bad thing. When it comes to conflict and disagreement, Bennett said that it is, in fact, the city council's job. For example, the number of blue tarps a person can use on a garage, these are the types of issues that arise, Bennett explained. And clearly he enjoys working to resolve them.

"That's what I like about government," he said. "I am so sorry there aren't more people running for city council, that there aren't more people volunteering for city commissions and boards. I know it isn't for everybody. This is really an open city with remarkable opportunities for anyone with a point of view on any issue to get involved in that area at virtually a policy-making level. I hope if nothing else comes across, you can make a real difference serving on the city council. I just hope more people will become more engaged in local politics."

Central to city politics, not just geographically, is the downtown core, which has been a key component of Mayor Taylor's plans through her Vision2020 idea. Bennett identified three groups vying for a voice in its progression. He's not sure if there will ever be any cohesion nor if that's what is needed.

"When does the kumbayah moment occur? I don't know. You know, it doesn't always occur that way. One of the dynamics of the community, there is going to be a certain amount of constructive disagreement. I do think we've hit a point where we really have three organizations reflecting different ways of looking at downtown. If we were all being led by one voice, wouldn't you get kind of nervous by that?" Bennett said.

For his final question, moderator Cliff Boyer asked about the role of the city when it comes to addressing national issues and federal policy, which the current council has been reluctant to do, such as global climate change.

"Yeah, it's fine and it's a free country," Bennett said.

They were unanimous in their support of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and hoped that the city would become a signatory.

County clerk Bill Burgess thought the forum was a great avenue for people to hear the thoughts of candidates with a good variety of questions.

"I only wish there had been more candidates here," he said. "I appreciate any type of publicity. This is building community. I would rather have seen the mayor here. She would have had the chance to reach all the people here plus the TV audience."

Chapman agreed.

"There is so much territory to cover. It's a lot of territory to get up to speed on, but it was a great opportunity to think about the issues that are in front of everybody and understand what my position is," he said.

After the forum candidates mingled with reporters and the public, answering questions and giving feedback.

"I thought it was very interesting. Now we can open the dialogue with the residents and with the people who were here so that hopefully that will create more dialogue and not only have them get to know the candidates better, but to engage more people in public service," Dickey said.

Many people discussed the lack of community discussion. Bennett said the forum was the best event he'd ever seen addressing local politics and hopes for more such opportunities.

"I think to have a chance to talk to a group of people in a room beyond city council as well as just answer questions on issues or people's concerns rather than, you know, sort of a preset agenda like we usually do at council on stuff that most folks aren't going to find compelling or interesting, I think is really good," Bennett said. "I thought the questions were difficult. I mean I was surprised. It was like stump the candidate tonight, but it really was fun to do. What I am sorry is there weren't more candidates available to be here. That's what's too bad that more people don't try this."

Bob Cannon, who was not available for the forum, is running uncontested for the Ward 7 spot being vacated by Brent DeHart. Brad Nanke, who represents Ward 3 and is campaigning for reelection unopposed as well, watched as a member of the audience.