Editor’s Note: The Chronicle’s election coverage philosophy reflects its dedicated effort to remain nonpartisan. It does not endorse political candidates; instead, candidates will have an equal opportunity to submit a guest column on a topic of their choosing, answer a Q&A, and submit a biography in an upcoming edition of The Chronicle. We believe this formula presents our readers with information for critical consideration when marking their ballots.
This week, we offer an overview of the Cottage Grove City Council and mayoral candidates based on information provided on candidate applications and other information on the record.
Next week, The Chronicle will take a look at the Creswell City Council and mayor races, local utility board races, as well as the ballot measures up for vote.
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COTTAGE GROVE — After a turbulent summer resulting in the recall of three Cottage Grove city councilors, Mike Fleck, Chalice Savage, and Alex Dreher, five council positions are up for grabs in the November election, while mayor Candice Solesbee will face off with a sitting city councilor.
Incumbent Solesbee, a Cottage Grove native, will run against councilor Dana Merryday for the two-year term.
Solesbee, a Cottage Grove native, served as the Ward 3 Cottage Grove city councilor from 2018 until she was elected mayor in 2022.
She has also served on the Community Foundation, Lane Council of Government, Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce, among others. She owns Shampoo Dolls Salon and 5 Flying Monkeys Antiques on Main Street.
Merryday’s council term expires in 2025; if he wins the mayor seat, it will create a Ward 3 vacancy. If Merryday does not win, he will resume his role as city councilor. He is a fifth-generation Floridan who moved to Cottage Grove over a decade ago, was elected to serve as the Ward 3 councilor in 2022.
He is a substitute teacher for South Lane School District and has served as a public school science teacher, worked in construction and millwork, and was a newspaper columnist. Some of his community service includes organizing for the Friends of the Swinging Bridge and advocating for the Cottage Grove Skate Park. He is also a Rotary member and Scoutmaster for local Troop 140.
Ward 1: Christine Hyink and Kevin Adamski
Hyink and Adamski are seeking to fill the Ward 1 vacancy following the recall of Chalice Savage.
Adamski is a retired forestry technician at the Cottage Grove Ranger District. An Oregon native, he graduated from Roseburg High and received an associate’s degree in forestry from Umpqua Community College.
Hyink is a regional manager of field services for the Oregon Department of Transportation and previously served as a project manager for CEDCO (Coquille Economic Development Corporation). She studied Business Administration at California State University Monterey Bay and West Hills Community College.
Ward 2: Randell Lammerman
After Jon Stinnett stepped down from his role two weeks ago, Randell Lammerman was appointed Ward 2 city councilor. He is running unopposed. Originally from Springfield, Lammerman works for Lane Forest Products and graduated from the Opportunity Center.
Ward 4: Greg Ervin, incumbent
Ervin is running unopposed for the Ward 4 city council position. He owns United ACA Solutions, previously worked in IT for Summit Benefit & Actuarial Services, and owned Ervin IT Consulting. Ervin graduated from North Douglas High and attended Lane Community College and the University of Oregon, studying business, chemistry, and economics.
Councilor At Large: Jim Settelmeyer and Chris Holloman
Settelmeyer and Holloman are running for the Councilor At Large (Unexpired Term) position held formerly by recalled councilor Alex Dreher.
Settelmeyer taught science for 36 years at Lincoln Junior High and Cottage Grove High School and coached cross country for 20 years. Settelmeyer graduated from CGHS, later receiving a bachelor’s in chemical engineering at Oregon State University and a master’s in science education at the University of Oregon.
Holloman is the director of business development for Nebraska Irrigation Inc. and was the owner of Holloman Ford in Cottage Grove. He attended Sheldon High School and the University of Oregon, where he studied business. Holloman is a South Lane County Fire and Rescue board member.
Councilor At Large: Richard Andrew, Patrick Cartwright, Bernie Donner, and Darrel Wilson
Andrew, Cartwright, Donner, and Wilson are running for the Councilor At Large (4-year term) position formerly held by recalled councilor Mike Fleck.
Andrew is self-employed and has an educational and legal consulting background at Umpqua Consulting. He graduated from McKinleyville High School and received an associate’s degree in criminal justice at San Joaquin Valley College before obtaining a bachelor’s in legal studies and a master’s in education from Humphreys University. He was a trustee for San Joaquin Delta College for four years and is a Lane County Parks Advisory Committee board member.
Cartwright owns Northwest Automotive Customs Inc., having previously worked at Cartwright’s Automotive and Welding, Schnitzer Steel Inc., and Empire Pacific Industries. He graduated from Willamette High School before receiving an associate’s degree in autobody and paint from Lane Community College and an MBA from the University of Oregon.
Donner is a business value advisor and previously a business value director. He received a bachelor’s in economics from the University of California Santa Cruz and a master’s in education from the University of Oregon. He is a Budget Committee member for Cottage Grove.
Wilson is an appointment driver for Ascot Senior Center, having previously been an armored car courier and driver for Loomis Armored Services and a corrections officer for the Lane County Sheriff’s Department. He also worked in the advertising industry in radio and print media. Wilson graduated from Churchill High School with an associate’s degree in business management from Western Business College. He was appointed to the Springfield Downtown Revitalization Committee and previously served as a member of the Eugene and Springfield Chambers.
Measure 20-365: General Obligation Bonds to Fix Streets
At this time, streets in the City of Cottage Grove currently possess $35,000,000 in backlogged repairs. The Cottage Grove City Council launched an Ad Hoc Street Improvement and Funding Committee in 2023 in the hopes of appraising needed repairs and determining potential ways to generate funding, with no success.
The Committee proposed a five-year street repair bond measure, an increase in the gas tax, and continued grant pursuits. It also introduced the idea of Limited Improvement Districts to tackle local residential street repairs, a Transportation Utility Fee enacted on certain streets, and an LTD partnership dedicated to improving roads and wear-and-tear from busses. The proposed total in insurance for general obligation bonds is $2,500,000.
