Last week at the polls, a city councilor in both Creswell and Cottage Grove took at chance at the mayor’s seat. Only one was victorious by the night’s end.
Creswell City Councilor Nick Smith will soon be called “mayor,” after defeating opponent Kevin Prociw by a 10% margin. Smith earned 1,326 votes, while Prociw brought in 1,072 votes.
“I honestly did not expect to get results so quickly because of the inefficient way Oregon counts ballots and the extra time given for mail-in ballots. I thought I had a week or so,” Smith said.
So for Smith, election night was just like every night. He paints the scene:
“I was outside in the dark in the backyard with my two sons, practicing tackling and hitting to prepare for our bowl game. I’m an assistant coach for 2/3 grade tackle football in Pleasant Hill. I promised them we could watch the Expedition Bigfoot TV show if they put in some work. I didn’t even have my phone on me. When we went inside, I heard my phone but was focused on my boys begging to watch. I finally grabbed my phone a bit later to see many congratulations texts.”
Smith said he appreciates his supporters, reassuring them that he “will lead the way I represent myself: God, family, and country. I will be accountable, determined, fair, but with discipline. … I will represent your voice and position myself before any threat to your voice. I’m the voice of the majority.”
Conversely, “To those who may have thought another leader was the better option, I respect your vote. I will work to earn your support after the fact,” Smith said. “I will work to be the mayor you may not have voted for but the one you’re thankful to have.”
Opponent Prociw said that, “While it wasn’t the outcome we hoped for, we were uplifted by the amazing support” he received. He said he respects the choice of those who voted in opposition and “encourages us all to find common ground and work together for Creswell’s benefit.”
Prociw did not say whether he would consider politics again in the future, but he said he is delighted to have joined the Creswell First! Board recently, where he plans to focus his efforts on, “contributing to our community’s growth and welfare.”
Incumbent Clark Kent, Mark Kremmer, and Joan Morris were elected to Creswell City Council. Kent earned 1,713 votes, Kremmer 1,559, and Morris 1,472. Christina Allen did not earn her seat, only bringing in 722 votes.
In Cottage Grove, Mayor Candace Solesbee retains her position with the City of Cottage Grove with an 18% margin of victory of the vote over opponent Dana Merryday. Solesbee earned 2,637 votes, while Merryday earned 1,817 votes.
Solesbee was unavailable for comment before deadline.
Merryday said that on election night, he was at a watch party, and “We were already beginning to notice the direction of the national election, so that sort of set the tone … While I had hoped to do better, I had known all along that I was up against some big hurdles: challenging a local-born incumbent and being more on the progressive side of social issues.”
He said that he appreciates those who voted for him and the hard work his volunteer team invested in his campaign.
“For those who chose not to support my campaign, I appreciate that you invested time to do your research and make the decision you thought best … that you took the time to follow through and vote,” Merryday said. “I am proud to provide a choice in this election. Democracy works best when you have options as it stimulates discussion which generates a clearer perspective on the issues facing our community.”
While there was disappointment in Merryday’s loss, he said that, “There was also the buoying knowledge that Jim Settlemeyer had been elected (to city council) so that was some good news for the attendees as we know him as someone who has contributed so much good to Cottage Grove through his and his wife, Joyce’s, volunteer work and teaching careers.”
At large council candidate Settelmeyer beat out opponent Chris Holloman by a 10% margin. Settelmeyer earned 2,298 votes, and Holloman earned 1,861 votes.
With the second at-large position, Darrel Wilson beat out a hefty list of competition. Wilson earned 1,512 votes; Richard Andrew Vasquez 758; Patrick Cartwright 740; and Bernie Donner 330.
In Ward 1, Christine Hyink beat out opponent Kevin Adamski with nearly 15% of the vote. Hyink earned 1,957 votes and Adamski 1,412. Unopposed candidates incumbent Greg Ervin (Ward 4) and Randall Lammerman (Ward 2) will continue to serve in their roles.
Merryday said he will continue to serve in his position as the Ward 3 councilor.
“I will continue to listen, work collaboratively, inform the public on City matters, and respond to constituent inquiries and concerns. We really do have more in common than we have our differences,” Merryday said.
Also on the ballot in Cottage Grove, voters said “No” to Measure 20-365: A bond measure to raise $2.5 million for street repairs. This measure would have increased property taxes by 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for five years. No: 63.92%. Total votes cast: 4,570.
Voters also voted “No” to Measure 20-366: A gas tax increase from 3 cents to 9 cents per gallon to raise $750,000 annually for road construction and maintenance. No: 73.44%. Total votes cast: 4,732.
In District 12, Republican candidate Darin Harbick took a 16% margin of victory over Democratic runner Michelle Emmons. Harbick tallied 22,251 votes, while Emmons earned 16,147 votes.
Harbick did not respond to a request to comment.
Democratic incumbent District 7 Rep. John Lively will retain his seat in the House after earning 11% of the vote. Republican opponent Cory Burket earned 14,393 votes, while Lively brought in 18,188.
“Having the opportunity to continue to serve my community in the Oregon House of Representatives is one of the greatest honors of my life,” Lively said. “Throughout these many months, I was fortunate to have an opponent equally as engaged and concerned about the community. While Cory and I have different ideas for moving this community forward, we both share a love for this place and a hope for the future.”
Looking ahead, “In the coming months and years, I look forward to being your voice in Salem,” Lively said. “I will continue to fight for quality education for every Oregon child, work to ensure our small businesses have the support they need to grow and thrive within our community and protect Oregon’s environment for future generations.”
Election results will be certified on Dec. 2.
For more election coverage on Cottage Grove roads measures, see next week’s edition of The Chronicle.
