Mayor Dunn Faces Challenge from Callahan

WAITSBURG – Unlike last year, the candidacy filing period for Waitsburg's annual elections closed on time this year, with a full slate of candidates. However, the council will look very much like last year, with the possible exception of mayor.

And even that is a re-run, as incumbent Marty Dunn will once again run against former city council member Debra Callahan.

The deadline for filing Declarations of Candidacy closed March 10 with all of the city council incumbents bidding to re-up their terms. No other challengers filed for city council positions.

Kevin House has held a seat on the council since 2010, followed by KC Kuykendall, who filled the remainder of a vacant term in 2013 and was elected the following year. Kate Hockersmith was elected in 2016 and Terry Jacoy and Jim Romine will start their second terms after being elected for the first time in 2017.

Incumbent Mayor Marty Dunn

Marty Dunn, who has lived in Waitsburg since 1995, will run again for mayor. Dunn has held a seat on the Waitsburg City Council since the early 2000s and was mayor from 2004 to 2007. He served the remainder of Mayor Walt Gobel's term in 2016, following Gobel's resignation, and ran against Callahan to win the seat of mayor in 2017.

"The reason I have chosen to re-run for the position of mayor for the City of Waitsburg is the concern and care I have for the future growth and support of the community of Waitsburg, moving forward," Dunn said.

"Some of the main concerns facing Waitsburg are, as in past years, sustainability and economic growth, which seem to be growing concerns with most all small and rural cities. There is a high need to attract business to support the community, our schools and the city infrastructure," he said.

"Empty storefronts and lack of business is a great concern to all. It erodes our tax base, placing more burden on the current businesses and on the residents of the community, and has long-term effects on school enrollment," he added.

When it comes to newer challenges facing the City, Dunn pointed to water system repairs and the need to move forward with ongoing concerns over the future of the grandstands at the fairgrounds, and fairgrounds usage in general.

"Fairgrounds usage has been on the forefront for several years. We as a council, with input from the public, continue to discuss and explore what the use of the facilities could look like and how they would best serve our community," he said.

Dunn said he has enjoyed representing Waitsburg as its mayor and believed the council has done a good job for both the community and its patrons.

"We strongly believe that the decisions that have been made have been in the best interest of the majority of citizens and the viability of the community. At times decisions can be very difficult to make knowing that you aren't going to please everyone," he said.

"I would be very proud, if re-elected, to continue to serve as mayor, representing the citizens of this 'One-of-a-Kind' community," he added.

Debra Callahan

Callahan was elected to city council in 2013 and served three terms before giving up her seat in an unsuccessful bid for mayor against Walt Gobel in 2016. She ran against Dunn last year, listing her long history in Waitsburg and her "vision for change" among her attributes.

Callahan has lived in Waitsburg for 38 years and raised her family here. She has been active in many community organizations over the years and especially enjoyed her time spent working with youth.

In 2017, Callahan told The Times she has extensive experience working with municipalities, grant writing, and event planning. At that time, she felt the lack of viable business was the city's biggest challenge. Her top priorities were to create a "rainy day fund" in the budget and to draw new business to town.

When approached by The Times last week, Callahan said she was unprepared to answer specific questions regarding her candidacy until she had time to do further research.

In the past, Callahan has stated that she is readily available to meet with citizens and welcomes questions and input from the community.

Ballots will go out in the mail on March 17 and completed ballots should be received by 8 p.m. on April 3 at City Hall, or be mailed with a postmark of April 3 or prior.