Low turnout for Baker City Council race frustrates former member: ‘Everyone loves to complain, but no one steps up’
By Joe Hathaway on Thursday, August 22nd, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — The deadline for Baker City residents to run for City Council during the November election has passed and only six candidates have stepped forward.
All seven council seats are up for this upcoming election, which will be held November 5. Five of the candidates who threw their hats in the ring currently serve on the city council, while the sixth is a resident who is the sole non-incumbent.
With the apparent lack of candidates to even fill the seven council seats, a former council member, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced frustration to Elkhorn Media Group about the lack of broader community participation.
“It’s pathetic that so few people are willing to step up,” the former councilor said. “Everyone loves to complain about how this town is run, but when it comes time to actually help out, no one wants to do the work.”
The former councilor, who served in the past decade, says the low turnout in the council race raises concerns about the future of community leadership, as some in the town have been outspoken in their criticism of city management yet have failed to engage when given the opportunity to run for office.
“It’s always the same voices with the same complaints, and usually it’s on social media. No one has the guts to show up in person and tell city leaders to their faces,” the former council member added. “But where are they now when we need candidates? Nowhere.”
The former councilor says he won’t run as he says he’s done his part to serve the city and that he’s at an age now where, quote, “I don’t need the headache.”
City Recorder Megan Langen says that with six candidates running for seven council positions on the ballot, the candidate with the most write-in votes could potentially secure a seat if they are eligible and willing to serve.
If the top write-in candidate does not meet the eligibility requirements or declines the position, the six elected councilors will appoint someone to fill the remaining seat once they are sworn in January 2025, Langen said.
