By:TK Layman
Freelancer

Nov. 8, 2016 is election day in the U.S. In the current election cycle within the City of Monmouth, there are four seats for city council opening up, and nine candidates with their name in for the running. Steve Milligan, a current city councilor, has his name in for sole candidate of Mayor, with incumbent John Oberst not running for reelection.

Monmouth’s city council has six total seats, five are being filled by prior councilmen and one is vacant. Three seats are up for election, along with the one vacant. Incumbents Jesse Shafer and Darin Silbernagel’s terms are set to expire with this election, and Silbernagel is the only councilman running for reelection. Steve Milligan’s seat will become open for election with his candidacy for mayor.

Out of the nine candidates with their name in for election this cycle, two candidates, Mark Lane and Darin Silbernagel, returned answers regarding local policies along with mayoral candidate Steve Milligan. Thomas Steinke, a city council candidate, did not return for comment.

When asked about creating a connection between the cities of Monmouth and Independence, along with Western to bring community engagement and involvement, all three spoke about the group “Monmouth Engaged,” which was instituted in late 2015.

“Of these, the Monmouth Engaged University/Community Connections Committee, looks at new ways for the communities to work together to create a college town environment,” said Mark Lane, city council candidate, regarding the departments involved in creating connections between the city and university. He also stated that he, “would offer strong support to the committees so improvements are made.”

Student involvement within the city is a particularly important process, being able to get students connected with the correct resources to make their voice heard within the community they are living in. Being able to integrate within the community is necessary to create a balance between the city and university.

“Students help make Monmouth a vibrant community” said Darin Silbernagel. In terms of getting involved within the city he offered, “The Monmouth Engaged committees are a great place to get involved. Students are also involved at the city level both as interns and at the Senior Center as two examples.” A great place to start with building community engagement between the city and university is to start at the source.

“One of the pieces that we implemented not too long ago was the Monmouth Engaged, so we have some committees that are working, that are looking at … they’re looking the city and university connections.” said mayoral candidate Steve Milligan, in a one-on-one interview.

Stressing the importance to vote is not enough and encouragement is sometimes necessary.

When asked if there was anything the candidates could say to encourage voters to get out and cast their vote this election, Mark Lane offered the statistics that, “Fewer than 20 percentage … of students voted in the last general election, and I’m sure a smaller number participated in local elections, where a strong student voice in cities like Monmouth can make all the difference.”

The last day to mail ballots in Oregon is Oct. 25, with election day Nov. 8, 2016.

Contact the author at tlayman16@wou.edu