ELGIN — Elgin residents are casting their votes for mayor in November — and will also receive two new city council members.

Two familiar names are on the ballot for the mayoral race. Incumbent Stanley “James” Johnson is seeking reelection following the completion of his first two-year term. He is challenged by former mayor Risa Hallgarth.

Hallgarth was appointed mayor in 2021 by the city council to fill the remaining 23-month term of her predecessor, Allan Duffy. She had served on the council for four years and was its president at the time of Duffy’s resignation.

Hallgarth and Johnson first faced off against one another for mayor in 2022. Johnson won the election with 56.97% of the votes.

Louise Burck and Larry N. Hicks are running uncontested for city council.

The Observer sent questionnaires to all of the candidates and have printed the responses of those who responded below. Answers have been printed as they were provided by the candidates. Light editing was only done if necessary for spelling, grammar or style reasons.

Stanley “James” Johnson

Name: S. James Johnson

Age: 34

Residence: Elgin

Current occupation: Portfolio Entrepreneur

Relevant political or other experience: Mayor of Elgin;  Elgin Planning Commission; Wallowa Union Railroad Authority Board Member

Family: I have a beautiful wife and we are blessed with four amazing children.

Hobbies: I am a man who has a passion for antiques. I love going to flea markets and yard sales, always looking for something unique. I love camping with my family in Sumpter or up at Jubilee Lake. Watching my kids compete in their sports is one of my favorite ways to spend my free time.

Why are you running for office? How has your experience qualified you for the position?

I want to continue serving my community and help to ensure the safety of all our citizens. I am also running to help unite the community. Not only being a business owner in this community and having great relationships with other business in our community, I have also served a term as the sitting mayor of Elgin and have sat on numerous boards and helped with countless volunteer projects.

What are the two biggest issues facing the community? What can you do in your position as mayor or councilor to address those issues?

I feel our two biggest issues are safety and the cleanliness of our town. I feel we are making great progress towards safety with our current leadership between the city of Elgin and the Union County Sheriff’s Office but that there is always room for improvement. There is nothing more important than the safety of our children and loved ones. For the cleanliness of our town, I plan to push a city-wide cleanup day within the city limits. Look, we’re not a homeowner’s association but we need to take pride in our town.

What would be your priorities in terms of preparing a city budget? In other words, if cuts had to be made in the budget, what areas would you try to protect first?

My priority in terms of the city budget is to work closely with the city council, the budget committee, and the city’s administrator to come up with a budget that works for the city with the funds we have available. As your mayor it would be my priority to make sure there are funds to cover law enforcement to ensure safety. If cuts did have to be made, I would do everything within my power as mayor to protect services to our community such as the library, the transfer station, and law enforcement.

How would you help to ensure that the city’s business is conducted in an open and transparent fashion? How would you help to share with residents information about important issues facing the council?

To help ensure that the city’s business is conducted in an open and transparent fashion, I would continue to utilize social media as my number one platform and release videos explaining things as I have done during my current term as mayor. I would also build good relationships between the city and local media platforms to continue the release of information on the radio and in newspaper. My door has and would always be open if anyone has questions or concerns. I have and would continue to be upfront about any issues facing the council with publicized work sessions and social media updates.

Risa Hallgarth

Name: Risa Hallgarth

Age: 75

Residence: Elgin

Current occupation: Retired

Relevant political or other experience: Prior Mayor (Appointed), City Council, Community Center budget committee

Family: Spouse Jim, two sons, three grandchildren

Hobbies: I enjoy working in my yard, when time allows. Picking huckleberries or going mushrooming. Attending sporting events to support the athletes.

Why are you running for office? How has your experience qualified you for the position?

I believe I can represent our city in a more professional manner. I would like to encourage the citizens to get more involved in the city to see how it is run.

Holding the position of mayor gave me a good look at what is expected.

I have worked with the public for many years.

I canvassed the town with a survey to qualify the city for grants, which gave me a great opportunity to meet the citizens and get to know them.

What are the two biggest issues facing your community? What can you do in your position as mayor or councilor to address those issues?

Funding for street and water services. We have been able to secure small city allotment grants thanks to our public works director. Getting the grants is most important to me.

What would be your priorities in terms of preparing a city budget? In other words, if cuts had to be made in the budget, what areas would you try to protect first?

The infrastructure of the city. The library. Our employees.

How would you help to ensure that the city’s business is conducted in an open and transparent fashion? How would you help to share with residents information about important issues facing the council?

By being upfront and honest about what challenges I am facing. Admit to the mistakes I have made and what I have learned by making those mistakes.

Since not everyone uses social media or subscribes to a newspaper, I will try to get a newsletter out as often as possible. I do encourage people to attend the monthly council meetings. Just visiting honestly with people and answering their questions. If I don’t know the answer I will find out.