By Stephen Floyd
Seven challengers and one incumbent have filed for four open positions on the Silver Falls School District (SFSD) Board, with seats to be decided during the May 16 Primary Election.
As of the March 16 filing deadline, Board Member Tom Buchholz, representing Zone 7, was the only incumbent to file for re-election. Board members Janet Allanach of Zone 1, Lori McLaughlin of Zone 3, and Jonathan Edmonds of Zone 6 declined to seek new terms.
Challengers include Jo Tucker and Philip Wiesner for Zone 1, Dixon Bledsoe and Derrick Foxworth Jr. for Zone 3, Joshua Ort and Eliza Torlyn for Zone 6, and Jesse Smith for Zone 7.
Tucker is a former elementary-level special education assistant for SFSD and currently works as an intake representative for the Oregon Department of Education. This would be their first role in elected office.
Wiesner is a farmer and retired teacher, with 36 years of experience in the Silverton and Mount Angel areas. He has been a member of the Mt. Angel Fire District Board of Directors for more than 20 years, and previously ran for a seat on the SFSD Board in 2015.
Bledsoe is a real estate broker and former co-owner of BST Realty, in Silverton, and also has a background in medical consulting. He has formerly served on the Silverton City Council, Silverton Planning Commission and Willamette Education Service District Board.
Foxworth is a lieutenant with the Portland Police Bureau, a parent of local students and a volunteer soccer coach for the Silver Falls Soccer Club. This would be his first role in elected office.
Ort is a chiropractor and owner of Ort Chiropractic Clinic, in Silverton, and has a history of helping the district provide athletics physicals for student athletes. This would be his first role in elected office.
Torlyn is a local artist and owner of Jedi Glassworks and Stickum Prints. She has raised her children in the district and has served on the SFSD Bond Advisory Committee, Superintendent Listening Session Workgroup, Long Range Facility Planning Committee, and served as Butte Creek PTT President. This would be her first time in elected public office.
Buchholz is a farmer and owner of Buchholz-Schmitz Farms, in Scotts Mills, as well as Evergreen Christmas Tree Equipment, in Woodburn. He has been a board member since being elected in 2011 and had not held prior government office.
Smith is a full time parent with a background in web development, marketing consultation and music education. He has not held prior elected office, and was the Democratic candidate for Oregon Representative District 18 during the 2022 General Election, which went to incumbent Rep. Rick Lewis.
Note: This article has been edited to include biographic information on Eliza Torlyn.
