By James Day
Six seats on the seven-person Marion Soil & Water Conservation District board will be up for grabs in the Nov. 8 election.
The board consists of five directors who are elected by zone, with two at-large seats filling out the roster. Only Zone 4 director Dave Budeau is not on the ballot. Zone 4 is in southern Marion County and includes Stayton, Aumsville, Turner and Jefferson.
Here is a look at the geography of the zones:
Zone 1 is in northern Marion County and includes St. Paul and Hubbard. The seat currently is vacant.
Zone 2 is in northeastern Marion County and includes Aurora, Scotts Mills and Woodburn. The current representative is Kyle Ross.
Zone 3 is in central Marion County and includes Keizer, Salem and Silverton. Board chair Darin Olson currently represents the zone.
Zone 5 is in eastern Marion County and includes the Santiam Canyon towns of Mehama, Mill City, Gates, Detroit and Idanha. Rochelle Koch is the current representative.
The two at-large seats currently are held by Scott Walker and Terry Hsu.
Application packets for prospective candidates, including the incumbents, can be picked up now. Go to www.oregon.gov/oda/shared/Documents/Publications/NaturalResources/CandidatePacketforSWCDDirectorElections.pdf or contact [email protected].
The deadline to complete the forms is Aug. 30.
The mission of the district is to work with Marion County residents to protect, conserve and improve soil and water resources.
Important dates for election
Aug. 30: Filing deadline for MSWCD candidates
Oct. 18: Last day to register to vote
Oct 19: Local ballots mailed
Nov. 3: Last day for election officials to mail replacement ballots to voters
Nov. 4: Voters needing a replacement ballot must make arrangements for pickup at the county elections office
Nov. 8: Election Day
