Sweet Home residents call for elected mayor instead of council appointment

The Sweet Home City Council convened on February 11, 2025, to address several key issues affecting the community, including the potential election of a mayor and the annual report from the Chamber of Commerce.

The meeting began with public comments regarding the proposal to allow residents to elect the mayor rather than having the position appointed by the council. David Lohman, a local resident, expressed strong support for this change, emphasizing that the community desires a direct vote for their mayor. He argued that the timeline for implementing this change is sufficient, as there is a year and a half to prepare for a potential ballot in May. Lohman insisted that the community is closely watching the council's actions and urged them to consider the wishes of the taxpayers.

Following Lohman, Theresa Howard echoed similar sentiments, stating that the mayor should be elected by the majority of the population rather than a small group of council members. She highlighted that many residents she spoke with support this change and urged the council to act decisively, noting that discussions about this issue have been ongoing for over 25 years.

The council then moved on to the annual report from the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce, presented by its executive director. The report focused on tourism initiatives and highlighted successful events such as the Cut the Gut car cruise, which attracted participants from 28 different cities, and the Sportsman Holiday Parade, which featured entries from 17 cities. The executive director also shared insights into the visitor center's operations, noting that they had welcomed visitors from various states and even countries, including Canada and the Netherlands.

Additionally, the report addressed improvements made to the representation of Sweet Home on digital platforms, with updates to Google Maps that have significantly increased visibility for local attractions. The executive director concluded by thanking the council for their support and acknowledging the positive impact of a new sign that enhances the visibility of the visitor center.

As the meeting progressed, the council continued to discuss various agenda items, with a focus on community engagement and the promotion of local tourism. The discussions underscored the importance of involving residents in decision-making processes and the ongoing efforts to boost Sweet Home's profile as a destination for visitors.