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Rebuilding fish runs . . ..................... PAGE 2 $11.5M for school safety ............. PAGE 7

October 11, 2022

Serving Lincoln City Since 1927

$1.50

Election 2022: The race for Lincoln City Mayor JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

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incoln City voters will be asked to elect the city mayor in the Nov. 8 General Election. Incumbent Susan Wahlke is facing challenger Riley Hoagland, a Lincoln City City Councilor. The News Guard has reached out to the Wahlke and Hoagland with the following questions about their candidacy. The News Guard: Why are you running for reelection as Mayor? Susan Wahlke: I want to serve a full fouryear term. I was elected in May of 2021 to fill the unexpired portion of Dick Anderson’s term. I have only served as mayor since June of 2021. I want to continue the work we have been doing during the time I have been mayor. Riley Hoagland: It is time to have a passionate, visionary mayor who has a depth of knowledge in multiple disciplines to be able to lead in a different way than has traditionally been done. I will be a mayor who strongly advocates for community minded events, equitable development, and sees the value of listening to everyone. As a single father, I see the importance of bringing more vibrancy to the community. We have an opportunity to build up our community so that it is more attractive to the youth, for the long-term liv-

ability of the city. The News Guard: What experience and background do you have that would help you to continue to serve as Mayor? Wahlke: I have served as Mayor for the past 16 months. I believe that our council has worked together well and accomplished some things. I want to continue to work on the things we have started. I have served as budget chair, urban renewal chair, and council president. Soon after I moved to Lincoln County, I worked for the City of Lincoln City, first as assistant to the city attorney and later as assistant to the chief of police. My experience as a city employee gives me a unique perspective as mayor. The News Guard: What experience and background do you have that qualifies you to be city mayor? Hoagland: In the workforce, I spent many years managing and training employees across retail, casino, and education positions. My work experience has granted me opportunities to create and keep long-lasting relationships that give me much insight to the thoughts and desires of the people of Lincoln City. In my local government roles, I have spent six years as a city councilor where I was on the budget committee as vice-chair and chairman. In the two years on planning commission, I was vice-chairman. I have received years of professional development

Susan Wahlke

Riley Hoagland

training with the League of Oregon Cities of which I am the vice-president to the Persons of Color Caucus. I am also on executive boards of the Oregon Cascades West Council of Government and Hispanic Elected Officials for the National League of Cities.

The News Guard: If you agree that the Lincoln City Mayor should be a collaborator during city council meetings to find effective solutions to issues, how would you See RACE FOR MAYOR, Page A4

Man sentenced for killing city councilor

Jack Sigler JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

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Waldport resident has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for the killing of a city councilor and businessman. Jack Edward Sigler, age 54, pleaded guilty Oct. 4, to four counts of Burglary in the First Degree and one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree for intentionally killing Waldport resident and City Councilor Mark Cameron Campbell in Dec. 2020. Senior Judge Eric Bergstrom sentenced Sigler to 326 months (27 years) in prison. During the Oct. 4 proceedings in a packed courtroom in Newport, Sigler admitted to intentionally killing Campbell and burglarizing the same apartment three separate times in the days leading up to Campbell’s murder. At sentencing Sigler addressed Campbell’s family and apologized, saying that he hopes to be forgiven one day. According to court documents, in the early morning hours of Dec. 6, 2020, Mark Campbell and his wife Christine were awakened by sounds coming from a neighboring unoccupied apartment they owned. Campbell entered the apartment and was confronted by Sigler, who was in the process of stealing valuable items. Sigler stabbed Campbell to death before fleeing the scene. The investigation revealed that Sigler knew Campbell and his family and Sigler was aware that the apartment was unoccupied and contained valuable items. According to a release from the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, several of Campbell’s family members

and friends spoke during sentencing about the wonderful man he was and the tremendous loss they have experienced and will continue to experience. Lincoln County District Attorney Lanee Danforth spoke on behalf of the state, encouraging those who loved Campbell to remember him for the man he was and not for what happened to him that fateful morning. Senior Judge Bergstrom addressed Campbell’s family, stating that Mr. Campbell was a remarkable man and that he hoped the defendant taking responsibility for his actions would provide peace and closure for the family. In the DA’s Office release, Danforth explained how and why the settlement agreement was reached in the case. Below is her explanation. “The job of a prosecutor is to seek truth and pursue justice. The truth in this case, as demonstrated by the evidence obtained during a lengthy and thorough investigation, is that Jack Sigler committed several burglaries and intentionally killed Mark Campbell. “Justice in this case required reaching an agreement with the defendant that both protected the community and considered the wishes of Mark Campbell’s family. The state believes a jury would have convicted Sigler of all crimes he was charged with if this case had proceeded to trial. “What many people don’t know is that years of ongoing litigation, especially in a homicide case with complex legal issues, can follow a conviction at trial. A defendant has the right to file appeals and seek other legal remedies that can take years to resolve (sometimes 20+ years). The ongoing litigation that follows a conviction at trial causes victims’ families to relive the traumatic loss of their loved one repeatedly and plagues them with uncertainty as to the outcome of the litigation. “In this case it was important to the victim’s family that Sigler serve a predetermined number of years in prison and give up his right to litigate any issues in this case moving forward. The family knows that Sigler was sentenced to 326 months and without ongoing litigation, they can move forward as a family and honor Mark’s legacy as he would have wanted.” Danforth said the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office commends the victim’s family, friends, and the community for the strength they have shown throughout the entirety of this case. “Mark Campbell was a beloved member of our community, and this tragic loss is one that will not soon be forgotten,” Danforth stated in the release.

VOL. 95 NO. 36

This framed flag now graces the Lincoln City Police Department’s 9-1-1 Dispatch Center.

Flag dedication marks very personal moment JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

“This is very thoughtful,” Lincoln City Police Department Dispatch Supervisor Paul Compton said as he looked at a framed flag presented to LCPD dispatch. “It is surprising.” “I think this is awesome,” LCDP Lieutenant Jeffrey Winn said. “It is a beautiful flag that has been dedicated to us for all the hard work that our dispatchers do for this community every day, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. This is very thoughtful from the Palmers. It is quite a dedication.”

Classifieds.................. 9 Crossword .............. 10

Former LCPD Chief Jerry Palmer made the presentation Oct. 5 during a ceremony at the police department. Palmer retired as chief in August. “This came from my wife, Phyllis,” Palmer said. “Dispatch has been huge to me during my 43 years in law enforcement,” Palmer said. “They watch our back. They take care of us. My first assignment here when I was hired in 2007 was to supervise the 9-1-1 Center. Phyllis knew that was my lifeline every day for that 43 years was the 9-1-1 Center. And that is See FLAG, Page A8

TheNewsGuard.com

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INDEX Opinion ...................... 5 Police Blotter ............ 5

JEREMY C. RUARK / THE NEW GUARD

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