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Wednesday September 10, 2025 | Volume 150, Issue 37

Swanson declares candidacy for retiring commission Seat No. 2

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MICC names Gabby Walton as interim leader

Friday Night Lights

By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

John Swanson, 40, from north Polk County, is the first candidate to officially declare he will file for the County Commissioner position currently held by Craig Pope, who is retiring and not seeking reelection. Currently the chief of staff for state Sen. Bruce Starr, Swanson is a small business owner, and is the executive director of the Leadership Fund, which John Swanson supports a more balanced state legislature. Swanson said he began to have conversations with elected officials and family about running for the commissioner’s seat after the last Legislative session left him with a brewing desire to be more local. “I was attracted to seeing what I’m impacting more on a day-to-day basis. While I’m proud of a lot of work I do in the Legislature in my capacity there, I find the wins are minor victories in the margins,” Swanson said. “The Legislature is longer range in its goals. I look at what the county does and it sounds very rewarding and concluded it would be something I’m good at. I’m great at building bridges, building dialogue that comes with complex governmental decisions.” Swanson lives north of Rickreall with his wife, Kim, and two children. The Swansons previously resided in West Salem. Swanson volunteers for youth programs and YMCA sports in the Monmouth– Independence area. The Swanson’s church home is Cultivate Community Church in Monmouth. Swanson said he can be a team player at the county level. “What’s most exciting about county governance is how I’ll see the impact of my work each day. Polk County is a wonderful place, and I want to be hands-on in keeping it that way,” Swanson said. Swanson wished Pope well as he departs, having left a lasting legacy. “Craig Pope has been a class act his entire career. His commitment to Polk County is renowned. I wish him many, many years of happiness and hope he will remain a resource,” Swanson said. He added he’ll remain on Star’s staff, during his campaign, who is fully on board with Swanson running for the count seat. “(It’s an) easy choice for Polk County,” said Starr, the state Senator for rural Polk County. “John Swanson will make a great commissioner and will add volumes of depth to help the county’s legislative delegation find solutions. John is pragmatic and well suited for nonpartisan office.” Swanson added he saw no reason to wait for the Sept. 11 filing day deadline to announce his candidacy. “I look forward to getting out there and meeting more people, engaging in my capacity as a candidate,” he said.

IN THIS ISSUE

By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

PHOTO BY SMY PHOTOGRAPHY

Dallas Senior Landon Holbrook powers into the end zone in early action Friday against No. 7 Churchill. The No. 8 Dragons used three turnovers and a balanced offensive attack to take down the Lancers 30-6. Senior Jace Emerson had two interceptions. On offense, Junior Thomas Hess threw for 158 yards and two TDs. Junior Aidan Galusha also had a rushing TD. For more prep sports, see page B1.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Allie Kurtz (center) cuts the ribbon Aug. 30 for the grand reopening of Elysium Botanicals Wine & Vineyard to officially change it over from Redgate Vineyard. She is joined by (from left) co-owner and mom Angela Kurtz, Amy Reid, father Dale Kurtz, brother Taylor Kurtz and mother-in-law Charlene Mead.

Family makes dreams happen purchasing Redgate Vineyard By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

Allie Kurtz technically had everything she was supposed to want, yet still felt like life was passing her by. “I was in school, running a business, working two jobs. I’m married, got a house and pets. I came out to Oregon and I didn’t want to live to work. I wanted to work to live. So, I wanted to be able to enjoy life,” she said. Then one day last October, while attending a wine tasting with her mom, Angela, at

Redgate, the opportunity to reinvigorate her life was presented over a glass of Pinot Noir. Redgate’s owner since 2006 Steve Dunn, 75, was ready to retire after his eighth hip replacement, Allie said. “Steve said it was for sale and it kind of clicked. My mom and I looked at each other,” Allie recalled. “She’s running a successful automotive business in Colorado Springs. She’s really good with books and accounting and crunching the numbers. I was good with the labor and good with envisioning how I wanted

everything to be, involving the plants and the wine. We just thought how cool would it be to put something on the table.” Allie said she and her mom “both kind of have the plant thing.” Allie ran a horticulture business featuring indoor common and exotic plants. She also has about 10 years under her belt in veterinary medicine. Angela has a degree in agriculture. Discussions for the changeover began in ernest in November See REDGATE, page A2

The Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce named Gabby Walton as its interim president/CEO on Monday Aug 25. In a letter to the community, the MICC board said to ensure the chamber’s long-term sustainability, the board has voted to move forward with a transition in leadership in the wake of Mackenzie Newland leaving, and “operations Gabby Walton that will strengthen the chamber financially.” “As part of this process, the board has voted to appoint Gabby Walton as Interim President/CEO through the end of November,” the board announced. “This is very positive, as having an internal leader familiar with MICC ensures stability, continuity and a smooth transition during this period.” Walton was previously the Resource Development Coordinator as a contracted worker for the Chamber. She is also the owner of Waltons Collective - a resource development company focused on event planning, social media and fundraising. “My passion is supporting our small businesses and keeping the chamber thriving,” Walton said. The chamber board eliminated Newland’s position Aug. 29 due to ongoing financial challenges. The board blamed the financial challenges on unexpected operational costs, reduced funding and declining membership, which all led to unavoidable significant changes. Newland said she and the MICC Board had been reviewing the Chamber’s budget and options for sustaining operations and came to the conclusion that there needed to be some adjustments due to the economy and rising costs. “We looked at multiple scenarios, including reducing my hours. Ultimately, we mutually agreed that a reduced schedule wasn’t sustainable for me or my family, and that MICC needed time to restructure the role and overall operations,” Newland said. Over the coming months, the board promised to also review key areas to strengthen the chamber’s presence, including: • Leadership Structure – evaluating adjustments to the President/ CEO position See MICC, page A2

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