McMinnville Aldermen candidates discuss local issues

Five candidates vying for three seats on McMinnville's Board of Mayor and Aldermen made their cases to voters during a community forum last Friday, tackling issues ranging from a proposed data center and surveillance cameras to unfinished city projects, taxpayer spending and the future of nonprofit funding.

Incumbents Deitra Dunlap and Keri Curtis Morton are seeking reelection, while Kimberly Cantrell, Sean Logsdon and Emily Stefanick are hoping to earn their first terms on the board. All five will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, with voters able to select up to three candidates.

The forum, hosted by Warren First 931 and Warren County Joy, gave candidates an opportunity to discuss their backgrounds and answer questions about issues facing McMinnville. While all five expressed opposition to a proposed data center, their answers revealed differences in how they believe city government should approach spending, public safety and long-term planning.

One of the most closely watched issues was the city's temporary moratorium on data centers and what should happen when it expires.

"I do not believe that the city has anywhere in McMinnville that a data center would be appropriate," said Morton. "Our electrical grid can't sustain it and neither can our water, as we can all tell right now that we are in a drought."

Cantrell called for stronger protections that would extend beyond the temporary moratorium.

"We can’t have McMinnville and we can’t have a data center - We can’t have both . . .. We definitely need some more permanent restrictions on the books as far as the pollution and the water usage," Cantrell said.

Logsdon, who moved to McMinnville two years ago, questioned what progress city officials have made toward establishing those protections.

"I don't know what our government is doing about it," Logsdon said. “It's going to be a very hard battle against a private entity without being sued. They have big corporate lawyers paying them hundreds of millions of dollars on retainers to get a half a billion dollar center in here. We have a big fight ahead of us.

"We've already burned through three months of the moratorium. I definitely don't want that data center here."

Dunlap acknowledged those concerns but cautioned that the city must work within its legal authority.

"I think that we are right now our legal counsel is looking into what we actually can do legally and none of our board wants it and there's been a huge public outcry from our residents that do not want it," Dunlap said.

Stefanick pointed to the city's planning and zoning department as the appropriate avenue for determining how to regulate potential developments.

"Before we introduce something to our city that could potentially be harmful to our citizens, we have to do our homework," Stefanick said.

The discussion turned to another controversial subject when candidates were asked about Flock license plate recognition cameras and whether residents should have a greater say in their use.

Cantrell said she wants to examine whether the technology's effectiveness justifies the privacy concerns it raises.

"How many stolen vehicles or this or that have we actually recovered from using these flock cameras?" Cantrell asked. "Weigh that out with the privacy that we're sacrificing in order to get that help."

She also questioned the number and placement of cameras throughout the city.

Morton offered a different perspective, pointing to the technology's potential to assist law enforcement in locating missing people and identifying criminal activity.

"I do believe flock cameras have their place," Morton said. "They're just like everything else. Our cell phones have their place."

She acknowledged concerns about misuse but said she believes McMinnville is operating the system appropriately.

Logsdon described the cameras as a "double-edged sword," recognizing their public safety benefits while questioning who has access to the information collected.

Dunlap encouraged residents who have concerns to attend board meetings and speak directly with elected officials rather than limiting their comments to social media.

"Come to us, talk things out, and let us know what your concerns are about flock cameras so when that comes before us, we can say that the residents of our city overwhelmingly hate these or they appreciate them either way," Dunlap said.

Stefanick said the issue ultimately comes down to public accountability.

"I believe that the citizens of McMinnville are owed transparency, from what our government does," Stefanick said.

Questions about the city's capital improvement projects brought attention to several long-discussed proposals, including a new police station, downtown public restrooms and improvements to the downtown lot.

For Dunlap, completing the police station remains a priority, though she said the city's financial obligations must guide those decisions.

"I would love to see a completion of this is me personally the completion of our police station," Dunlap said. "So looking at our budget, spending our money responsibly, looking beyond what we can afford this year, asking what this will cost us in five, 10, and 20 years."

Morton agreed that the police station should take precedence over other projects, particularly improvements to the downtown lot.

"The public lot downtown, we would love to have that done, but we will not, I would not vote to put that above the police station," Morton said.

Cantrell expressed frustration with projects that consume planning dollars without producing completed improvements.

"If we are going to start a project, if we're going to invest in getting quotes and drawing up plans, we should see that through," Cantrell said.

She identified downtown public restrooms as a more immediate need than some other proposed improvements.

Logsdon also questioned why previously discussed projects have failed to move forward, pointing to his construction background as experience he could bring to the board.

"Why? Doesn't make any sense," Logsdon said when discussing projects that have stalled. "It's very difficult to get answers. Me being on the board, I will be able to have answers for the community on this and explain to them why projects aren't getting done."

Stefanick emphasized that the city must distinguish between necessary expenditures and improvements that can wait.

"We can't not spend money, right? We have to spend money but we have to spend it responsibly," Stefanick said. "So what we can do is we can make sure that your priorities align with the way we're spending your money."

The candidates also addressed the role of city government in supporting nonprofit organizations, with particular attention to the Magness Library and its announced Saturday closures.

Dunlap said the city already provides $68,000 annually to the library but noted that previous charitable contributions were reduced as officials worked toward balancing the budget.

"It was hard for all of us, I know, because we all, it's really hard to say we're going to cut Meals on Wheels. . . you know, that's hard. It's heartbreaking," Dunlap said.

Morton agreed that funding city services must remain the board's first responsibility.

"We collect tax money, and we have to be good stewards of our taxpayers," Morton said.

Stefanick suggested that the city's financial progress could provide an opportunity to reconsider some of those decisions.

"I think that now moving forward is an excellent time to reassess our resources and to listen to the constituents and hear what you have to say about, is this something that we need to reinstate?" Stefanick said.

Cantrell proposed examining how the city distributes nonprofit funding and whether contributions could help organizations become more financially independent.

"We have to make sure they're not relying on city tax dollars alone," Cantrell said.

Logsdon said he believes government has a role in helping organizations that provide important community services when the financial resources are available.

"If it's financially responsible, then we have a duty to help charitable organizations," Logsdon said.

Beyond the questions, the candidates used their opening and closing remarks to emphasize what they would bring to the board.

Dunlap pointed to her experience on multiple city committees, including finance, safety, parks and recreation and public utilities, as well as the board's work on infrastructure, public safety equipment and long-term financial planning.

"Serving on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen has been a responsibility that I take very seriously," Dunlap said. "I've learned that not every decision is easy. Not many of them are easy at all."

Morton highlighted her work on stormwater issues, which she said originally motivated her to seek office. She also discussed the city's strategic planning process, infrastructure improvements and efforts to balance the budget.

"Stormwater is what started me on this path," Morton said. "I believe the city should explore every avenue before adding another department and imposing another fee on its residents."

Stefanick discussed her experience on the Board of Zoning Appeals, Park Theater Advisory Board and McMinnville Downtown Revenue Finance Corporation Board. She said she wants to contribute to the city's continued development while maintaining financial responsibility.

"I would like to give back to the city that's given so much to me and my family," Stefanick said.

Cantrell emphasized accessibility and pedestrian safety, particularly for residents who walk to grocery stores and other businesses for essential needs.

"We have neighborhoods where people are walking to access groceries, diapers, and basic necessities," Cantrell said. "It's our responsibility to ensure that these residents have safe sidewalks and crosswalks."

Logsdon said his background operating a small construction business would help him approach city projects and spending decisions. He also argued that the board would benefit from additional viewpoints.

"Experience has value. Yet progress also depends on new viewpoints and independent judgment from those who approach local challenges without long-standing institutional habits," Logsdon said.

With two incumbents seeking to continue their work and three challengers hoping to join the board, the November election will determine who helps guide McMinnville through its next round of decisions on development, infrastructure and city finances.

Early voting runs Oct. 14-29, with Election Day set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.