Dunes City, a coastal community of about 1,400 residents south of Florence, will head to the polls on Nov. 3 to elect three at‑large council members. Two incumbents – Council President Susan Snow and Councilor Richard W. Olson Jr. – are seeking re‑election, while challengers Jeanne Jackson and Lisa Walter‑Sedlacek complete the field.
How the election works
Voters can select up to three candidates, including write‑ins, on a single ballot. The three highest vote‑getters will serve four‑year terms without pay, filling half of the six seats on the council. There are no term limits for councilors, and the council works with the city administrator to set policy and approve the annual budget.
Incumbent Council President Susan Snow
Snow, 70, has served on the council since 2017 after being appointed to fill a vacancy. She moved to the Westlake neighborhood in 2016 after a more than 30‑year career as a civilian federal military employee, including management and inspection work with the Air Force and at the Pentagon. Snow also owns a vacation rental outside of Dunes City in rural Lane County.
She opposes Measure 20‑386, which would prohibit new short‑term vacation rentals and require existing rentals to have a host living on the property. “Vacation rentals need less regulation,” Snow said. “The current city regulations are too complex. People need to be able to be people and do what they need to do.” Snow also highlighted past successes, such as getting the city off the hook for water‑quality testing on Siltcoos Lake by arguing the lake is state‑owned, and she is pushing for grant funding to maintain roads rather than waiting for repairs.
Incumbent Councilor Richard W. Olson Jr.
Olson, the only other incumbent seeking re‑election, declined to be interviewed for this story. He is the owner of Darlings Marina and RV Resort on Siltcoos Lake. In his filing and a statement for the city’s online voter guide, Olson listed prior experience as a public works director in Tieton, Washington, and various roles with Yakima County Public Works. He described himself as a “problem‑solver” who understands infrastructure from the ground up and practices responsible budgeting.
Challenger Jeanne Jackson
Jackson did not respond to interview requests. Her filing notes that she is a retired Westlake resident with a background in healthcare and hospitality, including running a family‑owned motel in Maine. She criticized the council’s recent appointments, saying, “Three current city councilors moved here recently, and originally joined the council by appointment rather than election, so voters have had few real chances to choose.” Jackson wants to give residents a genuine choice and protect the city’s special habitat while managing growth carefully.
Challenger Lisa Walter‑Sedlacek
Walter‑Sedlacek, also 70, decided to run after attending council meetings and becoming concerned about transparency and communication. She plans to improve the city’s website and make council business easier for residents to follow. While she said she will “probably vote” for Measure 20‑386, she emphasized the need to address noise complaints from vacation rentals and protect shoreline vegetation from unchecked development.
Walter‑Sedlacek moved to Dunes City in January but has lived in the Florence area for more than 40 years. She spent decades as a landscape contractor and owned Laurel Bay Gardens, giving her a deep familiarity with local land‑use issues.
Measure 20‑386 on vacation rentals
In addition to the council seats, voters will decide Measure 20‑386. If approved, the measure would ban new short‑term vacation rentals and require existing rentals to have a host living on the property while guests stay. The measure also includes other rules aimed at reducing noise and protecting the local environment.
Snow opposes the measure, arguing that over‑regulation harms property owners and tourism. Walter‑Sedlacek is inclined to support it, citing resident complaints about late‑night check‑ins and loud parties. Jackson’s filing does not specify a position on the measure, but she emphasizes protecting the city’s habitat and managing growth.
Recent election history
In the November 2022 general election, Olson received 537 votes, Snow 457 and former Councilor Melissa Stinson 451. Duke Wells finished fourth with 428 votes, just 23 fewer than Stinson. Stinson is not running for re‑election this cycle.
The upcoming election will shape Dunes City’s direction on infrastructure, budgeting, and the contentious vacation‑rental issue. Residents are encouraged to review the candidates’ statements, consider the implications of Measure 20‑386, and cast their ballots on Nov. 3.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
