Sawyer Wins Mayoral Race He Says Victory A Sign That Citizens Are Tired Of Being Left Out Of Decisions

David Sawyer squeaked out a mayoral victory Tuesday, thanks in part to some newly annexed residents, still perturbed at being forced into the city limits.

Sawyer, 37, was one of the only city councilmen to oppose last year’s annexation.

It paid off in votes, giving Sawyer an upset win over 14-year councilman Ray Miller. This was Miller’s third unsuccessful bid for mayor.

Sawyer finished with 656 votes. Miller, a high school teacher, ended with 590 votes, while tavern manager John Conlan lagged with 228 votes.

Sawyer said his win signaled that residents are tired of the status quo and being left out of government decisions.

“The message was pretty clear that this town needs to be brought together and wants a leader who is willing to do that,” Sawyer said over a roaring victory party crowd at Bradley’s Restaurant.

“There has been a tremendous lack of respect for residents. The city hasn’t been listening to them. The new council and myself are going to bring people back into City Hall.”

Although Miller, 51, was beat out of the mayoral job, he will retain his council seat, which was not up for election this year.

But Miller said he is now mulling whether he wants to stay on.

“I’m seriously debating that. Evidently people went in a direction that I have no interest in going,” he said.

The three at large council seats, all for four-year terms, were filled by Sue Haynes with 960 votes; Michael Boge with 699 votes; and business owner Francis Ogilvie with 693 votes. Gil Morris and Dave Crettol trailed the field of five candidates with 688 and 686 votes, respectively.

Valle Novak was unopposed for a two-year city council seat. She had 1,182 votes.

The election represents a major overhaul of Sandpoint city government. Only two incumbent councilmen remain in office.

Sawyer is the sales and purchasing manager for a local solar electric company. He plans to quit that job to be full-time mayor, a position that pays $800 a month.

Topping his list of priorities is settling a community dispute over the Festival at Sandpoint. The festival plans to seek a second summer concert site in Kootenai County. Sawyer and other residents want festival organizers to keep all its shows in town and possibly build a permanent festival stage in nearby Ponderay.

Many of the newly elected council members also campaigned for a long-range plan to handle growth and attract small businesses.

In Ponderay city elections, Mayor Jim Hunt, who was unopposed, received 95 votes. The two council seats were filled by incumbent Brad Mitton with 51 votes and Roger Van Fossen, with 53 votes.

They defeated challengers Barbara Trout and incumbent Curtis Mitton who earned 50 and 46 votes, respectively.

, DataTimes