SALEM COUNCIL-AT-LARGE Race features crowded field

One of the candidates formerly served as council president.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- The Salem council-at-large race features a crowded field of candidates, including several incumbents and a former council member.
Five candidates are running for three openings on the legislative panel. Terms are four years.
The incumbents are Fred Vogel, Nancy Cope and Alma Apicella. All are Republicans.
Vogel has been on council since 1998. He said he's running again because he enjoys serving the community.
Vogel said the experience he has gained during his tenure help qualify him for re-election.
Another qualification, he said, are his more than 23 years of business experience that give him "a seasoned approach to understanding and solving problems."
Other candidates: Cope brings to her re-election bid years of experience in city and county government. She has been on council since 1996 and served as a county commissioner from 1987 to 1990.
Cope said she's running again for council because she wants to help continue the growth now affecting the city.
She said her decade of governmental service qualifies her for re-election.
Apicella is seeking her second term on council. She's been on the panel since 1998.
Her re-election bid is prompted by a desire to "contribute back to the community in any way I can."
Seeking to return to council is Democrat Al Lesch.
Although Lesch is running now for council-at-large, he previously served on the panel in the 1990s as council president.
Lesch said he wants to return to council so he can put his governmental experience to work for the city as a voting member of council.
Council president does not have a vote, except to break a tie.
Another try: Cheryl Kholos is mounting a second try at earning a council seat.
Kholos unsuccessfully ran for the Third Ward seat in November 1999. She currently serves as city zoning board of appeals secretary.
Noting that Salem faces growth, Kholos said her skills in motivating people to action could be useful in helping the city address expansion.
Among her qualifications for the job are her financial experience, particularly in the lending field, she said.