Culver voters have two solid candidates competing for one seat on the City Council, both with deep roots in the region and a desire to serve their community.

We recommend a vote for Daryl Lonien, operation manager of family-owned Opal Springs Water Co., although we were also impressed by the dedication and volunteer efforts of opponent Charles Rushing.

Two other council members and the mayor are running unopposed.

Lonien, who will turn 55 on Oct. 19, was born in Bend, graduated from Bend High School in 1977 and took diesel tech classes at the Oregon Institute of Technology. He has served in the Oregon Army National Guard since 1977, currently as a general construction engineer supervising projects throughout the state.

He became operation manager of the Opal water company in 1998 and commuted from Bend until moving to Culver five years ago. His mother owns the company, his brother makes deliveries, his wife serves as secretary and Lonien runs the plant itself.

Lonien says he is seeking a council seat to fulfill his military responsibility for “loyalty, duty, respect and selfless service.” He is concerned about some recent burglaries and believes he can help establish neighborhood watch groups and help expand attendance at community lunches that are offered twice a week.

Rushing, 66, has lived in Culver for four years after 26 years as a mill supervisor in Redmond and a stint in the city of Jefferson, where he served on the City Council and was an active community volunteer. Since moving to Culver and retiring, he has given volunteer help to the city’s maintenance person, doing mowing and handyman work as needed. He said he is running for council because the city was short on people to run, and he believes in volunteerism and community service.

The two are competing for the seat now held by Shannon Poole, who decided not to run for re-election. Mayor Nancy Diaz and councilors Sharon Orr and Hilario Diaz have no competitors in this election. The rest of the council — Andy Byrd, Bart Carpenter and Warren Walker — are not up for election this year.