Herm Olsen decides against filing for re-election

Herm Olsen believes 12 years is long enough for any one to serve in an elected position, especially him. The three-term Logan City Council member did not file for re-election in this year’s Municipal General Election citing, among other things, the rigors of other commitments and the need for change.

“Twelve years is a long time,” said Olsen. “Having new thoughts, new ideas and new blood is always invigorating to a group.”

In addition to his current council obligations, Olsen is the president-elect of the Utah Bar Association and will take over as president in July. He said the time and effort he will need to spend in the UBA position weighed heavily on his decision not to run.

“I figured that the burden of both positions would be too much for me and I didn’t want to do injustice to either one,” said Olsen. “As I wind down on the council, my efforts and energies will be picking up more significantly down at the state bar leadership in Salt Lake. As a consequence, I just figured I needed to pull back.”

Olsen was first elected to the city council in 2007, defeating incumbent Steven Taylor with 69 percent of the votes. He has served with a number of mayors and council members throughout the years and considers many his close friends.

“I really have worked with some good and decent people who have stepped up and done their homework and worked hard,” he said. “It’s just been gratifying to not only have these people as community associates, but become friends and that’a a pretty useful and valuable thing when it comes right down do it.”

Olsen still has several months left in his council term and at the age of 69 has no plans to slow down just yet.

I may be in the electoral grave, but it’s not completely covered over yet,” he joked.

“I am still in the process of trying to get some control over the wasteful use of plastics in our community,” said Olsen. “It began about a year ago with a proposal to prohibit businesses in Logan from distributing single use plastic bags. It has now adjusted somewhat so that we’re trying to get a countywide plastic recycling program underway. That would be nice for mother earth,” he stressed.

Nine Logan residents registered their intent to file for three open city council seats. Some are first-time candidates, two are incumbents.

The candidates interested in serving the 4-year terms include:

• Mark A. Anderson

• Ken Heare

• Keegan Garrity

• Jeannie F. Simmonds (incumbent)

• Tom Jensen (incumbent)

• Abraham E. Verdoes

• Lynsey Rose Kinchea

• Gary Poore

• David P. James

With so many filing in Logan, there will be a Primary Election on August 13, 2019. After the primary, the top six candidates will advance to the General Election on November 5th.

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