The new mayor seems to have the attitude he can do anything he desires without the slightest regard for what his constituents want. My thoughts are how did this egotistical, arrogant upstart get elected?

I see the mayor is now advertising for a new fire chief at a salary of $90,000 to $100,000 per year. I cannot help but wonder if this isn’t a smokescreen to comply with the law by naming a buddy? Unless there are criminal or moral issues involved, good management does not fire highly rated employees unless they already have a better replacement lined up. Apparently, this is not the case.

The cost the new mayor has laid on the Oak Harbor taxpayers is staggering. How much are the severance packages? If Fire Chief Mark Soptich takes an early retirement, it will cost taxpayers thousands of dollars more; i.e., paying two employees instead of one. Now we will have a new fire chief and who knows how competent that person will be? How will the employees react to the new chief? One thing for sure, they reacted well to Mr. Soptich’s leadership!

I do not know the others who the mayor axed, but I have been told they were all excellent employees. However, as the mayor said, he does not answer to anyone.

In closing, please advise me if there is a recall about to occur. I will be happen to help financially fund same.

Gary L. Talbert
Oak Harbor