To the other three people recently fired by Mayor Dudley, I would like to say thank you for your work. I have been told that all of you were excellent, talented workers who have served our city well.

To Fire Chief Soptich, whom I know well,  I would like to publicly say thank you for your service as Oak Harbor’s fire chief for more than two  decades, for your service to the Boy Scouts of America during the bulk of those 20-plus years, for your service to the thousands of people in your church across all these many years, and for your impeccable example both in public and private at all times, including right now when you choose not to lower yourself to the level of the mayor.

You have impacted thousands of lives for good and I, for one, will be ever grateful that you have been such a positive influence in the lives of me and my family.

Jeff Ellis
Oak Harbor