Editor,

I’d like to encourage members of our community to apply for one of the City of Oak Harbor’s commissions. Recently, there has been considerable discussion and strong opinions expressed after decisions have been made. Many of these decisions are significantly influenced or determined by volunteers on our commissions, who play a crucial role in our local government.

The mayor appoints individuals to these commissions. For example, the Salary Commission had openings for several months, which were advertised on the city’s website, social media, and this publication. To my knowledge we did not receive any applications, so the mayor had to seek out candidates. As of now, there is still an open position on that commission with no applicants.

The purpose of this letter is not to comment on the mayor’s choices but to encourage more people to apply, so there is a broad pool of candidates to choose from. Participating in a commission is a valuable way to influence decision-making in our city. Some commissions meet monthly, while others meet only a few times a year. Their responsibilities range from having full authority, like the Salary Commission, to being advisory, like the Parks and Recreation Commission. All members are appreciated for their time, feedback, and dedication to our city.

You can apply for these positions directly on the city website under the “Apply for Advisory Board Vacancy” tab, where you will also find descriptions of the boards and current openings. Not all boards require applicants to live within city limits. If you need more information or wish to discuss your concerns or ideas about the city, I am always available for a conversation. My contact information, as well as those of my peers, is also available on the city’s website. As council members, we greatly value direct communication with those we represent.

Bryan Stucky

Council Member

City of Oak Harbor