In this upcoming election, the city of Oak Harbor has an incredible opportunity to revitalize its governing body. Not only are there are a number of city council positions wide open this time around, several competent and qualified candidates have stepped up to run for these positions.

In order to make this revitalization truly successful, though, Oak Harbor needs a competent mayor with proven leadership skills and the ability to solve diverse problems.

Jim Slowik has the character, knowledge and experience to be Oak Harbor’s next, great mayor. I have known Jim for over 20 years. His diverse experience in the Marine Corps, in business, as a school board member, and as a community leader have molded him into someone I would trust to represent my city in front of the city council or the president of the United States.

Unlike his opponent, Jim understands the role that the mayor plays in the type of city government we have in Oak Harbor. Mr. Slowik’s opponent continues to bleat an old message about being “the voice of the people.” Problem is, a mayor is not properly anyone’s voice. To insist that the office of the mayor needs to be “the voice of the people” as Jim’s opponent does, suggests a fundamental failure to comprehend the important role in which a mayor must serve.

Jim Slowik is running for mayor to be part of a solution that this community sorely needs. In the office of the mayor we need the kind of calm, intelligent, consensus building leadership that Jim Slowik has demonstrated in both his public and private life. I encourage you to vote for a consensus builder and a proven leader as your mayor. Vote for Jim Slowik.

Christon Skinner

Oak Harbor