Editor,

Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley wants to spin the outcome of this election as not being a referendum on him, but rather the result of “campaigning, campaigning hard.”

Since the mayor personally campaigned at least as hard as any of the actual candidates, even going door-to-door in his attempt to defeat the City Council members with whom he has differences, perhaps it was about how he campaigned, with distortions, untruthfulness and attempts to discredit those whom he cannot fire.

Mayor Dudley would be well-advised to now turn his energy toward becoming a true leader, one who works with, not against, the City Council members, and respects their wide range of knowledge, experience, and ideas, not just his single “vision.”

Build a consensus of the best minds and talent available, instead of trying to eliminate them.

Stop firing every staff person and department head who has honest, good information, even if it’s not what he wants to hear.

In two short years, the election really will be a referendum on him, and the more his past tactics and deceptions come to light, the worse it looks.

Two years go by fast, Mayor Dudley, how will you use the time?

Judy Smith

Oak Harbor