Both of the candidates still in the running for Position 4 on the Oak Harbor City Council will progress to the general election following Tuesday’s primary.

Barbara Armes and John Chaszar have spoken up about the need to address the city’s delapidated infrastructure as they prepare for the primary election, and the general election to which they will both advance. Former candidate Wismine D’Avilar announced that she no longer wishes to be elected, though her name still appears on the primary ballot.

According to Armes, the biggest problems the city is facing include a poor economy and lack of tourism downtown, crime, homelessness and decaying infrastructure.

Seeking out state and federal funding to make critical infrastructure repairs would be her top priority as a council member, she said, adding that she hopes to “prevent a huge burden to the taxpayers of Oak Harbor.”

A lack of mental health resources and affordable housing are also major problems she would like to address, she said.

Armes said she would like to see the council work more closely with the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the Oak Harbor Main Street Association to bring more retail businesses to the waterfront and increase tourism downtown, as well as improve accessibility in city parks for people with disabilities.

Armes brings several years of experience in the political field to her candidacy; in 2020, she managed the 10th legislative district office for local, state and federal candidates, and she served as the precinct committee officer of her precinct over the last two election cycles.

Chaszar also identified the city’s infrastructure as a critical issue the city is facing and said the council will need to make a plan to fund and execute necessary repairs and maintenance.

“This will require input from all stakeholders, most importantly the citizens and business owners,” he said.

If elected, Chaszar’s first priority will be to meet with city administrators to learn more about the city’s needs and goals. Chaszar said he feels his community and professional experience qualify him for the position; he spent more than 30 years in executive leadership roles in the hospital industry, during which he managed budgets of over $150 million and led teams of more than 1,000 staff members.

He has held volunteer leadership positions with various chambers of commerce and convention and visitors bureaus in the past, and currently serves as the vice chair of the Oak Harbor Planning Commission and executive member of the Citizens for Better Schools board.

“I have been in love with this community for over 30 years,” he said. “I believe my life experiences will contribute greatly to the guidance of Oak Harbor into the future.”

He added that he sees a need for someone with a “solid business background” on the council.

The primary election will take place Aug. 1.

John Chaszar