Oak Harbor City Councilor Bryan Stucky posted this to his Facebook page on June 5, 2025.
With the recent announcement that Hydro’s for Heroes will not happen this year, I’ve seen a wide range of emotions expressed on social media. I, too, am saddened by the cancellation. Many of the comments have been directed at the city, with statements such as, “Council needs to do better,” and “The city shouldn’t have let this happen.” I’d like to take a moment to clarify the city’s role in events like these.
There are some who may not realize that the vast majority of community events are NOT organized by the city. In the case of Hydro’s I heard that it would not happen over social media – the same time as everyone else. When something goes wrong with events like Culture Fest (formerly Holland Happening), the Fourth of July celebration, or Hydro’s for Heroes, the criticism often turns toward the city, suggesting we’ve somehow dropped the ball. I understand the confusion—at one time, I also assumed many of these events were city-run. But to be clear: they are not. These events are made possible by dedicated groups of volunteers, and we should extend them grace when things don’t go exactly as planned.
The city’s role is to support these events by removing as many obstacles as possible to help them succeed. We assist with things like road closures, public land, permitting, public safety, and some advertising. Of course, we have to maintain certain safety standards and guidelines, but beyond that, our goal should be to help facilitate—not hinder—the process (in my opinion).
Another way the city supports community events is through funding. We cannot simply take money from the general budget to fund events. However, we can provide grants through LTAC (Lodging Tax Advisory Committee) dollars. LTAC funds come from a small tax collected when someone stays at a hotel, and that money is given to the city to be used specifically to promote tourism. Events like the ones I mentioned above have successfully applied for and received LTAC funding in the past. Hundreds of thousands of dollars a year are provided to events like this, through that fund.
We do have a Parks and Recreation Department that organizes some city-sponsored events. A good example is the upcoming Pirates and Mermaids event later this month. We’re also in the early stages of planning a Chalk Fest for next year. We are still ramping up and more exciting events will likely happen in the future.
Like many communities, it often feels like 1% of the population does 90% of the work to make these events happen. These volunteers organize events year after year, asking for help or trying to pass the torch—but it’s often difficult to find people willing to step up. Rarely does someone volunteer to “take the lead,” yet many are quick to criticize when things don’t go perfectly. It’s worth noting that several city officials offer their support as private citizens. For example, Councilmember Eric Marshall, who is also the Chamber Director, is leading efforts for Culture Fest. Councilmember Jim Woessner has been one of the key organizers for Hydro’s for Heroes. I’ve personally donated both time and money to many of these events over the years.
We can—and should—continue to improve the way the city partners with volunteer organizations. However, we often cannot be the ones to take the lead in organizing these events. I won’t say there has never been some “Red tape” that should have been avoided. But when it happens we take a good look at our policies to see if it can be modified in the future.
If there’s an event you care deeply about—whether you don’t want to see it disappear or believe it could be improved—I encourage you to reach out to the event organizers and ask how you can help. You might just be the difference that helps it succeed.
On the Ballot in November 2025
| CITY OF OAK HARBOR |
|---|
| Councilmember, Position 4 Barbara Armes |
| Councilmember, Position 5 James P. Marrow, the incumbent Brit Kraner Marrow was appointed to replace Shane Hoffmire until the results of the election are certified in November. |
| Councilmember, Position 6 Andy Plumlee Sandi Peterson Incumbent Jim Woessner did not file for another term. |
| Councilmember, Position 7 Bryan Stucky |
