Oak Harbor City Councilman Shane Hoffmire posted this on his Facebook page and website on May 8, 2023.
It has come to my attention that many do not know what it is a Mayor actually does! Being the official and ceremonial head of the city seems lofty and important but what does it actually mean?
On a most basic level, a Mayor is entrusted with representing the city in ceremonial occasions. He/She is also tasked with presiding over all meetings of the City Council unless other Mayoral duties force them to be absent. These very public duties are not where the Mayor’s tasks end, however.
The Mayor is also the Chief Executive Officer of the city, in charge of all departments and employees, with authority to designate assistants and department heads. The unfortunate task of removing a Chief Administrative Officer also falls to the Mayor.
He/She is entrusted with ensuring all laws and ordinances are faithfully enforced and that order is maintained in the city. This includes overseeing all contracts and agreements. This can come in the form of taking legal action as needed should issues arise, although it should be noted that such action needs approval and participation on the part of the City Council.
While the Mayor only has a tie breaker vote on the Council, he/she is required to prepare and submit a proposed budget and report to the Council concerning affairs of the City
While it has not always historically been the case, I believe that a Mayor should have the most direct listening ear for the community and should be accordingly willing to fight for them as needed. Being a successful, functional Mayor is impossible without realizing power comes specifically from the ability and willingness to act on behalf of his/her constituents.
Since my election to the Council, I have been afforded the unique position of affecting change because I have listened to YOU. As Mayor, I will continue to listen by protecting the change instituted and accelerating the rate of progress. My work ethic, experience, and dedication to the citizens of Oak Harbor positions me with the confidence that I’ll succeed as Oak Harbor’s next Mayor.
As I have asked time and time again, please continue to flood me with suggestions. Continue to reach out and tell me how I can move Oak Harbor toward the affordable and loveable city we all know it is.
| CITY OF OAK HARBOR |
| City Council: Four of five council positions are on the ballot. Position 1: Tara Hizon Councilwoman Hizon filed with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) to run for re-election. Position 2: Beth Munns Christopher Wiegenstein, a commissioner with the North Whidbey Pool, Park and Recreation District, filed with the Public Disclosure Commission in April to run for a City Council seat, but did not specify which position. During Filing Week, he filed to run for this seat. Former mayoral candidate Patrick Harman and Andy Plumlee, who was not selected for the Position 4 vacancy, have also filed for this seat. Position 3: Eric Marshall. Councilman Marshall was appointed after the resignation of Jeff Mack. This election will be for the remainder of Mack’s full term, which ends Dec. 31, 2023, and the succeeding four-year full term, which ends Dec. 31, 2027. Position 4: Christopher Wiegenstein Councilman Wiegenstein was appointed after the resignation of Dan Evans. This election will be for the remainder of Evans’ full term, which ends Dec. 31, 2025. announced his intention to apply for vacancy and run for the council on Apr. 28, 2023. Three of the shortlisted applicants, Barbara Armes, John Chaszar, and Wismine D’Avilar, have filed to run for the seat. |
| Mayor: Bob Severns Mayor Severns announced that he will not run for another term. Craig Nurvic, Councilman Shane Hoffmire, Oak Harbor businessmen Ronnie Wright and Nick Green filed to run during Filing Week. |
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