Oak Harbor City Councilor Bryan Stucky posted this to his Facebook page on 2026-02-09 11:10:40.
(photos are from controversial topics in the past…not something being currently worked on.
I’d like to give a little glimpse into my world.
I’ve been asked a few times why I post items on social media. It’s a fair question. After all, it’s a little unusual for local elected officials to regularly post about matters related to their office on their own pages.
I believe in being as transparent as possible. That can mean many things to many people (and it’s certainly an often overused “buzzword”). I like posting items that I think may be controversial so the public has a chance to see what’s coming ahead of time and weigh in. Yes, you can sign up to receive council agendas in advance, and yes, you can check our website—and I encourage people to do so. But for many residents, city business isn’t always top of mind, so I post here to try to get the word out to as many people as possible.
I may interact in the comments and provide additional information. For the most part, though, I try to simply post the topic and copy a few highlights from the meeting packet to give context without bias. I understand that because I use social media and am willing to engage, a lot of frustration can be directed toward me It used to bother me, but over time I’ve learned not to take it personally.
When I post, I’m not suggesting that I’m for or against an idea. Often, I’m not even the person bringing the idea forward—that typically comes from staff or administration. I never want the public to think we’re trying to “sneak something through,” and my posting here is simply an effort to be open.
That said, I do have a request. If there’s something you’re passionate about, please take the time to submit a public comment. Not everyone gives weight to social media comments, and not everyone sees them. I’ve seen roads changed based on a single public comment. I’ve seen entire ordinances brought forward because a handful of people took the time to either attend in person or write in. Two or three emails are far more effective than me saying, “Dozens of people on my social media are against this.” I want feedback before a decision is made—not after, and I believe the rest of the council feels the same way. I’ve seen many topics that receive tons of social media comments…but not a single public comment.
Public comments can be submitted using this link:
https://www.oakharbor.gov/467/Public-Comment-Form-for-Council-Advisory
Or by emailing the city clerk at jnester@oakharbor.org.
I’ll continue doing my best to share information through multiple platforms, especially on items that may be more controversial. I’m always willing to interact and provide context, and there are many ways to get in touch with me, or other members of the city. I believe that if everyone takes just a few extra minutes to engage, we can move our city in a positive direction.
