Brewer's the better choice

Jim Slowik bills himself as the outsider since he has not held an Oak Harbor city government position in the past. He had served on the school board but left mid-term due to some unknown conflicts. He has managed a series of businesses, large and small, and served on a bank board briefly. In spite of his “outsider” status he has notably received the endorsement of all of the powers that be in the city, past and present.

Will he be likely to be concerned about the impact of traffic, walking paths and other key quality of life concerns? Given his present constituency, can he hold this office objectively and not be expected to be beholden to those moneyed supporters? What will his policies be regarding growth and big-box stores forcing the city to expand its footprint to offer more-of-same services?

Paul Brewer, on the other hand, is a 12-year veteran of the city council who has long stood for managed growth, improved infrastructure for the city and responsible use of the taxpayers’ money. He has fought for public input into local government including citizen membership on growth boards and open government principles. He is an honest, straight-forward man, almost to a fault at times. He was a strong opponent of the under-zoned Wal-Mart development and corresponding mess it has created on SR 20.

For the future, he offers a platform of much more reasoned growth and a challenge for the city to manage its boundaries and focus on infill and increased responsibility to the taxpayer for their hard-earned dollar.

Paul Brewer, in my opinion, is a far better choice for mayor to take us forward with thoughtfulness and an eye to how great this city could be.

Charles Niedzialkowski

Oak Harbor

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