The letter from John Voet, criticizing Jill Johnson for celebrating her “Best Community Leader” win on the Oak Harbor Chamber’s reader board wrongly laid the blame at Jill’s feet.

The recognition was a surprise to her from the chamber board and staff. As board president, I made the decision to congratulate her. Period.

In Mr. Voet’s recent letter, he jumped to conclusions based on faulty assumptions. Stating that Jill behaved unethically or childishly shows his lack of knowledge of both her as a person and the values of our organization.

Jill’s achievements reflect directly on the chamber and the role we have in shaping this community.  Everyone associated with us benefits from her recognition. She works hard for the betterment of this town, and you will have a hard time finding someone that cares as much about the people and businesses in our community as she does.

Additionally, the chamber is operating independent of Jill’s choice to seek public office. It’s business as usual for us.  This means that even if she was not a candidate for office I would have made the same decision to acknowledge her award.

The only difference is that Angie Homola’s campaign manager, John Voet, wouldn’t have cried foul. And it’s a little curious to me that he decided to voice his opinion right after primary election day, it makes me wonder what his real motives are.  Actually, I’m not at all curious — we all know why he said what he said, and when he said it.

The truth is, that for 2012, Jill Johnson is the “Best Community Leader” and as president of the chamber’s board of directors, our organization will take pride and celebrate that fact whether it is an election year or not.

Jason McFadyen President,
Greater Oak Harbor
Chamber of Commerce