Most people will take the mayoral election results as proof that people were dissatisfied with Mayor Jim Slowik, and there’s no doubt that some people were very unhappy with the Pioneer Avenue project.

I interpret the election results very differently. Dudley ran a very effective campaign by knocking on doors, talking to people, answering questions, advancing his agenda. Slowik ran a low-key campaign, saying that he couldn’t afford the time to do more. That was a mistake. Knocking on doors is powerful. In this case, I believe it was decisive. Anyone who aspires to public office should take note.

I regret that we failed to re-elect Mayor Slowik. I am grateful that he managed to move Oak Harbor ahead with the Pioneer Avenue reconstruction.  The mayor helped to solve a problem that has dogged Oak Harbor for decades.  The results are beautiful, and should be finalized within days. Thank you, Mayor Slowik!

I hope that Mayor-elect Dudley will prove as effective at governing as he did at campaigning.

Richard Donovan
Oak Harbor