Oak Harbor Mayor Ronnie Wright urges critics to run for office or stay silent

Oak Harbor Mayor Ronnie Wright concluded his annual State of the City address on October 29 by directing city critics to either seek elected office or cease their public commentary. Roughly 100 residents, council members, and staff attended the event at the Elks Lodge, where Wright outlined the city’s current growth strategies and financial status.

Wright, who assumed office in January 2024, stated that online criticism is often effortless for people sitting behind keyboards. He told the audience that if individuals believe they can perform the job more effectively, they should step forward and run for office. Otherwise, he advised them to remain quiet.

The mayor emphasized that new construction drives economic activity by creating jobs and bringing customers to local shops and restaurants. Under Growth Management Act rules, the city plans to accommodate approximately 9,900 additional residents, a projection that requires about 4,000 new housing units. Wright reported that 235 new homes are currently completed, 233 are under construction, and 417 are in development.

Personnel changes occurred across several city departments during the year. Craig Llamas-Cole serves as the new Parks and Recreation director, replacing Brian Smith who left in March. Kristina Hines replaced Emma House as human resources director in May after House resigned in April. Liflor Barrera, a former human resources analyst, filed a tort claim in August seeking millions of dollars in damages regarding her alleged wrongful termination in June.

Wright noted that 48 new employees joined the city, including 31 full-time workers. He described improving staff morale as a major achievement of his administration. The Fire Department opened a second station in June, a project that finished under budget, and launched a full-time fire academy that saved the city more than $60,000. The Police Department opened a new training center in May and received state funding for wellness counseling.

The city faces approximately $7.74 million in budget cuts in the coming biennium, which will delay road and stormwater projects. Wright stated that Oak Harbor remains in a stronger financial position than many other Washington cities and has secured $11.1 million in grants since 2024. The administration disabled comments on city social media channels in August, and no live question-and-answer session took place during the October 29 address.

City communications officer Magi Aguilar announced at the start of the event that attendees could submit comment cards for an upcoming video series. Residents can also address the City Council during regular meetings or through the city website, email, or voicemail. Council workshops generally do not include public comment periods.