Oak Harbor Mayor Wright Issues Blunt Message to Online Critics

Oak Harbor Mayor Ronnie Wright told critics of the local government to run for office or remain silent during his annual State of the City address on Thursday. Speaking to a crowd of about 100 people at the Elks Lodge, Wright urged residents who believe they can improve city operations to take a formal role in the process. He directed those who prefer to criticize from a distance to stay quiet if they do not seek elected positions.

Wright, who began his term in January 2024, noted that he will enter the final year of his current term in 2027. He told the News-Times that he is probably running for reelection. The address focused on collaboration and community involvement, though his closing remarks took a more direct stance toward external criticism. He observed that it is easy for people to post negative comments online without engaging in the work of governance.

The mayor outlined the city's strategy for managing growth under the Growth Management Act. Oak Harbor must plan for approximately 9,900 additional residents, which equates to about 4,000 new housing units. Wright reported that 235 new homes are complete, 233 are currently under construction, and 417 are in the development phase. He argued that new construction creates jobs across multiple sectors and provides customers for local shops, restaurants, and businesses.

Wright emphasized that quality of life improvements support this growth. The city is maintaining public spaces and increasing participation in youth and adult recreation programs. This progress continued despite leadership changes in the Parks and Recreation Department. Craig Llamas-Cole now serves as the department's director, replacing Brian Smith, who left the city in March.

The administration has also focused on human resources and staffing. Former director Emma House resigned in April after being placed on administrative leave. In May, the City Council approved the hiring of Kristina Hines to take her place. Wright said 48 new employees joined the city, including 31 full-time workers. He described improving staff morale as one of his biggest wins as mayor. However, Liflor Barrera, a former human resources analyst, filed a tort claim in August seeking millions of dollars in damages over her alleged wrongful termination in June.

Public safety agencies received investment during this period. The Oak Harbor Fire Department opened a second station in June after a year of construction. The project was completed under budget and aims to improve emergency response in the southwestern part of the city. The department also upgraded its vehicle fleet and launched a full-time fire academy, saving the city more than $60,000 compared to sending recruits to the state academy. The police department opened a new training center in May and received state funding for wellness counseling for law enforcement personnel in Island and Skagit counties.

Financial challenges remain for the city. Oak Harbor faces about $7.74 million in budget cuts in the coming biennium. These cuts will delay road and stormwater projects and reduce contributions to reserve funds as revenue stagnates and service costs rise. Despite these pressures, Wright stated that the city is in a stronger financial position than many other Washington cities. He reported that the administration has secured $11.1 million in grants since 2024.

Wright criticized those who post negative comments about city government, saying they often fail to recognize the sacrifices made by officials and staff. He read an unattributed quote about keeping one's peace of mind from critics. His remarks followed the city's decision to disable comments on its social media channels in August. At the start of the event, communications officer Magi Aguilar announced that there would be no question and answer session with the mayor. Attendees were encouraged to submit comment cards, with Wright planning to address questions in an upcoming video series.

Residents can still address the City Council during regular meetings or submit comments through the city's website, email, or voicemail. Council workshops generally do not include public comment periods. Wright concluded the event by reiterating his call for active participation in local governance over passive criticism.