My name is Brad Mayerle and I am announcing my candidacy for an open position on the Manzanita city council.
Our city is at a crossroads and the November election offers an opportunity to choose a better path forward. We need a clear vision for the future and better planning to help us get there. We need elected leaders who are transparent in their work and accountable to the people they represent. We need action, and a sense of urgency. I can offer that.
In talking to my friends and neighbors, watching city council meetings and reading local stories and social media posts, it’s clear our city has lost its way, putting the interests of visitors and developers above the concerns of the people who live here. Our current path, with its dependence on tourists and short-term rental income, is not sustainable. We need a better balance: a diverse and vibrant community that welcomes visitors, but first and foremost, meets the needs of the people who call Manzanita home. Our future and quality of life depend on it.
A little about me. I’m 58, married to my wife Jennifer for 25 years, and we have a 23 year old daughter, Sophia. We have a big, young, adopted yellow lab with too much energy named Colonel Mustard. I enjoy everything outdoors, be it clamming, crabbing, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, even yard work.
My family bought a second home in Manzanita more than 20 years ago. We enjoyed being welcomed into the city and neighborhood enough to make it our permanent residence five years ago. While things have changed since we first bought our place, I believe our city is a wonderful place and has enormous potential for the future.
Prior to my retirement a year ago, I was a dentist in Lake Oswego for 28 years, leading a staff of 15 wonderful and talented employees. We made a difference in our patients’ dental experiences and that makes me proud. Patients trusted me to hear their concerns, to diagnose their conditions, and to explain options for their health. These decisions involved listening to patient wants and worries, proposing a resolution, and implementing a plan that would satisfy their needs and budget. While not directly analogous to the role of a city councilor, many of the skills for success are the same: the ability to listen, think critically, create consensus, and execute a plan to accomplish the goal.
I didn’t plan on seeking elected office when I retired. To the contrary, my plan included laying low, fishing, working in the yard, and enjoying the perks of living in this beautiful community. But I believe in public service and in making a difference however we can. I’d like to do that in Manzanita – to bring people together to address the issues we face. I’ve heard your concerns about livability, the ongoing city hall drama, closing trails to access the beach, dune grading, loss of wildlife habitat, and construction noise. And I believe there are solutions—that we can find common ground if we work together earnestly and respectfully.
I know change can be difficult, even scary. But it can also be refreshing and fruitful. I feel well positioned in this endeavor by many members and organizations in our community that have offered their support. I believe that really listening, being genuine and educated on the issues—combined with my pragmatic approach to solving problems—can lead our city to a better place. That is how I plan to run my campaign, and if given the privilege to represent you, how I plan to serve you in council.
Finally, if you see me out and about, please introduce yourself and let me know about your concerns and vision for Manzanita. I want to hear from you! I welcome and look forward to our interactions.
All the best,
Brad
