MAYERLE FOR MANZANITA: How I’ve Set the Table

Submitted By: mayerleformanzanita@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

With only a few weeks to go until the election, as a voter, I imagine you’re trying to understand the differences among the candidates and who will best serve you on the city council. We all know that the comprehensive plan needs updating to reflect the desires of residents. We all know that we need budget diversification, which is critical to our future.

I believe the big differentiator for me is how I’ve set the table with my transparency and communication about my research, networking, and connecting. I announced my candidacy this past May, and since then, I’ve hit the ground running.

In my campaign announcement published on May 26, I stated:
“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.”

In my ‘Seat at the Table’ article published in August (www.mayerleformanzanita.com/your-seat-at-the-table), I further strengthened that statement:

“I believe the role of a councilor is to be informed, seek community input, and be willing to make and implement decisions. Sometimes, that takes compromise. Sometimes, it takes implementing a policy and then reassessing and tweaking it as necessary. It never means failing to listen or failing to understand your constituents.”

When I decided to run for the council, I vowed I would be true to myself…I’m not going to pretend I’m something I am not in order to get elected. I’m not looking for a merit badge. Quite the contrary. I wanted to show you I take this seriously and am preparing to make the hard, informed calls about important issues. And I’ve also wanted to show you who I really am by sprinkling my personality into my commentary.

I believe I’ve shown you respect and—hopefully—earned it in return. I decided to respect your scroll, not post constantly, and I try to make my postings matter. I keep a daily blog on my website if you want to hear my thoughts or learn more about me. There is additional information about candidates, including MooVoter (bit.ly/moovoter) and voters’ pamphlets published by Tillamook County, Manzanita, The Pioneer Press and the League of Woman Voters. I chose not to file with ORESTAR so that I could increase my campaign spending. The $750 allowance for city candidates is more than enough—I have carefully budgeted it to demonstrate that I am fiscally responsible. An extra yard sign is not going to win your vote. And mass mailings of campaign flyers just fill our postal recycle bins and waste resources. Instead, I valued face-to-face communication, to meet and talk. I’ve made my email and phone number readily available.

This is what I consider ‘setting the table,’ AKA ‘doing the work’ to serve on the council.

I’m Brad Mayerle, and I’m running for Manzanita City Council. I encourage you to follow my blog and see how I’m working to earn your vote: www.mayerleformanzanita.com/read-my-daily-blog