To the editor:
I am writing this letter to state my strong support for Craig Berdie as the next mayor of the city of Yachats. Craig Berdie thoroughly understands the many pressing needs our city such as drinking water sustainability, housing availability for all ages and incomes, pedestrian and bicycle safety, disaster preparedness, and critical infrastructure upgrades and system back-ups.
He has spent his professional life in project and people management, and will work closely with council members and the community to establish priority goals, develop achievable measures of success and closely monitor progress. That will include working with the city manager, commissions and committees, and staff to seek appropriate grant funding and undertake authorized projects. Craig will hold accountable those responsible for issue resolution and project implementation, while providing strong civic leadership based on timely and informed decisions, diverse community input, fiscal responsibility, and clear direction.
I have worked alongside Craig on numerous city and regional volunteer activities over the past few years, and have been impressed by his interest in thoroughly understanding a subject and communicating his ideas and thoughts with confidence. He also is genuinely interested in hearing what other people have to say and is open to new perspectives and ideas.
What I believe truly separates Craig and will make him an excellent mayor is his humility and the value he will place on expert input in important city matters. No one expects the mayor or any member of council to be an expert in every area of city business, but it’s vital that our leaders recognize and appreciate when there is a need for outside counsel.
Yachats is a wonderful city with dedicated staff and volunteers who will greatly benefit from Craig Berdie as mayor. He is a doer, and Yachats needs a leader who is passionate about getting things done and will work tirelessly to build upon the strong foundations in our community and push forward projects that improve the lives of Yachatians.
— John Theilacker/Yachats
