For a hot minute this July, I ran for a seat on Manzanita City Council. I gathered my signatures, got on the ballot and in August, at a Women’s Forum meeting, burst into tears when I had to drop out because my already heavy teaching load unexpectedly got even heavier.
During that time, I got to know Brad Mayerle. You’d think that two people vying for the same position wouldn’t exactly hit it off, but that’s not what happened. He was an encouraging supporter of my run, as another resident with many of the same concerns we all have. He was willing to share information and talk over what we were both learning. I’ve watched how much time and energy Brad puts in every day to learn about the issues our town faces and the creative solutions other communities have implemented to deal with them. He meets with people who live or work in the community to learn what their perspectives are. What he learns he communicates clearly on his blog and postings or in conversations, which is no small feat when you’re talking about short-term rentals or workforce housing.
There’s been some social media yelling about Brad not volunteering enough at one of the organizations in town, like that’s some character flaw, but I don’t see that as the most important thing in choosing a candidate for office.
Brad’s profession as a dentist and his business experience running a large successful dental practice in Lake Oswego would bring the necessary leadership skills to council. Brad is respectful, he listens and he’s pragmatic. In his work, he’s had to be.
In our contentious little town, Brad Mayerle also has the kind of temperament to lead. Brad’s not a guy who does things for prizes and accolades. He doesn’t brag on himself when he’s done something good and when people have gone low on social media, which unfortunately they do, he doesn’t respond in kind. He’s not thin-skinned or defensive. He’s not arrogant or a know it all.
That’s the kind of person we need on council. That’s why I’m voting for Brad Mayerle.
Ben Killen Rosenberg
