As a refresher before we get into the weeds. Its always good to be reminded of the structure of a system that we’re discussing.  The Town of Friday Harbor uses a mayor / council system. The mayor is elected by the voters and acts as the town’s chief executive, overseeing administration and setting the policy tone. One key responsibility of the mayor is appointing the town administrator who manages day to day operations. The town administrator is an at will employee and serves at the discretion of the mayor. While the town council approves the administrator’s contract, the hiring and firing authority ultimately rests with the mayor.

The town council is made up of five elected members and functions as the legislative branch. It passes ordinances, approves budgets, and represents the public interest. This structure gives the mayor significant executive authority, especially when it comes to staffing and leadership at town hall.

Ray Jackson is our current mayor. He is known as a kind and well-intentioned person with a big and fun personality whose glass is always half full. Like anyone who’s willing to step up and serve the public, he deserves our appreciation. The role of mayor comes with a modest stipend, and while the Town Council recently approved a small raise for themselves and the mayor, the position still pays only slightly more than volunteer work.

That said, under his leadership, the relationships between the town and its residents, developers, business owners, county government and town employees has shifted. Instead of working in partnership with the community the Towns Administration has taken on an increasingly adversarial role.

The mayor’s job is to lead, not defer. But it’s clear the Town Administrator is the one making the decisions, and the mayor tends to step aside. When the administration pushes policies that lead to public outrage or lawsuits, it’s not just the outcome that’s the problem. It’s how they got there. The mayor doesn’t push back, doesn’t ask hard questions, and doesn’t stand up for the public. He just nods along, tries to calm the waters, speaks in vague reassurances, and governs with platitudes.

That is not what this role calls for. And with the field of mayoral candidates now open, we have an opportunity to change course and choose someone willing to do the job differently.

Thankfully, we have choices. Four other candidates are running. Pamela Hoke, Emilio Santiago, Evan Perrollaz, and Tanja Williamson. My hope is that one of them will step forward with the kind of clarity, courage, and direction that this office needs.

I am looking for a mayor who leads the bureaucracy instead of being led by it. A mayor who does not simply defer to the Town Administrator, but is a hands-on leader who puts the community of residents, taxpayers, and ratepayers first.

I’m looking for a mayor who believes protection of private property rights is essential, along with a willingness to think outside the box to keep the ownership of property affordable. This may include efforts to change government at other levels and build coalitions with other towns to press for funding reforms that relieve the burden on ratepayers.

A mayor who takes the fiscal responsibilities of the town seriously.  One that doesn’t refer to the monies in town coffers as treasure needing to be spent just because it’s there. Respecting the fact that every penny in those coffers was leveraged out of somebody’s pocket somewhere.

A mayor who puts the people first in turn will build the kind of town where businesses can truly thrive. The residents are the foundation. When they are prioritized and the town stays affordable, businesses have the workforce they need and can operate effectively. When businesses are strong the whole community benefits.

Just a few more qualities I believe our next mayor should embody.  They must uphold a commitment to limited government that focuses on essential services without unnecessary growth or overreach. Accountability and transparency are also critical. Government actions should be visible and leaders must remain answerable to the people. The mayor should respect their role as an elected official and work collaboratively to ensure decisions reflect the will of residents and not just administrators or special interests. They must also support town staff by fostering morale and making sure employees have the tools they need to do their jobs well.

In summary, Friday Harbor deserves a mayor who is a leader, not a follower. Someone who listens to the people and takes seriously the role of representing the community. We need a mayor who defends private property rights, works to keep ownership affordable, respects that every dollar in the budget came out of someone’s pocket, and stays focused on essential services. A mayor who supports town employees, builds trust through transparency, and keeps the public interest ahead of special interests. When residents are the priority and the costs of living and doing business are kept in check, rents stay lower and businesses have the workforce they need. That’s how you build a town that works for the people. From the ground up.

Jeremy Nash