The job of the mayor of a city requires time and daily effort to learn the many aspects of serving a municipality beyond running an effective and productive council meeting.

For this reason, you see some long-term, seasoned Oregon mayors continuing to lead their cities. Examples include Silverton, 16 years; Independence, 10 years; and Forest Grove, 12 years. Dedicated mayors pursue diverse agendas — carefully including everyone around the table in their open public process. These attributes require experience, but even more important, they require a high level of tolerance for many diverse opinions and positions.

As your state senator, I work continually with the cities in my district that includes both Coos Bay and North Bend. I appreciate the love of their respective communities felt by Mayor Rick Wetherell of North Bend and mayor Jeff McKeown of Coos Bay.

They each take seriously the challenges facing their city’s economic needs, waterfront development, public safety support, workforce development, alternative energy and emergency preparedness. They face rising health care costs, threats to retirement funds and budget shortfalls. They must find a way to stretch your tax dollars, secure needed grants funds and work effectively with community groups and state agencies. This is on top of building consensus with their councils to move their cities forward in a spirit of cooperation and compromise.

I applaud the fine leadership and work ethic of both Mayor Wetherell and Mayor McKeown. Our area has benefited from their efforts and I wish them the very best in the election this Nov. 4.

Joanne Verger

State senator, district 5

Coos Bay