Letter: Vancouver needs broader leadership than just a teacher’s lens

Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi believes Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle should not seek another term

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

As Vancouver prepares for another mayoral election, it’s time we look closely at the kind of leadership our city needs to move forward — leadership rooted in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), not just in identity, but in experience, perspective, and approach.

Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle has served with dedication and was a trailblazer as the city’s first female mayor. However, her background as a teacher has strongly influenced her leadership style — one that often feels top-down, process-driven, and insulated from the full diversity of voices in our community. Vancouver is not a classroom; it is a growing, dynamic city that deserves leadership drawn from a wider range of professional and life experiences.

To build a more inclusive future, we must invite new voices into leadership—people who reflect the racial, cultural, economic, and generational diversity of our city. We need leaders who understand collaboration beyond the boundaries of bureaucratic systems, and who bring fresh ideas from fields such as business, social services, environmental justice, technology, and beyond.

It’s not about discounting past service — it’s about recognizing when it’s time to step aside and make room for growth. For the benefit of DEI and our city’s future, I believe Mayor McEnerny-Ogle should not seek another term. Instead, let’s encourage new candidates to step forward — leaders who represent the full spectrum of Vancouver and are prepared to meet its complex challenges with new energy and inclusive vision.

Peter Bracchi
Vancouver

Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi believes Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle should not seek another term

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