By FRED McCARTHY

I have enjoyed the opportunities for leadership, adventure, and experience that have presented themselves in my life. Someone once said: “One of the greatest gifts in life is the opportunity to do work worth doing.”

The position of mayor in the City of Langley on Whidbey Island in Washington State has certainly been an honor and a privilege. My primary goals in accepting the challenges of public service here were to treat everyone I met with consideration and respect, and to work hard at improving the quality of life for others. We in the city can reflect on many accomplishments, systems, and procedures that we have developed over the past couple of years by working together. Among many great memories are the First Street water project, the Second Street transformation project, supporting the Port’s marina expansion project, celebration of the city’s centennial, hundreds of volunteers, implementation of city recognition programs, forming the Arts Commission, preserving the ghost shrimp for our whales, and many economic development initiatives. I am very proud of our team — the city council, supervisors, city staff, volunteers, Main Street, and the Chamber of Commerce — and their dedication to providing quality public service.

Filing week for elected office and the November General Election is May 11-15. I encourage qualified citizens to consider running for mayor for the next four years and look forward to helping with the transition as the end of my term approaches in December 2015.

Thank you for the many memories and high quality experiences along the way, and the respect and support you gave me during my term in office. In working together we will continue to make a difference for the citizens and the future of Langley.

Sincerely,

Fred